Sun-drenched days under the Tuscan sky…pasta and wine under 
olive trees to the sound of the courtyard fountain. Sound 
wonderful? Yes! But if you haven't won the lottery and a move 
to Tuscany isn't in your future, you can bring that warm Tuscan 
feel to your home (even if you live in Buffalo!). Here's how on 
a bargain budget:

1. Bring color and texture to your home with rich, earthy reds 
   and oranges. If red is too much for you, try a warm muted 
   yellow or creamy stucco. 

2. Copper pots and copper trimmed baskets can still be found at 
   thrift shops. Find dried flowers, artificial fruit and ivy to 
   fill the pots and baskets for a taste of an Italian vineyard.

3. Look for terracotta pots and lots of them. Fill them with 
   greenery (and a few artificial grapes) to create a Tuscan 
   feel in your room. Arrange them in groups of three or more!

4. Scavenge architectural features from salvage yards or garage 
   sales. Old iron gates, windows or bits of railing can create 
   rustic wall art.

5. Change your cabinet door fronts to chicken wire! Not only is 
   it decorative, it is also practical (and cheap)!

6. Build a visual sense of having a grotto with tall artificial 
   plants and a wrought iron archway to separate a special, 
   intimate corner of the room. Check your local garden center 
   for ideas!

7. Cover old picture frames with strips of leather cut from 
   thrift shop coats. Wind the strips around the frame and 
   secure the ends with a hot glue gun. 

8. Mismatched ceramic and terracotta tiles can be arranged as 
   a group on the wall or table. They can be used as coasters or 
   trivets. Or they can be broken and used to make your own 
   mosaic table top! Just add grout and tile to an old 
   thrift-shop table!

9. Remember the old wrought iron accessories of the 60s? They 
   are still available at thrift shops. They make wonderful 
   additions to your Tuscan room! 

10. To create the feeling of a courtyard indoors, install a 
   fountain! A terracotta or stone-look fountain in the corner 
   surrounded by plants and a small wrought iron table is a 
   wonderful place to have breakfast. It's almost like being 
   in Italy!

Have fun with your décor! Use your imagination to bring faraway 
places to your own home! Hmmmm….maybe I will do that Amazonian 
jungle bedroom I've always wanted!