Changing the Face of Toile
As someone who loves wallpaper, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to highlight this amazing collection of toile by talented designer Sheila Bridges.
This is not your typical French pastoral toile we’ve seen widely used since the 1700s. Sis has created her own version by depicting activities and landmarks of the Black community in a satirical way. What a striking way to bring our culture into the network of home fashion.
The collection isn’t new, but it has recently received a lot of attention, sparking fresh appreciation for black culture and the stereotypes woven into the African American experience. From couples dancing with a boom box nearby and girls playing double Dutch to a trio playing basketball, each scene is hand screened in your choice of eleven colors or in a custom color for an upcharge.
“I’ve always loved toile wallpapers and fabrics but could never find a toile that I wanted to use in my own home, so I decided that it was time to design my own. Harlem Toile de Jouy (my toile) was designed to tell a somewhat satirical story about African American life as seen through the sometimes distorted lens of the media.”
Sheila’s Harlem Toile wallpaper has been featured in The Studio Museum In Harlem, The Cooper Hewitt Museum, The Museum of Art and Design in New York City and the Musée De La Toile De Jouy in France.
From wallpaper sold by the roll, to wall decals, fabrics, Moroccan Babouches and even an exclusive line with Converse—you can get your hands on an array of products with this designer’s classic motif.
HARLEM TOILE DE JOUY PLATE, SET OF 6 by Sheila Bridges for GlitterVille Studios
Image sources including cover image: SheilaBridges.com
Sheila has been a ranking designer of the industry for many years with both national and international publications behind her name. She has designed for many prominent…