Architextiles presents historic architectural images on silk scarves and toiles as an aesthetic and educational experience. They were conceived as a creative effort to enhance public awareness of historic architecture an landscapes by presenting fine old images on hand-hemmed silk scarves of chiffon, China silk and crepe. After selecting a theme related to architecture and geography of a particular place, period and style, I choose images, motives and patters, primarily from my own books and old prints from my collections. Rare Book Rooms at universities across the country have also been helpful. Graphic designer Valerie l'Herrou works out the computer graphics with me. Fred Nichols, a noted artist and silk screen specialist from Barboursville, Virginia, along with his wife Beth, prepare the silk screen and print each scarf by hand.

My toile designs from historic prints celebrate the architecture and history of French and Spanish territory in North America.

The toile designs are produced on linen and cotton material, 54 inches wide, with the assistance of Judy and Allan Koessel in Chicago who hand print the images in their historic brick warehouse. I found there was a demand for products -- hand made hand bags, suitcases, tote bags, shower curtains, even dresses, robes, outfits -- out of the toile. Each item that we sell or send to museum houses and institutions across the country is handmade, often to specifications of the client.

The objective is educate, inform, and delight with architectural images, beautifully presented. We hope to support "Save America's Treasures," an historic preservation project of The National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Contact us for information or special orders. Our objective is to support Save Americas Treasures, now a project of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. - Roulhac Toledano