| Tuscan-inspired home decorating is a beautiful, popular | | | | Candles - whether actual flames or new, safe LED |
| and extremely versatile decorating style. It is warm | | | | candlelight, candles provide a warm and inviting glow in |
| and can have a rustic or polished look and feel that is | | | | any setting. Use them liberally indoors or out. Display |
| reminiscent of the Tuscan region of Italy. Yet its | | | | them at varying heights by using votive holders, |
| versatility allows it to work in harmony with almost any | | | | candlesticks of varying heights and widths, lanterns and |
| other decorating style...whether contemporary, | | | | wall hanging holders. As long as you keep safety in |
| metropolitan, country French or traditional just to name | | | | mind, you can't go wrong with an abundance of |
| a few. | | | | candlelight. |
| This harmony is achieved through the use of colors, | | | | Photos and Prints - in beautiful frames are a |
| textures and accessories. You can refer to my | | | | wonderfully interesting way to show off your family, |
| previous articles for more in-depth information on | | | | friends, pets, travels and hobbies in photographs. |
| colors and textures. In this article I'm focusing on the | | | | Architectural and landscape prints with unique matting |
| use of accessories...one of the most important, | | | | and frames can add the finishing touch to any area. |
| versatile and easy means of achieving a rich, | | | | Objects beautifully displayed in framed shadowboxes |
| interesting look in any room of any style. | | | | are also interesting and work well in hallways, bed and |
| An accessory is defined as a subordinate or | | | | bath rooms. Frames come in all sizes, shapes and |
| supplementary part, object, or the like, used mainly for | | | | materials and are just the right thing for counters, table |
| convenience, attractiveness, safety, etc. Although this | | | | tops, shelves, pianos and walls. |
| definition categorizes accessories as "subordinate or | | | | Mirrors - in beautiful frames become works of art. |
| supplementary," they are extremely important in | | | | They can make a small room look larger, a dark room |
| establishing or completing a décor look. What this | | | | lighter, bring the outside in and reflect all of the beauty |
| definition has captured well, though, is attractiveness, | | | | found in your home. They can be any size or shape. |
| convenience and safety - and these are traits you | | | | Use them in any room for a great effect. |
| should look for when selecting décor accessories | | | | Clocks - keep us on time and in style. Choose any size |
| for your home. You can use accessories liberally for | | | | from table top to 30" wall clocks. Clocks make a |
| an overall look, or sparingly as an accent only. | | | | unique and functional statement and work well in any |
| Following are some examples of attractive, convenient, | | | | part of your home. |
| and often functional home decorating accessories that | | | | Dinnerware - Don't forget your everyday or more |
| reflect a Tuscan, Mediterranean or Old World style: | | | | formal dinnerware. Colorful pieces of dinnerware can |
| Vases, Urns, Pots, Tubs - can be made of ceramic, | | | | be displayed on open shelves for an interesting focal |
| terra cotta, stone or earthenware, polystone or other | | | | point. And when set on your table, they speak for |
| resins, glass or iron. These pieces can stand alone or | | | | themselves and reflect your love of the good life. |
| can be used to hold fresh flowers, dried herbs, wine or | | | | Plants and Flowers - either live, preserved or dried are |
| other beverage cans and bottles, fresh or artificial | | | | natural, warm and inviting. Use them in any size and |
| fruits and vegetables, ornaments, hand towels...the | | | | location. Pair them with other accessories. |
| uses are endless in any room and with any style. Also | | | | I hope you are beginning to see how many everyday |
| endless are the colors and finishes. You'll find both | | | | items can become works of art or focal points of |
| bright and muted colors in rough and polished finishes. | | | | interest when creatively displayed in your home. Move |
| Platters and Bowls - work especially well in kitchens, | | | | things around from time to time and see how you bring |
| dining and great rooms. A beautiful, hand painted platter | | | | new life to them and their surroundings. |
| attractively displayed on an iron stand does | | | | Remember, there are no hard and fast rules or |
| double-duty as an accessory and a functional serving | | | | boundaries in Tuscan decorating. Don't be afraid to use |
| piece. Bowls are a perfect catch-all for fruit, | | | | a variety of colors, textures and textiles. A sleek |
| vegetables, mail, keys change...you name it. | | | | ceramic urn can add a splash of color to a |
| Trays - can be attractively displayed on a stand when | | | | monochromatic, contemporary look. A rustic bowl in a |
| not being used for service. A large wooden or metal | | | | country French kitchen can make a functional |
| tray can be placed on an ottoman to create a unique | | | | decorating statement. Try a vintage clock in a |
| and useful table top. A wicker tray or basket can hold | | | | traditional home. Tuscan décor accessories are |
| fresh fruits or vegetables to create a "market" look in | | | | harmonious with any style and should not be rigid and |
| your kitchen as you prepare meals for family and | | | | matching. |
| friends. | | | | Whether you're decorating an entire home in a Tuscan |
| Boxes - covered or open, large or small are perfect | | | | style or are just looking for a few ideas or decor |
| are interesting and beautiful to look at and can hold | | | | accessories to enhance what you already have, you |
| untold treasures, create extra storage space or keep | | | | can't go wrong with the Tuscan style. Tuscan or |
| your remote controls out of sight when not being used. | | | | Mediterranean home decor is casually elegant and |
| Group them with several others of similar style or | | | | perfect for everyday life in any home. |
| other accessories. | | | | |