Roberto Baciocchi, well known as the architect of the iconic Prada stores, is a proud Tuscan. He still lives in his hometown of Arezzo and currently owns three homes there. Given his resume, you would think that Mr. Baciocchi actually lives in a modern-minimalist home just like the stores he’s helped made famous. Interestingly instead, he lives in a version of a Tuscan style house than can best be described as Modernist-Tuscan, a strange direct mish-mash of the two styles.
Redefining Tuscany Style
Mr. Baciocchi’s homes are approximately 1/2 actual Tuscan house and 1/2 medieval and/or renaissance structure. It had evolved that way through the centuries as the structures were passed on through generations and made into actual living abodes. In fact, his main house is part medieval tower. Mr. Baciocchi has been adamant about preserving the original structures and has opted to bring more of his modernist personality through the interior design.
You can clearly see the Tuscany style in the house in the color scheme, large windows, and textured walls. But the furnishings and accents are definitely contemporary, some over-the-top and whimsical to boot.
Mr. Baciocchi gives an interesting description of Tuscans. He says they are non-conformists that cannot be tamed or controlled. He goes on to actually call the Tuscans “wild” and swears that only Northern Italians are ever so pristine and orderly. That said, his home is definitely Tuscan style. And if his description of Tuscans are to be believed, the design world may have gotten Tuscan style homes wrong all this time. Until his interview was brought to press, the world has not seen quite a take on Tuscan style house plans as his.
Defining Classic Tuscany Style Homes
Ask Tuscan style home builders what a Tuscan style home is and they will generally give you the same set of characteristics. It is inspired by the seaside homes in Tuscany, which is a mix of Spanish, Italian, and French architecture. It is often characterized by tiled roofs, arched doorways, textured walls, iron accents, and earthen colors. The entrance of the home is often grand and stunning. And the garden will often feature a fountain or courtyard. Ventilation in a Tuscan home is also really good, a natural consequence of its many large windows and open floor plan.
Try checking with luxury Tuscan home builders and expect to get the same general brief. These builders might up the ante with exquisite iron light fixtures around the home, Portuguese tiles on the bathroom walls, and maybe a real Italian mural installed in the living room. But these luxury builders will not automatically think to color your walls red or black to make it a little bit more modern. Wild and Tuscany home builders just don’t usually mix like that.
Just to cover all the bases, perhaps a client can even check with custom Tuscan home builders if they can do a “whimsical” Tuscan home design; and more chances than not, the answer would be “they’ve never tried”. Tuscan style house plans don’t normally feature rotisseries in the middle of the living room and lime green velvet walls. They certainly also don’t usually have bedrooms with large circular beds, fur bedspreads, and red Danish accent chairs made of bent steel.
Making Sense of the Modernist-Tuscany Style
There is really nothing overtly “wild” about a traditional Tuscan house. It may be wildly grand and expensive in cases where luxury Tuscan home builders take the concept into full villa-mansion mode, but that’s about it. However, what Mr. Baciocchi’s unique take on a Tuscan home has shown is that even the most classic of house designs can evolve. It’s natural and completely acceptable. He also exemplifies the philosophy that sometimes you can really take everything you aesthetically love and make it work.
Perhaps one room in your Tuscan home can have blue walls with Japanese inspired paneling, while the other has a gaping fireplace with large 13th century spit glasses on the side. It may be strange but it can be pretty. And as long as you’re comfortable and relaxed in the midst of all the whimsy, it can still evoke the essence and warmth of a classic Tuscan home.
It can still feel like that seaside retreat in the Mediterranean, except maybe Pablo Picasso came to visit and couldn’t help but make some alterations.
Obviously, the general population may not be anywhere near ready to ask Tuscan style home builders to convert their designs to Mr. Baciocchi’s type of Tuscan home. But the moral of this story is that even classic Tuscany home builders have room to reinvent this home style.
Some modernity can be infused into a staunchly traditional style as this. And surprisingly, it can actually look fresh and pleasant. For custom Tuscan home builders, especially, the modernist-Tuscan style may actually be appealing for some of the edgier and unique-minded clients who might want a mix of old and new home styles.