Bringing Tuscany Home: Sensuous Style From the Heart of Italy

by Frances Mayes, Edward Mayes, Steven Rothfeld (Photographer)

I always imagine each of the signoras who lived in this house—where she shelled peas, rocked the grandchild, placed a vase of the pink roses. Now I would like to take one of these women back to my house in California to show her how Bramasole traveled to America and took root, how the doors there are open to the breeze from San Pablo bay and to the distant view of Mount Tamalpais, how the table has expanded and the garden has burgeoned…


The “bard of Tuscany” (New York Times) now offers a lavishly illustrated book for everyone who dreams of integrating the Tuscan lifestyle—from home decoration and cooking, to eating and drinking, to gardening, socializing, and celebrating—into their own lives.

When Frances Mayes fell in love with Tuscany and Bramasole, millions of readers basked in the experience through her three bestselling memoirs. Now Frances and her husband, In Tuscany coauthor Edward, share the essence of Tuscan life as they have lived it, with specific ideas and inspiration for readers stateside to bring the beauty and spirit of Tuscany into their own home decor, meals, gardens, entertaining and, most important, outlook on life. In her inimitable warm and evocative tone, Frances helps readers develop an eye for authentic Tuscan style, with advice on how to:

• Choose a Tuscan color palette for the home, from earthy apricot tones to invigorating shades of antique blue.

• Personalize a room with fanciful door frames, unique painted furniture, and fresco murals.

• Cultivate a Tuscan garden, adding fountains, vine-covered pergolas, and terra-cotta urns among the herbs and flowers

• Select the best Italian vino. (Frances describes lunches at regional vineyards and imparts tips for pairing food and wine.)

• Create an atmosphere of irresistible, anytime hospitality—a casa aperta (open home).

• Make primo finds at local antiques markets. (And to help truly bring Tuscany home, shipping advice and market days for several Tuscan towns are included.)

• Set an imaginative Tuscan table using majolica and vintage linens.

• Enjoy the abundant flavors and easy simplicity of the Tuscan kitchen, with details on everything from olive oil and vino santo to pici and gnocchi, plus special homegrown menus and recipes.

• Make the most of a trip to Tuscany, visiting Frances’s favorite hill towns, restaurants, small museums, and other soothing places.


With more than 100 photos by acclaimed photographer Steven Rothfeld (including several of the Mayes’s California home and its Tuscan accents), twenty-five all-new recipes, and lists of resources for travelers and shoppers, Bringing Tuscany Home is a treasure trove of practical advice and memorable images.

Genres: Italy, Nonfiction, Travel, Design, Food, Cookbooks, Interior Design

228 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2004

About the author

Frances Mayes's new book is See You in the Piazza: New Places to Discover in Italy published by Crown. Her most recent novel is Women in Sunlight, published by Crown and available in paperback in spring 2019. With her husband, Edward Mayes she recently published The Tuscan Sun Cookbook. Every Day in Tuscany is the third volume in her bestselling Tuscany memoir series.

In addition to her Tuscany memoirs, Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany , Frances Mayes is the author of the memoirs Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir; A Year in the World; the illustrated books In Tuscany and Bringing Tuscany Home; Swan, a novel; The Discovery of Poetry, a text for readers; and five books of poetry. She divides her time between homes in Italy and North Carolina.

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was not what it seemed. Since I had found it in the decorating section of the library, I had thought it would be a book which defined this style more than anything else. Instead it was a book with the theme" stop and smell the roses". Something we all need to be reminded of.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened on CDs. Not as engaging as previous works. More about olive oil and wine than anything else.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars, defiantly.
When an author sets out with a purpose in writing a book, and so fully achieves that goal in the end, then when the subject matter is a hearty subject with lots of appealing possible content, and nails it, then that is worthy of five stars,
If you are considering a serious contemplative visit to Tuscany, and not just a "drive by" visit, then this book is a must read.
If you are not even considering such a visit to Tuscany and "fall into" this book, then you are likely to start considering planning such a relaxed, comprehensive journey.
This is the fourth book that I have read written by Frances Mayes. Maybe she should be named U.S. "Ambassador" to Italy. In a sense, she already is.
Wow, how the Chamber of Commerce there must love her.
She just does not visit a place, or discover a location. She becomes it.
Some of the areas that she visits in this book are: The concept of the "Open House",
The Garden, The Cooking, The Wine, and rebuilding old structures.
Oh the gioia di vivere !

