OK now, for the three readers who are left (who are also, coincidentally, my 3 best friends)…
Phoenix is NOT Tuscany. I believe there is no place in this desert Valley of the Sun for Tuscan inspired architecture. I wish I could make designers stop it.
My argument, in pictures…
This is Tuscany

This is Tuscan architecture

This is what Tuscan style often looks like in the Valley of the Sun




On the other hand, This is Arizona




This is the sort of interior design that “goes” if you live in metro Phoenix.






Phoenix is not Tuscany. Now I’m not saying that everybody needs to live in a Santa Fe style house, or have viga beams in the ceiling or saltillo tile on the floor. I’m not saying that you have to have typically “Southwest” architecture and decor in your home. Maybe it’s not your thing.
All’s I’m sayin’ is: if your home is trying sooooo hard to look like it’s located somewhere in Italy, think about why you’re here and not there. And think about whether you just jumped on a design bandwagon because it was passing you by. Maybe your own style is more interesting than what Madison Avenue pumps out with a Tuscan label on it.
PICTURE CREDITS
I didn’t take any of these photos. Many came from the MLS. Those that came from other websites and blogs are credited with links below that lead back to the original work.
Tuscan landscape, Tuscan stairways, Tuscan Kitchen
Arizona landscapes (2), Phoenix downtown, Additional Arizona Landscape marked “ABQstyle”