Charlotte & Ivy Flash Sample Sale

Charlotte & Ivy has just launched its bi-annual flash sample and open box best sellers sale that runs through May 4th or until sold out. Stock is very limited. The items are 25% off regular price with free basic shipping. You will see the sale price when you place the item in your cart. Below are some favorites of mine. Charlotte & Ivy is giving this head start to Chinoiserie Chic readers as stock is quite limited and sure to sell quickly.

http://charlotteandivy.com/sample-sale

Light Up Your Life

Ruthie Sommers

Did you remember to set your clocks forward? Days are getting longer and we have set our clocks forward for an extra hour of daylight. Hopefully this long dreadful winter is drawing to a close.

My new Houzz Ideabook is on statement Chinoiserie lighting.

And today we look at pink lampshades and Chinoiserie - what a happy combination.

Ruthie Sommers

Hillary Thomas

Ada & Darcy

Black & Spiro

Pink Jam Trading

Not on the High Street

Miles Redd

Charlotte & Ivy Refined Pagoda Lamp

Target Pink Drum Lampshade

Target Scallop Pink Lampshade

Layla Grace Pink Silk Lampshade

Spool Chairs & Chinoiserie

Phoebe Howard

The spool (aka bobbin or spindle) chair is such a wonderful style that has never been more popular than it is right now. It is a timeless classic that works well in so many settings and is stunning mixed with Chinoiserie. I think its turned, rounded styling is a great juxtaposition to the angular lines of Chinese Chippendale, Chinese fretwork, and Greek key. The spool chair gives a room a casual, elegant, and comfortable feel that never looks like it's trying too hard.

Charlotte & Ivy is a wonderful source for spool furniture as they have a real thing for this style, and with good reason. It looks as good from the back as it does the front and works beautifully with both modern and traditional fabric choices.

This pair of spool chairs in linen and down from Charlotte & Ivy is a designer favorite. They were designed from an antique chair from a Sea Island mansion. The standard finish is this lovely very light whitewash. The frame is solid oak and the cushions are in French linen -

It is also available in many custom finishes like French Cherry, Aged Charcoal Gray, Wrought Iron Black, and Parisian Gray. Here are a couple of the choices -

And a matching ottoman -

The spool chair can also be purchased singly -

Here are some great examples of rooms with spool chairs and Chinoiserie -

CR Laine

Ferguson and Shamamian

Amanda Nisbet

Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Jonathan Rosen

Lee Ann Thornton

Summerfield Design

Digs Design

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren

Shea McGee Design

#10 - The Top Ten Chinoiserie Trends for 2014

The Rinfret Group

Today we look at my final Chinoiserie trend for 2014. I enlisted the help of my friends at 

Charlotte & Ivy, my go-to gals for the the elegant Chinoiserie home as to emerging trends in Chinoiserie. Charlotte & Ivy is the Goldilocks and the Three Bears of home furnishings sources. Some stores are too boring, or too stodgy, or too expensive. Others are too trendy, or too hip, or too cheap. Charlotte & Ivy is just right. They have such a wonderful eye for classic pieces for your home that will never go out of style. Their trend for 2014 is "Classic Chinoiserie." I couldn't agree more. Here are the Chinoiserie trends we have looked at so far - 

#1 - Mixing Gold, Silver, and Chinoiserie

#2 - Mixing African and Chinoiserie

#3 - Navy and Chinoiserie

#4 - Chinoiserie Chic Color of the Year 2014 - Baby Flamingo Lavender Gray

#5 - Gray and Chinoiserie

#6 - Bold Greek Key

#7 - Brass
#8 - Pale Pink as a Neutral

#9 - Blue and White Chinese Porcelain

I hope that what strikes you about many trends on this list is that this year you will see a very strong and marked return to the iconic, traditional, and timeless classics of Chinoiserie. It may be Chinoiserie used in fresh and modern ways like with lavender or pink walls, oversized Greek key, perhaps a piece of African tribal art, but at its essence it is what you know, love, and likely already have much of in your home. 

I asked Charlotte & Ivy to create an inspiration board with some of their favorite classic Chinoiserie pieces from Charlotte & Ivy.

I was not surprised that it includes many of the pieces on my list of my favorite classic Chinoiserie pieces for your home. Perhaps you have some of these already, handed down from your grandparents or parents so they hold special memories for you. Perhaps, like me, you have started collecting Chinoiserie on your own because something about it resonated with you. When I started adding Chinoiserie to my own home, it truly became my home. Perhaps you are looking to add a special piece or two to your home this year.

The Classics - 

*Blue and White Chinese Porcelain

*The Chinese Chippendale Chair

*The Pagoda Mirror

*Greek Key

*The Chinese Garden Stool

*Hand Painted Silk Chinoiserie Wallpaper or Panels

*Classic Chinoiserie Fabrics and Wallpapers

*Ginger Jars

*The Gourd Lamp

*Black and Gold Lacquered Chinoiserie Furniture

*Gilded/Gold Chinoiserie

*The Chinese Lantern

*The Pagoda Chandelier

I hope you have enjoyed my series on my Top Ten Chinoiserie Trends for 2014 and that it may serve as inspiration to you in continuing in 2014 to make your home a place you love.

The Frances Elkins Loop Chair

I have two favorite chairs - one of course is the Chinese Chippendale chair. The other is the loop chair. These are both timeless classics that are beloved by interior designers and those with exquisite taste. I even have a Pinterest board on The Iconic Loop Chair.

The loop chair was created by American designer Frances Elkins in the 1930s. Although she is not perhaps as well known as others like Billy Baldwin or Dorothy Draper, she left an indelible mark on design. She, for example, was one of the first designers in the 20th century to use antiques and modern pieces together. The loop chair though was her crowning glory. Its timeless modern elegance will define any room in which you use it.

1st dibs and antique dealers are great sources for antique and vintage versions. Unfortunately, a set of four can easily run $10,000. Here is a set of six for $25,000. Even modern reproductions can run close to $3,000 per chair.

Charlotte & Ivy has just introduced the loop chair above priced at $559 for the side chair and a $65 upcharge for the arm chair version. Shipping is free. It ships in sets of two. This fabulous chair is made from durable mahogany wood and features a designer favorite ribbon loop design. The gorgeous black hand rubbed finish is contrasted with sleek cream cotton seats.

Charlotte & Ivy Loop chair - arm chair

Below is an inspiration board I created featuring a loop chair and wonderful examples of the loop chair used in various ways from dining chairs, accent chairs in a living room, a desk chair, even kitchen stools. The loop chair combines beautifully with Chinoiserie, as you will see in several rooms below.