Vintage patterns add a touch of timeless appeal to any space – from traditional-style living rooms to farmhouse bedrooms. Two of our favorite traditional patterns – damask and toile – have rich histories that draw inspiration from different cultures. Keep reading below to learn about these two vintage patterns, their histories, and ideas to help you style them in your space.

What Is Damask?

Damask designs bring an elegant feel to any space. It is typically characterized by reversible, swirling patterns that often resemble leaves or feathers. Most damask prints use two colors to create a bold, contrasting look that is woven into or printed on the material.

History of Damask

Damask was created as a luxurious fabric using a specific weaving technique that was developed in China around 300 B.C. The fabric is named after the city of Damascus, a busy trading port that often imported and exported textiles. Damask reached Europe in the early 1400s, and it was adapted in the 1800s when the jacquard loom was invented, making the fabric easier to produce. Now, damask designs are used for bedding, wallpaper, rugs, and more.

Decorating With Damask

The repeating two-tone pattern makes a bold statement that is balanced enough to blend with a variety of other patterns. Damask is a versatile pattern that looks great on its own or layered with other traditional patterns. With a few of the tips below, decorating with damask is simple.

Try a Two-Toned Rug

Warm up hardwood floors with plush, patterned rug. The simple yet detailed pattern adds just the right amount of visual interest. Choose a damask rug with neutral tones to create a versatile foundation for the space, or opt for deep jewel tones for an eye-catching look that ties the room together. Soft neutral tones complement the natural warmth of rustic decor while rich jewel tones are a great way to dress up a traditional-style seating area.

Choose Swirling Damask Bedding

Damask is one of the best vintage patterns for bedding. Opt for a bold damask duvet cover with navy and white details to create a soothing coastal retreat, or choose a muted green damask quilt for a cozy farmhouse bedroom.

Incorporate Unique Damask Accents

Bring a bit of decorative flair to any room with damask accents. Hang neutral-toned damask curtains to add privacy and style to your space. Layer throw pillows with vintage patterns, such as damask and florals, for a bespoke look. We also love using damask wallpaper to give any room an elevated feel. The swirling pattern is ideal for making any dining room, bedroom, or entryway more inviting.

What Is Toile?

Toile is known for its detailed illustrations of pastoral scenes filled with people, plants, and animals. This pattern is typically printed on an off-white background with blue, red, green, or brown ink. It is easy to incorporate into traditional- or rustic-style homes through wallpaper, upholstery, throw pillows, and bedding.

History of Toile

Toile originated in Ireland in the mid-1700s and became very popular in England and France soon after. The term "toile" means "canvas" or "fabric" since the pattern was often printed on fabric and used to create garments and upholstery. Toile was brought to North America during the Colonial Era and became a staple in American design. Like many other traditional patterns, toile has come in and out of fashion since then. The pastoral motifs combine nature-inspired serenity and effortless elegance for a timeless look.

Decorating With Toile

Decorating with toile brings a touch of nostalgic style to more contemporary spaces. This vintage pattern is best for adding a little classic character to your home.

Install Toile Wallpaper

One of our favorite ways to add toile to your home is with your wallpaper. With a long history, toile is a classic pattern with long-lasting appeal. For high-traffic spaces, such as dining rooms, bathrooms, or entryways, we recommend choosing wallpaper with stain- or moisture-resistant finishes to keep the wallpaper looking fresh. Hanging toile wallpaper is a great way to elevate simple spaces like bathrooms or dining rooms. Use it to brighten up a home office, or install toile wallpaper in the bathroom for an elegant addition.

Pick Cozy Toile Bedding

Add classic appeal to your bedding with toile pieces. We love the timeless look of white-and-blue toile bedding combined with crisp white sheets and a cozy throw blanket. For a more subtle look, opt for toile sheets and a solid-colored duvet cover to create a cozy setup.

Add a Pile of Toile Throw Pillows

Incorporate toile designs with patterned throw pillows. From the sofa to the bed, toile throw pillows add a touch of nostalgic style. Top a simple quilt and matching shams with a toile throw pillow for a timeless finish, or pair toile throw pillows with striped upholstery to juxtapose the detailed nature scenes with clean lines.

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