Toile de Jouy

I have a passion for "Toile"...I love the timeless elegance of these designs and the romantic flair. It is a classic design and can accent a room so nicely...even if it is just a touch. Almost every room in our home has some touch of this great fabric that tells a beautiful story. What is your story?.....

Toile de Jouy, commonly just called toile (pronounced twal), evolved from Jouy-en-Josas, France. The literal translation is "cloth from Jouy-en-Josas" - a town in north-central France. A print shop in this town was the first to commercially produce toile in the 1700s.

Fine lines in the designs often depict pastoral scenes, making it perfect complement for French country decor. Other common themes include oriental subjects, flowers, animals and children. The repeating pattern is traditionally printed in a single color, usually on a white or cream background. The effect of the fine lines on a pale background is light and airy.