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...
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| cozypad.com |
Hello. I think this one, with it's gold tones...
Belongs on a chair in this room...
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| Katrin Cargill Country Homes |
So what do you think, is chinoiserie for you?
