This second installment of my blog on Tuscany focuses on flowers and the colorful accent that they provide. The balconies with their abundance of flowers may be a bit of a cliché but they provide a beautiful counterpoint to the atmospheric, earthy tones found in the hillsides, fields and vineyards of the region. There are many accents of flowers all over Italy, providing a pop of color that simply brightens your day.

An unusual view of Siena. Typical of the walled cities, the buildings are very densely packed into the area protected by the wall. This green area was farther out from the famous Piazza del Campo which is handsome in its own way but not very green! Our accommodations at Il Palagio, an agriturismo combining a winery with 5 apartments, had views of the countryside and many areas to take it in. Carefully placed accents add to the experience in Tuscany. Some occur naturally, and others are meticulously placed by Italian hands, but they are nonetheless inspiring.

From the church of Santa Maria in Panzano to a rooftop terrace in Florence on the Piazza Santo Spirito, Tuscan buildings are enhanced with flowers. We viewed the rooftop terrace from the balcony of our hotel, the Palazzo Guadagni. This former residence was a 16th century palace repurposed into a hotel with magnificent high-ceilinged rooms and balcony views of the piazza.

While flowers are a prominent colorful addition to the Tuscan countryside, painted stucco, red tiled roofs, figured marble and ancient architecture all provide for a very interesting and inspiring visit.

Accents can either make or break a design and it's important that they are placed just right. As you can see, a contrasting accent can provide a piercing pop of color. In your experience, which color schemes typically demand eye catching accents?