| p>Wouldn't you love to travel to Tuscany this | | | | sophisticated. Don't worry about creating the |
| season? You may not have considered that you | | | | perfect set, mix and match colors, sets, and |
| could be transported to an elegant and | | | | dishes for a homey experience that will make you |
| sophisticated Tuscan Garden without the travel | | | | feel like several families are always coming |
| time, airline tickets, jet lag, and packing decisions. | | | | together. Create a dynamic collection by going to |
| One of this year's hottest trends for outdoor | | | | second hand stores to splurge on an unmatched |
| living is recreating Mediterranean gardens and | | | | variety of imperfectly hand painted pieces; don't |
| landscapes right in your own backyard. Combining | | | | be afraid if it has a bit of a chip (as long as it's still |
| the graceful elements of the Italian Renaissance | | | | safe for eating). Many discount home stores now |
| with the rustic charm of enchanting Tuscany | | | | sell pottery inspired sets that are fairly |
| farms creates spaces that are serene and | | | | inexpensive. With no pressure for perfection, your |
| peaceful; your space will boast refined style, while | | | | mix-and-match set will be an instantly interesting |
| remaining incredibly accessible. | | | | topic of conversation... and you won't have to |
| Define Your Dining Room with a Pergola: | | | | worry a bit if a plate gets broken--just add |
| Renaissance Italy loved using pergolas to support | | | | another one whether it matches or not! |
| grape vines, and modern pergolas still invite those | | | | Accent with Wrought Iron: Wrought Iron |
| same feelings of a glass of fantastic wine in a | | | | accessories will compliment your natural teak |
| tranquil Tuscany vineyard. Whether you plan to | | | | dining set or red cedar picnic table for a more |
| vine your pergola with flowers, grapes, or nothing | | | | holistic setting. Using wrought iron trellises and |
| at all; the structure will not only help to set the | | | | arbors will do the trick, while also providing a place |
| boarders of your room, it will define its taste | | | | to add wild Italian flora listed in the next step. Or, |
| immediately. Red Cedar and Treated Pine pergolas | | | | if your space is expansive, try using a small |
| give more of a rustic look for country retreats; | | | | aluminum patio set (painted black so it looks like |
| while white vinyl pergolas recall ancient Greek or | | | | wrought iron). You can use it to set desserts or |
| Roman sophistication. Either will look lovely around | | | | drinks out on, or even just as another side table |
| your dining set; it just depends on what direction | | | | for when guests are mingling before the meal |
| you're taking! | | | | starts. |
| Use a Natural Teak or Red Cedar Dining Set: | | | | Add Tuscan Shade and Flora: Make your outdoor |
| Reflect the rustic and simple appearance of | | | | dining room complete with expert garden design. |
| Tuscany with a natural wood outdoor dining set. | | | | An Italian Cypress tree will create privacy while |
| As the focal point of your outdoor dining room, | | | | Olive Trees will complete the Italian feel. Tuscan |
| you will want to use a material that reflects the | | | | bushes not only make brilliant shrubs, they will |
| rich tones of the earth. A long rectangular picnic | | | | truly bring your whole outdoor living space |
| table is best, as it truly gives a sense of | | | | together. If you decided not to vine any plants |
| large-family gatherings that the Italians are | | | | around your pergola, adding wrought iron trellises |
| famous for. Gorgeous teak is the finest choice, as | | | | for berry plants, grape vines, wisteria, and pastel |
| its dense and smooth finish coupled with its | | | | roses will add the softening touch of nature |
| wealth of color will echo the natural elegance of | | | | essential for completing your Tuscan facade. Don't |
| the Tuscan landscape. However, outdoor dining | | | | worry about needing to keep these plants |
| rooms on a budget need not fear; you can reflect | | | | perfectly in line, a bit of wild nature couples |
| the pastoral grace of the country side with simple | | | | perfectly with your rustic facade. |
| red cedar tables or treated pine dining sets as | | | | Tuscan Outdoor Dining Rooms are popping up all |
| well. | | | | over the place, and it's easy to see why. The |
| Place-set with Colorful Old World Pottery: Ditch | | | | pairing of sophistication with rustic simplicity allows |
| the paper plates, and go for something a little bit | | | | an accessible elegance perfect for this season's |
| more refined. Using real dishes will not only help | | | | retreats. Whether you're using yours for hot dogs |
| the environment by reducing waste, it will truly | | | | and hamburgers, or home made bruschetta, your |
| finish your Tuscan dining room. Using pottery in | | | | family and friends will absolutely flock to your |
| rich earth tones, like forest greens, clay reds, and | | | | outdoor living space! |
| browns might even make the food seem more | | | | See Your in Your Tuscan Outdoor Dining Room! |