| More and more people today find the thought | | | | spend some time in the hardware section of |
| of a sunny cottage kitchen in the Tuscan | | | | your home improvement store. This is where |
| countryside as their ideal. If you long to | | | | you'll find the pulls and handles to add the |
| have that cozy-cottage feel in your own | | | | finishing touch to your Tuscan cabinet doors |
| kitchen, the good news is that it's easy to | | | | and drawer fronts. Heavy, burnished metal or |
| do-it-yourself!One of the reasons Tuscan | | | | ceramic knobs will both look great in your |
| kitchen is such a hot decorating trend is | | | | kitchen.Now that you have the background set, |
| that it celebrates the simple things in life: | | | | it's time for the focus pieces. A Tuscan |
| Food, friends, and family. A Tuscan kitchen | | | | country kitchen harkens thoughts of family |
| is functional, not fussy, and decorating in | | | | and friends. A large table with simple |
| this theme is as simple as paint and a few | | | | chairs is a sure invitation to your own |
| touches.The walls in a Tuscan kitchen have a | | | | family to spend quality time in the kitchen. |
| unique, old-world look. You can achieve this | | | | Brightly colored seat cushions make the |
| using a faux painting technique. First, you | | | | chairs even more inviting, and a wooden bowl |
| paint the walls a bright base color such as | | | | of fruit and nuts encourages a long |
| butterscotch or butter yellow. Then, sponge | | | | visit.Browse through kitchen supply stores |
| on a deeper shade so that the walls look as | | | | and you'll find a dazzling array of decanters |
| though they have faded in some spots. There | | | | for oils and spices. In a Tuscan county |
| are many books and Internet sites that can | | | | kitchen, cooking ingredients are often stored |
| give you step-by-step directions on this | | | | in plain sight. Glass jars filled with dried |
| method of applying paint, as well as product | | | | beans and pasta should line your counters, |
| suggestions. If you want to go the extra | | | | along with terra cotta planters and cooking |
| mile, you can texturize your walls using | | | | utensil holders. Pewter and copper vessels |
| joint compound mixed with paint. "Pouncing" | | | | are also a good choice you're your Tuscan |
| the mixture onto the walls creates a colored, | | | | kitchen. If you have the floor space, |
| rustic roughness characteristic of an | | | | freestanding metal or wooden racks can be |
| authentic country kitchen in Tuscany.The next | | | | used to hold commonly used pots and pans, as |
| places to paint are cabinet doors. Use a | | | | well as sunflower-print table linens. Pots |
| strong, contrasting color to really give your | | | | of herbs on a windowsill and trailing |
| Tuscan county kitchen character. Deep reds | | | | houseplants on top of the refrigerator add |
| and bright forest greens are especially | | | | even more of an Old World feel to your new |
| popular on cupboard doors. While you're out | | | | kitchen look. |
| looking for just the right shade of paint, | | | | |