In the beginning, toile was used to completely cover an entire room. Everything throughout the room would be covered in the same pattern, including lamps, furniture, upholstery, curtains, walls, and sometimes even floors. It was traditionally done in red, navy, black, or light purple. The background was usually kept light, either a white or a soft cream or yellow. This is how they managed to have so much toile without overpowering a room.

Toile patterns were often used to represent a story or historical event. The landscapes and portraits that were portrayed would often represent characters and settings, and throughout the fabric the story would continue. Although few people I know of sit and try to read their draperies and curtains, it is still fascinating that this much sophistication could be woven into fabric.

Because it was so expensive in the beginning, toile has always given off an air of regality, nobility, wealth, posh, and sophistication. It's similar to how we would regard today's cashmere or nice silk. In fact, it became the epitome of fabrics, thus why it's called toile (which equivalently translates to "fabric" in France).

Toile can still pull off this lovely effect, whether used in a baby's nursery, a sitting room, or the bedding in a master bedroom. The possibilities are endless. More color combinations are really opening possibilities. However, the most popular choices are the same as they were when they first originated. Toile has influenced interior design for centuries, and continues to do so today.