Showing posts with label tuscan kitchen design. Show all posts

Monday, 24 October 2011

Tuscan Kitchen Design Ideas

Tuscan Kitchen Design Ideas - Candi Randolph

If your dream kitchen includes a large gathering table and chairs or benches to seat the entire family, warm sunshine streaming in through the windows with bold, warm, earthy colors throughout the space, natural elements including wood, tile and stone, you'll be thrilled with Tuscan kitchen design!

Tuscany style kitchens are strong yet welcoming, bold yet serene. How is this balance achieved? First, by selecting Tuscan kitchen colors, which include those found in nature: reds, burgundys, oranges,yellows, olive green, ivory, turquoise, deep purple,brown and black.

How you use these bold colors depends on your own decorating style and comfort. But know that you can comfortably place just about any of the colors (except black) described above on your walls and remain true to Tuscan kitchen colors and design. Suggestion: select shade of deep gold for the walls. It will always present a warm, sunny tone and will provide a beautiful backdrop for your darker wood cabinetry.

The bold colors will be balanced by the natural elements used such as tile, plaster, wood beams, stone and wood furniture, usually oak or pine. Cabinetry should be of a medium to dark wood grain, or a deep, dark wood tone (almost black) for those of you who are more adventurous in their Tuscan Kitchen decor. Your cabinets and furniture will be accented by the warm, beautiful color on the walls of the Tuscany style kitchen. Cabinet pulls should be iron, pewter or wood.

Floors should be tile, stone or wood to most closely follow the Tuscan kitchen design (think of that old Italian kitchen in the country - you know, the one with the chickens strutting around the room and Grandma at the stove preparing the pasta!)

Natural lighting will influence your wall color, although you will want to make sure that you have numerous sources of lighting in your Tuscan kitchen design. Examples include an iron chandelier, undercounter lighting, lighting above the cabinetry, brushed pewter lights,etc.

If your kitchen is large enough for an island, a Tuscan influence in this area may include pots hanging above, and counter tops of tile or stone. If faux stone is in your budget, there are many choices that are realistic in look and will give the same result for your Tuscan style kitchen decor.

Accessories continue the colorful and bold theme of Tuscan design, and many times include pottery, pewter and copper pieces. Whether you have collected, inherited, antiqued or spent some time at the discount store, your Tuscan kitchen design will include these pieces. Themes and patterns will often include fruit, grapes in particular. Beautifully colored tiles, whether used as a back splash or decoratively, are also found in Tuscan style kitchen decor.

Consider bold area rugs, greens (natural or faux), natural finish fixtures in dark brown or black, stainless appliances and touches of fruit, grapevines and/or sunflowers.

Remember as you design and decorate your Tuscan style kitchen to keep to these strategies: bold, earthy colors, natural elements and large scale proportions. Use a healthy dose of accessories keeping a watchful eye out for knowing when enough is enough (you don't want to create a flea market effect!). Above all, create a warm and inviting environment for the entire family to enjoy together, and you will have accomplished your Tuscan style kitchen design goal.

Tuscan Kitchen Remodel

6 Ways to Achieve Tuscan Kitchen Design - L Donaldson

Tuscany is well know for its beautiful landscapes, delicious wines and fabulous fresh foods. Many who have traveled to Italy yearn to have a Tuscan style kitchen in which they too can prepare delicious gourmet meals in a charming old world setting. Even those that have not traveled to Italy yearn for a kitchen that possesses all the magnetic charisma that a Tuscan style kitchen beholds. There's something sweet and grandmotherly yet boldly noble about Tuscan kitchen design that makes it one of the most popular design styles for kitchens today.
If you are planning a kitchen remodel or designing a kitchen from scratch, incorporate the following items and you will have the Tuscan kitchen of your dreams.

#1 - Granite or Marble Countertops
Old World Tuscan style kitchens often have natural stone kitchen countertops. Marble countertops are ideal for kneading dough for fresh baked bread. Granite countertops are the most durable of all and will last forever if cared for properly. Granite is ideal for chopping fresh vegetables and no cutting board is required. Granite is the strongest of stones, second only to the diamond. It doesn't matter what color of stone you choose because natural stone colors blend well with the Tuscan color palate.

