Ideas On Doing A Tuscan Style Dining Room

Tuscan homes exude the sense of ages past.

In many Tuscan villas, the kitchen and dining room are the heart of the home where families gather in traditional Italian style to eat and drink. To bring in the sense of a warm Tuscan family experience to your dining room, use design elements that evoke imagery of villas that have stood for centuries.

Rustic Wood

Thick wooden elements are a common feature in Tuscan homes. Bring some of the Italian countryside into your dining room with rustic wooden pieces that look as though they have been around for years. If you have the budget, add exposed wooden beams to the ceiling to give it height and drama. For a less extensive project, add sturdy wooden pieces that are both functional and attractive. Find a dining table with a thick, simple construction; look for the clean lines that are often found in farm-style furniture to give the sense of the Tuscan peasant heritage. You can also look for simple wooden chairs or a buffet if you have the room.

Color Scheme

Tuscan homes have a warm, inviting color scheme that brings in colors from the surrounding countryside. Bring the feeling into your dining room by using a palette of rich, earthy colors like gold, brick red, terracotta and sage green. For a rustic look, use a base of cream or white to show off your wooden elements. If you want a bolder dining room, don't shy away from color: warm yellow walls can add life to the room.

Storage

Tuscan dining rooms are rarely the picture of order; instead they tend to overflow with food-related items. Store wine in the open on a side table or on the wall, and keep olive oil and balsamic vinegar in pretty glass bottles on the table. Instead of a traditional centerpiece, use candles tucked into empty Chianti wine bottles, allowing the melted wax to roll down the sides. To set a Tuscan tone, store bread, oil, vinegar and wine on the center of the table.

Stone Elements

Many Tuscan homes are built using stone elements that lend an air of age. For a dramatic statement in your dining room, install a stone fireplace to keep the room warm. You can also install stone or fake stone details around the arches of doors into the dining room, or find side tables with slate tops. For a major remodeling project, install stone floors and cover them with area rugs. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, add stone kitchen elements like a mortar and pestle.

Tags: dining room, Tuscan homes, your dining, your dining room, install stone, dining room, elements that