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is perfect for anyone who wants to do some armchair traveling. Frances Mayes found her true "home" in Tuscany. Seems as though a lot of books are written around the theme of someone searching for that place in the world where they feel that sense of belonging - 'this is where I was meant to be'. Not only does Mayes paint beautiful pictures with words of the scenery, food, wine, gardens and local markets in Tuscany, but she has also included photos of so many of the things she talks about. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and allow this book to take you to another place.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming reminder that the slow life is good.

[E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely book from Frances. So inspirational. I enjoy her writing so much because each page is a little vacation and always captures my imagination. The recipes are fantastic too!

[Cheryl Schibley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a big beautiful book by one of my favorites, Frances Mayes. This is her house in Tuscany.
All the photographs, recipes, stories, make you feel like you could live there too.

[Louise Beckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visualizing the beauty of Italy while I was listening to it

[Sarah Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed by this book. I was hoping for more descriptions of Tuscan style and tips to bring in life into everyday life.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an author she is great AND as a writer of a visual and cooking arts is amazing. She started years ago consulting with Drexler Heritage furniture to endorse a line of Tuscan furniture that was beautifully designed and made you feel like you were at Bramasole house. Now with a decorating book on creating your own Tuscan house down to the paint chips to cooking the foods you can ask yourself Why travel to Cortona? You can build your own Bramasole house I at home where you want to live. Sonoma County is the closest backdrop to Tuscany I know.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decorating books are really not my "thing", but this book I make an exception for. I love Frances Mayes style of writing. She adds a lot of intrest and imagery to everyday things I had not considered deeply before. Tuscan decor is also not my "thing", but I love her ideas about bringing what you love into your living spaces.

Thanks Frances.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this author. After reading a few of her books, I am used to her tone and style. I loved the images in this book and I always learn something about the Italian culture that I have not yetexperienced on my own the many time I have been there. These books make me miss Italy and the family there so very much!

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mayes obviously has no regrets about the fixer-upper she bought in Tuscany a decade or so ago. However, the title is misleading, as the book actually does little to show how to bring the atmosphere of Tuscany home to anywhere other than...well, Tuscany. Pretty pictures, though.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read Frances Mayes books, I feel like I am with her in Tuscany. I have been to Tuscany and it is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Her books just have so much nostalga of my time there.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Completely worthless. It is basically just a list of vendors, which I could have found on the Internet, with some pictures added for coffee table appeal. This is just a shameless attempt by Mayes to wring even more money from her Tuscany books' fans.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book mostly for the photography and the glimpse of the people I've come to know in her memoirs. Especially love the recipes for roasted tomatoes and plum tart, and grateful for the handy closing "little guide" to the artisans of Tuscany.

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I must say that although this book was not exactly what I'd hoped it would be, or it would tell me - I do love all things Tuscany, Italy - so yeah 4 stars! .. and as a special surprise - recipes in the back! I are happy (terrible grammar intentional)!

[Sharon Schweitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lavishly illustrated book provided not only design and gardening ideas for our family home, but also rich recipes for entertaining and celebrating. The Tuscan memories from our travels with friends have been integrated into our lifestyle with this gem!

[Gretta Fisher-gomez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful book with yummy recipes.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful photos and info.

[Avis Black · Rating 1 out of 5]

I find Frances Mayes' taste too bland and boring for me.

[Tammy]

747.0945 May

[Stacy Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's not to like? The prose of Frances Mayes, Italy, beautiful old buildings, food, gorgeous pictures, etc...
I always want more. Krisette and I are going to get more.

[Jc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me want to go back to Italy even more. Frances Mayes really brings Italy to life with all of her books.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not much of a decorating book, but I was certainly not disappointed. It allowed me a little escape to Tuscany. The photos were beautiful and I can't wait to try out Ed's recipes!

[Deanna Valkingburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful book loved it!

[Janell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Frances Mayes does an excellent job of describing, and incorporating the ideas that I have embodied for my life & existence on this plane.... savor this one is all I can say....

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

so far...nice pictures.

[Pat Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a treat! After reading three of her memoirs I was ready to read more with a bonus of seeing lots of pictures. I like her poetic prose.

[Shandra]

The writer displays the Tuscan home style of Tuscany, Italy at her and her husband's home in California. There are numerous recipes, and beautiful photos of Italy and her friends.