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  • How to Achieve the Elegant Tuscan Style for Your Kitchen

    How to Achieve the Elegant Tuscan Style for Your Kitchen

    If you like the look of Italian decorating and want to create a cozy and inviting old-style design, then why not start with a vibrant Tuscan style? Italy has long been a scene of beautiful countryside villas, deep flowering meadows, and gorgeous sunsets that spin the wheat fields into gold. Get inspired from this graceful style kitchen designs ideas and get started with transforming your home into a Tuscan retreat!

    Tuscany is a region in Italy and the kitchens there are famous for the rustic mood they bring and a relaxed Mediterranean feel. Basically inspired by Italian forms and designs, Tuscany style kitchen designs are traditional, elegant ways to spruce up your cooking space. Although the appearance it produces is that of a century old kitchen, one can achieve it without buying expensive antique pieces. When we think of Tuscan kitchen, there are some particular elements that are coming into mind. This style uses a lot many contrasts and textures: colorful cabinets, separate baking area, Tuscan kitchen cabinets, Tuscan accessories, colorful wall are some of the popular elements.

    1. Use nature inspired colors:  indulge your decor with a color palette true to a Tuscan style, as it empowers your senses to feel calm, comforted and tranquil. A hallmark of Tuscan kitchen design is color connection with nature, so think ripe, golden pears, a clear turquoise lake, orange-red hibiscus, vibrant red, luscious green olives, the creamy ivory of an aged plaster wall and the rich burgundy of aged wine.  Consider painting your walls using a textured paint technique which will lend an authentic look and feel.

     2. Stay away from new or modern lighting: choose your pendant lights or chandeliers carefully. Stay away from anything too shiny and stick with muted metals. Some nice antique looking wrought iron lights will be right in style.

    3. Buy old look furniture: casual furniture in warm woods and rich dark colors is a must if you want to create the unique Tuscan look. Tuscan style furniture can range from an informal simple look, to a more formal design. It can be fashioned from iron, rustic woods or fine hardwoods and often includes accents of copper and iron. A distressed wooden cupboard can give you some extra storage and add to the look if you have the space. Chunky wood tables with chippy or distressed paint go nice.

    4. Using natural materials for flooring: earthy tones or neutral shades are the perfect choice for stone, slate, granite or terra cotta. The countertops of these kitchen designs are generally tiled to provide a large area for preparing the food. In fact tiled countertops give the kitchen a traditional look as well. Usually the floors of these kitchens are also tiled.

    5. Accesorize and decorate: the simplest details often make the biggest impression. You can get the look with brand new accessories or if you enjoy collecting antiques, you can scour the flea markets and antique malls for those perfect pieces. Look for old pottery bowls and pitchers as well as painted or antiqued wooden bowls. Majolica makes a nice addition to a Tuscan style kitchen and you can buy whole sets of this pottery new today and use it for everyday use. Use lots of decorative jars of oils with peppers and ropes of garlic, peppers and grape vines. Antique look signs with a wine motif can add to the wall decor as can wallpaper murals in the form of Italian frescos and niches. Soften it up with lots of greenery. Tuscan kitchens often display large dinnerware serving accessories and brightly colored kitchen canisters that are as beautiful as they are useful.

  • How to Design Your Kids’ Room

    How to Design Your Kids’ Room

    When it comes to planning the kids’ room always start from the premise that the approach should be totally different than when decorating an adult bedroom. That’s because children’s bedroom should reflect their personality and not that of their parents. (more…)

  • Open Air Library in Magdeburg, Germany

    Open Air Library in Magdeburg, Germany

    This 24 hours open air library was realised by the Leipzig-based KARO Architects in Magdeburg one of the urban areas in Eastern Germany which are characterized by abandoned industrial plants and fallow land. (more…)

  • Decorating with White

    Decorating with White

    Is it or not white a color? The answer varies depending on the perspective from which we look when decorating with white. From culturally and linguistically perspective already entered our vocabulary to refer to it as a color. Physically, however, by studying the chromatic circle, both white and black are considered non-colors. (more…)

  • Striking Residence With Magnificent Alps Views

    Striking Residence With Magnificent Alps Views

    Welcome to a highly original and very chunky house that manages to stand out due to both its architecture concept approach and impressive panorama at the foot of the Alps. Enchanting surroundings make the House Haller more than just 150 sqm house – it may also be a magnificent vacation residence.  (more…)

  • Atypical Design for a New Customs Checkpoint in Georgia

    Atypical Design for a New Customs Checkpoint in Georgia

    With its atypical design, the Sardi Border Checkpoint certainly draws attention of tourists and will become a major local landmark. Situated at the Georgian border to Turkey, at the shore of the Black Sea, the new customs checkpoint was completed this month, November 2011, after only one year. (more…)

  • Unique Museum Concept in Nagano, Japan

    Unique Museum Concept in Nagano, Japan

    Experience the feelings of beauty, courage and the power of life, and make new discoveries for yourselves by visiting this unique museum concept, Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa, located in Nagano, Japan. Surrounded by the nature of Karuizawa, a popular destination for escaping the heat of summer, this museum full of light is the result of a collaborative effort (more…)

  • 20 Creative Thanksgiving Table Settings Ideas

    20 Creative Thanksgiving Table Settings Ideas

    Get ready to give thanks in style. Make a good first impression with these creative table settings ideas for Thanksgiving feast from Marta Stewart. A Thanksgiving table doesn’t have to be over the top to be beautiful and small  stylish and creative details can make a big impact.

    (more…)