Tuscan Theme Furniture

For some odd reason, Tuscany is often confused by people as being French instead of Italian. Well, Tuscan theme furniture is clearly and distinctly Italian.

Tuscan Theme Furniture is a rather broad based theme that is based on the architecture of the Tuscany region of Italy. This area in the North of Italy and surrounding the town of Florence is known as both a rustic down to earth region as well as the home of much of the greatest art of the classical Renaissance era. The furniture theme reflects this duality in that it is often consists of very simple folk pieces mixed with classic veneered and hand painted items with a very elegant look to them.

Wood is the basic material used in Tuscan Theme furniture with cypress, fir, chestnut, and poplar all being common choices. The theme uses quite a bit of leather and iron and metal worked into the designs. It often resembles Spanish theme furniture in this regard. The most common colors used are deep rich reds and cool Mediterranean blues. These colors also reflect the mix between the rustic and the classical that is the hallmark of this theme.

Most of the designs are based on the straight lines that are common in classical Italian and Roman architecture. It differs greatly from the much more ornate theme that marked Renaissance theme although they have co-existed in the region for centuries. When you view a piece and the feeling you get is very humanizing and down to earth, you are looking at a Tuscan piece.

The city of Florence is in the heart of the Tuscan region and is the home of some of the world’s best art. Although the furniture produced here is considered Tuscan theme, the Florence branch is where you find the more elaborate creations. They appear much more expensive, but share the basic lines and styling. It is out in the Tuscan countryside that the rustic side of the theme is seen more often. Here the pieces are much simpler in design, but also retain the distinctive marks of the theme.

Tuscan theme furniture came to America with the mass immigration of Italians around the beginning of the 20th century. The theme represented what they had known all their life, and before long Tuscan theme furniture was being produced in the United States. The theme is very popular still in areas with high Italian populations. Recently, the charm and the old world appeal of the theme have made it a popular decorating choice not just for individual rooms, but entire homes. There is a thriving market in reproduction Tuscan pieces, and the growth of the global market has made pieces made in Tuscany by the descendents of the original craftsman available worldwide.