Have you ever seen a Toile curtain? You probably have but just didn't know it. Toile curtains are made from heavy fabric, on which a picture or cartoon has been painted. Toile Peinte in French means "painted linen" These pictures usually depict everyday life in the pastures of France or sometimes the pictures depict Oriental themes. The curtains usually have a white background, with a repeated pattern on them. They also come in multicolor prints and with dark backgrounds. However the white backgrounds are the most traditional and popular. They add an elegant, romantic style to a room plus they add a dash of color.
Toile curtains have a rich history. They started in started in France in the 16th century. Not only does the pattern come on drapery but it also comes on plates, cups, furniture, tablecloths and bedspreads to name a few. My favorite is the blue and white pattern, with the pastoral motif. It's interesting to look at, and gives
an antique feel to my home.
Here are some tips when purchasing these curtains:
1) Care - Although Toile curtains are available in 100% cotton, it is recommended that you dry clean them. The pattern can degraded or fade over time when using a typical wash cycle. You may also want to line the curtains, since sunlight can degrade them as well.
2) Décor - Toile curtains go well with many décor styles such as country, contemporary, classic, etc. They do however coordinate best with a Toile themed room. A room that has a few other Toile pieces to match the curtains will create a beautiful look. If you don't want too much of that pattern in your room, you can coordinate it with solid colors that match the color of the Toile. A blue Toile pattern for instance will work well with blue furniture, pillows, a rug, etc.
3) Accessories - When purchasing your curtains make sure that you purchase the matching accessories such as the valance and the tie holders. Unlike other fabrics where you can mix and match from different companies, you may want to get your Toile accessories from the same source, since the pattern will match better.
4) Curtain uses - After purchasing your Toile curtains, if you decided that you don't like them in the window you can use them in other ways. You can use your curtains to re-upholster a piece of furniture.
5) Pattern - Consider the pattern. Since Toile curtains are depicting an image, the image needs to be seen in its entirety to make sense. When purchasing this type of fabric, the viewer should be able to see the whole image at least once. This is where draperies work the best, since they are so large it allows the
viewer to see the story.
So there you have it. Toile curtains are versatile a, easily add beauty, and traditional charm to any room in your home. Go out, try it in your home and watch history come to life for you. Happy shopping!
