Tacky Tuscan, Nouveau Rich, Eclectic and Timeless

Hi Christine,

Thank you for answering my question about design tension. 

It has got me thinking about Eclectic styled rooms which I understand is also

a mix of styles, or maybe periods, and would like to know more about it.

What I've been hearing lately is that we need to make rooms look collected

over time and wonder if that ties in with the Eclectic style.

Mary

Hi Mary,

A home that looks like it has been a collection over time is not the same as eclectic.  Let me show you the difference.

It is easiest to show you homes that do not look like they have evolved over time.  I call these nouveau riche, meaning new money.  Another name I have for it is Tacky Tuscan.  ;-)  I have a couple of pictures of homes for you from the New Housewives of Atlanta, where, in the one and only episode I have ever watched, I saw all nouveau riche design. 

I see matching sets, a lack of antiques...

All  brand new furniture, again, no antiques, no classics, match, match, match.  These are homes that could have easily been decorated without an interior designer at all. 

The architecture lacks interest.  Rather it says to me, "Look how large I am, look how high my ceiling is!"  But when you look closely, it looks like a glorified magnified tract home. This look was not collected over time, it could have been collected in a long weekend shopping spree.

As a contrast, look at the room above.  Do you see any matching sets of case pieces or upholstery?  No.  Does everything look brand new?  No.  It might be, but it doesn't look it.  That's the point.  The opposite of the tacky Nouveau Riche look would be what I would simply call, Timeless.

Eclectic is referring to a different principle altogether.  An eclectic look is created when you combine different styles.  For example, the Asian busts combined with the modern art above- is a perfect example of eclectic.  This is also an example of design tension.  There is overlap in the two thoughts. The real difference is simply that design tension is more extreme.

For another example of tacky thoughtless decorating- check out Dr. Phil's house in this post.

The top three photos of The New Housewives of Atlanta are from celebrity Digs.  The other photos are from Architectural Digest.

A Ticket to Tuscany

Hi Christine,

I saw your blog and offer for designing advice. I am finishing my basement and wanted to get your thoughts on layout and design. I have a large space which is about 2400 square feet. I wanted to include an exercise room, wet bar, storage, full bathroom with steam shower, bedroom, pool table, wine cellar and home theater. I want a dramatic space with earth tones and a Tuscan/old world feel. I attached a schematic of the unfinished and preliminary design I came up with. Keep in mind that the bedroom and bathroom locations are fixed due to plumbing and egress window placement.

A few questions for you:

- Am I optimizing the space for my needs?

- How would you layout the wet bar? I want something large that makes a statement.

- The wine cellar will be the first thing you see when you get down the stairs. What else can I do to make it stand out?

- The space is large enough to relocate the pool table between the bar and theater. Is this is a good idea? If so, what other options would you consider for the pool table area?

- Any design/finish ideas to give the dramatic old world feel I am looking for?

Thanks for your help.

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

You clearly have given this layout some thought and you have done a terrific job. Here are a few thoughts for you:

1. Vary your wall art. Use some paintings, (the one below is 80 inches wide) some metal, some mirrors, some plaques.

(wall decor from Uttermost)

2. Keep your fabrics rich and use lots of different pattern. Your rooms don't have a lot of furniture- and there are not long drapes- so use furniture that incorporates multiple patterns in single pieces. (furniture and mirror from Horchow)


3. Don't forget a lighting plan. Start with light from the ceiling. Put directional lighting to accent art and wall decor. Add overall lighting with cans on dimmers throughout. Add a hanging light over the pool table. Add sconces in your theater room,- I added six sconces in my drawing- and lamps in your living area and bedroom. Add some nice quality faux greens to every room. Put uplights on timers next to each one. Add hanging lights over the table near the wet bar. Think of LAYERS of light.


4. Add a bench to the foot of the bed. Consider a couple of end tables with your chairs. Not because the design needs them so much, but because the lighting plan needs the lamps.


5. In your wet bar area- curve the bar to mimic the curve in the round table- see my altered floorplan. This will give the area a richer more dramatic feel.
6. Add some old world columns leading you into the sitting area- (cast stone columns like those used outside would also be perfect for a Tuscan interior. repeat them by the wet bar where you have an existing column. Find some cool art for the pool room especially. Fill the walls with art in that room and put directional lighting throughout. With only a pool table- this will be what still gives that room ambiance and style.


7. To create your Tuscan feel, you will need to do more than just select "Tuscan" furniture.

• Your walls need a Tuscan old world texture to them.
• Consider paneling the theater room and wallpapering the bedroom.


