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When redecorating a kitchen, one of the most popular decors is a traditional Tuscan kitchen. Kitchens in Tuscany are rustic and focused on what is important- good food and good wine. The rolling hills of Tuscany that can be seen out of most kitchen windows are draped in grapevines that produce some of the finest wine anywhere in the world.

The construction of Tuscan walls is often stone or brick that has been skim coated with plaster or mortar, give them a rough, rural look. Cooking pots and utensils are often stored out in the open for ease of use and ingredients are stored in glass jars and bottles nearby. Tuscan homes often have an open hearth to both heat the kitchen and cook stews and sauces over.

To decorate your kitchen in a Tuscan theme, start with the walls. Your walls are likely to be a smooth and consistent painted drywall but you can paint them to look older and mottled. Start by painting the walls a dark terra cotta and let dry. When completely dry, sponge a lighter camel or buff color over top, allowing the terra cotta to show through in spots. This gives the wall the illusion of uneven and aging plaster.

The overall colors in your Tuscan kitchen should be natural- no electric blues or neon yellows. Terra cotta, sage, mustard, and cream all work well in this environment.

Purchase several Spanish glass or large canning jars and store dry goods in them such as beans, dried pasta, sugar, salt, and vanilla beans. Store the jars on shallow shelves where they are easily seen and are close to the cooking area. Flavored vinegars can also be stored in clear glass bottles and stored on an open shelf or on the windowsill where the light will shine through them. Anything stored in oil like garlic or sun dried tomatoes should be kept refrigerated.

Wine is a huge part of Tuscan life. There are many ways to incorporate a wine theme into your Tuscan kitchen. Bottles of wine can be stored horizontally in an open wine shelf with dividers. Wine glasses can sit out on the counter beside a bottle of wine, ready to open. The vineyard theme can be carried farther with bowls of grapes sitting on the counter, still attached to some leaves if possible to give the presentation a more natural feel.

The table and chairs in a Tuscan kitchen are basic and functional. The table is large and often made from barnboard or other rough hewn wood. The chairs are high-backed and often have colorful seat cushions. You may be able to find similar furniture at antique stores or estate sales. The goal is to be able to comfortably seat many in a relaxed atmosphere.

Decorating your kitchen in a Tuscan theme can add warmth and a sense of place to your home. When decorating, keep good food, good wine, and good friends in mind and you can’t go wrong.