Now that we’ve examined the history of toile, it’s time to look at modern day versions of this pattern. I have to say that I am totally blown away by the way that designers have been able to make this 240 year-old design feel completely modern. One of my favorite artists, Richard Saja, subtly subverts the 18th century patterns via embroidery as he adds masks on the humans, a bouquet of flowers or a clown nose on a woman. I love how it forces you to look closely at what’s happening in the design. Richard’s work is available through his site, Historically Inaccurate.
[from left: london toile wallpaper $242glasgow toile lampshade $202.69 chinatown toile $150 spiny lobster toile pillow $60, london toile mug £13, folding tripod table $159, toile wellies $110.73]
So many designers are doing fun things with toile and I’ve included a few of my favs here – they definitely inspire you to look at the pattern in a new light!
[from left: toile de jouî 80€, glasgow toile fabric £82/m]
(pssst: The V&A has a great video with Scottish designers, the Timorous Beasties – they have super cute Scottish accents!)
){kind=link}
18 Comments
thats so good, timorius beasties is a inspiration, someday i will be that good
thank you for this post! I have been contemplating re-papering my red & white toile dining room with something else… thinking it might just get to stay!
omw the wellies! i lurve them.
There are also ahem erotic toiles, inspired in part byVivienne Westwood. I haven’t a clue how to source them, sorry.
Perfect timing, I am designing a toile this minute at work! Love the Flavor Paper Chinatown toile.
Oh my, that Richard Saja art is stunning. Who couldn’t love toile?
I find that clients either love or hate toile…I personally love it! The boots are just too cute and who couldn’t use a toile pillow in their bedroom…such a nice touch to any suite!!
what about “It’s toile about you?” Definitely the most modern : )
http://www.threadless.com/product/2153/It_s_Toile_About_You
This nice if you love New Orleans as I do.
http://www.hazelnutneworleans.com/toile.shtml
Thank you so much for this post — I’m a huge fan of Saja’s “Frankentoile” series, and the round-up is the perfect amount of eye candy. Love the tri-color “London Toile” wallpaper!
Richard Saja’s work is so inspiring. I love how his embroidery quietly subverts this traditional fabric.
Embroidery just might be one of he many arts and crafts that are dying. I find that the interest not there but I bet that there are small embroidery circles, trying to keep the craft alive. It might follow the way of knit cafés, I hope.
I’ve always loved toiles and these are spectacular.
the embroidery is soo drooling love the combination of colors and the patterns
first time saw so beautiful hand embroidery
Wow Richard Saja is one amazing artist, he just seems to understand fabric. His embroidery is a world of his own, but it doesn’t stop there with toile – do go on his website just a complete eye opener – thank you and please continue to showcase his work!
This is fantastic – thanks!”"”"”"”"”"”"
I am sincerely blown away by Richard Saja’s work. I can’t take my eyes from it.
Uh love upholstered furniture and accessories (chairs, sofas, pillows, headboards) in toile fabric. I need to figure out a way to incorporate this into my house now! Nice post!
xo
Coco
Leave a Comment