Of Towns And Toile

29 comments on “Of Towns And Toile”

1. le banc moussu
   October 28th, 2009 @ 12:58 am

   that’s what we call in France “toile de jouy” the one I do prefer are from Braquenié which is now part of Pierre frey collection.
   Have a nice day
   christian
   le banc moussu´s last post ..Murmures et délices. Paris 11

2. Jacqueline
   October 28th, 2009 @ 1:06 am

   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 ……….

3. Passementerie
   October 28th, 2009 @ 1:22 am

   I love toile. Have you seen this book – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toile-Jouy-Printed-Textiles-Classic/dp/0500511497/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256718084&sr=8-3 ? Sadly, given the styles I particularly like just now, there is little place for toile in my house but I *do* have a fabulous linen/cotton blend bedspread from Pottery Barn in a delicious blue toile. I love it.
   Passementerie´s last post ..Autumn Adornments

4. Dagny @ Beautiful Living
   October 28th, 2009 @ 1:49 am

   Love toile! Definitely a fun twist with the american cities! What kind of room are you planning on using it in?
   Dagny @ Beautiful Living´s last post ..Before and after: IKEA hack! Kids rooms chairs / Før og etter: IKEA barnestoler

5. mise
   October 28th, 2009 @ 3:05 am

   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

6. g.
   October 28th, 2009 @ 4:10 am

   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

7. Jessica
   October 28th, 2009 @ 4:23 am

   I think toile can easily look too old-fashioned. But it looks gorgeous and modern here – especially in that first room.

   I’d still opt for a toile throw pillow instead of a committing to an entire room, though!
   Jessica´s last post ..Wish List Wednesday: SundayBrunchDress.com

8. my favorite and my best
   October 28th, 2009 @ 5:29 am

   i love that first one!!! the blue and white is almost like delft. gorgeous.
   my favorite and my best´s last post ..like plates only better

9. ALEK
   October 28th, 2009 @ 5:38 am

   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!

10. Greet
    October 28th, 2009 @ 6:02 am

    Oh yes! I do love the toile!!!
    And so wonderful the American cities toile you discovered!
    The last picture with that wonderful coloured toile is GORGEOUS!

    Greet
    Greet´s last post ..The Style Saloniste and Axel Vervoordt

11. Christina V.
    October 28th, 2009 @ 6:27 am

    I too love toile, it adds a bit of country to any space and makes it feel warm. Lovely pictures!

12. Down and Out Chic
    October 28th, 2009 @ 7:36 am

    i would definitely use toile (perhaps that orange and yellow one) in any dressing room i eventually have (haha, right).

13. Townhouselady
    October 28th, 2009 @ 8:08 am

    I’m a big fan of Toile. I think all are gorgeous.
    Townhouselady´s last post ..Napkin Jewelry

14. Averill
    October 28th, 2009 @ 9:42 am

    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!

15. amy
    October 28th, 2009 @ 10:06 am

    ok you so need to see my new toile curtains I hung in my bath. They are so fab!!! I love Toile!!! you go girl!!!
    amy´s last post ..If you register your site for free at

16. robin pulsifer
    October 28th, 2009 @ 10:22 am

    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.

17. karly / design crisis
    October 28th, 2009 @ 11:00 am

    I vote Annapolis, I didn’t even look at the others, I just love your reasoning for getting it. Personal touches are the bestest.
    karly / design crisis´s last post ..Do any of you need a house or an extra $500,000?

18. karly / design crisis
    October 28th, 2009 @ 11:02 am

    Commenting again! I just went to the site and saw that they have Fisher’s Island. Crazy! No one even knows where Fishers is, but I spent 4 lovely summer months there in 2004.

    I don’t normally get into toile, but I might have to find a use for this.
    karly / design crisis´s last post ..Do any of you need a house or an extra $500,000?

19. Deborah Milne
    October 28th, 2009 @ 11:26 am

    Toile is terrific!!
    I love the fact that you found a source for American toile. I too vote Annapolis.
    Deborah Milne´s last post ..The Amazing Creature Called Woman – "Amelia"

20. Anita
    October 28th, 2009 @ 2:08 pm

    Love toile and Love Annapolis! Some of my best friends live there.
    Anita´s last post ..ready or not

21. Kristin
    October 28th, 2009 @ 3:02 pm

    My bloggy partner and BFF just moved to Annapolis from DC. I can’t wait to visit her! Toile always brings me to a happy place as it reminds me of my mom.
    Kristin´s last post ..An Interview You Don’t Want to Miss!

22. Meg
    October 28th, 2009 @ 7:56 pm

    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!!!

23. Sophie @ Century Finds
    October 28th, 2009 @ 8:52 pm

    I love it in other people’s houses and in bathrooms. I think a dressing room would be the perfect place! I hope you will post pictures…
    Sophie @ Century Finds´s last post ..Teeny Tiny Giveaways 20 – The Country Keeping Room

24. Visual Vamp
    October 28th, 2009 @ 9:43 pm

    I love me some toile! Great post!

    If you’re still up tonight would you do me a favor and vote for me – I’m in this little contest, and I’m losing by about 40 votes. You have a couple of hours left – the vote is for today Wednesday. I ask you because you graciously follow my blog. Thanks xo xo
    Here’s the link:

    http://contests.apartmenttherapy.com/2009/color/main/faceoff/60
    Visual Vamp´s last post ..The Apples and Oranges Debate

25. vintage simple
    October 29th, 2009 @ 5:47 am

    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

26. tiina
    October 29th, 2009 @ 2:41 pm

    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

27. jen jafarzadeh
    October 30th, 2009 @ 12:43 pm

    what a great resource, thanks! I love toile, especially toiles in unexpected colors and oversized patterns. I love staring at the toile and seeing the little picture stories in them.
    jen jafarzadeh´s last post ..easy halloween decorations

28. Her name was Lola
    November 2nd, 2009 @ 9:41 am

    Stunning! I adore this fun spin on the classic toile. Thanks for the post.

    Cheers.
    Her name was Lola´s last post ..The tight spot

29. Alissa
    November 2nd, 2009 @ 11:12 am

    I love it! (though they do need an LA toile)
    Alissa´s last post ..Home Shopping Network

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