Then there is the distinctive burnt sienna color. Sienna (or Siena) refers to the ancient, land-locked city in Tuscany where the Sienna clay is mined. This clay is then burned, removing all traces of water and producing the unique reddish-brown color.
2. Tumbled Stone
Another way to evoke the feeling of Tuscany in your flooring is to install tumbled stone or travertine tile. With their rounded edges and pits in the surface, both products look like they have been walked on by countless feet over the ages.
3. Aged, Distressed Wood
Finally, you may want to consider distressed wood plank flooring. Plank flooring is wide (average six inches) and the “distressed” part means that it is “pre-aged” with subtle impressions to make it look antique. Pavé Tile & Stone, ironically, is located in Florence. But not Florence, Italy: this is Florence, Massachusetts. Pavé notes on its site (link below) that classic Florentine (Italy, this time) pavers are terra cotta, with 9" x 16" dimensions, or the 12" hexagon. All tiles, say Pavé, have a “leathery surface, the sienna color mirroring the architecture of small Florentine towns, and it’s old world ambiance bringing you back to Florence.” High-quality terracotta tiles are not inexpensive. Surprisingly, though, they are not as expensive as you might imagine. The overstock tile pictured here, Octagon Terra Cotta, goes for about $9.00/sq. ft. Note that overstock products and prices at Pavé will vary. Each field tile is American Olean 13" by 13": Amber Valley in Derby Brown color. Every 9 field tiles are bordered by Tumbled Slate 1" x 1" mosaic in India Autumn. Shown here is the tile is an 18-tile array with a close-up showing the complex surface of one of the tiles. Because travertine is natural and thus is “imperfect,” many tile manufacturers (American Olean included) fill in pits and veins during the fabrication process. Shown here is Saltillo Sealed Antique Red. The tile pattern shown here is called “interlocked.” Florida Tile’s Tuscania series is well-named, as it gives any room a Tuscan style. Tuscania comes in four colors, ranging from Ivory to Walnut. This line is complemented with a series of matching listellos.
