Of Towns And Toile

gasl_blonde_redhead_07

I’ve always loved toile. What Francophile doesn’t? It seems like the perfect way to pretty up a small space such as a closet, hallway or a bathroom but the choice of patterns has always seemed overwhelming to me.

I recently came across Town Toiles and found their designs of American cities very intriguing.

Picture 149 Picture 150 Picture 151

The one I’m considering is this one of Annapolis, Maryland:

Picture 127

Annapolis is where we got married and we both also think it’s one of the prettiest cities in America. If I were to get it, I think I would get it customized in a different color.

But then again maybe I want to stick with a more traditional pattern like this one:

sh

Thoughts?

Elsewhere today, I’m sharing 5 of my favorite everyday things at the wonderful Gathering Spriggs blog as part of Heather’s “Getting to Know You” series. Please stop by if you have a chance.

And don’t forget to enter the All Modern Giveaway this week!

(Photos: 1.Domino 2-5.Town Toiles 6.Skona Hem)

29 comments

  2. Jacqueline

    It's taken me quite a while to like 'Toile de Joie' as I think that I would get fed up with it quite quickly……but that's just me. It is so prqtty, but it nearly always comes in blue or pink, doesn't it. Isn't it really expensive to have it customised ?…..oh dear, Alek, I sound really negative, don't I….sorry. XXXX
    .-= Jacqueline´s last post ..A SOAK IN THE TUB ………. =-.

    Reply
  5. mise

    I'm very much a fan of toile, though as you say, it has to be in small spaces (or kept under control in very large ones) so as not to overwhelm. And on wallpaper rather than curtains so the pattern can be seen. I really like that city pattern you've found; it's beautifully proportioned.

    And you're the very woman to answer this question for me: it always seems to me (veteran of a few etsy fabric errors) that American toile tends to be on a coloured background, whereas traditional French/Belgian toile is predominantly on off-white (which I prefer, as I think it's more restful and subtly monochrome). Is that true, I wonder?

    The Timorous Beasties Glasgow Toile was a big hit in the UK, depicting drug-pushers, muggers, and beggars. A fine talking-point for soirées.
    .-= mise´s last post ..utterly devoted to lifestyle =-.

    Reply
  6. g.

    You know, never a consistent fan, but I love it in certain places. You manage to make me like everything, though, so I am not surprised!
    .-= g.´s last post ...nuts =-.

    Reply
  9. ALEK

    Passementerie: I hadn't seen the book – thanks for the rec!

    Dagny: I'm thinking of my dressing area. :)

    mise: I believe you are correct in that traditionally, French toile was/is on a lighter background. As toile became popular and lucrative, Americans got in on the action and I remember seeing that even early on, the patterns used much bolder background colors. And I just looked up that Glasgow toile – hysterical!!!

    g: I'm flattered!

    Reply
  14. Averill

    I love how personal the Annapolis wallpaper would be for you — I always love decor with some sort of back story. That said, I don't think you can go wrong with any style of toile!
    .-= Averill´s last post ..Viva Miami! =-.

    Reply
  16. robin pulsifer

    gorgeous toile, but if you're ever in the market for boston, cape cod, martha's vineyard or nantucket toile, there is a local shop and woman who designs her own toile. her website is http://www.joanpeters.com in case you are interested in more choices. i'm just catching up on a few of your posts and am seeing for the first time the broken chandelier. bummer. but i seriously also love alot of your new choices below, other chandeliers that you're thinking about too. good luck on your toile hunt! :0
    .-= robin pulsifer´s last post ..viva terra and their accessories. =-.

    Reply
  22. Meg

    SO behind on my blog reading. LOVE coming to your blog Alek…totally reminds me why I love reading blogs ;) I have a sort of love/like relationship with toiles, I think most of the time I love them, but then I see those rooms where every single thing in the whole place is toile and I want to throw up a little, I mean, toile lampshades when you already have the drapes, wallpaper and bed canopy in lime green toile? Puke! But I love LOVE LOVE that Annapolis Toile, how cool is that? I also adore Annapolis, it is an American treasure of a town, honestly, it is so sweet, it's charm makes me love America. I think I like the toiles that have non traditional color combinations. Like some of the Manuel Canovas ones, in fact I saw a beautiful taupe/raspberry one today that I thought was lovely! There is also one, I think Thibaut, that is a taupeish gray/lilac/cream/sepia kinda color combo which is gorgeous too!!! If you do toile, I want to see pics because I know you'll do it in an awesome updated way!!!

    Reply
  25. vintage simple

    I would go for the Annapolis one – in a custom color… That way it'll have meaning beyond Toile, which I think could get tiring after a while. And I agree that in Toile in small doses is the way to go… Anyway. My two cents.

    -maria
    .-= vintage simple´s last post ..A place of one's own =-.

    Reply
  26. tiina

    now we're talking! love toile, in everything. i made some cushins too, hope to get my line up online soon too! since my last trip to france i've now decided to become completedly french, so from now on i'm introducing everyone in my hoods with the art of cheek kissing and bonjouring. mwaah mwaah, je m'appelle baguette ;)
    .-= tiina´s last post ..houndstooth & my designs =-.

    Reply

Post a comment

CommentLuv badge