Toile de Jouy: A Modern Twist on a Timeless Classic

What's old is new again, and the classic French textile -toile de jouy - is seeing a renaissance within interiors and in fashion. The toile de jouy that is being used today still shares many of the same characteristics from your grand-mère's toile, in fact many of the textile designs are the same; it is how they are being applied that sets them apart.

Pampa - Pierre Frey

Ofcourse, there are some modern toile de jouy that add some drama to the decor. The colors are bolder and brighter.

Brooklyn Brownstone Toile/Mike D's Brownstone/ Photo Flavor Paper

The designs are whimsical and relevant for today's interiors. They can be used to add a fun atmosphere in a family room, or living room.

Sourced from www.fabricsandpapers.com

Or, add a cozy moodiness to a bedroom using the more traditional toile de jouy.

Fabrics & Paper

Pierre Frey/Mariage de Figaro

My one design suggestion is... as beautiful as a toile de jouy pattern may be, whether it is a fabric or a wallpaper, modern or traditional, less is more. Overuse of a toile de jouy textile is a major decorating faux pas. Start simple, like a lovely armchair or a lampshade -either will add a touch of French flair without being overkill.

Armchair/Interiors.fr. Lampshades/Ananbo.com

History of la toile de jouy:

Photo: TSinParis

Toile de jouy originated in the small town just outside of Versailles called Jouy-en-Josas by the German entrepreneur Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf in the 18th-century. The process for printing the pastoral themed fabrics was made with wood blocks in a labor intensive process with each color of dye requiring its own individual bath. One pattern may have contained over 20 colors. In 1783 King Louis XVI awarded Oberkampf the Royal Manufactory designation. To learn more about Oberkampf and the history and process that goes into toile de jouy go to the Musée de la Toile de Jouy website.

Interior Museum Photos: Mlle. Paradis

I hope you enjoyed reading my post on such an iconic French textile, and one I never grow tired of. Please share with us if you have any ideas for using toile de jouy, or have any questions on how to style it. I look forward to hearing from you.

D - xoxo

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