#2 - Tuscan Colors
The Tuscan color palate is one that is reflective of the natural surrounding outdoors. Rich shades of ochre and sunflower gold, poppy red, burnt sienna and aged copper, almond and walnut brown and shades of green from olive to rich cedar are all very popular. Rich colors infuse a Tuscan style kitchen. You will rarely find a Tuscan style kitchen that is a clear white or dove gray. Colors are rustic, deep, bold and earthy.

#3 - Kitchen Island
In Old World Tuscan kitchens the center table was a place to not only dine but to also prepare food. Peeling and chopping was often done at the table, then the table would be cleared for eating after the meal was prepared. Now we desire kitchen islands that make meal preparation even easier and normally offers bar stools or counter seats for those that want to eat there in the kitchen center.

#4 - Iron Accessories
Old World Tuscan style kitchens are known for their substantial iron chandeliers, candelabras and candlesticks. To achieve a modern-day version of this look, there are many iron light fixtures, candle holders, wall sconces and simple iron wall decorations that when added create the look of Tuscan kitchen design.

#5 - Natural Stone Backsplash
Old World Tuscan kitchens often incorporated real stone into the walls. The homes were often made of stone and so many times the inside of the home went unfinished and the stone was beautifully exposed. Especially around the hearth there would be natural stone due to its' natural fireproof properties. Today a natural stone backsplash in the kitchen gives that old world Tuscan appearance. Behind the cooktop, natural stone is especially effective in use and appearance.

#6 - Natural Stone Flooring
Old World Tuscan kitchens normally had floors made of natural stone. The stone is durable and easier to keep clean than other materials. Today natural stone floors are more popular than ever since they will last forever and don't harbor dust, bacteria and odors like carpet and wood. Natural stone tiles such as travertine, slate, granite and marble are easy to install and maintain.

Tuesday, 8 February 2011

TUSCAN KITCHEN STYLE IS IN VOGUE

By Melissa Roy

More people nowadays find the idea of a sunny cottage with a Tuscan kitchen as their most perfect. If you wish to have a comfortable cottage ambience in your kitchen, the great news is that it's simple and do-it-yourself!

One of the causes Tuscan kitchen is such a great decorating style is that it marks the simple ideas of life: Friends, food and family. A Tuscan kitchen is easy to use, fuss free and decorating in this manner is as easy as paint and a few retouches here and there. That is why most of the household at Chicago and Dallas has got this kind of kitchen,

The walls in this have an exclusive and old-world charm. You can acquire this using a fake painting method. At first, you paint the ramparts a base colour that is bright such as butter yellow or butterscotch. Then, sponge on a darker shade so walls look as if they have faded in some areas. There are several books and Internet websites that can give us step-by-step instructions on this process of using paint, as well as product directions. If you want to you can use textures on your walls using combined compound blended with paint. Spraying the combination onto the walls makes a colour of a genuine country kitchen.

The next areas to paint are doors of a cabinet. One must use a robust, contrasting colour to truly give your kitchen a Tuscan character. Dark reds and forest green colours are especially well known on doors of closets. While you're out searching for the perfect shade of colour, spend few minutes in the hardware area of your house perfecting store. This is a place where you'll find the handles and knobs to put in the concluding touch to the Tuscan doors and drawer areas. Glossy metal or true terracotta knobs will both look great.

Creating The Best Tuscan Kitchen Design

By Tatasumo

Tuscan kitchen design immediately conjures images of Italy and sunlight and warmth. In fact these kinds of images are just what you need to think of when coming up with the perfect Tuscan kitchen design.

Tuscany a region in north central Italy is known as a warm place almost year round an Tuscan kitchen design should reflect this. Tuscan kitchen designs are defined by colors such as siena, terra, and sepia. Tuscan Kitchen design uses a lot of soft warm colors and textures. Windows in the kitchen should provide as much natural sunlight as possible.

