A Tuscan decorating theme can put some old world charm in your kitchen and turn it into a warm and homey room to gather. The Tuscan style incorporates warm earth tones along with natural materials and architectural accents to create a timeworn look. Although the look is of a century-old kitchen you can achieve it without having to buy priceless antiques.
Color
Colors mimic those of the Tuscan landscape: rich golds, earth tones, and even sea tones blend together to create this ancient Italian look. Buy some majolica ceramic (either new or old) and use those colors to influence your wall and floor choices. Using natural materials like stone, slate, granite, or terracotta for your floors and countertops will help complete the look. Try some faux paint on your walls to give it the look of old plaster.
Turning on
Think old world in your lighting and stay away from new or modern styles. Some nice old looking wrought iron lights will go perfectly with style. It’s fine to also have recessed lights for your task lights, but choose your pendant lights or sconces carefully. Stay away from anything too shiny and stick with muted metals.
Accessories
You can buy accessories like you might find in a new Tuscan kitchen today, or you can search antique stores for real antiques. Look for old ceramic bowls and jugs, as well as painted or aged wooden bowls. Majolica is a nice addition to a Tuscan style kitchen and you can buy complete sets of this ceramic new today and use them for everyday use. Use lots of decorative jars of oils with peppers and strings of garlic, peppers, and vines. Antique-looking signs with a wine motif can be added to the wall decor, as can wallpaper murals in the form of Italian frescoes and niches. Soften it with lots of greenery.
Furniture
You want your furniture to have an old world look. Solid wood tables with chipped or worn paint work well. A distressed wood pantry (perhaps with chicken wire doors) can give you some extra storage and add to the look if you have the space. Display your old world majolica or pottery behind the chicken wire to authenticate the look.
Decorating a Tuscan kitchen can be a lot of fun. You can get the look with new accessories, or if you like to collect antiques, you can scour flea markets and antique malls for the perfect pieces. Either way, you will be creating a kitchen with charm and character.