Behind the Design: Boston Toile

Our Toile Collection features cities from all over the world, and we are so excited to be adding the beautiful and historic city of Boston, Massachusetts to that collection. Boston is a city with special meaning to Katie and, as always, she handpicked each icon in order to best tell the city's story through the things its residents know and love.

Fenway Park

Fenway Park is the oldest ballpark in major league baseball and is home to the Boston Red Sox. It's referred to as, "America's Most Beloved Ballpark" by sports fan worldwide.

Shamrock

The word "shamrock" directly translates to "young clover." It's Ireland's national flower and a symbol of Irish heritage, which holds significance for the large Irish population living in Boston. 20.5% of Bostonians claim Irish ancestry, making Boston the city with the highest Irish population in the United States.

Harvard University

Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It's widely regarded in terms of its reputation, beauty, history, and academics.

Boston Skyline

Boston's skyline combines old historic buildings with contemporary skyscrapers. It offers a gorgeous view of the parks and nearby water that surrounds the modern skyscrapers.

Dunkin' Donuts

Dunkin' Donuts is a staple of the North. Known for their delicious donuts and coffee, it's the perfect place to grab a quick bite to eat.

Paul Revere Statue

The statue honors Paul Revere's service as a silversmith and patriot who informed the local militia to the arrival of the British forces prior to the battles of Lexington and Concord. His famous phrase “The British are coming!” is one of the most well known quotes in history. The statue is regarded as a treasured and iconic representation of Boston.

Fairmont Copley Plaza

Fairmont Copley Plaza is a luxurious hotel known for its background, setting, and place in popular culture. Countless TV shows and movies were filmed at the hotel, and every US president since William Howard Taft has stayed there.

Lobster

Lobster was abundant in Massachusetts in the 17th century when the first immigrants arrived. Large piles of lobster would wash up on the coast, where people would just pick them up and take them home for dinner. To this day, lobster rolls are a signature dish in Boston.

Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge

The bridge stands for respect, hope, and unity. It pays honors to civil rights activist Leonard P. Zakim as well as the American colonists who participated in the Battle of Bunker Hill. As a main entry and exit point into and out of Boston, the bridge acts as the city's northern entryway. It carries over 200,000 cars each day.

Make Way For Ducklings

An iconic landmark in Boston's Public Garden, the sculpture Make Way for Ducklings pays homage to the well-loved children's book by Robert McCloske. First published in 1941 by the Viking Press, the book centers on a pair of mallards who raise their brood of ducklings on an island in the lagoon in the Boston Public Garden.

Wally Green Monster

The Boston Red Sox's mascot, Wally the Green Monster, is a well-known figure in the city's sports culture. Fans of all ages love Wally because he is a silly, engaging figure. He visits schools and hospitals, goes to community gatherings, and performs in the dugout. 

Bunker Hill Monument

The legacy of the Battle of Bunker Hill is kept alive by the Bunker Hill Monument. The Provincial militia not only transformed their own lives that day, but also the lives of future Americans. It honors their sacrifice and devotion. Similar to the war, everyone contributed to the monument's construction.