Design Spotlight: Tuscan Kitchens

Drawing influences from the architectural style of Spanish villas and old Italian homes, Tuscan kitchens evoke Old World feelings of food, family and festivity. Incorporating rich earth tones, including browns, reds, golds and blacks, Tuscan kitchens create an air of charm with a unique, time worn look.

One of the most revered traditions in Tuscany would have to be families cooking dinner and eating together. You can almost hear the animated conversations with grandma cooking polenta, pasta, and meatballs at the big kitchen range. With a central focus on family cooking and dining, Tuscan kitchens are designed with large windows that let in the natural sunlight and plenty of open space for your family to move around freely. The ultimate goal of a Tuscan kitchen should be to provide more than just a space for your family to eat – it should be a place to gather, to talk and to foster loving relationships.

Designing a Tuscan Kitchen

Tuscan kitchens are so very popular because they are grounded in simplicity, functionality and comfort. The primary elements of a Tuscan kitchen are wood, copper, terra cotta and ceramic – all of which can be used for nearly every part of your kitchen. Remember, a Tuscan kitchen should feel warm, rustic, and open. Colors should be eclectic and unabashed as you let your creativity run wild.

Tuscan Kitchen Countertops

Since the countertops are the focal point of your kitchen, you should use them to define your Tuscan style. Natural stone countertops look fantastic in Tuscan kitchens, particularly in colors like tan, brown or black. Many homeowners also opt for ceramic or terra cotta tile countertops laid out in intricate patterns. For a riskier look that is even more unique, add distressed wooden or butcher block countertops to evoke that natural, true Old World charm.

Tuscan Kitchen Cabinets

Use open cabinetry to showcase your beautiful, handcrafted Italian ceramic dishware or copper pots. The open cabinets will also make your kitchen feel more spacious. Rich, dark colored woods are the ideal materials to use. Be sure to complement your cabinets with copper, bronze or wrought iron hardware.

Tuscan Kitchen Walls and Floors

The same tenets that apply to almost every other element of a Tuscan kitchen also apply to Tuscan flooring – wood, ceramic and terra cotta are your friends! You can’t go wrong with uniquely designed terra cotta or ceramic tile flooring and hardwood floors have a classic elegance that can suit any kitchen style.

Your Tuscan kitchen’s walls should pull the whole room together and make it really stand out. Use earthy colors like rich reds or strong yellows. Remember: warmth is key!

Tuscan Kitchen Accessories

Tuscan kitchens call for some very unique accessories that can really let your creativity shine through. Bring out the little pieces that you acquired during your own trips to Tuscany. Beautiful ceramic bowls from San Gimignano. Olive dishes from Greve. Complete your look with terra cotta pots and jars filled with your favorite colorful spices and olives. And don’t forget some decorative olive oil jars around the countertop. Add handcrafted tile backsplashes and murals that pay tribute to everything Tuscany, depicting grape vines and vineyards as well as things like olives, pears, cheese and other treats. For an even more comfortable look, display fruits such as apples and grapes on your countertops. With all these additions, your kitchen will feel as though it came right from Tuscany.

If you want help turning your kitchen into a Tuscan masterpiece, call Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens. We’ve done dozens of beautiful Tuscan kitchens. Let us show you our portfolio – you’ll see some great ideas from other families’ kitchens. Our designers can help infuse your home with a level of Old World charm that just can’t be beaten.