Lately I've become fascinated with toile, that old fashioned fabric that many of us assocation with the stuffy interiors of blue bloods. Where did it come from? And do they make any modern versions of it?
Toile, which is short for Toile de Jouy, originated in France in the 1700's. Its origins can be traced to Jouy-en-Josas, France, where the first commercial plant to mass produce it was located. Traditionally the pattern depicted a French pastoral scene but modern toile can depict just about anything. Pictured above are four of my favorites - two traditional and two modern.
Clockwise from top left:
- Blue Romantic toile wallpaper from Home Depot is an example of the classic toile scene.
- Another typical toile is the Central Park Marigold drapery frabric from Denver Fabrics.
- Elegantly display your civic pride with the San Francisco Chocolate/Blue wallpaper from Town Toiles.
- Trash Day Mulberry Sherbert toile wallpaper from Studio Printworks depicts a modern suburban landscape.
Find Your Style: 20 Classic to Contemporary Kitchens to Add to Your Inspiration Board
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
10 Ways to Put a Muffin Pan to Good Use (Other Than Making Muffins!)
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
I like Sheila Bridges line called Harlem Toile:
http://www.sheilabridges.com/shopping.html
I have a great set of toile sheets from Urban Outfitters that depicts suburban strip malls, gas stations, som ranches and split-level houses, and lots of transmission lines -- very camp!
I love Toile (which is the French word meaning "Cloth") - but it's most often a monochromatic print of blue, black or dark red on a cream or white background.
Timorous Beasties makes one.
http://www.timorousbeasties.com/products/Wallcoverings/Toile%20Wallpaper/9
I love toile. But my main style is more of a mid-century mod with an Asian bent. I'm not sure how I could incorporate it without it looking really odd. I would love to figure out how to blend it.
MonkeyMomma--
There are Chinoiserie-themed toiles out there...
...and if you used alot of one toile to upholster certain of your modern pieces as well as for simple draperies and pillows - I don't see how you'd go wrong.
How about the wonderful toile prducts from Hazelnut in New Oleans:
http://www.hazelnutneworleans.com/toile.shtml
Or the fab/naughty/gay Tom of Finland toile:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hereshopandgallery/2232380943/
I was going to add the New Orleans toile, too! It's great, and currently they are donating portions of the sales to Gulf Relief.
Have you seen the infamous Vivienne Westwood toile, which is very er, graphic?!
I love toile! in fact, I did a post on it awhile back, using an image from a project you guys featured!
http://www.southernbellesimple.com/2010/07/fabric-jouy-de-vivre.html
Love the Sheila Bridges toile!!
I own the Emmy C. "It's Toile About You" T-shirt.
http://www.threadless.com/product/2153/It_s_Toile_About_You
Only problem about it is when people bend down to look at it and shout "I don't understand!"
My favorite is when twisted crafters embroider over the toile and add their own touches. Here are some of my favorites: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=331859.0 & http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=303150.0
I took a pattern class this summer and learned how to design a toile. It is difficult to master, but the results were awesome. I LOVE toile!
I fourth the Sheila Bridges recommendation. Genius.
"I own the Emmy C. "It's Toile About You" T-shirt.
http://www.threadless.com/product/2153/It_s_Toile_About_You
Only problem about it is when people bend down to look at it and shout "I don't understand!""
I'm wearing mine today
I love toile! Great posting!!
Pierre Deux sells every toile under the sun...
Happy Renovations
Artist Beth Katleman did an inventive take on toile that's three-dimensional and sort of surreal:
http://visualingual.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/folly-by-beth-katleman/