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The northern Italian
region of Tuscany offers visitors an overwhelming experience for the
senses, with the sounds of its music, the smells of its cooking and
the visual richness of its distinctive style.
"One need never
to go into a museum in Florence," wrote Brian Storts, "for
that fair city is a feast to the eyes. It is like walking into
history itself." Florence and its surrounding towns-Sienna,
Montepucciano, Pisa, Arrezo-are situated in the heart of Tuscany’s
rolling hills. The Tuscan landscape is flecked with Terra-cotta
rooftops and cypress trees, and by the soft, sun-drenched hues of
local marble and clay.
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Terre-cotte tile roof
tops mark the Tuscan landscape.
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style evolved through layers of history, taking cues from the earliest Etruscan
metal craft and pottery, and of course, from the sumptuous world of
the Italian Renaissance. In Tuscany one finds frescoes, cracked and
worn by time, still vibrant with original pigment, depicting ancient
deities and the decadence of the late Roman empire. Mosaic tiles,
wrought iron gates and portals, distinctive bridges and architecture
all reinforce the unique Tuscan identity, a particular expression of
the Italian soul. Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Brunelleschi, Botticelli,
and Cimabue all contributed to Tuscan splendor. It’s no wonder
Tuscany plays a substantial role in Italian culture and identity. |
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Elements of Tuscan Style
Tuscan rooms
typically are beautifully proportioned on classical lines. Ceiling
height, the size and scale of such features as the fireplace,
windows and doors--as well as the furniture--all play an important
role in creating balance and harmony within the room.
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Venetian
Plaster and Plaster wall effects |
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Lime Paint
Download Color Brochure - Catalog
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Create the Tuscan wall
appearance simply and easily.
There are many
ways to apply
lime paint.
Providing great
examples of
how-to-apply
lime paint to
create effects
such as cera
fresco, lime
washing,
travertine tile,
and many others.
Known for it's
amazing
strength,
adhesion, and
resistance to
many of
atmospheric
agents, lime
paint is
becoming a
common medium
for painters,
faux finishers,
and plaster and
stucco
finishers. |
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Create aged and worn textured wall treatments using traditional
Venetian
and
Stucco
Plaster Effects. Smooth, polished and textured
surfaces can be easily achieved for interior and
exterior surfaces.
Visit the Plaster Effects Center now for
Step-by-step tutorials
Also available
Venetian Plaster Kits |
Walls: The wall treatments of the Italian home act as support for
the rest of the interior. One sees wall painting, from
Frescoes to
murals, beginning in the earliest days of Italian culture.
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walls, stucco-lustro and
marmorino walls all evoke the classic
Italian feeling. Hand painted wall treatments and
decorative patterns enhanced common spaces, as seen on
the right. Use of Tapestries,
gold leaf and ornate
detailing such as plaster moldings all helped to
define the interior, often bringing historical context
and stylistic vigor to the home. |
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Objects:
Painted tiles, colorful plates and Marino glass from
Venice, fall naturally within the Tuscan aesthetic.
Wrought iron objects such as sconces and candle holders
support the mix of earthen materials found within the
home. Metal, stone, fabric, and plaster walls all combine
to create this natural Italian style. |
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Classic
Italian Ceiling Medallion
22 1/4" diameter.
Genuine plaster. Exclusively form
architecturalFX.com
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Ceilings: Rich, textured ceiling medallions juxtaposed with simply
plaster moldings create elegance and a sense of
comfort. Classic clouds with cherubs or putti playfully suspended
above our heads quickly come to mind as Italian style. Old wood
beams would evoke a rustic look, while stenciled borders and vaulted
or paneled ceilings create an architectural framework uniquely
expressive of this style. |
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artSparx
Lighting Center |
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Tuscan Style
Lighting
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Grape Leaf Accent Mini-Pendant Iron Chandelier A
brilliant mini-pendant design in iron and glass. Features an antique amber scavo
glass down light and grape leaf vine
accents in antique bronze. A great
look for dining areas or kitchen
lighting.
artSparx Lighting
Center
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Floors: Terre-cotta tiles, glazed ceramic and marble inlay in
intricate patterns are a few examples of the Italian sensitivity to
design that carry through from ceiling and walls to the floors.
Different types of marble create a color palette that defines the
exquisite floors of The Duomo in Florence. Raw Sienne, umbers, rose
pink, yellows and the pure white marbles from Carrara, above Pisa,
all become the tools of the skilled craftsmen and artists. Pale
travertine is often still used in homes and stores. Terrazzo floors,
made from marble chips ground with crushed stone and stucco,
polished to a smooth surface create new and diverse patterns to
experiment with. Mosaic
work, often of glass, stone or tile adds flare and energy. |
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| And of
course, the wooden floor can be left plain or adorned with Persian
rugs—which were originally imported by Venetian and Genoese
merchants in medieval times. |
Fabrics: Silks, velvets and hand woven brocades fill the home on
furnishings, curtains and bedding. Lacework and linens add a bit
more texture to the environment and rich damask patterns, tone on
tone, are used effectively in all rooms.
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Tuscan Furniture
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Furniture: Furniture varies greatly. From rustic, folk pieces to the classic
veneered and hand painted items. Inlay and gilt details all support
the rich visual texture of the interior environment. |
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Special
Fabric Sale |
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Bella Tuscany Wovens:
Cortona Bluebell
Wheat colored florals and vines against a soft
blue fabric create an elegant design. Ideal for home decorator projects this
fabric is 100% cotton and is 54" wide.
6 different color
patterns to choose from!
more fabrics and
textile
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