Tuscan Elements - Hardcover

The design of the Tuscan House has remained virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages, when landowners in the golden hills of Tuscany built country retreats with gardens, porticoes and loggias, drawing on the natural resources of the region. Indeed it is these materials that give the Tuscan house its unique character: stone and marble; hard woods such as chestnut, oak and elm; terracotta and brick; and water, used in ponds, fountains and pools. All these components are dissected in Tuscan Elements with chapters dedicated to stone, wood, fired earth and water. The book deconstructs the archetypal Tuscan house and examines its basic components in vivid detail: the terracotta-tiled roof and floor; the thick stone interior walls and vine-covered loggia; sienna-hued stucco finishes and luminous frescoes; the exposed wood beams and scrubbed oak dining table; and the sunny courtyard garden with its all-important water feature, whether an ancient well or exquisite blue pool. This beautifully illustrated book brings to life the colours, textures and aesthetics of the Tuscan house.

Alexandra Black has written about interior design, architecture, and fashion for such publications as House & Garden, Elle, and Vogue Living. The author of Ski Style, The Japanese House, and Living in Cuba, she lives in London, England. Simon McBride has been photographing gardens and interiors for over two decades. His work is often featured in Architectural Digest, Country Living, and House & Garden, and he has completed commissions for more than 30 books. He lives in London, England.