What is Tuscan Style?

Those who like warm, earth tone colors and rustic, Old World Mediterranean style furnishings will love Tuscan style. This design style is very similar to Southwestern style architecture and décor commonly seen in areas such as Southern California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and parts of Texas. The Tuscan countryside is located in Italy, influences from the French and Spanish countryside, which border the Mediterranean Sea just west of Italy. Influences from the ancient Etruscan culture and the Renaissance period of the Middle Ages are present as well. Natural influences found in the Mediterranean countryside include cypress and olive trees, grapes grown in the many wine vineyards, golden, luscious pears and the beautiful scents and colors of flowering plants such as jasmine, rosemary and bougainvillea. Which brings us to Tuscan styled furniture. Classic, Mediterranean style furniture will have a lot of scrolling ironwork and richly stained wood with highly polished finishes. Intricate hand-painted designs are also common featuring leafy grapevines, flowers, fruits and elaborate scrolls. Hammered copper, wrought iron doors and uniquely crafted latches, hinges and drawer pulls add stunning accents to rustic wood furniture as seen in this piece.