They were history for over a decade, Damask and Toile fabric looks. There look was heavy and dated, screamed 1960′s decadence and 1970′s over-the-top decorating. An interesting thing happened in the last couple of years, they underwent a make over, I would even consider the new softer, less intense presentation that these prints can offer a window opening, chair or room. Traditional designer is very 2006, Trad is Rad!

This post will bring you up to date on the latest in Damask and Toile looks.

-Damask is actually a weaving technique of threads that creates a reversible pattern.

-The softer look of today’s Damask is often a white background color over-layed with one foreground color. To Rad a room select contemporary furniture pieces and use a new Damask.

-Don’t go overboard with Damask in a room. Use only on furniture, walls or drapes not all three or even two, that’s the old busy and heavy look. Select complementary solid colored drapes.

-The hippest look is jewel-tone damask, a knock-out. Don’t be shy about mixing gold’s and silvers.

-Tone-on-tone Damasks are a great way to test-drive if Damask is right for you.

-Black and white Damask is the edgiest of the new Damask looks, it’s going to pave the way for the retro Mid-60′s black and white revival in interior design circles.

-Not sure Damask is right for you? Add some new Damsk accessories such as throw pillows, decorative glass or roman shades. A quick pick-me-up for any room.

-High-end Damask in silk are coming back strong-though they tend to remind me of the earlier over-done look. Be careful with silk it can formalize anything faster than you think.

Toile’s have been creeping back into vogue longer than Damask. Known to portray pastoral scenes and tales, they have been revamped with a fresh look-adding North American scenes. Old-line Toile’s were a mainstay in Britain, but many US based companies manufacture Toile fabrics and wallpapers.
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