Luxury Comforter Sets

Home Decorating With Tapestries

Tapestries can be used in so many ways to enhance your home’s beauty. Not only do they make marvelous wall hangings, but tapestries can be utilized as throws, drapes and even tablecloths. These amazingly versatile and sturdy woven pieces add style, texture and sophistication to even the plainest furnishings.

Most modern day tapestries consist of a tight jacquard weave that makes them extremely tough and able to stand up to abuse. You can use tapestry bolsters and pillows to add character to a demure couch, or spice up a mantle with a fanciful runner. Larger tapestries can be used as a throw for chilly winter days when all you want to do is curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and toast by the fire.

Personal effects can also be enhanced by tapestry – handbags are a favorite way to display small tapestry panels and often reflect the owner’s personality. Small framed tapestries can be used in the home as well, as accents in small spaces. Table runners present a formal look for those times when you want to impress company, and a wall hung tapestry can make a great icebreaker if it has an interesting history.

History of Tapestry Use

Tapestries were used primarily in the homes, churches and cathedrals of the wealthy. Many were produced by Belgian, French and English artisans in medieval times – some still remain nearly intact. They covered the walls to provide added insulation to the stone separating them from the elements, and provided pictorial histories of great events in a time when books were a rarity and the ability to read them even more so.

Tapestries were also used as door coverings and bed curtains as well as drapery. The royalty in many countries had household weavers whose job it was to document their reign in woven form. The makers of these fine tapestries were respected on a level with the finest painters and sculptors of their day.

In more recent times, tapestries have become a way to represent classic masterpieces by the worlds greatest artists. Many paintings by such masters as DaVinci, Raphael, Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Titian and others have been woven into tapestries. This results in a rich rendering of the original work.

Matching Tapestry Styles with Decor

If your passion leans toward the gothic or baroque, with lots of dark wood and heavy brocade, medieval tapestry designs are probably a good choice. Hung at the head of a massive four poster, the dark rich colors of a tapestry showing the Knights of the Round Table might be just the touch to pull it all together.

If paler pastel shades and dainty Louis XIV is more your style, a softer Renaissance tapestry might be more to your liking. Angelic appearances and pastoral scenes glow in rich gold and blue hues, accenting the gilt and fussiness of French décor. You can often find landscape tapestries in sets, and hang them vertically side by side to form the illusion of gazing through a window at the peaceful countryside.

For a cheerful country kitchen look consider fruit and flower designs that can’t help but bring a smile. Southwestern themes can lean on Native American artists for strong traditional patterns in earthy colors. Modern minimalist chic can benefit from an exotic Oriental piece featuring a dragon or a brilliantly plumed bird.

Places to Hang Tapestries

Cozy spots are great places for tapestries as long as you don’t overwhelm the space. An Indian portrayal of an elephant or a British Naval battle scene can add just the right touch to a study. You can even splurge and invest in a wide horizontal map of the world to hang with pride in a library.

Look for ways to maximize your space. If you can’t handle a huge tapestry hanging behind you over the couch, consider running two narrow vertical ones side by side. This will effectively break up the space with out overpowering the room. Small framed tapestries can fill spots in stairwells or out of the way corners.

Don’t forget the bedroom. Peaceful landscapes or guardian angels are favorites for this most sacred of rooms. Restful colors like soft cream and blue and shell pink are great to promote a calm state of mind.

Consider using tapestries next time you remodel. With so many great online sources, you can get a tapestry incredibly cheaply – and use it to cover a multitude of sins. Cracked plaster and chipping paint may have to wait until you get to it, but in the meantime a nice tapestry will be greeting your eyes and bringing cheer.

Copyright © The Tapestry House, all rights reserved.

This is Free-Reprint article from The Tapestry House. Our terms are:
Please leave copyright statement intact
Please publish author info including links
Please do not use the article in unsolicited emails
Please keep all links intact and “as is” – no embedded keyword advertising
You can contact us at articles@thetapestryhouse.com

About the Author

Angela Dawson-Field divides her time between writing and the Tapestry House. She writes extensively on tapestries & wall hangings .

