Traditional and timeless, toile (which is the French word for cloth and often depicts animals, pastoral scenes, and the like) is a Southern designer favorite. Whether you’re looking to add some classic flair to a more contemporary space or are interested in making a space appear a bit more maximalist, you cannot go wrong with a pop of toile.
“This classic pattern brings a sense of nostalgia and charm, yet it feels surprisingly fresh when used in creative ways,” says Laura Lubin, the founder of of Ellerslie Interiors in Nashville. “I love toile for its storytelling quality, with its intricate scenes and historical flair.”
Below, Lubin and other pros share more about why toile is definitely worth incorporating in any space.
Toile Can Liven Up A Small Space
Lubin likes the idea of installing a toile wallpaper in an area that deserves a bit of attention. “You can use it as a statement wallpaper to create a striking backdrop in a powder room or entryway,” she says.
You could also try toile on just one small piece within a room, such as the headboard, as Susan Sutter, the founder of Susan Sutter Interiors in Arlington, Virginia, did in this sleep space.
Photo: Jenn Verrier / Design: Susan Sutter
You Can Pattern Drench With Toile
Alternatively, you may wish to go all in with toile to totally pattern drench a space.
“A room swathed from floor to ceiling in the same pattern—walls, curtains, ceiling, upholstery—has been the ultimate textile statement for centuries,” explains Christine Carney, director of design for Blackberry Farm Design in Maryville, Tennessee.
Use Toile For A Custom Look
These days, there are so many unique takes on toile, meaning that there’s truly an option for every home, even more contemporary leaning spaces, Carney shares.
She encourages people to think outside the box a bit as they choose a toile for their own space. “Imagine a custom toile that tells the story of a family, or a pet,” the designer says. “The possibilities are endless and can be deeply personal.”
Dana Schwartz, the founder of Dana Schwartz Design in Washington, D.C., expresses similar sentiments.
“I love taking more traditional designs and giving them a funky, modern twist,” she says, having used a Brooklyn Toile wallpaper by Flavor Paper in a powder bathroom.
“It’s great to have a chance to use a print that brings someone a bit closer to check out the details, modern or traditional,” she adds. “It makes a space more immersive and fun to be in.”
Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg / Design: Dana Schwartz
Embrace Color With Toile
Toile comes in so many different colors, meaning that it’s a great way to weave some unexpected hues into your space.
“Given wherever we are in time and what seems to be happening in the world of design, toile has continued to evolve and stay relevant by the colors that are used,” says Michael Mitchell, the founder of Michael Mitchell in Charleston. The designer is enjoying yellow toile in particular at the moment but adds, “I’ve also been loving it in tones of fuchsia, cobalt, and aubergine.”
