Cosying Up Italian Style: The Ultimate Guide to Tuscan Textiles

Tuscany’s rich textile heritage
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‍Medieval Florence and Prato are where the story of Tuscany’s textiles really begins. Centre of trade in the Middle Ages, Florence was abundant in sumptuous Italian wool and exotic silks, and the prestigious Arte della Lana – wool guild – set the benchmark for woollen textiles in Italy. With the dawn of the 19th century, Prato became a hub for Tuscan textile production – showcasing a new, recycled woollen fabric, known as ‘Prato wool’.

Weaving, dying, embroidery and lacework – practices birthed in the Renaissance and perfected over millennia – have become synonymous with Tuscan textiles, inspiring artists and fashion designers the world over for centuries. Leaning into the region’s textural handwriting, our sublime Tuscan farmhouse – nestled in the hills, just moments from the storied town of Montecatini Terme – is punctuated with earthy, tactile accents imbued with this Italian artistry.

Traditional Tuscan textiles

‍From gossamer drapes that billow in the soft Mediterranean breeze to ornately embroidered tablecloths and rustic soft furnishings, Tuscany produces some of the finest cloth in Europe. Here are some of the most notable Tuscan textiles. 

Cotton

‍Prized for its exceptional quality and exquisite softness, Tuscan cotton embodies age-old techniques and natural beauty. Woven into luxurious bedding – exemplified by the 400-thread-count linens which dress the beds of our Tuscan home – traditional tablecloths and napkins, decorative textiles and clothing, Tuscan cotton is a versatile and celebrated element of Italian home décor. 

Linen

‍Embodying centuries-old weaving traditions and vaunted for its superior texture and durability, Tuscan linen is crafted from the fibres of the flax plant – which grows in abundance in the region’s gentle climate. The diaphanous curtains and drapes that veil the windows of our Montecatini Terme home lend an air of romance to Italian home décor, and the linen’s softness and durability make it a sumptuous choice for our upholstery.

Wool

‍Shorn from the local Sopravissana and Gentile di Puglia sheep and still spun by handloom in many mills today, Tuscan wool creates luxuriously soft throws and blankets in which to cosy up, Italian style. Handwoven rugs bring a rustic nuance to Tuscan interiors that nods to the region’s rich agricultural heritage, and woollen carpets feel sublimely soft underfoot.

Our Tuscan farmhouse is peppered with snug, tactile details in earthy shades – throws, blankets, cushions and rugs – that invite you to recline and restore, whatever the season.  

Where to buy Tuscan textiles

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The art of crafting traditional Tuscan textiles is alive and well today if you know where to look. When choosing the textural accents for our home interiors, we peruse the tables, shelves and rails of local ateliers. Here are a few of our favourites in which to while away an hour:

‍Tessilarte‍

Nestled on an unassuming Florence side street, this family-run studio has been handcrafting artisanal linen and cotton textiles since 1947. Table, bed and bathroom linens in a vibrant array of colours have been produced in the same way for decades, giving this modest atelier a reputation for preserving the treasured Tuscan textile heritage.

Il Tappezziere Di De Santis Giuseppe‍

Tucked away in the residential northeastern fringes of Florence, you’ll find this upholstery shop, run by Giuseppe De Santis, offering beautiful home textiles imbued with Tuscan tradition. 

Antico Setificio Fiorentino‍

For a truly indulgent purchase steeped in history, this ancient atelier in the heart of San Frediano has been handweaving Tuscan silks since 1786. Showcased in palaces and prestigious villas through the centuries, the showstoppers of this storied Tuscan textile house are the Renaissance silk damasks and silk and linen brocades.

Prato‍

Prato is, in essence, one large textile district – with no one neighbourhood proffering distinctly better Tuscan fabrics than another. Just a 30-minute drive from our home in Montecatini Terme, the picturesque town makes a wonderful day trip for textile shopping to enhance your Italian home décor

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‍How August weaves Tuscan textiles into its Italian home décor

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Subtlety and authenticity underline the August design handwriting, and we accent our homes with elements that bring to life the story of their regions. Set amid the verdant Tuscan countryside, our latest Signature Italian home – a beautifully renovated farmhouse – already had the essence of this fabled province written into its architecture.

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To amplify the exquisite original features – rustic exposed beams, terracotta tilework and exposed stone walls – we echoed the earthen palette through our Tuscan textiles. Burgundys, rich autumnal browns, oatmeal beiges and whites punctuate the Italian home décor, in a textural play of chunky woollen and cotton weaves and billowy linens. Meanwhile, richly embroidered cushions echo Renaissance brocades.   

Inspired to emulate the essence of Italian home décor in your own abode? Or are you captivated to discover Tuscany’s rich cultural heritage from the sanctuary of an August Collection home? 

With five beautifully renovated homes in some of the most captivating destinations in Italy, France, Spain and the UK, the European dream has never been closer. Book a call with an August Advisor today, and take the first step in unlocking the unique lifestyles that multi-homeownership brings. 

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