Create ‘Instant Tuscany’ in your home – just with paint!

Choosing the color palette for your home is your first consideration in your Tuscan makeover. That’s how easy it is to get ‘instant’ results.

Painting is a relatively simple and straightforward way to transform a room. With the right colors you can create that warm Tuscan feel in your home. And, once you’ve begun your Tuscany transformation, you’ll be inspired to go on and create your own private Tuscany, at home.

Some of these concerns/questions may have crossed your mind. – “I’m getting ready to paint a house I just bought and I’m not sure what shades to use. I’m scared to buy the paint right now.” “Am I using the ‘correct’ colors for Tuscan design?” “Where do I start? If it’s paint, what colors?” “How do I choose the right paint colors that will match my furniture, feel warm and colorful, and still allow plenty of light?” Color, color, color: a recurring theme among those who want to decorate in the Tuscan style.

The colors of the Tuscan palette are derived from nature: the soft, cool colors of the sky and trees to the warm reds, oranges, and yellows that seem to spring directly from the earth and the sun. Choosing the color palette for your home is your first consideration in your Tuscan makeover.

So what colors will work for you and your Tuscan style?

To decide on your paint palette, you can choose your own piece of Tuscan “inspiration”: some colorful Tuscan pottery, a fabulous scarf from a trip to Italy, a painting or picture with a Tuscan theme. From this inspiring piece, you can determine your color palette, matching important furnishings or furnishings you want to keep (eg sofas, curtain fabrics, rugs…) and decide on primary and secondary colors (accented). Designers and decorators use it, and it works. !

See a color you love? What colors suit you? (You want to look good in your house!) What attracts you? Lighter shades? Darker shades? Blues? Vegetables? Yellow? Reds? You do not need to finalize your color choices at this stage. There is no law that says you have to choose your paint color and stick to it! You can continue to tweak your color choices as you make other decisions (eg, flooring, fabrics, surfaces, furniture, etc.)

Remember to check your lighting. If there is a lot of gray, you may want to warm up the room. If it’s already a very sunny room, you can stay on the lighter, cooler side. Your decision is about how the temperature in the room ‘feels’ and whether you want to heat or cool it. It is also important what ‘feeling tone’ you would like in the room. Trust your gut as you become more familiar with Tuscan paint colors.

Remember, painting is a safe, relatively inexpensive, yet transformative place to start.