Toile de Jouy and Transferware ~ A Black & White Tablescape

Toile de Jouy pronounced twal duh zhwee derives its name from the fabric that was first manufactured at the Oberkampf factory in Jouy-en-Josas, a village located SW of Paris. The factory became famous for its monochromatic toiles (meaning canvas or cloth) which were printed in red, blue, or black, on a white or cream background. 

At first, the Oberkampf factory produced only floral designs block printed with wood blocks. In all, more than thirty thousand block print designs were utilized to print fabric there. 

In 1752, Francis Nixon, of Dublin, Ireland, designed an improved way to print fabric. He discovered that engraved copper plates and a cylinder system could transfer designs to cloth. This required less manpower than wood block printing, and was more cost effective. An added benefit of copperplate printing is that the design area repeat could span up to as much as a yard, whereas wood blocks were only 10" wide.

Oberkampf, wanting to stay abreast of new technology, eventually obtained a Swiss machine capable of printing fabric using copper engravings. Drawings produced from copper were more precise and detailed than those produced from carved wood.  One story tells that while in England, Oberkampf discovered the secrets of etching designs onto a copper-plate roller.  He and his brothers secretly copied directions for this process on cotton percale fabric, using an alum solution tinted with red dye, and then dipped the fabric in vinegar to render the writing invisible until after they crossed the Channel.  Another story tells that Oberkampf sent some of his key workers abroad to learn new technologies.  One of his employees brought back from Switzerland a machine able to print fabric using copper sheets.  Whether the first or second story is true, it remains indisputable that Oberkampf significantly expanded the market for toile, and himself became famous.

Later, idyllic scenes featuring the French countryside were predominant. Many of these pastoral motifs showed people at work and at leisure. Hunting scenes, which depicted a favorite pastime of the well-to-do, were also favorites.   

Below: 

An interesting toile, Les Traveaux de la Manufacture (The Activities of the Factory), 1783–84, designed by Jean-Baptiste Huet depicting 14 different scenes of the copperplate printing process

And here, a room using this pattern on the walls:

French royalty were among Oberkampf's strongest supporters.  The fabric had great appeal to the upper classes who enjoyed it for home decorating.  Amongst these upper class-men, Benjamin Franklin was visiting England when he first became aware of toile. He promptly purchased some to bring home to his wife.  Of course, being an inventor, Franklin was quite interested in the new copperplate printing process.  This has me wondering about a letter he wrote regarding the transferware printing process  and its development.  Had he toyed with the idea to print on ceramics using copper plates after learning about the toile printing process?  You can read that post HERE (very interesting!)  After all, it was in 1751 when John Brooks, an Irish engraver who obtained the first patent for the transfer printing process, and 1752 when Francis Nixon, also Irish, discovered it could be used for textile printing.  Independently, in England it was John Sadler and Guy Green who  invented,   developed and perfected the technique of transfer printing on ceramics in 1756.  Perhaps Franklin learned of the copperplate process and thought about its application to ceramics before it was made so famous in England?  He was a printer by trade so his curiosity in various printing processes would be natural.   Hmmm...I love connecting these historical dots, or maybe just imagining connections.  Fun to ponder either way.

Ok, on to why we're here tonight...Tablescape time.  In honor of classic French toiles, French manors (posted yesterday) and of course my favorite thing: transferware,  tonight I've set a table with pastoral black on cream toile and black transferware depicting a French Country Manor house.

  My tablecloth is actually two drapery panels which I've overlapped. 

I then used vintage French scrolled iron hangers (not sure what these were originally but I have normally hang them as toppers over pictures in my family room) laid flat and topped with a scrunched up valance. 

The fabric which makes the valance and placemats is Waverly's Country Life.  The valance is darling and comes with checked or striped tie ups.  You can buy one from Custom*Cottage*Creations for about $20!  This shop owner does custom valances, table-runners, place mats, napkins and napkin rings.

For my centerpiece I chose to lay a white alium wreath  flat on a fish bowl stand and placed two French garden statues of children holding their rabbits in the center.

Do you notice a little something here?

Somebunny wants to get in on the snuggle love.  This is one of those little flower pot hangers. 

 The placemats match the valance and are custom made by Carol at Custom*Cottage*Creations.  She's currently got some of these on auction.  I like the oval shape and even more, I like that these are so versatile with their ticking striped backs.  You can use either side, but I chose the toile in keeping with my French pastoral theme.  Carol takes custom orders and you can email her directly at or contact her through her ebay store.  Her email is:
cweigel@brainerd.net 

The embossed border black transferware depicts a French country manor home. 

I used two flatware patterns, one is my standard Towle and the ivory forks are Hampton. 

Can you believe these napkin rings are only $3.99 for a set of eight?  That's right.  Carol has several different patterns, toiles, florals and gingham's as well as different color variations.  I think all of us table-scapers need several sets of these! 

Oh, she made the ticking striped napkins to...I only have two of them and used them at the host and hostess seats.

At the host and hostess settings I used the striped napkins and striped valance tie ups running vertically over the place mats.

I thought these vintage Tiara tumblers looked great with this setting.  They are black glass and I found a set in its original box.  My kids all commented on how much they liked them.  They are pretty cool.  The clear goblets are some that the kids and I etched  at Grandma Judy's annual Christmas party.  She has all the Grand kids over for a day of cookie baking and decorating and lots of crafts.  It's always so much fun and I'm sure will be wonderful memories for all the kiddos.  She bought glasses for each family member and then we all etched our initials and/or designs onto them.  The etching is so subtle that I couldn't get a good shot of it.

I tied the host and hostess glasses with a piece of vintage black French lace...just kidding about it being vintage and French.  I cut it off one of Ashton's shirts that no longer fits her. ;-)

Other French inspired elements finish out my table:

Hand stamped candles with a French sentiment and music notes.

I tied a handstamped rosette with a Paris ribbon around the candle base.

Vintage bull planters filled with white roses

A circa 1880 Aesthetic transferware vase by Ridgway topped with a ball of creamy white roses.

Boy and girl at the well figurine

And, muslin bags hand stamped with the Eiffel Tower hold after dinner mints.  These are for sale at A Little Scrappy.

The table at night with candles lit.

The seat covers are actually pillow covers with a gingham check on the back...also from Custom*Cottage*Creations.

Linking to these magical places:

Vintage Black Friday at The French Cupboard
Centerpiece Wednesday at Style Sisters
Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday
Jenny Matlock for Alphababe Thursday

House of Hepworth

A Stroll Thru Life

Toot Your Horn Tuesdays 
Vintage Thingie Thursday at Colorado Lady
Hodge Podge Friday @ It's a Hodgepodge Life
Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville
Frugalicious Fridays
Feature Yourself Friday
Frugal Friday
Trendy Treehouse Blog hop
Tatertots & Jello
Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
A Few of My Favorite Things at Bargain Hunting with Laurie 
White Wednesday @ Faded Charm
Home is Where my Story Begins 
The Blackberry Vine for Pretty Packages Party
Charm Bracelet Diva