Today the word toile is used to describe an elegant printing technique with engraving-like detail which tells a story with the images depicted. The images consist of a pattern of a single color, most often black, dark red, or blue. Greens and magenta colors sometimes make an appearance in toile patterns but are less common. The intricacy and uniqueness of these designs has kept them alive since their first appearances in the 1700s. These patterns can be found on any base from bedding, linens, and curtains to wallpaper and even recently, clothing. Toile remains most popular for bedding and linens and the top manufacturers all offer a toile ensemble. Ranging from traditional French country scenes to florals these bedding ensembles are a beautiful way to enhance your living space and create decorating detail that simply can not be found in other designs. Some of the different offerings by bedding manufacturers are described in the rest of the article.
A.L. Ellis Inc. produces a line of toile bedding which they print themselves. Their elegant French country scenes are printed on a cream colored background and come in black, blue, sage, or red. To keep with this French...