The Art of Paper: Antoinette Poisson at BON TON goods
In the 18th century, before wallpaper became widely available, homes across France were brightened by sheets of domino paper, small, decorative prints created by hand using engraved woodblocks and painted in vivid, repeating patterns.
These sheets were used to line books, boxes, and walls, often layered to create a patchwork of color and pattern. Their charm lay in their imperfections: the irregularities of the block print, the visible brush strokes of hand-applied color, the softness of aging paper.
This forgotten art has been lovingly revived by Antoinette Poisson, a Paris-based atelier named after Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, better known as Madame de Pompadour, a patron of the arts and tastemaker of the French Enlightenment.
Founded by Julie Stordiau, Vincent Farelly, and Jean-Baptiste Martin, the atelier began as a conservation project. While restoring a historic home in the Auvergne region, the founders discovered remnants of original domino papers lining the walls. Their fascination with this decorative technique led them to research its history, study surviving samples in museums, and ultimately bring it back to life.
Each design created by Antoinette Poisson is printed by hand using engraved plates, then painted with pigments derived from traditional recipes. Their work is exacting and expressive, rooted in the past, but alive with new imagination.
At BON TON goods, we are proud to carry one of the most complete selections in Scandinavia, including:
✽ Framed and loose domino papers
✽ Hand-painted marriage boxes, inspired by 18th-century love tokens
✽ Linen backed cushions in archival patterns
✽ Elegant pocket mirrors with exquisite patterns and colors
✽ And the atelier’s richly illustrated book, A Year in the French Style
Whether displayed in your home, tucked in a drawer, or given as a gift, these objects carry with them a sense of romance, craftsmanship, and quiet luxury.
“There is something magical about reviving a tradition that was almost lost, and making it live again in the present.”
Explore the collection at BON TON goods and bring home a piece of French history, reimagined.