The Classic Toile

By Nancy September 14th, 2009

Back in 1760, in the French village of Jouy-en-Josas near Versailles, a cotton print manufactory was started and a design phenomenon was born. Toile de Jouy, often just called toile, was originally made to compete with expensive silks. The target market was the general public as interest in decorating had greatly increased at that time, and the popularity of toile hasn’t died since. Even if you’ve never heard the name, I’m sure you’ve seen the style. There’s even a Toile de Jouy museum in France.

The patterns typically showed groups of peasants in daily activities, bourgeois scenes, fables, or historical events, and the scenes are meant to tell a story. The prints were hand-blocked on a neutral cream-colored background, and were in one color only – usually red, blue, plum, or green. Patterns changed as times changed – the discovery of Pompeii, the French Revolution, and the accession of Napoleon – not only on the fabric but on the larger design scene as well.

If you’re looking for a versatile design element, you really can’t go wrong with toile. It works with stripes, with plaids, in formal and casual settings. It’s sophisticated and elegant and shabby chic at the same time. It’s a classic!