arches inside will help to bring the home up to date. We also suggest filling in some of the niches
created for displaying art and accessories. Transitional décor is all about presenting fewer, but more
personal pieces in your home so an abundance of display areas aren’t necessary. Also you may want to
take a look at the current built-ins. Ornate wall-units and bookshelves with scrolls and filigree should
make way for more contemporary options.
In Mediterranean homes, the kitchen is another important space to refinish. Usually, cabinets were
ornate with corbels, feet, and heavy trim. Most homes were also outfitted with dark woods accented
with gold and the tile backsplashes were pulled right from the Italian countryside. Replacing these
cabinets with something like a shaker style door for example, will create a much simpler and trendy
kitchen. If you’ve been able to find a home with less ornate cabinets, painting them is a valid option.
Counters and backsplashes are another way to modernize a Tuscan kitchen—most people are now
attracted to lighter colors for both. You will also want to replace or repaint your bathroom cabinets
and change out fixtures and knobs in the kitchen and bath for a cohesive, updated aesthetic.
Flooring will also give your Italian home a fresh look so consider replacing it throughout the
home. Most were outfitted with tile or marble which can be styled to match a new design. While it’s
not always necessary to replace your floors, wood has become increasingly popular here in Southwest
Florida and will help to warm and modernize your home.
Whether you are purchasing a home or feel it’s time to update a current residence, don’t let the
look and scope of a Mediterranean home deter you from an update. There are smaller fixes that
will really help transform the look of your home or if you are doing a full home remodel, you can
complete it over time in smaller steps. Whatever your situation, we are here to help you fall in love
with your home all over again.
20 | YOUR HOME MAGAZINE
The original kitchen was filled with
dark cabinets and heavy colors.
We installed an updated kitchen
with white shaker front cabinets
and an island with a lovely
mushroom-colored wood. The
original kitchen didn’t open into
the living area so we constructed
a layout that flowed for easy
entertaining by removing the
peninsula and creating an island
that ran parallel to the rest of the
home. The ceiling details originally
only found in the dining room,
were recreated in the kitchen
to add continuity to the now
combined rooms. The backsplash
was updated using marble stacked
in a brick pattern to tie the entry
and kitchen together.