| Tuscan decor is all about friends and | | | | give the walls an aged patina by using faux |
| families gathering around having a good time, | | | | paint to make them resemble old, crumbling |
| and it's all the more appropriate in a | | | | brick or plaster. |
| guest-room, to make visitors feel at home. | | | | |
| | | | The Floor |
| If you have a guest room in your home, then | | | | |
| it's there for one main reason - to make your | | | | For a true Tuscan look, aged hardwood floors, |
| guest feel at home while they are visiting. | | | | marble or tiled floors are a must. However, |
| | | | these types of floor can be expensive, and |
| Of course, any visitor will be spending most | | | | for a guest room that is only used once or |
| of their time with you, in the living room or | | | | twice a year, it may be an expense you don't |
| traveling about the local area, but they'll | | | | want to incur. However, plenty of throw rugs |
| want a place where they can retreat during | | | | with Tuscan designs scattered around the |
| the day to rest, as well as a place to retire | | | | floor can give the appropriate feel as well. |
| in the evening - a little slice of home away | | | | |
| from home. | | | | Tuscan designs? Where are you going to get |
| | | | those? Easy - surf the web for Tuscan rugs |
| In order to give your guest room that Tuscan | | | | and you'll find a vast array of authentic |
| look, there are a few items to consider. | | | | Tuscan designs. |
| | | | |
| Lighting | | | | Furniture |
| | | | |
| The lighting fixtures are important. Remove | | | | The bed, of course, is the main piece of |
| those shiny, modern fixtures of aluminum, and | | | | furniture in the guest-room. No modern |
| replace them with rustic designs - wall | | | | bedsteads with gleaming metal - choose wooden |
| sconces of wrought iron, for example, or | | | | bedframes, ornately carved with bunches of |
| other types of metal with a distressed look | | | | grapes, for example, The blankets, |
| to simulate age, with the decoration as | | | | bedspreads and pillows on the guest bed |
| scrollwork simulating grape vines. | | | | should be of dull colors invoking the earth |
| | | | or sky – tans, browns, golds or |
| Windows | | | | blues. |
| | | | |
| Direct sunlight, over the course of time, | | | | If possible, the bookcases, bureaus and |
| will fade and damage fabrics and furniture, | | | | wardrobes and other furniture in the room |
| nevertheless it's always nice to be able to | | | | should be of wood as well, very light or very |
| spread open the draperies to allow sunlight | | | | dark-colored woods to give a sturdy, aged |
| to flow into a room. For the Tuscan look, | | | | look. Antique furniture will give the |
| don't use a lot frills. Use plain draperies, | | | | appropriate look. |
| with plenty of fabric gathered today, in | | | | |
| shades of beige or brown or gold, so that | | | | Accessories |
| their hues can be enhanced by the sunlight. | | | | |
| | | | The look of Tuscany is the look of the land - |
| The Walls | | | | a land with rolling hills, vineyards, a vast |
| | | | blue bowl-like sky, and farmhouses that have |
| Wall color is important as it gives the | | | | been there for centuries. Accessories should |
| overall tone of the entire room. Golds and | | | | call out this atmosphere of permanence - |
| browns are popular colors, but what | | | | majolica or ceramic pottery, wrought iron |
| particularly evokes the feel of Tuscany is to | | | | candle holders, and so on. |