Thursday, May 22, 2014

Chintz vs. Toile takedown!


Do you cringe at the large expanses of toile? 
Is toile too '90s French country for you?
I have to admit that I was once a toile-aholic. I loved french country style decor.



Actually in France
These days I am inclined to avoid toile and think of it mostly as something best seen in France.
But, oh how I loved my toile!
-
Chintz, long regarded as granny fabric or *gasp* shabby chic has always been a source of warm fuzzy feelings for me. My British great-grandmother transformed her living room every year in the Spring with Chintz curtains and slipcovers on everything. There was nothing shabby about it. The glorious cabbage roses on glazed cotton made for a cheerful yet elegant space.





Chintz is big right now and I am thrilled.


I particularly love the way designers are keeping it from being too sweet and girly but fresh and modern.


 Are you rooting for Chintz or Toile?

12 comments:

Krystine @ www.KrystineEdwards.com said...

I was a toile lover too- think I still am and am trying to incorporate Chintz into my upcoming designs- I hope I can pull this off!!!

Coulda shoulda woulda said...

Both are great in doses and proper execution but if I had to choose it would be toile. The repetitive patterns are soothing and creates a sense of calm which seems odd with its busyness but it really does calm people down

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...

I was all over toile too. Couldn't get enough. I still like a small dose every now and then. Modern versions of chintz have me all excited. I'm pretty easy apparently. :)

An Urban Cottage said...

Neither for me. Although I'd like to see that Schumacher Hollyhock Pyne that's on the settee used in that next room with the grasscloth/burlap wallpaper. It might be really beautiful in a reduced color palette.

home before dark said...

I like them both. In my new dining room/library curtains will be made of Thibaut's Tea House fabric in the black color way. It's a toile with the colors of chintz. It's a youthful (I am not) expression of Chinoiserie

Nancy said...

this is a tough call but i'm going to say go toile or go home :)

Karena said...

Kerry I think both in small doses for me anyway. It can get kitschy and overblown really easily if not done right.

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

Lenny Lianne said...

I inherited chintz curtains and valence
from the previous owner -- in the
room that's now my library/study --
and I hate them.

Vel Criste said...

Honestly, I still love both. Although toile is not "in" at the moment, I think it can always make a comeback. I remember re-upholstering our first breakfast nook in black and white toile and I love it.

Unknown said...

Your place is looking AMAZING now it's furnished!!.. Love the living room,Bedroom the teal wall looks great.. Ralph & I have just started, hoping to get our Bedroom ordered in the next few weeks..You're more than welcome to pop in anytime, I'm sure you'd have plenty of good advice!!
Bedroom, Lovely And Cozy Girls’ Room Decors With Feminine Splash

Unknown said...

A llttle of both go a long way but I can see both still in current decor, in moderation! xo Nancy

LPC said...

Toile:). But I'm coming from a Nothing But Solids world, so maybe toile is a good first step.