Handmade Mirror Embroidery Bedspreads Throw Wall Tapestry $750.00

India Bedspread Tribal Kutch Embroidery Antique Throw Wall Tapestry $750.00

ANTIQUE 1800s VICTORIAN OLD TAPESTRY TABLECLOTH PIANO SCARF THROW WALL HANGING $399.99

Chinese Brocade Silk Woven Cranes Tapestry Throw Tablecloth 1930s-1950s $385.00

WHOLESALE LOT 10 WALL HANGING THROW SARI TAPESTRY INDIA TAPESTRY WALL DECOR ART $305.25

X LARGE RARE ANTIQUE WALL HANGING TAPESTRY THROW Vintage Handmade India Decor $295.99

Decorative Bedspreads Moti Beaded Throws Tapestry Queen Size Bed Cover $299.00

MATCHING PAIR! SEA FISH Handwoven AUBUSSON TAPESTRY THROW PILLOW Free Ship $1200 $295.00

BEADED THROW FROM INDIA $275.00

Bedspread Embroidery Throw Tapestry Brown Sequin Bed Cover 80″ $265.00

Set of 12 The Lord is my Shepherd Jesus Tapestry Throw Blankets $276.50

Throws : Tapestry, Elegant, Fine & French – Floral Garden (H59xW59) $271.90

Brocade Tapestry 4-pc Set Fringed THROW 50×60 & 3 PILLOWS Drums Tassels Ornamnts $259.99

Angel Lion Lamb Tapestry Designer Throw Pillow with Alternating 4″ Fringe $249.00

Green Decorative Wall Decor Decoration Large Art Inspirational Tapestry Throw $244.99

Huge Khaki Indian Tapestry Moti Wall Hanging Home Accent Ethnic Decor Throw 90in $241.99

Rare Kutch Decor Vintage Wall Hanging Tapestry Throw $239.99

French Beaded Embroidered Throw Tapestry Burmese Prince $225.00

Vintage Peru Hand-Woven Alpaca Wool Tapestry Blanket Throw 52×68″+ Lape Robe Rug $225.00

Set of 10 The Lord is my Shepherd Jesus Tapestry Throw Blankets $230.80

Decorative throw pillows 2 Nautical sailboats beach lighthouse tapestry fabric $199.95

VTG ESTATE MID CENTURY ETHNIC DANCERS TAPESTRY FRINGE BLANKET THROW TABLECLOTH $197.99

Tapestry King Bedspread sofa cover throw Tango Red luxe $122.14

Pink India Wall Tapestry Handcrafted Vintage Sari Home Decor Ethnic Throw Art $192.99

TRIBAL ASIAN CHAKLA TAPESTRY, HOME DECOR, ETHNOGRAPHIC ART, TEXTILE, THROW $190.00

Russet Throw Antique Wall Decor Sari Tapestry Hanging $187.99

Set of 8 The Lord is my Shepherd Jesus Tapestry Throw Blankets $186.22

Pink Indian Big Wall Art Decoration Sari Tapestry Throw $184.99

CUSTOM Hand Fabricated Luxury Designer Throw HEAVY Balck Taupe Ecru Tapestry New $169.99

Chocolate Indian Wall Tapestry Vintage Decoration Big Handcrafted Throw Textile $183.99

Throws : Tapestry, Elegant, Fine & French – Vera Plaid 722/3 (H54xW54) $183.90

Throws : Tapestry, Elegant, Fine & French – floral I (H59xW59) $181.90

Throws : Tapestry, Elegant, Fine & French – Roses (H59xW59) $181.90

Ralph Lauren Poet’s Society 3 PC. Throw Pillow Set Tapestry Stripe $179.99

Indian Home Decor Wall Tapestry Hanging Textile Throw $174.99

INDIAN HAND EMBROIDERY COTTON PATCHWORK WALL HANGING/TAPESTRY/THROW/TABLE RUNNER $149.00

Orange Vintage Decorative Tapestry Indian Artisan Handmade Wall Hanging Throw $173.99

Vintage Indian Big Wall Tapestry Art Decorative Throw $169.99

ANTIQUE WALL HANGING PATCHWORK HOME DÉCOR TABLE RUNNER TAPESTRY THROW INDIA 60″ $139.99

Throws : Tapestry, Elegant, Fine & Belgian – Flowers 9714 (H58xW58) $163.90

Throws : Tapestry, Elegant, Fine & Belgian – Medieval 9873 (H58xW58) $163.90

Russet Indian Throw Wall Hanging Art Vintage Handmade Sari Fabric Tapestry Large $162.99

