The term "toile de Jouy," frequently shortened to "toile," is French for "cloth of Jouy" and refers to printed linen or cotton fabric that Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf first created in his Jouy-en-Josas, France, factory in 1760. Oberkampft initially created designs on cloth using woodblocks; copperplates were used later. The original toiles depicted French pastoral scenes, but over time, chinoiserie figures gained popularity, and their appeal continues today. 


"To soften the dining chairs with a touch of femininity and sophistication, [Chris] Barrett dressed them with tailored slipcovers made of cotton toile in cream and taupe. The two-piece covers are embellished with covered buttons."
Interior design by Chris Barrett, Chris Barrett Design.
Photography by Karyn Millet.
"Great Gatherings: Afternoon Tea" written and produced by Krissa Rossbund.
Some toiles honor American history, such as "Mount Vernon Plantation" by Brunschwig and Fils, which features George Washington's estate on the banks of the Potomac River, and Architextiles's "Louisiana Purchase," which depicts iconic images important to the city of New Orleans. 


Wall covering: "Mount Vernon Toile"/Charcoal, Brunschwig and Fils.
Morris County, New Jersey, home of Janet and Peter Simon.
Interior design by Janet Simon, Janet Simon Inc.
Design consultant: Ralph Harvard, Ralph Harvard Inc.
Builder (renovation): Ted Aanensen, Aanensen's.
Photography by John Bessler.
"Garden State Grandeur" text by Sabine Rothman.
Traditional Home (October 2010).

"The dining room gives pride of place to a silkscreen of New Orleans-born gospel singer Mahalia Jackson by local artist Richard Thomas. Louis XV chairs are upholstered in a toile called Louisiana Purchase [by Architextiles]. 'Each chair depicts different iconic imagery,' says interior designer Hal Williamson, including St. Louis Cathedral, plantations, and flatboats on the river.' "
New Orleans, Louisiana home. 
Interior design by Hal Williamson.
Photography by John Kernick.
Interview by Mimi Read.
"Change it with Romance" produced by Mary Emmerling.
House Beautiful (October 2008).

Here is a closer view of the Louis XV chairs "upholstered in a toile called Louisiana Purchase [by Architextiles]. 'Each chair depicts different iconic imagery,' says interior designer Hal Williamson, including St. Louis Cathedral, plantations, and flatboats on the river.' "
New Orleans, Louisiana home. 
Interior design by Hal Williamson.
Photography by John Kernick.
Interview by Mimi Read.
"Change it with Romance" produced by Mary Emmerling.
House Beautiful (October 2008).

Here is a Decorators Walk toile (now offered by Schumacher) that features the New York City skyline:


" 'I've always wanted to have a toile guest room,' Bradfield says. 'Although I loved the concept, the subject seemed too traditional, until I found a pattern depicting New York.' The headboard design was inspired by one he saw in a hotel in Dubai." 
1869 Upper East Side townhouse owned by designer Geoffrey Bradfield.
Interior design by Geoffrey Bradfield.
Photography by Durston Saylor.
Text by Stephen Drucker.
Architectural Digest (September 2005).

Some people avoid toile because they think it is too twee. However, small doses of toile can create subtle graphic contrast that is very modern and appealing, as the two rooms below attest: 


"A space does not have to be drenched in toile to be noticed. Soothing lavender walls provide a pretty contrast to black-and-cream toile, which is used sparingly for maximum impact."
"Bedroom Decorating Ideas: Totally Toile" written and produced by Lucy Fitzgerald.
Traditional Home.


"Black shutters define the window frame, The principal suite in the 2011 Princess Margaret Showhome boasts a romantic bathroom, featuring a double-glass shower clad in white Thassos marble and the Cabana freestanding oval tub from Ginger's. The walls are papered in Thibault's toile de Jouy."
2011 Princess Margaret Showhome.
Photography by Michael Graydon.
Canadian House and Home (October 2011).


Toile can offer a design solution for rooms with awkward edges and low ceilings, as demonstrated by designer Phillip Sides in this bedroom: 


" 'I'm not big on pattern, but I love toile,' says [Phillip] Sides. The designer used the brown-and-cream Kravet fabric on furniture, walls, draperies, and even the ceiling to give visual order to a somewhat disjointed room with slanted ceilings and nooks and crannies. 'The toile fabric helps disguise some of the craziness of the room. It pulls it all together,' he says."
Drapery and wall fabric: "Past Time"/Stone, Kravet.
Lynn Haven, Florida, home of Gene and Renee Evans.
Interior design by Phillip Sides, Phillip Sides Interior Design.
Architect: Eric Watson, Eric Watson Architect, P.A.
Photography by Tria Giovan.

