Mediterranean/Tuscan style

[shabbychick]

My sister is a big fan of Tuscan style (though I think she's really just as enamored of the style of the south of France) with its ochre yellows, burgundy reds, and sage greens (though she uses a lot of blue, too). Her upstairs is pretty well in hand but she wants to redo her basement. They're pulling out the hideous shag carpet and installing engineered wood floors this summer (they put the same thing in their downstairs bath/laundry room, and it's beautiful). Anyway, it's really the family room. The TV and computer are down there, and there's a not-that-lovely slider that opens out onto a concrete slab. I'm looking for a really good blog on Tuscan or Mediterranean style to show her. I found some pictures at about.com and hgtv that showed some nice makeovers, but the two blogs I found were really more online stores in disguise than independent blogs like the nice ones that have been featured or linked to here. Can you guys help me with some links? She has to work on a budget (two teenage sons require a lot of upkeep) so I'm looking for a lot of DIY ideas. We're thinking of painting the upper walls a Meidterranean yellow and the lower walls (two of which have these rather ugly wooden panels on them) sort of a brick red. She has a brick wall, which will be fun to work with, and another with this odd faux paneling on it that I think really needs to come off. She and her husband can drywall if necessary. I also want to help her create a little Mediterranean style courtyard she can look out on when she sits at the computer, but it's on the north side of the house so doesn't get much sun, and it's surrounded by these tremendous evergreens, so it's going to have to more evoke the feel of Tuscany rather than the temperature (or the plants). Got any hints or links I can share with her? Thanks!!

[vintage girl]

I looked but could not find a blog, but maybe the others will know of one. There are dozens of decorating sites with tips,pics, etc. For her patio/courtyard, I would put a fountain and a small metal table and chairs. You could also put up some metal artwork on the walls, like these arches. As far as plants, how about some wonderful shade loving plants that are lush and full. I am not a gardener, but I am sure that you could do an internet search and find some. They could be put in large metal or ceramic pots. Also lots of hanging outdoor sconces with candles would set the mood. It sounds like the project will be a lot of fun. One thing that really makes for an old world look is to paint your walls a nice cream or neutral and than take a light stain and rub on with a soft cloth. It leaves a really nice patina to the wall and makes it look aged. I am looking forward to pics when it is done:)

[shabbychick]

Vintage Girl,

Thanks for getting back with me on this. The ideas you mention are exactly the ones I've come up with. My sister liked the idea of a fountain. I was also thinking of one of those stone Green Man wall hangings they sell in garden stores. I have one that I really like. I've floated the idea of a yellow wall with a slightly darker glaze rubbed on it, but I'm waiting to see what she says. None of my ideas will go if the husband doesn't like it, so we'll see. I saw an episode of Color Splash where he redid a living room in a Tuscan theme, and there were a lot of good ideas in it, including the neutral background with a darker stain. I bought a book on Tuscan style and another on Provencal style and took them over to her to look at, but that's as much as I've done so far. She has ordered flooring and will be installing it while I'm gone on vacation. I imagine having the floor in will help her visualize what she wants to do with the rest.

Soon I have to turn my attention to my own home improvement projects, including the painting of two, possibly three, bathrooms. I'm glad I like to paint!