Tuscany has stunning landscapes and a prominent artistic heritage that is
often displayed in the country’s homes. Many people want to enjoy the relaxing
environment that is often found in Tuscany to their own home. Through the use of
stone, wood, and other natural elements, a Tuscan
style home showcases a rustic appearance and a romantic atmosphere. Tuscan
home plans are typically known for their simplicity, yet can still
present a high level of passion and warmth. Areas for art are usually
included within Tuscan
style house plans and allow the homeowner to display anything from a
painting to simple pottery.
Tuscan house plans have a few features that are common and distinguishes
themselves from other home designs. In Tuscany, there is a lot of stone
available, including marble, granite, and limestone. This is why many of the Tuscan
homes today still use many types of stone both inside and out. The exterior
will often have a combination of both stone and stucco with a roof that is
generally low pitched and barrel tiled.
Courtyards and patios are also common with Tuscan home’s. Italians are known
for celebrating with families and friends over for meals, and eating outside
during a pleasant evening is enjoyed by everyone. Windows can sometimes be tall
and narrow and have exterior shutters. Oftentimes the wood-framed windows will
be topped with an arch. Other doorways throughout the house will also be arched.
Interior Living Space Provides Plenty of Room for Visitors
As mentioned before, families that live in Tuscany frequently have friends
and family over. Therefore, the houses have been made to accommodate large
gatherings in the kitchen and living areas. A Tuscan
house plan will often include a large kitchen with a lot of counter top
space to prepare large meals. Large center islands have become popular with an
overhead pot wrack decorated to match the Tuscan
house design theme of the home. Usually, the cabinets will be made from
rustic wood while stone is also incorporated into the kitchen floor, walls, and
cabinets.
Open floor plans are designed to be able to have large get-together in a
generous amount of space. Entertaining is easily done with the spacious rooms
and the enclosed courtyard that will open from the kitchen area. Tuscan
home designs are known to include art niches throughout the home to
hold sculptures, pottery, or paintings. Homeowners are given dedicated areas to
decorate their house while still maintaining the simplistic design that Tuscan
houses often hold.
Walls are generally of a weathered, faux-finish or Venetian plaster. Colors
in the home normally depict the colors that are found in a Tuscan landscape.
Therefore, homeowners often tie in the colors that are found surrounding their
own home. Blues, yellows, greens, and reds are created to create a tranquil
atmosphere. Homeowners enjoy the amount of creativity a Tuscan
house allows. There are plans available that resemble a rustic farm house to
a romantic villa. Tuscan house plans provide homeowners with a peaceful
environment that can easily be decorated to fit any style. Both large and small
families can enjoy the spacious rooms and rustic details that are often found
within a Tuscan
home.
Preston Wood and Associates is a
member of the "American Institute of Building Design." The "AIBD" is a
national organization with chapters in every major city
including
This article was published on Monday 27 October, 2008.