Lastly, "toile with a twist" is available for homeowners seeking an irreverent treatment of the printed fabric. Check out the work of Richard Saj, who creates "Toile and Tats" cushions:


"One of a kind. Hand-embroidered. Cotton/linen shell. 95/5 feather and down insert."
$184.00 retail.

Toile comes in a variety of patterns and colorways and can be used in measured doses or to envelope a space completely. Take a look at the following photos for additional examples of this fabric that has decorated homes for more than two hundred fifty years:

"The daybed and screen were made by Martin Albert Interiors to fit the space across from the fireplace. Cowtan and Tout's chinoiserie toile, Siam, defines the area, and its sepia tone lends softness to the black-and-white palette. [Ellen] O'Neill's guests enjoy trying to figure out the toile's narrative. Her eight-year-old mixed-breed dog, Maude, only tries to figure out the most comfortable spot. The reading light is from a French hospital."
Ellen O'Neill's New York studio apartment.
Interior design by Ellen O'Neill.
Photography by Thomas Loof,
House Beautiful (July 2010).

"At one end of [Ellen] O'Neill's daybed, a slipcovered reading chair, a table draped in a vintage linen sheet, and a caned folding chair create a tiny curl-up space looking onto the terrace and the city."
Ellen O'Neill's New York studio apartment.
Interior design by Ellen O'Neill.
Photography by Thomas Loof,
House Beautiful (July 2010).

"Soften a bathroom's dressing area with toile-covered walls, and create privacy at the beautiful arched window with a pair of short, jaunty toile panels."
"Decorating Ideas: Toile Fabric" by Candace Ord Manroe.

"A sophisticated kitchen pays homage to a European influence with toile-covered barstools that suggest the French countryside. Consider toile as an upholstery choice for small accent pieces like barstools, when the goal is to make a subtle French statement."
Note how the colors in the toile barstools speak to the stone backsplash.
"Decorating Ideas: Toile Fabric" by Candace Ord Manroe.

"Toile often is stereotyped as a feminine fabric. For a more masculine feel, select a pattern in a dark tone that features a more active theme, like these horses."
"Decorating Ideas: Toile Fabric" by Candace Ord Manroe.

"Decorator Alessandra Branca employs Quadrille's Ballon de Gonesse cotton for the walls, bedding, and curtains in the guest room of the Chicago apartment she designed for her friend Joyce Dawson. The curtains are backed with Scalamandre's Decatur Plaid silk, and the pillow shams are by Schweitzer Linen."
Interior design by Alessandra Branca.
Photography by Thibault Jeanson.
"Decorating with Patterns" by Elizabeth Stamp.

"Blue-and-white toile fabric by Hinson and Company was used for wall coverings, bedding, and furniture, creating a peaceful mood in the master suite. The upholstered headboard is illuminated by sconces from Circa Lighting and accented by a painted wood arch. A blue-and-white needlepoint rug by Stark Carpet introduces a simple grid design underfoot."
Wall covering and fabric: "La Campagna Toile"/Dark Blue, Off White; Hinson and Co.
Headboard: Custom by Suzanne Kasler.
Lake Maxinkuckee, Indiana, vacation home of Gina and Jim Bremner.
Interior design by Suzanne Kasler, Suzanne Kasler Interiors.
Architectural design by Gary Nance, Nance Design.
Builder: Mike Stallings, Mirar Development Inc.
Photography by Tria Giovan.
Text by Amy Elbert.
"Salute to Summer" produced by Betsy Harris.

"A bay window niche sets the freestanding tub apart in the master bath, which features the  same toile that was used in the bedroom."
Wall covering and fabric: "La Campagna Toile"/Dark Blue, Off White; Hinson and Co.
Slipper chairs: Custom by Suzanne Kasler.
Tub: Kohler. Faucet: Waterworks.
Lake Maxinkuckee, Indiana, vacation home of Gina and Jim Bremner.
Interior design by Suzanne Kasler, Suzanne Kasler Interiors.
Architectural design by Gary Nance, Nance Design.
Builder: Mike Stallings, Mirar Development Inc.
Photography by Tria Giovan.
Text by Amy Elbert.
"Salute to Summer" produced by Betsy Harris.

"The narrow two-level addition that allowed for a bigger kitchen also provided space for a sleeping niche in the lower-level bedroom, made cozy with matching blue toile bed cover and bed curtains, and a fabric wall covering."
Toile fabric and wallcovering: Number 20754 by Duralee (discontinued).
1890s Capitol Hill (Washington, D.C.) row house of Karen and Winfield Sealander.
Architectural and interior design by Mary Douglas Drysdale.
Photography by Ron Blunt.
"Before and After: Capitol Hill Renovation" written and produced by Amy Elbert.
Traditional Home (March 2012). 