• Don't forget your ceilings. Do a cool surface on the ceilings of your main area with the wet bar pool table and sitting area- perhaps a wood ceiling, (only if you do not have wood floors) or a wallpaper ceiling- a metal or raised relif celing would be fantastic.
• I participated in a home show a few years back where the wine cellar had an amazing wine country Tuscan mural. - that would be something to consider. The one below can be found here.
• Carpet does not say "Old World Tuscan" at all. I would do a distressed hardwood or chiseled edge stone . (Except in your theater room where sound is an issue.) Adding some great rugs will also add to your atmosphere.
• I would add floor skirts in place of baseboards. I would have my doors and mouldings either a warm dark wood or painted a darker color. No white. White is not Tuscan. :)
  

So- there you go- it will look fabulous! What a fantastic basement you are going to have! Talk about party central! Invite me over! I'll bring "Ticket to Ride." (am I a partier or what?)

Hey everyone- don't forget to vote :)

Leigh's Question #1

• Hi,

  I just found your site and it looks great! I’m needing some direction. We just purchase a house that was renovated about 3 years ago and has a Tuscan feel to it because of fixtures, tile, wooden floors, and faux finish walls. But, in the kitchen (photos attached) I’m wondering what could be done to really give it that warm, Tuscan kitchen feel, even more than it is? Or is anything else really needed?

  Can you help me??

  THANK YOU!!!!

Leigh

Dear Leigh,

Let me start by saying that you have a beautiful home. I have broken up your questions, to answer them in different posts- this one is just for your kitchen. What a good question. You can look at your kitchen and see that is has beautiful cabinets, lovely granite counters, gorgeous wood floors, a beautiful travertine backsplash, and faux painted walls. And yet, even with all of that, you still don't look at it and say, "wow! that is a fabulous kitchen!" And so, you ask, "What am I missing?"

Contrast, Texture, and Scale. This is what we need to really make the room look amazing.

• Contrast. Your cabinets are a medium tone, your counters are a medium tone, your backsplash is a medium tone, your walls are a medium tone and your light fixtures are a medium tone. Your floors, thankfully, are dark. Let's add some contrast!! The wallpaper below is from Ronald Redding, Designer Backgrounds. (Did I mention thta I am in LOVE with this book?) A rich dark tone like this would make ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!! Get rid of the chair rail. It is too whimpy :)


• Texture. You have a nice texture in your backsplash, but your room could use some more. This could be done with furniture, like the table below from Padma's Plantation. Also- a nice big plant on the table adds a lot.

• Scale. Your wrought iron is too small for your wall when you don't have furniture against the wall. Your wall art should have a relationship with the wall size itself. The piece below is from House in the Country. It is available in a lot of different sizes. Even their largest won't be quite large enough for your wall- I would add a sconce to each side. A piece like this is also a nice choice because the wrapped canvas will CONTRAST with the dark wall. (A wrought iron or dark wood frame would not.) It has some of the cooler tones of your cabinets and backsplash, and some of the warmer tones of your granite.

Your kitchen is beautiful- but you can make it fabulous! Contrast, texture and scale!

Jamie's Question

Hello! I am moving into a new house and love a French country/Tuscan look...but am on a strict budget. Wondering if you know of any online stores where I can find this style while not breaking the bank..I am specifically looking for a kitchen rug and vases/decoration for the kitchen.

Thanks a million!

Jamie

Dear Jamie,

Congratulations on your new home! How fun for you!

I will be the first to tell you that a strict budget is not my strength. I work much better with very large budgets! With that said, let me share with you one of my favorite inexpensive sources. It is called House in the Country. They have a huge selection of beautiful art. I love the source not only for their low prices and large selection, but also because of their flexibility. Each piece is available in different sizes. You can use a collection of several pieces in smaller sizes, or one large one. In kitchens I like using the art on easels on the counter, or a larger piece on an easel above the cabinetry in a vaulted kitchen. The pieces can come bordered, or not, framed, or just canvas wrapped. You can ask me for pricing, or click on "find a retailer" for a local source. I like to start with art, and then find supporting accessories that bring out the color and feel of the art selected.

For your rug? I like Classic Home. They are wool and jute. They, like House in the Country, also are the style that would go great in a "provincial, Tuscan" home. Again, I am a dealer, or you can just Google "Classic Home rugs" and see some other sources out there. If you have specific colors and sizes, let me know and I can find some nice ones for you. Stay away from polyester. They always look so cheap. I would suggest going with a less expensive wool or jute. The rug pictured below is a printed jute, which is a very cool look, for not a big price.

The pictures on the post are from House in the Coutry, and the rug is from Classic Home.