At home in old-world Italy

Admiration for a particular decorative style makes a good starting point for any interior design scheme. Finishes, colors, materials and detailing immediately become clearer.

Tony and Chris Strange bought this new home for its classical internal proportions and castle-like look. They wanted the interior to reflect the exterior and to have a Tuscan flavor.

In the master suite, Bill Cook of Vermilion Designs worked with the owners and builder to give the space an old-world appearance.

"We have incorporated a lot of classical references into the decor to create the atmosphere of an old Italian castle or villa," he says.

An applied textured stucco finish makes the walls look old, and the use of honed stone tiles on the bathtub surround and in the shower enclosure enhances the sense of age. Embossed panels on the walls of the shower enclosure reinforce this impression.

A fresco hand-painted onto the soffit above the bathtub was applied lightly to make it look old and as if it was slightly faded by the passage of time.

The designers also incorporated Palladian references into the design and proportions of the moldings around the ceiling, window and door architraves, and on the dark-stained cabinetry on one wall of the bathroom. Cabinetry in the dressing room has the same decorative detailing.

Colors throughout the suite are soft, warm and neutral to create a restful, soothing atmosphere. Stone tiles, walls, draperies and bed linen were chosen in a selection of soft watery blues and greens that are reminiscent of the hues around the Mediterranean.

A wet bar with coffee- and tea-making facilities is between the bathroom and bedroom, making the master suite a self-sufficient retreat for the owners.

Story by: Trendsideas