Throws : Tapestry, Elegant, Fine & French – Cicely Mary Barker 9416/30 (H60xW60) $161.90

Khaki Throw Home Decor Extraordinary Art Vintage Indian Tapestry Wall Hanging $156.99

Blue India Home Decor Decorating Wall Hanging Throw L $156.99

NEW! DEER PRESTIGE AUBUSSON TAPESTRY THROW PILLOW Free Ship WILD LIFE Wool $600 $152.00

NEW! SEA FISH Handwoven AUBUSSON TAPESTRY THROW PILLOW Free Shipping Wool $600 $152.00

‘SAVONNERIE’ French Tapestry Throw / Tablecloth / Table Bed Cover 60″ x 56″ NEW $122.32

‘MILLE FLEUR UNICORN’ ClunyM Tapestry Cotton Throw / Tablecloth FRENCH New! $122.32

Decorative Tapestry Baltic Designer Throw Pillow $150.00

Apple Kitchen Tapestry Slice Throw Rug Fruit Decor This beautiful Apple tapestry slice rug measures 19″ x 27″. Wonderful quality and beautiful vibrant coloring sure to bring out the best in your kitchen….

Coffee Brands Kitchen Throw Rug Cafe Rugs Tapestry Mocha Latte Espresso This beautiful Coffee tapestry rug measures 19″ x 27″. Wonderful quality and beautiful vibrant coloring sure to bring out the best in your coffee themed kitchen….

Cappuccino Gourmet Latte Coffee Kitchen Throw Rug Cafe Rugs Java Tapestry $17.99 This beautiful Coffee tapestry rug measures 19″ x 27″. Wonderful quality and beautiful vibrant coloring sure to bring out the best in your coffee themed kitchen….

Sunflower Tapestry Throw Blanket By Collections Etc $10.97 This classic throw is the perfect accent to any home decor. Tapestry woven throw features a two-tone green checkerboard border accented with flowers, leaves & acorns. Cotton/polyester. Machine wash. Imported. 50″W x 60″….

Teal Time Tapestry Throw $49.99 This lovely tapestry throw has 7 teals surrounded by a plaid background. Made in the USA for Ducks Unlimited. 100% cotton tapestry with fringe on all 4 sides. Easy care machine wash separately in cold water on gentle cycle. Tumble dry low heat….

In His Light In His Light A child looks upon the Lord in wonderment and joy in Greg Olsen’s “In His Light.” Such peace and understanding is shown on the child’s face as he is basking in the Lord’s attention. Rich colors in this throw bring clarity and detail to life. Item: Tapestry Throw Size: 51″ x 68″ Product: ATOIHL…

Bouquet de Six Wall Hanging – 27 x 62 The large sizes , vibrant colors and extremely high clarity make our jacquard woven heirloom tapestries a truly cherished item. With famous art from the classic masters to todays most popular artists, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. This finely crafted wall tapestry is made in the USA by skilled artisans, Jaquard Woven & Hand Finished. An iron rod and finial are included, in addition …

With the Beatles Woven Tapestry Throw – The Beatles This is a really nice woven throw blanket showing the very famous With the Beatles album cover, one of the most iconic album covers in rock history! The throw measures out at 50″ x 60″ or about 127 x 152 cm. This is an AUTHENTIC woven tapestry throw that has been properly licensed and authorized by the rights owners….

Colorful Earth Wall Tapestry – Bob Marley $29.99 This is a really nice fabric wall tapestry showing Bob Marley below picture of Earth. This tapestry is very large and extremely colorful! The throw measures out at 60″ x 90″ or about 152 x 229 cm….

The Lord’s Promise Religious Tapestry Throw Blanket By Collections Etc $14.99 The Lord’s Promise Throw: Warm yourself, body and soul, within the folds of this lovely throw. Cotton tapestry throw features a visionary scene of nature as a backdrop for an inspiring quote sure to bolster the faith of everyone in need. Makes a charming addition to any living room or family room. Machine wash. Imported. Measures 50″ x 60″….