How do you recognise Tuscan?

Stone or earth-yellow plaster walls; Exposed timber ceiling beams and terracotta roof; Arched windows with iron bars; Garden with cypress, olive or lavender.

Regional & climate

Tuscan

Tuscany, Italian farmhouse, Tuscan villa, Mediterranean Italian

Stone, terracotta and timber beams: the rustic warmth of the Italian countryside.

Colour moodboard

Honey goldTerracottaWalnut brownOlive greenCream plaster

Material moodboard

Golden limestone claddingTerracotta floor tileAged earth-yellow plasterHeavy dark oak beamOlive leafOlive-glazed ceramicCoarse cream linen

Origin: Tuscany, central Italy, farmhouses and hillside villas developed over many centuries

The Tuscan look draws on farmhouses and hillside villas in the Tuscany region. It features stone or earth-yellow plaster walls, terracotta roof tiles, exposed timber ceiling beams, iron-barred windows, and stone or fired-clay floors. A warm palette of honey, earth brown and olive pairs with heavy timber furniture and ceramic jars.

In Vietnam the style suits garden villas. Stone cladding on the façade, terracotta roof tiles, aged plaster-look paint, faux or reclaimed beams and arched windows can be used. Humidity makes stone and clay floors sweat, so choose stone-look porcelain with suitable slip resistance or apply a sealer. West sides need a veranda and trees, because earth tones absorb heat.

Materials

Natural or substitute stone cladding
Terracotta roof tile and floor tile
Aged-look plaster in earth-yellow paint
Heavy timber for beams, doors and tables

Furniture & forms

Long heavy timber dining table
Chairs in coarse fabric or leather
Kitchen with open frames and iron fittings
Large ceramic jars and woven baskets

Lighting

Wrought-iron chandeliers
Wall lanterns in antique style

How it differs from similar styles

Tuscan vs Provençal

Tuscan is warm and deep with stone, terracotta tile and dark beams; Provençal is paler and lighter with chalky colours, worn painted wood and lavender.

Tuscan vs Modern Mediterranean

Tuscan keeps the aged look of rough stone and exposed beams; modern Mediterranean is leaner with smooth plaster walls, minimal lines and more light.

Tuscan vs Rustic

Tuscan belongs to one region with ochre, brick red and olive green; rustic is a general taste for raw materials, tied to no palette or place.

Tuscan vs Spanish Colonial

Tuscan shows gently pitched terracotta roofs and exposed beams in farmhouses; Spanish colonial leans on white plastered walls, wrought iron and patterned tiles.

Tuscan vs Farmhouse

Tuscan is the stone farmhouse and villa of vineyard hills in earthy tones; farmhouse is more practical, often white-painted wood with a large central kitchen.

Tuscan vs Santorini & Greek island

Tuscan is full of earth tones, stone and dark wood; Santorini is almost only whitewashed walls, sea-blue doors and smooth continuous arches.

Best for

Families who like a cosy house with a garden
People who love cooking and family dinners
Villa owners wanting a rustic classic look

Home types

VillaGarden / resort home

Typical finishing level

Premium

Estimate building cost at this level

Common mistakes

Pale yellow with no depth, which looks flat and washed out
Overusing stone cladding, which can look artificial

Care & northern Vietnam climate

Seal stone and terracotta against moss and staining in the humid season. Beams and doors should be termite-treated and finished against damp.

Reference photos

Styles in the same family

Regional & climate

Indochine

France meets Asia: patterned cement tiles, dark wood, rattan and louvred shutters in a tropical climate.

Regional & climate

Mediterranean

Sun, breeze and sea: whitewashed walls, arches, terracotta, sea blue and rustic wood.

Regional & climate

Tropical

Living with the climate: deep eaves, sun louvres, cross ventilation, greenery and local materials.

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