Decorating (December 2004)
The World of Interiors (December 2006)I never tire of toile. Toile, short for Toile du Juoy, translates literally to 'cloth'. The linen or cotton cloth was made famous when a new technique of engraved plate printing was popularized in Jouy, France (near Versailles) in the 18th Century. The finished printed cloth was referred to as Toile de Jouy. Today toile is usually described as a one color printed design resembling a pen and ink technique. Toiles are printed by various methods, but the most beautiful are still created by engraved plates or rollers.
We papered our former dining room in a beautiful red and cream Pierre Frey toile and each day I was delighted by the fun whimsical scenes. Some will say that toile has become trendy. I on the other hand think toile is timeless. Like all good designs, different styles will have their moments of popularity, but the mere fact that toile has endured for hundreds of years proves it’s more than a passing fad.
Pierre Frey is so good for this kind of toile . His new designs ,this year, are just fabulous
ReplyDeleteMélanie
I absolutely love the middle image!
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Anna
I agree - and I love that Kate Spade room from World of Interiors. Its so fresh and pretty. My husband would never let me use that much in one room, well not now at least. Perhaps I need to work on that a bit more..
ReplyDeleteSuzy it took me a couple of years to convince my husband to let me paper our dining room. In the end he came round to my way of thinking—he usually does!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever seen the Town Toiles... they're of places like Charleston, Palm Beach and even Harlem! Toiles are timeless, and I love them paired with simple checks and stripes.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, timeless, and classic!
ReplyDeleteYou post gives me idea to write something about it also.
ReplyDeleteMélanie
I have always loved Toile, but the cheap versions of it were seriously overdone here for a few years. I look forward to getting back to the real deal. These are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI loooooooove that 2nd photo too. WOW. And WOW.
ReplyDeleteThat second image is beautiful! I just love toile--great post--reminds me of another post I read recently at 'this is glamorous', which was also on French fabric--you two are in sync!
ReplyDeleteToile is such a classic statement. My sister-in-law is a toile-aholic - almost everything in their house is toile, and it's absolutely beautiful. Even her laundry room...
ReplyDeleteI want to see your dining room
ReplyDelete!! Email me a picture! I love red and cream toile. Which one did you use? Email me and tell me I'm dying to know if it's one I know of.
Joni
I love the black and white asian toile in the first two photos. Can you tell me the name of the designer or maker?
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