In the Sixteenth Century, the original word “toile” referred to linen-cloth or canvas, specifically a cloth meant to be painted upon. Today, we use the word “toile” to refer to what the French would have called, “toile du jouy.” Toile du jouy is a decorative fabric used as upholstery or drapery which depicts a complex, repetitive scene. The design is usually comprised of a pastoral scene of people engaged in bucolic activities such as enjoying a picnic in a grove or reveling in a field of flowers.
Toile often portrays several different scenes joined together by flowers or other natural elements to create a pattern that repeats. Most toiles render these scenes in a color, such as red, blue, purple or black against a lighter, neutral colored background which is often white, cream or gold, however other variations exist. Occasionally, the scenes are depicted in solid color outlines which feature other colored details, making the composition seem more like a painting. While most popular in fabrics, toile designs have also found their way into china and pottery. The overall effect of toile is one of elegance and refinement which adds a gracefulness to any room.
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