The Ultimate Guide to Toile de Jouy Prints
Vintage toile pattern featuring classical romantic motifs.
HISTORIC TOILE
"Toile de Jouy" is a French name that translates to "Cloth from Jouy." Jouy refers to a town outside Paris, where many of the first printed toile fabrics were produced. In the past, printing techniques only allowed for limited color options. The style was available in black, blue, brown, red, or purple on an off-white background.
The Toile de Jouy style uses decorative illustrations to depict specific themes. Themes could include places, events, mythology, family, or culture. The story of the theme is told through illustrated scenes. The scenes are composed of decorative motifs such as people, animals, plants, or buildings.
Many early toile prints use romantic illustrations to depict pastoral scenes. The romantic art style was popular, and society was very rural. Toile has always used popular art styles to reflect cultural values. Because Toile has evolved alongside popular trends in art and fashion, it remains as relevant today as it was centuries ago.
MODERN TOILE
Toile has a slightly different look today. However, it still uses decorative illustrations to celebrate lifestyle and culture. Instead of rural life and pastoral scenes, today's prints celebrate the lives and interests of the modern consumer. Modern prints depict places like Brooklyn, cultural figures such as Johnny Cash, events like Mardi Gras, or stories such as Alice in Wonderland.
Contemporary designs have more variety and appeal to modern consumers' diverse tastes. If you are interested in licensing modern toile de jouy style prints, head to our Creative Market Shop.
Most of today's designs still use a limited palette of two or three colors. However, prints are no longer confined to a white background, and color combinations are endless thanks to digital printing. Two color designs are most popular. Three color designs use a decorative colored area behind the illustrations. Usually, this is white or a lighter shade of another color used in the design.
If you want to get your hands on some modern toile goods, we have a selection of wallpaper, fabric and home decor available on Spoonflower.
Brainstorming concepts with a mood board for the Hughes Studio Atlantis Toile de Jouy print.
THEME & NARRATIVE
I'll use a Hughes Studio print as an example throughout this post. The print I chose has a mythology theme, with elements of family history. After becoming curious about my family's background, I started researching the Azore Islands. My grandmother's family immigrated from this Portuguese archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
The islands look romantic and surreal, like something from an old myth. I learned that many people believe these remote islands were the inspiration for the legend of Atlantis. The idea for an Atlantis-themed print was born. The design was inspired by the beauty of the Azore Islands and the story of the Lost City.
You can shop our Atlantis print home goods capsule collection here.
Mood board exploring different scenes for the Hughes Studio Atlantis Toile de Jouy.
SCENES & STORY
Scenes are groups of decorative illustrations that create a visual narrative. These design elements will work together to tell your story. They should all relate to each other and connect back to the theme.
You can get creative and choose scenes that feel personal to you. Motifs that work well include illustrated animals, people, elements from nature, buildings, cultural icons, or landmarks.
The Atlantis Toile de Jouy print includes Neptune, mermaids, seashells, ships, islands, and underwater cities. These motifs all come together to illustrate the myth of The Lost City.
COLOR CHOICES
Today color combinations are endless. However, Toile de Jouy prints still typically only use a palette of 2 or 3 colors. Since there are so few colors in the design, your selection is crucial.
Do you have a favorite color you would like to use?
Do you prefer a versatile, neutral color palette? Or one that makes a statement with bold colors?
Is there a particular color that goes well with your theme?
Sometimes color can help tell the story. We chose the colors for the Atlantis print because blue and white is a classic nautical color combination, which ties back to the theme.
CUSTOM TOILE DE JOUY PRINTS
Hughes studio believes in the importance of self-expression. Let us help you tell your story with a personalized print. We have created custom Toile de Jouy prints for weddings, wallpaper, and everything in between.
If you are interested in designing a custom Toile de Jouy, please contact us. We would love to help you bring your ideas to life. You can learn more about our design process by clicking here.