The beloved patterns are officially known as toile de Jouy, which refers to a printed cotton or linen cloth that was originally produced in the French town Jouy-en-Josas. After settling there in the late 1700s, a Swiss-German engraver and fabric-dyer named Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf developed a groundbreaking technology that allowed him to print fabric patterns with intricate details and shaded effects. Over the next few decades, Oberkampf collaborated with other artists to create more than 30,000 designs. His factory’s location just south of the Palace of Versailles was a key factor in establishing toile’s popularity among the wealthy, including the queen herself, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Toile de Jouy historically featured idyllic scenes of country life printed in shades of red, blue, green, or black on a white background. Today’s toile often showcases similar themes, but you can also find surprising colors and modern subjects that put a new spin on this old-world pattern. Use these ideas for decorating with toile to incorporate a sense of old-fashioned luxury into your home.
1. Cover walls and furniture in the same pattern.
Perhaps the most classic application of toile is to use the same pattern across both walls and furniture. Try this toile decorating idea in bedrooms or bathrooms to envelop the space in cozy comfort. To make all-over toile feel less overwhelming, choose a pattern with softer tones that recede into the background, and incorporate swaths of solid colors for balance.
2. Embrace a two-tone palette.
Toile traditionally features just two colors: one light and one dark. Use this combination as the basis for your color scheme, and repeat the two hues around the room for a cohesive, calming effect. Use varying shades of each color to add depth, and incorporate a range of materials and textures for interest.
3. Mix in other patterns.
For extra punch, layer toile with a secondary pattern in the same colors. Since toile usually depicts flowing, nature-inspired scenes, contrast it with a graphic pattern that features geometric forms, such as checkerboard, stripes, or plaid. Choose one pattern to be the star and use the other as an accent.
4. Pair toile patterns in reverse color schemes.
Toile patterns that feature colorful designs against a white background are most common, but you’ll also find options with a white scene and a darker backdrop. Look for toile patterns with similar designs but reverse color schemes and combine the two variations in one room. The patterns themselves don’t have to match exactly, but repeating colors will help achieve a cohesive look.
5. Choose high-contrast colors.
Make your pattern of choice stand out by choosing a toile with sharp tonal contrast. For example, a dark color on a light background (or vice versa) will pop more than a pattern that includes only soft tones. Emphasize the effect by repeating the darker color as an accent throughout the room.
