Blue and white decor is always a fresh way to bring peace and calm into a room. From the kitchen to the bedroom, blue and white patterns are welcome. Lately, an old classic has been trending: French Toile de Jouy is a classic, traditional pattern that has stood the test of time.
Design tastes for fabric and wall paper patterns come and go, but French toile always manages to stay elegant, graceful, and understated. It is especially beautiful in a vintage context.
French Toile De Jouy and Cottagecore Aesthetics
What styles are enhanced with this French-inspired pattern?
- Farmhouse and Cottagecore come to mind.
- As mentioned, American Colonial, and vintage English or French interiors were decorated with toile de jouy.
- European informed style, especially in the more sophisticated color choice of charcoal black on ivory.
- French toile patterns mix well with thoughtful pairings of checks or plaids in the same hue.
Using Toile de Jouy Patterns
Although the 1970’s saw these patterns pop up in shirt fabrics, French toile is usually seen in interiors of our homes. Because it is strongly associated with the American colonial period, these designs become popular whenever Colonial decor is trendy. It also gets a pick-me-up in trending fashions when Designers incorporate it into their collections. Recently, that has been the case.
Bedrooms, especially, benefit from the monotone, elegant, and peaceful effect of toiles. Bucolic scenes of pretty countrysides or whimsical hot air balloons match the mood of our most intimate spaces.
Love the Vibe, but not in Blue?
Ruby red toile pattern wallpaper in bedroom
In Colonial times this fabric was used for curtains, bedding, and upholstery. Today, similar applications with the addition of wallpapers are gaining interest and popularity.
Toile in Today’s Interiors
An easy way to add fashion trends, particularly if you don’t want a long term commitment, is with pillows. The fine textured patterning of toile de jouy designs melds with solid areas of color.
Another fine use of toile de jouy is in table linens. A table runner, placemats, or cloth dinner napkins will accentuate the dining room with a seasonal spot of color.
More permanent ways to bring the monotone patterns into play are with wallpaper. Interesting detail without overwhelming modern, small spaces.
Origination of French Toile
Also known as “toile de Jouy“, while associated with the French, it actually originated in Ireland. Irishman Francis Nixon exchanged the printing process from wood block to the copperplate method that allowed for more detail, monocolored, bigger prints.
While the French word toile originally referred to linen, the Irishman Francis Nixon printed his designs on cotton. A factory in Jouy, France began printing these types of designs which then became wildly popular in the ln the late 18th-century. The scenes are usually pastoral, but embrace the more exotic, as well. Traditionally a soft blue on ivory, many color iterations and even patterns modified with color surprises can be found.
Patterns Come Alive
Fresh perspectives in topical elements can be found today, from original, new designs to fashion forward colors. For those with a love for vintage, the traditional birds and branches, gardens, castles, and Fragonard inspired people are readily available.
One of the most versatile ways to have the colors and designs you crave for certain rooms or products is to use a company like Zazzle. These patterns can be tailored to everything from stationary to bed duvets or bathroom towels. Cups, table linens, indeed hundreds of different home products, can be printed to order.
The historically printed patterns are usually shades of red, blue, green, or black on a white background. Today, pink, mustard, brown, and many other variants are used to create the single color prints.
Add Interest to Your Traditional Home
Has this taste of French toile whetted your appetite for layering interest and texture through these vintage prints? Give your home an addition of French Country style with accessories in the colors that appeal to you. You may find you love the subtle, relaxed look of these pastoral prints.
