Create a Tuscan Dream Bedroom on a Small Budget
By Laura M. Zaki
These days we see "Tuscan" inspired style everywhere! From lighting to bedding, placemats and even salt shakers, everyone seems to want to get the Tuscan look. Many of the products don't seem to be very authentic and you can spend a lot of money trying to get the designer look and end up with something that really doesn't have much to do with Tuscany.
So how can you add a touch of real Tuscan flavor to your home, without spending a fortune? Here are some great tips and suggestions on creating a dream Tuscan bedroom by following the essence of Tuscan style. Three things to keep in mind, keep it old, keep it earthy and keep it real!!
Tuscan style can also be described as Italian country because it is a blend of natural materials selected from and inspired by the Tuscan countryside. As in Tuscan cooking, which is basically a peasant cuisine which uses the ingredients found locally, in Tuscan design form follows function. Large wood farmhouse tables may look great, but they are actually very practical. Although some of the carved wood pieces may be ornate, we more often see distressed dark woods used in this style with only minimal decoration.
Tuscan style is great for families because it has that lived in feel. Nothing too fussy here, everything has the look and feel of family pieces that have been handed down through the generations. Even if your family doesn't have those kind of antique pieces you can style achieve this type of look in your home without spending a fortune.
Years ago, I was fortunate enough to stay at an Italian country home owned by a Marchese (a member of the Italian nobility) just outside of Florence. What struck me about the estate though, was not how opulent or regal the decorations were. Actually quite the opposite. The rooms were decorated very simply. The floors and wall were of natural materials with a farmhouse feel. The home was perfectly in tune with its surroundings where the olive groves and cypress trees shaded the age old grounds in the day and the stillness at night was broken only by the sounds of crickets chirping. The peace and timelessness of the countryside had been echoed by the interiors of the home and that is what we should try to achieve as we think of designing in this style.
The key is to focus on one or two high quality pieces and go for quality not quantity. Italians buy the best pieces with high standards of workmanship and pass them down through the generations. Instead of buying a five piece bedroom set, just focus on one or two pieces that you love the most and budget that in. You can then create the rest by using inexpensive accent pieces or reproductions. For example, if you find a great large walnut armoire, buy only that piece and center it in the room.
As you collect ideas and pieces to fill your room, keep some general guidelines in mind. Any kind of theme decorating can get to be too much if it's overdone. Instead of trying to make everything look Tuscan, think about what inspires you in the Tuscan look. Is it the beautiful feel of the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside? Is it the stately look of the age old antiques in a classic villa? Then try to inject just a touch of that feeling into your room.
By strategically placing just one or two quality pieces of artwork or a beautiful focal point such as an old armoire with a terra cotta pot filled with dried flowers, you can get the maximum impact without overdoing it and overwhelming the senses.
A wrought iron bed is a great touch to add to a Tuscan room. The real ones are handcrafted in Florence by metalworkers or handpainted by Italian artisans. They can be quite costly, but fortunately there are now some inexpensive wrought iron or aged look canopy beds available for under $600. To create an authentic look, hang panels of a few yards of dupioni silk or another light yet high quality Italian fabric. Don't skimp on the fabric quality. Good fabrics start at about $15.00 yet the cost is well worth it to create a designer look and get the most bang for your buck. You may also want to use some antique style holdbacks to drape & hold back the panels. Any type of small metal decorative metal piece can be used for this. Get creative! You can also use some gold paint available from any crafts store and gild any metal object yourself.
Another great way to add a touch of Tuscan style to your dream bedroom is to decorate with quotes. Custom made lettering is designed to look handpainted but it actually made of resin and can be removed. Using just one or two words above your bed like "Sogno" (dream) or "Sogni d'Oro" (sweet or golden dreams) can really get you dreaming about the Italian countryside.
Add a fine quality piece of Italian artwork to the mix to really remind you of the hills of Tuscany. One or two prints in handcrafted Italian frames can be great focal points. Select dark wood and frames and go for quality not quantity. Cheap knockoffs may be inexpensive, but they don't do a lot to inspire you or create an authentic look.
To keep your budget in check, you can use some little decorator tips. Instead of purchasing an expensive bedroom set, buy only the bed and create your own night tables. By using small tables with fabrics draped over them and a glass top you can save a lot of money. Add a terra cotta candle pot to give an authentic and romantic look to the night table or dresser.
Instead of spending thousands on a fancy dresser use your existing one and replace the knobs with antique ones. If you don't have family heirlooms or antiques, create your own. Print up your family crest or design your own and frame it in a heavy wood frame. Garage or estate sales are great places to find old frames without spending a lot.
Color is really important to the Tuscan style. Add a bit of color to brighten the room but keep it simple and warm. Inject a touch of pale or Cerulean blue to evoke the Tuscan sky. Play up the dark woods by using a contrasting light color. The color scheme for Tuscan style is earthy. Go with muted tones of yellows, blues, straw colors. A hint of light blue or white can really add some interest. Add crisp white or pale blue sheets to the bed and don't compromise on quality. Buy the highest thread count you can afford and remember that Italian style is about beauty but also luxury and comfort too!
Have fun with it and as with any kind of decorating, don't take it too seriously!! The whole idea is to have fun and create an environment you love that makes your home feel special.
Visit www.villaparadisohome.com for Tuscan accents, furniture pieces and more decorating tips.