What is Treillage and Why Are We Obsessed?

Who Else Loves Treillage As Much As I Do?

What is Treillage?

"Treillage is a 17th-century French style of architectural latticework or trelliswork in order to create decorative garden and architectural structures, and to offer a bit of a Trompe-l'oeil effect to a space. It supports vines and plants and adds a structural detail to a home and garden". 

 -Tamara Stephenson

(Image E & A Interiors)

via Homes & Gardens magazine

Treillage is a beautiful word...It rolls of the tongue at once transporting you to the rolling hills of French gardens in the countryside. 

I have long loved this trellis styling, and recently found it dates back to the Roman Empire. However, it was at the height of popularity in France during the 17th and 18th centuries.  Intended to be utilized in natural settings and gardens, it became all the rage. The word itself is Latin and when gardeners created structures (trellis) to support climbing vines.

But, I also love it as an architectural detailing inside the home- over a painted wall creating a textured element with the raised designs. I’ve seen it on gazebos, walls, planters, and around mirrors, and it is a unique way to create a lovely ambiance. 

It was particularly popular in France first, but when (some say the first decorator in the United States) Elsie de Wolfe created the Trellis Room at the all women’s club, The Colonie Club in Manhattan, it soon became synonymous with wealth and status in the States. de Wolfe took her inspiration from Villa Trianon at Versailles (the hamlet just on the edge of Versailles that Marie Antoinette visioned), specifically from the trellised Garden Pavilion. Since that time, Americans have become enamored with this unique style of design both in the home and in the garden.  

Colony Club's Trellis Room

Many moons ago when I first moved to New York City in 1990 and pursuited my dream to become an interior designer, I would walk daily past this lovely shop in my neighborhood with this namesake- this Treillage was owned by the iconic deisgner Bunny Williams and I'd pop in weekly just to see how her and her team would style the shop which felt like it was plucked straight out of a garden magazine. Bunny has a wonderful way of mixing garden style with classic interior design and in a manner that feels elegant, lived in and just wonderful.  I still think about this lovely shop, and the barn-like doors that welcomed you into the space.  Long gone is the NYC's shop but my love for treillage continues. Check out my Treillage Board here. Cheers to Treillage!

Happy Nesting

XO Tamara