The Tuscan style has evolved through the centuries, influenced by Etruscan metal craft and pottery as well as the Italian Renaissance. The Tuscan style can be seen in mosiac tiles, wrought iron gates, bridges and architecture.

Tuscan kitchen design and décor can enhance the look and feel of any kitchen. You can add a big wooden table, open cupboards, along with ceramics, pots, pans and Tuscan-inspired dinnerware.

These items can also make great decorations when you are not using them.

Kitchen island design in the Tuscan kitchen design style has its origins from ancient Roman times. This is the origins of the nice ornaments you will find with all tuscan kitchen design. The Tuscan kitchen island is usually of a dark color painted on oak. Sometimes the islands are given one coat of white paint. Scratches are added to give the wood a more antique look.

In Tuscany families tend to eat and cook together. A good Tuscan kitchen design should provide for adequate room for you and your family to more around the kitchen freely.

The Tuscan kitchen design style is very popular now. One reason is that this design style be quite affordable while be stylish and providing more comfortable kitchen. The Tuscan kitchen design style accessories include pottery, jars, and hand crafted tiles depicting grapevines and vineyards as well as grapes, tomatos, and olives. Having these design elements just naturally goes with Tuscan meals.

Walls - Wall should be painted in a rich Tuscan color such as rich reds, intense yellows, or strong yellows. Consider a wall treatment such as molding, or murals to create a more Tuscan feel to the walls.

Floors - Use Terra cotta or clay tiles, glazed ceramic and marble inlay in intricate patterns. Wooden floors can be left plain with natural color and finish with a Persian rug.

Furniture - For a Tuscan kitchen design use sturdy pieces of furniture that is also strong and functional. Kitchen tables and chairs should also be well-built and strong.

Cabinetry - Cabinetry should feature open shelves for displaying your ceramics, as well as baskets, and cooking utensils

Sink - Kitchen sink should be white ceramic to be more compatible with your Tuscan kitchen design. You might also consider a large rectangular marble sink.

As for other Tuscan kitchen design ideas you can add racks to display copper pans. Also wrought iron pull for drawers, and wrought iron light fixtures. You might even want to add a brick-fired oven just like the type found in large Italian farmhouse kitchens.

By designing your kitchen with the Tuscan design style and bring in the look of old Tuscany your kitchen and home will never be quite the same.

Tuscan Kitchen Decor

Tuscan Kitchen Decor

Make Your Kitchen Looking Authentically Tuscan

By Lisa Lucero

Trying to come up with a great theme for the kitchen can definitely be a trying process. The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home, and so of course you are going to want to make sure that you decorate it right, with a look that is going to leave a lasting impression on your guests and one that you are going to enjoy living with.

Tuscan kitchen decor is one idea, and one that you are definitely going to want to take into serious consideration because it is such a popular idea. Many homeowners choose the Tuscan kitchen decor because it brings a look of old world and beauty to their home.

There are lots of great ideas that you can incorporate into your Tuscan kitchen decorating plans, but before you get started there is some important information that you are going to want to be aware of, and which is going to help ensure that you stick with the Tuscan theme and do not get off track.

Floors

For the floors for your Tuscan kitchen decor, there are a few ideas that you could go with but laying stone or quarry tiles on the floor in enigmatic earthy shades will be best. Area rugs also work well but typically only in other rooms of the home because you want to keep rugs and carpets out of the kitchen area.

Backsplashes

Now for your Tuscan kitchen decor you are going to have to make sure that you have a great backsplash. The backsplash is often one of the main attention grabbing aspects in a kitchen, so make sure that you do it right. Often regarded as the heart and soul of a Tuscan kitchen, the backsplash is supposed to be really eye catching.

Green, rust and gold are the best colors to use here, and using murals will also be a great idea. Murals on tumbled stone tiles will help to pay rich tributes to everything that the Tuscan style is all about.

Walls

Now for the walls of your Tuscan kitchen decor, sticking to yellow tones is the best option. Intricately layered walls in exotic shades of yellow sponged to perfection are going to give you that true, old world, Tuscany feel. These are all great tips but you also want to make sure that you make the room personalized, make it your own.