If you frequent my blog and design studio, you probably know by now that I’m a big fan of toile fabrics and toile valances. Most of my customers enjoy the detail that simply isn’t available over the web before they buy a custom piece. For that reason, I’d like to celebrate some of the toile valances that we’ve made in the past and the amazing designer fabrics that provided the extra detail.
Distressed Toile and Beaded Trim
Just another valance with beaded trim? Not so. Once you add the weight of the trim and the fact that this valance has four total layers of fabric, it makes for a heavy and truly rich valance. Somewhat uncommon for a flat valance with a 3-inch rod pocket. The fabric is Covington’s Bosporus, a linen and viscose blend fabric that’s reminiscent of distressed burlap. It’s countered by a layer of a medium-weight cotton with a golden sheen stripe. The long acrylic beaded trim, of course, makes it all pop.
Chinoiserie in Deep Blue
I’ve never been shy about it – a London window valance is meant to use up a generous amount of fabric. This detail is clearly evident once you take a look closer. This Chinoiserie toile fabric, Richloom’s Sapporo, features a stork toile with floral prints on a deep blue background.
French Country in Bold Red
A simple, flat valance with an arched design stands out for its vibrant red color. If you’d like your own French country kitchen with roosters, then this close-up of the fabric will delight you (fabric is Free Range, by P Kaufmann):
Stylish Black and Off White Bird Toile
This particular valance features a single flat swag with pointed jabots. Even though it leans towards a French country style with a fabric that features birds, florals, and harvest-themed as its print, the valance is rather stylish and sophisticated. The single swag is flat rather than pleated. Tassel fringe was kept minimal and was only applied on the swag. And finally, the black and white colors give the window treatment a sense of sophistication.
Speaking of the fabric, here it is. It’s a 100% cotton fabric with deliberate slubs to give it a unique texture. Fabric is by Waverly and it’s called Country House.
Red and Yellow “La Petite Ferme”
A custom box-pleat balloon valance features a beautiful red and maize yellow fabric and deep red pleats for contrast. The fabric used is Waverly’s La Petite Ferme, featuring a country scenery with adorable roosters, hens and chicks on a farm. The key behind this valance of course is generous use of fabric. This is a valance that doesn’t tolerate skimping on fabrics, especially when it comes to the contrast fabric for the pleats.
A Romantic Toile Medallion by PH&D
The Emily valance is a great valance style for interesting fabric patterns like this romantic toile fabric designed by yours truly. The main fabric is flanked by a casual horn and free-flowing jabots. Trim, of course, is optional. I used a sand gold trim to finish the valance and accentuate its shape.
The PH&D French Toile pattern features a romantic toile medallion that’s surrounded by intricate scrolls. The fabric is available in 8 colors. Taupe is shown here.
The same fabric is available in black and gold. Since the colors are bold and rich already, I used it on a simple custom arched valance.
Here’s the black and gold toile fabric color that I used, up close.
Farm Scenery in Deep Blue
The trumpet valance is a unique creation that was inspired by a client’s request many years ago. Hundreds of custom trumpet valances later, this one is my favorite. The blue and off-white (almost ivory or cream) toile fabric depicting a farm scenery is perfect for it. I’m almost jealous of the kitchen that received this one!
Bird and Floral Stripe in Vibrant Red
This fabric I used on two occasions. My first inspiration came to center the large bird print on this scalloped valance on a narrow window. The size of the valance works on patio and French doors as well.
Next, a client requested for two asymmetrical valances to be created around a fireplace in a living room, using the same fabric. The contrast fabric was a slubbed cotton in gold. Tassel trim in alternating red and gold adorns the entire valance.
An up-close of the vibrant fabric by Richloom, showing its sheen cotton stripe.
Another close-up, this time of the tassel trim.
Pheasant Toile in a Paisley Medallion
I created a custom scalloped shape for this fabric alone, following the shape of the interlacing medallions. This beautiful pheasant toile fabric is made by P Kaufmann. And here’s an up-close:
Fragonard Romantic Toile with Beaded Fringe
The beautiful romantic toile print is surrounding by Victorian-style scrolls and florals. The scalloped shape of the window treatment was accentuated by a dark purple and honey gold beaded trim. The fabric is by Richloom.
Flat Swags To Feature an Oversized Toile Medallion
This board-mounted valance features a flat swag and pointed jabots. The colors on the fabric I used is cornflower blue and soft yellow. The fabric, My Romance, is made by Braemore. The valance was complete with matching trim in cornflower blue. The contrasting fabric I used was a blue and white woven gingham check.
A Unique Board-Mounted Valance in Black and White Toile
The black and white toile on this board-mount valance stands out because of the black accent fabric layer below it. This contrast is broken up slightly with rich tassel trim in sandy gold and black.
The fabric used was Waverly’s Country Life, a black and off-white toile with a casual, working farm scenery that takes one back in time.