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The
Tuscan palette features the creamy ivories of native chalkstone, the
golden hues of the famous Tuscan sun, the terra cotta tones of the
soil, the rich greens of forests, vineyards and pasturelands and the
smoky greens of olive orchards.
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ASK anyone who has visited Tuscany and they will
tell you it’s as much away of life as a place.
Diversity is the hallmark of this popular area of north-central
Italy. The region encompasses Florence, a sophisticated city renowned
for art and architecture; simple agrarian areas seemingly untouched by
time; the Maremma coastline; the Apennine mountains; the ancient vineyards
of Chianti; the island of Elba with its crystal waters, hidden bays and
mountain peaks; and Pisa with its famous leaning tower and two universities.
"The lifestyle is relaxed, informal and down-to-earth and the people all
seem to be so happy," said interior designer Mary Brannon, a member of
the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
Tuscany has long been a getaway for Italian aristocracy,
but it remains home to families who have farmed the area for generations.
As a result, rustic farmhouses and elegant villas are interspersed throughout
the picturesque area.
That eclecticism and lifestyle are reflected in what
has become known as "Tuscan Style," one of the most enduring trends in
American interior design and architecture.
"Tuscan style is simple yet elegant. It’s a style that
real people can live with and use," said designer Suzi Gregg.
Tuscan style is organic in nature, reflecting the region’s
agrarian roots. The palette features the creamy ivories of native chalkstone,
the golden hues of the famous Tuscan sun, the terra cotta tones of the
soil, the rich greens of forests, vineyards and pasturelands and the smoky
greens of olive orchards. Accents include the deep ruby hues of Chianti
wine and the bright red of tomatoes.
Warmth, another common thread in Tuscan style, is expressed
through extensive use of natural materials such as wood, stone and leather.
Rich textures in wall treatments and fabrics enhance this glow. Surrounded
by some of the world’s greatest art and architecture, Italians seem to
have an innate sense of style and harmony, according to furniture magnate
Michael Kreiss.
Mr. Kreiss, who lived in Italy for several months and
who works with Italian furniture designers and manufacturers to produce
Kreiss Collection furnishings, interprets Tuscan style as integrating
formal and informal design elements.
And, he emphasizes, "it’s not fussy or precious."
Rhythm of roofs
Tuscan architectural style is more refined than the
generic Mediterranean style of architecture so pervasive in custom home
developments, according to Mr. Kreiss. He says he used architecture as
the inspiration, guideline and backdrop for the home he furnished with
large pieces featuring rounded rather than angular lines.
Natural materials such as suede and leather, richly
textured fabrics and embellishments such as hobnails added to the expression
of Tuscan style.
Architectural designer Dena Gillespie said she came
away with an impression of Tuscan architecture as having "texture on the
walls and rhythm in the roof lines and wonderful detail." "Their houses
have been added onto over the centuries so most of them have roof lines
of varying heights that go in different directions. It creates a rhythmic
look almost a sense of a village within one structure," Ms. Gillespie
said.
Because so many of the homes have been added onto one
room at a time over the years, a typical Tuscan floor plan is "compartmentalized
rather than wide open," according to Ms. Gillespie.
"The compartmentalization creates the coziness and warmth
associated with Tuscan style," Ms. Gillespie said.
The architectural challenge in interpreting Tuscan style
for the American market is how to marry the Old World look and feel of
Tuscany to modern-day needs and desires, according to Ms. Gillespie.
While reproducing the thick stone walls of old Tuscan
farmhouses is not practical here, the flavor of the region is carried
out through the extensive use of fountains, frescoes, fireplaces and courtyards.
Stone laid in stucco to dramatize the interplay of light and shadow that’s
so much a part of Tuscan architecture is another feature Ms. Gillespie
adapted in her design.
Ironwork in shutters, balconies and door surrounds expresses
Tuscan style and Ms. Gillespie says "they have a lot of fun with windows,
using awnings and ironwork."
Whether in an elegant villa or simple farmhouse, Ms.
Gillespie says, the Tuscan front door tends to be made of simple rough-hewn
planks surrounded by iron-work or sculpture "to make it look grander,"
according to Ms. Gillespie. In an era of high ceilings that tend to give
homes an almost museum-like feeling, Ms. Gillespie says Tuscan style brings
ceilings and room dimensions down to "more human scale and that’s
part of its appeal."
Wine and dine
The Tuscan approach to simple, yet elegant, interior
design was demonstrated in a guest suite of an ASID showcase home in San
Diego co-designed by Mary Brannon and Mada Winsauer.
"The furnishings are spare but each piece is special
that’s the Italian way," Ms. Brannon said.
Ms. Brannon, who has spent time in Tuscany, wanted to
imbue the region’s serenity and happy ambience in the guest suite, which
featured Venetian plastered walls, original art and custom-made furnishings
imported from Italy.
Tuscany has long been a getaway for Italian aristocracy, but it remains
home to families who have farmed the area for generations. As a result,
rustic farmhouses and elegant villas are interspersed throughout the
picturesque area.
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"Tuscany feels very relaxed and happy. That feeling is
reflected in Tuscan interior design," Ms. Brannon said.
While the dining room often is under-utilized in American
homes, it and the kitchen are the "heart of the Tuscan home" where family
and friends typically relax around the dinner table savoring good food,
wine and conversation several times a week.
As a result, Tuscan-style dining rooms are handsomely
appointed with finely crafted but user-friendly furnishings.
The wine cellar interior designer Susan Geier created
for the showcase home featured antique elements to create an aged appearance.
Stone pavers in irregular shapes are pieced together on the wall. Cabinets
are specially glazed and hand-painted and a custom-carved fountain from
Italy adds interest.
The wine-tasting room continues the Tuscan ambience and
antique feeling of the adjacent wine cellar. It was furnished with hand-crafted
reproductions of Tuscan furnishings, including a settee covered in gold
chenille, two small side chairs and a handmade wrought iron and glass table.
A massive antiqued iron chandelier features ivy-filled
moss pots interspersed with candles that cast a romantic, golden glow over
the room designed for "sipping wine and conversation with friends," according
to Ms. Gregg. The walls and ceiling are finished in Venetian plaster. The
eclecticism of Tuscan style makes it adaptable to almost any type of living
situation, according to Ms. Gregg.
"You can combine flea market finds, heirlooms and displays
of family photos with contemporary furnishings," Ms. Gregg said.
Another hallmark of Tuscan design is so-called "set-in-place"
cabinetry that resembles furniture, Ms. Gregg adds. It’s used effectively
in kitchens, bathrooms and powder rooms to create a sense of homey warmth
rather than sleek sophistication.
In her interpretation of Tuscan style, Ms. Gregg focuses
on rich textures, wood, stone and warm colors that echo the landscape. She
also juxtaposes formal and informal design elements such as elegant tapestries
with distressed wood and nailheads or elegant mosaic floors with pavers
with a rough-hewn look.
"Warmth is the key to Tuscan style," Ms. Gregg said. "It
combines style and elegance with comfort. That’s what makes it so appealing."
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