Tuscan Themed Kitchen

Desert Views, Hawaiian Dreams Combine in Home

After many years in their hometown of Cedar City and many more in northern Utah, the Jensons were ready for some warmer weather. They decided to move to St. George and incorporate elements of a favorite vacation destination — Hawaii — into their home. It begins with the three palm trees that tower over a waterfall in their front yard. Step up to the front door and more palm trees will greet you in the form of colorful stained glass windows surrounding the door.

Just off the front entryway is Dave’s office. More stained glass windows surround the office door, continuing the tropical imagery. A map of Zion National Park sits on Dave’s desk but peek underneath it and you’ll find a map of Maui. That doesn’t mean he sits around dreaming of the Aloha State. It’s obvious he stays plenty busy, as his cell phone seems to ring incessantly with business calls. Drawings of his past Parade homes and a box full of sparkly drawer handles for a current project are scattered throughout the room.

The kitchen is found just off the office and features a signature of many Jenson Construction homes: multicolored, hand-blown glass light fixtures. Each fixture is handmade and signed by a California artist. The Jensons discovered his work while on vacation in — you guessed it — Hawaii. Yet the contemporary fixture blends well with the old, silver-colored plate that hangs on the backsplash above the stove, adding a rustic feel to the kitchen. Above the nearby dining room table is a domed ceiling with recessed lighting. The dome features another Jenson Construction signature: copper treatments.

“We’ve tried to make it a tropical paradise,” says Judy, referencing her love of Hawaii again. Even the fans mounted above the deck have been carved to look like palm fronds. While the backyard is truly paradisiacal, the view from the deck above or even the patio below is even more stunning. Both look out toward the gray-blue Pine Valley Mountains surrounded by red cliffs below. In the far distance are some of the cliffs of Zion. In the foreground the Virgin River twists through The Springs area.

8 Secret Ingredients to Creating a Tuscan Style Kitchen ...

Is it the peaceful, rolling hills of the Italian countryside, the quant cobblestone streets, the rich taste of wine straight from the vineyard, or the robust flavors and aroma of Tuscan cuisine?  It’s hard to put into words the charm and allure of Tuscany, but it’s something we often try to emulate in our cooking, building, and decorating.  If you’re looking to bring a little piece of Tuscany into your home, creating a Tuscan style kitchen may be the perfect way to do so.  Here are a few ideas to get you inspired:

-Color: Use varying shades of yellow and orange, like gold and burnt terracotta, as the cornerstone of your design, especially on the walls.  But don’t be afraid to use pops of color, like flaming red, luminous blue, and emerald green in your accent pieces.

-Walls: Intricately layered walls will give your kitchen that Old World charm.  To create this effect, try a painting technique, such as sponging or antiquing.  If you aren’t familiar with these forms of painting, you may want to hire a professional for optimal results.  If you decide to take on the challenge yourself, home improvement stores have books and specialty paint and utensils to help you master these techniques.

-Cabinets: Rich, dark tones are best suited for your cabinetry.  Also, you’ll often find cabinets without doors in a Tuscan themed kitchen, in which you can display your kitchen accessories (see Accessories below).

- Backsplash: The kitchen backsplash is often regarded as the heart and soul of a Tuscan kitchen, and it can make a big splash in your room.  Rust, gold, cream, and green are popular color choices for the backsplash.  You may also want to consider a mural made of tumbled stone tiles to bring out the iconic Tuscan spirit in the space.

- Counters: Stone counters, such as granite, slate, and travertine, are essential to your Tuscan inspired kitchen.

-Floors: For your flooring, stone or quarry tiles in earthy shades will capture the essence of the Tuscan décor.  These flooring choices will make you and your visitors feel like you are standing in the heart of a Tuscan villa.

-Furniture :  Dining with the family continues to be a symbol of Italian tradition and culture, so a large kitchen table holds a great deal of significance.  Luxurious table linens and chair cushions in sultry shades can add extra interest and style to your table.   In addition, an island is another integral part of a Tuscan themed kitchen.

Leaves from our Tuscan kitchen, or, How to cook vegetables

Indianapolis Monthly

Tastes from a Tuscan Kitchen

Cincinnati Magazine

A Tuscan in the kitchen, recipes and tales from my home