Sunday, March 17, 2013

Chinoiserie...Like it or Not?

I think chinoiserie is something you either like, or you don't.  Would you agree that there's not much middle ground on that? Me?  I like it, in small doses.  And what is it, anyway, you ask?




Here's a look at a chinoiserie pattern on a dress (very cool), but most often we think of it as Chinese pastoral scenes painted on black furniture, blue and white porcelain vases, floral wallpaper, fabric or fine china.




But did you know that chinoiserie is actually a French word?  And that it has European roots, not Chinese? (the following is from Merriam-Webster online...)

chi·noi·se·rie

noun \shēn-ˈwäz-rē, -ˈwä-zə-;
 Fanciful European interpretations of Chinese styles in the design of interiors, furniture, pottery, textiles, and gardens. The expansion of trade with East Asia produced a lively vogue for Chinese fashions in the 17th–18th centuries. The most outstanding chinoiserie interior was the Trianon de Porcelaine (1670–71), built for Louis XIV at Versailles. The style featured lavish gilding and lacquering, the use of blue and white (as in delftware), asymmetrical forms, unorthodox perspective, and Asian motifs. In the 19th century, the fashion gave way to Turkish and other styles considered exotic.






Chinoiserie is incredibly classic, and it can be used in excess (don't like), like French toile
(do love), or in the smallest of doses, like, say, in a pillow.  From 6 Wilson.  Ha!

Let's look, shall we?

Wouldn't this number...


paired with these guys...


be fun on the white, slip-covered sofa across from the table setting in this room...





Indeed, I say.

And if you like your chinoiserie a bit more traditional, you could use this guy...



or maybe this one,


paired with these, perhaps...



On a classic sofa...

cozypad.com

Hello.  I think this one, with it's gold tones...




Belongs on a chair in this room...

Katrin Cargill Country Homes
Would you agree?

So what do you think, is chinoiserie for you?



5 comments:

  1. Is the background of the last one pale blue or gray? That's really beautiful.

    I love chinoiserie but I think it needs to be limited to one or two pieces per room.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Steve. The very last one has an oatmeal colored background. The one before that is a dusty duck egg blue. :)

      Delete
  2. I love that last image...the yellow wallpaper is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the couches and the pillows are to die for, so much to see I have to go back, i am a new follower of yours and I will be back again and again....

    ReplyDelete
  4. Absolutely it is for me. I have a large collection of blue and white porcelains and love all asian accents, even with my mid-century furniture!
    xo Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.com

    ReplyDelete