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.