"Bright flowers freshen the blue toile wall covering from Duralee. A porthole mirror hangs above."
Toile fabric and wallcovering: Number 20754 by Duralee (discontinued).
1890s Capitol Hill (Washington, D.C.) row house of Karen and Winfield Sealander.
Architectural and interior design by Mary Douglas Drysdale.
Photography by Ron Blunt.
"Before and After: Capitol Hill Renovation" written and produced by Amy Elbert.
Traditional Home (March 2012). 

"An iron-and-crystal chandelier from Niermann Weeks is the star of the dining room. [Ty] Larkins used touches of bold red 'to add excitement and vitality. And it stimulates the appetite.' The Rope floor lamps are by Eric Cohler from Circa Lighting."
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, home of designer Ty Larkins and family.
Interior design by Ty Larkins, Ty Larkins Interiors.
Photography by Thomas Loof.
House Beautiful (December 2009 - January 2010).


"A guest room takes its French Provincial flavor from Quadrille's Lafayette toile de Jouy on the walls."
18th-century farmhouse on Long Island, New York.
Interior design by Tom Scheerer, Tom Scheerer Incorporated.
House Beautiful (April 2009). 

"In another guest room, the walls and curtains are of a Thevenon toile de Jouy, and the bed's alcove is covered in taffeta, the armchair is Louis XV,and the rug is Russian."
Gerard Tremolet's chateau in Normandy, France.
Photography by Simon Upton.
Text by Ian Phillips.
"Norman Conquest" produced by Anita Sarsidi.
Elle Decor (October 2012).

"Stately wing chairs layer sophistication into a kid's room. Designer Sarah Richardson chose a lavender color for this ceiling to contrast softly with the red toile bedspread. Crisp, relatively unadorned walls are the perfect foil for an ornate mirror."
Interior design by Sarah Richardson, Sarah Richardson Design.
Photography by Stacey Brandford.
Canadian House and Home (March 2012).


"In a guest room, remnants of old toile are paired with Ralph Lauren bed linens."
Bridgehampton, New York, home of design consultant Ellen O'Neill.
Interior design by Ellen O'Neill.
Photography by John Kernick.
"A Hamptons Home in Red, White, and Vintage" by Christine Pittel.
House Beautiful (March 2011).

"A single decorative theme unites every corner of this cozy guest bedroom: the walls are upholstered in an Egyptian-motif toile designed in the first Empire and the desk is a period Empire secretaire. Mirrored French doors adjacent to the window reflect light throughout the room."
Photography by Angus McRitchie.
Green-and-ivory cotton toile reappears throughout Gloria Kirschner's English Tudor style home in the Hamptons.
Interior design by Jack Fhillips, Jack Fhillips Design.
Wallpaper and drapery: "Scenes Helvetiques" (discontinued), Brunschwig and Fils.
Photography by Robert Brantley.
"You've Never Seen a 'Beach House' Like This" written by Krissa Rossbund.

"With walls upholstered in green-and-ivory toile, the dining room had minimal space for artwork. A pastoral oil painting from the 1800s is displayed above the fireplace."
Gloria Kirschner's English Tudor style home in the Hamptons.
Interior design by Jack Fhillips, Jack Fhillips Design.
Wallpaper and drapery: "Scenes Helvetiques" (discontinued), Brunschwig and Fils.
Seat-cushion fabric: "Rosehip Briar"/Gold, Chelsea Editions.
Photography by Robert Brantley.
"You've Never Seen a 'Beach House' Like This" written by Krissa Rossbund.

"In the breakfast room, antique faux-bamboo chairs from England are cushioned with chair pads made of embroidered cotton that complement the green-and-ivory draperies."
Gloria Kirschner's English Tudor style home in the Hamptons.
Interior design by Jack Fhillips, Jack Fhillips Design.
Drapery: "Scenes Helvetiques" (discontinued), Brunschwig and Fils.
Seat-cushion fabric: "Rosehip Briar"/Gold, Chelsea Editions.
Photography by Robert Brantley.
"You've Never Seen a 'Beach House' Like This" written by Krissa Rossbund.

"The master bedroom of designer Anne Coyle's Chicago apartment is enlivened by chartreuse toile wallpaper and fabric (now discontinued) on the walls, throw pillows, and bed skirt. The club chairs are a Coyle design, the marble-top gueridon is from Ballard Designs, and the 1940s chandelier is from Pavilion Antiques."
Interior design by Anne Coyle.
Photography by Francois Dischinger.
"Decorating with Patterns" by Elizabeth Stamp.

"Chinese patterns are a mainstay theme of toile fabrics. The pattern shown here becomes especially pretty with its birds and nests and leafy branches."
"Decorating Ideas: Toile Fabric" by Candace Ord Manroe.

"In a vintage bathroom, cover a standard sink with a toile skirt to make a design statement."
"Decorating Ideas; Toile Fabric" by Candace Ord Manroe.

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