Toile patterns have been around for over 150 years. The pattern is intricate, beautifully displaying pastoral scenes in a single color on a solid background. When toile was first created in France the pattern was painted onto canvas. Over time and with more modern means of production, toile became a favorite pattern for bed spreads. As Americans became more fashion conscious toile seemed old and outdated. About the only toile that was seen was in our grandmother’s homes. There were the bed spreads in toile prints and even table cloths. Our mothers often packed away anything left from grandma, wondering if the pattern would ever find its way back into the modern world.
It is safe to say that toile bedding is back, and back with an updated style that interior decorators have embraced. Many comforter sets are now designed with a toile pattern. The color of the design or pattern is limited to one color, but the colors can be either subtle or vibrant. The background is no longer basically white or cream as in the early days. The background can be of any color desired.
One of the most elegant ensembles in this sophisticated pattern is basic but updated to accommodate the 21st century. The background is black. The pattern is cream in color, rather than the stark white that can create too much contrast in some settings. This black and cream toile bedding set does not stop with the delicate pattern. Indeed, the ensemble includes a black and cream striped bed skirt! Our grandmother’s would be amazed or horrified. But, in today’s world where decorators and designers have learned that mixing patterns can bring and two toned bed set to life. Rather than immersing us in too much color, especially in the smaller bedroom, decorators have taken a cue from those who first mixed patterns when creating the shabby chic decor.
Combining toile patterns with appropriately sized stripes can create a bedroom decor that is so updated and stylish that few of us would guess that the basic pattern is older than any of us.
