Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Coco Chanel & Chinoiserie


How many of you know that Coco Chanel was a great lover of Chinoiserie? Shown here are photos of her apartment at 31 Rue Cambon where she did her entertaining. My favorite photo is the entry above where she used Coromandel screens like wallpaper. Two interesting points to note as well. Although she adored Chinoiserie, and her apartment was lavishly decorated in it, her fashion designs never reflected Chinese influences, although she did use Japanese and Indian themes. Second, her apartment, while filled with Chinoiserie, still reflected her pared down modern elegance. Unlike most people of the day who would combine Chinoiserie with opulent damask, porcelain, and fine Oriental rugs, hers was a modern luxe with eclectic pieces and sleek Art Deco furnishings. This aesthetic is so timeless and sophisticated and the apartment could easily be gracing the pages of House Beautiful or Elle Decor today.
















(Photos courtesy of flickr)

23 comments:

  1. Love the screens. I like the way they obliterate the corners of rooms, and make the space intimate while adding color, contrast, even shadows with the folds. That said about screens, that fireplace surround art is not for the weak hearted. Love it!

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  2. Home Before Dark-I love the use of screens in every room. Much of it is not for the timid, but in a wonderful way!

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  3. Looks like the gates of Heaven! I just watched the Coco Chanel biopic on Lifetime this weekend. I loved Shirley Maclean's portrayal of the ultimate fabulous kitten! Toodles, kitty.

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  4. In my most humble opinion, the most fabulous space EVER! I love your blog too, and I am so crazy for Chinoiserie I can't see straight! Ordered the little Penney's bench last night too..can't wait to see what you do with yours. Cindy

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  5. Kitty-And the new Coco Chanel movie opens Friday.

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  6. Cindy-Thanks for stopping by. Glad to find another Chinoiserie fan. What are going to do with your stool?

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  7. Those chinoiserie panels are just gorgeous and I love the blend of chinoiserie with modern and art deco furnishings.

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  8. Well, I actually have been looking for a little stool for several years for my little bathroom..was planning on trying a faux malachite on something! Don't know if I can pull that off or if the little bench will "feel" like that when I see it..but we will see. How about you?

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  9. Coco herself said it best..."There are people who have money and there are people who are rich".

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  10. I want to see that movie so badly! Her style was exquisite and I love the Chinoiserie she has in her rooms.

    Ps. We gave you a blog award, thank you for your wonderful posts and all of your thoughtful comments.

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  11. just beautiful. I love the crystal chandeliers & her book collections!!! perfect layers...

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  12. Cindy-The faux malachite sounds fabulous-I wish I were that talented. I'm thinking gold leaf paint, not sure about the cushion.

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  13. Her place is incredible! I had no idea she was a lover of Chinoiserie until I saw the commercial with Keira Knightly ~ her place is lovely and her taste, exquisite. I could look at these photos over and over again, and still find a new detail...

    Hope you have a delightful day, Beth :)

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  14. CC-Thanks so much for the lovely honor and for following my blog. You are the best!

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  15. It's so overstated and fabulous!! I do think I'd like a more "cleaner" version though. It's still amazing to view and all those details!

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  16. Dagny-This is clean to me, but then I'm a more is more type!

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  17. ah.ma.zing. This is a FANTASTIC post Beth. So much richness here - bookmarking. I'll be back to this post!

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