What is Chinoiserie?
Chinoiserie (CHIN-WAH-SEREE) defined is a French term meaning "Chinese-Esque. Chinois is "chinese" in French. When I think of what encompasses the word chinoiserie what first comes to mind is a refined elegance. I do remember as a child in Texas visiting a friend's home with Chinoiserie elements and thinking how fancy it was. It wasn't until I was in my thirties that I really started to search out chinoiserie elements and how to incorporate them into my decor, which seemed daunting at first and it was for a while. I started slow by adding some faux bamboo here, some wallpaper panels there, and just had fun with it. Sometimes you need to live with something for a few days to see if it makes sense.
This style was popular in the 17th & 18th centuries as artisans were painting scenes of the Orient on furniture, wallpaper, and porcelain pottery. Fretwork, tassels, birds, bamboo, Greek keys, monkeys, and leopard are many of the elements of chinoiserie.
Why is it so widely popular by designers? The resurgence of Hollywood Regency has brought many of these elements back into fashion. You will see chinoiserie used in many of the top interior designers work such as Kelly Wearslter, Bunny Williams, Suzanne Kasler, & Charlotte Moss to name a few. Its so popular simply because its beautiful and serene.
A powder room is a perfect place to have fun with chinoiserie. Its a small space and can handle drama as seen here in this stunning powder room by Shawn Henderson Design. I love the Regency feel, the lucite legs on the sink, the chinoiserie wallpaper, the herringbone tile, and the La Barge mirror.
This living room by Alex Papachristidis is breathtaking. His use of bold colors, faux bamboo, foo dogs, and leopard would make anyone swoon. His details are the work of a true artist from the nail heads on the bookshelves, the elephant on the table, the silk sofa, the velvet touches, and pom pom trim. Stunning!
Look at the panels on the wall with the bamboo frames. So feminine and ethereal by Nick Olsen Design via Domino magazine.
Here are a few of my favorite chinoiserie items in our
shoppe available at erinlaneestate.com
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Chinoiserie Wallpaper Panels[/caption]
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Chinoiserie Tole Serving Tray[/caption]
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Chinoiserie Tole Tray Coffee Table[/caption]
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Chinoiserie Wallpaper Panel[/caption]
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Chinese Fretwork Dining Table[/caption]
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Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Chairs[/caption]
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Tortoise Shell Nightstands[/caption]
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Chinese Lacquer Coromandel Screen[/caption]
Blue & white are synonymous with Chinoiserie. We love this artist rendering of ginger jars found on ethnichic.com
This a youthful & modern play on chinoiserie. That wallpaper, though....Wow!
Source unknown.
A very traditional chinoiserie room with a little pop of glam thanks to the Italian brass Chiavari chair joining the party. Via Domaine Home
You can view our whole collection here:
Please visit Erin Lane Estate or come see us at our showroom in West Oakland.