Tole painting has been around since the 18th century, at which time it was primarily a form of decorative painting done on metalware and lacquered surfaces. Today, tole is considered a form of folk art wherein everyday objects and household surfaces are decorated with oil paints using specific techniques. Decorative tole painting tends to take on the character and flavor of the local culture. Because of this, decorative tole painting is interpreted differently depending on what part of the world it is practiced in.

Originally, tole painting referred specifically to art painted onto metal. In recent years, however, it has come to be seen as any kind of decorative painting. Decorative tole painting can encompass the arts of mural painting and stenciling, for example. Traditional tole was a technique that involved fewer, more sweeping strokes, and folk artists today tend to adhere to that tradition. Most tole painting has a simplistic style reminiscent of folk art.

Forms of tole painting can be seen almost everywhere. Go to any antiques store or flea market and you are bound to come across decoratively painted objects such as serving trays, stools and chairs. Household objects decorated in this way were meant for everyday use, and are usually coated with lacquer to protect the painting from everyday wear.

Tole painting turns an ordinary object or surface into something special. Decorative Tole painting kits contain instructions, patterns, ideas, and even stencils to transform your teacups, walls, chairs, lamps and tables into usable works of art. Through the efforts and innovations of modern practitioners, the time-honored tradition of tole painting continues to beautify our interior spaces.