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The word “toile” comes from the French word for linen cloth. The word is shortened from the full name toile de Jouy. Toile de Jouy was originally produced in Ireland in the mid 1700s, but jumped from the island to England and to France where it was dubbed "Toile de Jouy," which literally means "cloth from Jouy-en-Josas," a town in northern France. Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf moved to Jouy-en-Josas and started a factory there in 1759, which produced the now eponymous "toile de Jouy."
Although the word toile means fabric, the word toile has evolved to also refer to the original design aesthetic of the fabric. Toile designs are popular for non-fabric items like fine china and wallpaper.
The design aesthetic when using Toile is usually very traditional. Times have definitely changed and we are seeing more Toile used in contemporary designs. And, we are loving it and here for it all!
PHOTO & WALLPAPER BY SERENA & LILY
PHOTO SOURCE UNKNOWNThe Brooklyn Toile is from Flavor Paper and features scenes and characters one might encounter in that particular borough such as Coney Island, the subway, and brooklynite The Notorious BIG aka Biggie Smalls. It was designed by Vincent J. Ficarra and Adela Qersaqi from an idea by Mike Diamond of The Beastie Boys.
PHOTO BY DOMINO MAGAZINE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN LEVESQUE
New York City based interior designer Sheila Bridges designed a Harlem Toile. She states, "Harlem toile de Jouy tells a rich yet satirical story about African American life through the often distorted lens of the media. I designed it to remind people of many of the stereotypes that have historically been and continue to be associated with African Americans living in rural parts of the country as well as urban areas like Harlem." It's provoking and gorgeous!
PHOTO BY SHEILA BRIDGES
PHOTO BY RIGHT MEETS LEFT INTERIOR DESIGN
Thanks to advances in wood block printing in the 18th century, the cotton fabric, and subsequent wallpaper consists of printed self-contained, repeated scenes of historical figures or landscapes inspired from true stories, novels, operas, or legends.
PHOTO BY CAFÉ DU CYCLISTE
There is so much more Toile to cover for design inspiration. This is TO BE CONTINUED...
What are you inspired by to Toile in your home?
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