Last month four top Colorado interior designers accepted a charity fundraising challenge from Pierre Deux, the French house wares and luxury goods purveyor. I was lucky enough to see the results during an event at the Pierre Deux showroom at the Denver Design District.
In conjunction with Traditional Home magazine and in honor of Pierre Deux’s 40th anniversary, the company asked decorators to conceive a custom upholstered chair using its French Country fabrics. Denver’s Pierre Deux shoppers were then asked to vote for their favorite of the four chairs, pictured below. A percentage of sales during the promotion went to each designer’s favorite charity.
I am sometimes wary of using toile de jouy because of it is such a decorating classic. The fabric originated in 1800s France, and was popularized by Marie Antionette. I’ve wondered whether its pastoral themes, most frequently printed in black, brown, blue or red with a white backdrop, can work in less traditional rooms.
But after seeing these creative interpretations, and watching the way progressive designers like New York City’s Sheila Bridges are taking this stoic look and making it their own, I’m optimistic. Here’s a peak at the four Pierre Deux chairs…
“La Vie est Belle,” or Life is Beautiful, was created by Valerie Blood of Jamison Kay Ltd. She was inspired by a recent trip to Paris. Her chair benefited Families First, a safe house for abused children.
“Sitting Pretty… for a Cure” was created by Tamara Paiva of Paiva Design, Inc. “During breast cancer treatment it is hard to feel ‘pretty,’” Paiva said. “Here is a chance to celebrate all that we are.” Her beneficiary was the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
“Miss Tuffet” was the chair created by Karen Dunivan of Caldwell Dunivan Interiors. She was inspired by the rich colors that dominate French Country rooms. Her beneficiary was the Wild Salmon Center.
And while each of these chairs is lovely in its own right, Denver’s Pierre Deux shoppers were most enamored of this one called “Simply Elegant,” which was designed by Lin Lee of Lin Lee & Associates. Her chair benefited Douglas County Partners, a mentoring program for at-risk children, and was later shipped to the Pierre Deux showroom in New York City to be displayed alongside others from around the country.
How do you use toile in your home?