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Throughout
history, Tuscany has been well known for its abundant forests, making wood a
choice material for use in and around the home.
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the
Tuscan landscape, the trees have been carefully fashioned over the ages to
enhance the exceptional beauty of the rolling countryside.
Centuries long,
thoughtful cultivation of the wild and transplanted woods of the region has
resulted in a picturesque work of "ambient art". The landscape is indeed a
tribute to the longstanding relationship between the Tuscan people and their
environment. |
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Tuscan carpenters and artisans have long enjoyed
the wide selection of wood in Italy. The ancient Etruscans used timber from fir
and chestnut trees for building most of their structures, including houses,
temples, gates, bridges, and drainage works.
Even the Tuscan column was
originally made of wood, and is one of the few remaining architectural contributions
of the ancient society.
With the efficiency of the Romans, wood quickly
played second fiddle to stone or brick as a building material, and became more
prominent indoors as beams, doors, and furniture. Check out
3br - ancient farmhouse, to observe the
use of beams in a 16th century Tuscan farmhouse.
The most popular woods used over the years for
making fine Tuscan furniture are the highly prized chestnut wood, and walnut
wood used since the Renaissance, when some of the most beautiful furniture in
Italy was created. Although much of the world's chestnut trees have been
destroyed by disease, Italy has managed to effectively
protect it's antiquated chestnut woods, making Tuscan chestnut furniture
a
valuable commodity.
Equally
popular and easier to obtain, are furniture pieces made of pine, elm, and
poplar.
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A 16th century Tuscan farmhouse villa featuring
wooden ceiling beams and heavy wood fireplace mantle. Go see for
yourself!
Click on picture for rental details.
A Tuscan handcrafted door demonstrates
effective use of wood as an architectural feature.
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How is the wood element used in
modern Tuscan design and decorating?
Because
the wooden furniture used in Tuscany stems from a vast history of artistic
tradition, many styles from many time periods can be see in a typical Tuscan
home. Simple, rustic farmhouse furniture comfortably coexists with
elegant, elaborately carved pieces to
furnish the homes in harmony.
Whatever the style, most furniture pieces tend to be darker, in striking
contrast to the bold and dramatic colors used in the Tuscan interior.
Since storage in the Tuscan home is often a main
concern, some of the most important furniture pieces are chests, cupboards, and
storage benches which display varying degrees of decorative carving, inlay, and
painting. Also commonly seen are the long, "family-style" farmhouse
tables, and ladder-back chairs with woven seats.
Outdoors, where durability reigns supreme,
furniture is often made of the oily wood of the cypress tree, as well as wrought
iron.
The warmth and rustic beauty of wood has been a
necessary component of the Tuscan home for ages. It is this natural beauty
and texture that makes wood the ideal counterpart and balancing agent to the
stone element.
For more information on Tuscan decorating
and employing the Tuscan design style in your home, please visit the Tuscan
Decorating Center. Be sure to bookmark the
Tuscan Design Center, and
check back regularly for updates. We are always adding valuable
tips and advice for decorating your home in Tuscan style. |
Tuscan style replica furniture featuring hand
carved details in dark wood tones.
Tuscan farmhouse style furniture is
popular, such as ladder-back chairs and benches with woven seats.
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