free downloadable toiles from Wren Design

Did you know that this year is the 250th birthday of toile? I didn't know but I learned it from Wren .  In honor of this very special occasion, she created two toile patterns (including “Darling Toile,” blue and "south african" pink) in honor of her native South Africa for the design magazine Visi. They’re free for download from this link.  Isn't that so nice of her??? When I think of toile I think more feminine type decor, but this is totally rough and tumble cool.  She is a great designer, and you must stop by her blog AND she has a etsy shop.

I am not a super "toile lover" but I think these patterns might just be swaying me.  Here is some more toilespiration. 

by French fabric makers Manuel Canovas  This orange, brown, and white is an updated colorway, and we all know I have been into orange lately.

Traditional Home April 2010 (Quadrille fabric pattern “Paradise Background”)

And here is an interesting take on toile.  With an needle and thread Historically Innaccurate Decorative Arts  Richard Saja  takes traditional toile fabric and embroiders modern day icons such as UFOs, bunny eras and Mohawks over the toile design.  Really creative.  And if you look at it in the context of the toile design, can be quite humorous.


Happy Monday.