How To Design A Tuscan Home

Even if you've never been to Italy, you may have fallen in love with Tuscany when you watched movies like Under The Tuscan Sun, The English Patient  or Room With A View. And, if you have been lucky enough to actually travel in places like Florence and in the Tuscan countryside, you got to feel the charm of villas, farm houses and cottages in person. If you have decided to design a Tuscan home of your own, here are some ideas that might inspire you.

The Exterior Walls - To maintain the authenticity of Tuscan architecture, think about sticking with earth tones.

• Stone, brick or stucco would all be very appropriate materials to use for the facade.
• Consider combining two or even three of the materials for added drama.
• If you are wanting to save some money, stucco would more than likely be the cheapest for your exterior walls. However, if you had your heart set on using brick or stone, think about using either one around windows, around the front door and even for window planters.

The Design - Are you wanting a traditional older look, or a more modern one?

• For an older look, consider the addition of small windows as part of the design. For a more modern look, think about large picture windows, or several tall ones going across the front of the house.
• If you want something rustic, consider a wooden front door with black wrought iron touches as part of the creation of the door. For a more modern look, consider polished wood with brass hardware.
• Think about using dark wooden beams in the ceiling of your front patio. Not only will this be true to the Tuscan design, but hanging clay pots with flowering plants in them would add a beautiful look to your home.

The Fence - Adding a fence would not only be beautiful, but it would give you safety and privacy.

• Consider the materials you have used for your exterior walls and think about them for your fence. For example, if you used brick and rock together, think about having your fence contractor design a fence that incorporates both of those materials.
• If you have selected stucco with wrought iron as part of the design for your facade, consider having a black iron fence.
• No matter what materials you select for your fence, consider having a gate with a code in it so that only your family will be able to enter your property. {For more information, contact companies like Crown Fence Co}

As you add finishing touches, think about adding things like a water fountain, lovely statuary and outdoor lighting to show off your Tuscan home.