A Passion for Blue and White

If you are a lover of Chinoiserie, then it probably goes without saying that you too have a passion for blue and white. Nobody does it better than Carolyne Roehm. She says that blue and white is the most democratic of all color combinations-whether at the high or low end, it always looks good. Back in 1976 when starting out and working for Oscar de la Renta, she couldn't afford the French fabric she wanted and used Cannon sheets in blue and white to cover her furniture, walls, and bed. (This Ralph Lauren Chinoiserie toile called Indochine Pagoda, currently on sale everywhere, would work great). As for blue and white porcelain, she started out collecting Azuma and Pier One, then added Dutch Delft, Chinese Kanxi, French Faience, and English Spode and Wedgwood as her budget grew. She has included blue and white rooms in virtually every house she has designed, as well as her current residences. Her book, A Passion for Blue and White, is a wonderful resource, providing inspiration for blue and white rooms, gardens, tabletop, flower arranging, and gift wrapping for all budgets. It will show you how to combine blue and white porcelain from China, Japan, England, France, the Netherlands, and elsewhere, and how to find great pieces at flea markets, inexpensive import stores, as well as auctions and antique stores. Stay tuned for my own blue and white room reveal this week.