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