#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.

Black and White - The Chinese Chippendale Chair

Another trend in Chinoiserie I see for 2014 is the Chinese Chippendale chair in classic white or black. Although I love this iconic chair in every color of the rainbow, to me there is nothing more beautiful than the timeless elegance of black and white. Charlotte & Ivy has just introduced their "Charlotte" Chinese Chippendale dining arm chair and side chair. They spent months designing their Charlotte chair and the attention to detail is absolute perfection. I think it is the most beautiful Chinese Chippendale chair available. See it here and they are offering special Introduction Pricing through the end of January. As always at Charlotte & Ivy, shipping is free which, as we all know when ordering larger pieces like furniture, is a big deal.

Introducing a Charlotte & Ivy exclusive design -- Our signature Chinese Chippendale dining chairs are solid mahogany, with faux bamboo finish, classic Chippendale back, and a beautiful upholstered linen seat. Available in both armchair and sidechair versions, the Charlotte & Ivy Chinese Chippendale dining chair is bench-made and hand-finished in white paint with a satin sheen or special order in black paint or french cherry stain. We created these chairs after finding the marketplace lacking in good options. These custom made chairs are expertly designed and solidly crafted. We love the elegance of the arm curve and the tapered legs. These chairs offer the refined grace demanded in a very formal dining room but can still be fabulous in a casual setting. 

The classic Chinese Chippendale style dates back to the 18th century but complements both modern and traditional decor styles beautifully. Match these dining chairs to a mahogany or a painted wood table for a dining room everyone will envy.

·       A Charlotte & Ivy Exclusive Design

·       Custom built and designed out of solid mahogany

·       Classic French linen pop seat for easy fabric change out or cane

·       Ships in quantities of 2

I hope this gallery of rooms with black and white Chinese Chippendale chairs will inspire you. And note how many ways there are to use these chairs -

*An entire set in your dining room
*A pair at the head and foot of the dining table with contrasting side chairs
*As side chairs in the dining room with a pair of upholstered chairs at the head and foot of the table
*In the breakfast room
*A pair in the entryway
*As occasional chairs in the living room, family room, or bedroom
*As a desk or vanity chair

#9 - The Top Ten Chinoiserie Trends for 2014

I am thrilled to welcome Jennifer of The Pink Pagoda to talk about my #9 Chinoiserie Trend for 2014 - Blue and White Chinese porcelain. Blue and white Chinese porcelain is always in style, but lately it has taken center stage, gracing virtually every beautiful room you see. This trend will continue to be very strong in 2014.

Jennifer is my go-to source for blue and white inspiration. Her blog The Pink Pagoda, as you all know, is a wonderful resource for inspiration on decorating with blue and white. Jennifer has a gorgeous post each Monday aptly named Blue and White Monday. Several months ago, she started her Blue and White Bash Linking Party inviting all of us to link up with our own blue and white posts. Her Etsy store is filled with blue and white giclees that are a huge hit in the interior design world.

Her accessories store is my favorite source on the internet for stunning blue and white Chinese porcelain pieces. And Jennifer has just added a "Walls" section where she will be selling original works of art by several artists including Kerry Steele. These pieces are originals and exclusive to The Pink Pagoda, and will either feature blue and white Chinese porcelain or be designed to work perfectly with blue and white Chinese porcelain. What an amazing idea!

An umbrella stand from The Pink Pagoda in my One Room Challenge laundry room

Now sit back with a cup of coffee or tea on this brisk winter morning and enjoy Jennifer's insights on blue and white for 2014. Thanks so much Jennifer!

Georgica Pond

I'm loving this series on Chinoiserie trends for 2014, Beth!  Blue and white has never been out, but it's definitely been on the upswing for a couple of years, and there's no end in sight.  

The Rinfret Group

Luella & June

I'm noticing blue and white used at more weddings and parties.  In fact, I'm receiving large orders from customers who will use vases, jars and planters at their events.

Carmen and Ingo Photography

Carmen and Ingo Photography

Using blue and white on the table has become more popular than ever. Besides big statement jars in the center of the table, smaller pieces scattered with blooms are beautiful, and I'm seeing so much of this look.

Carolyne Roehm

I can't keep this ginger jar in stock.  I've just recently gotten some in, but they won't last long.

While the taller jar remains highly sought after, the melon jar is gaining in popularity.  I'm seeing it more and more online and in magazines, and I love it.  A collection looks stunning in bookcases and the smaller ones can be taken out and used on the table, too.

When I first opened my shop, ginger jars were clearly the most popular.  Now, I'm seeing customers purchasing more planters and bowls.  

via Belclaire House

Orchids planted in a large bowl are always a show stopper.

My faux green apples are lower maintenance, though : )

Are you noticing all the incredible photos in magazines, on blogs and on Pinterest of all the blue and white with florals?  I'm seeing more and more which I'm so very much enjoying.  Below are a few of mine. 

All of the beautiful flowers in blue and white I'm seeing everywhere gave me the idea to ask my artist friend Kerry Steele to create these watercolors for my customers.  They flew out of my shop in just a few hours, and she's busy painting more.  

Thank you for allowing me to share my blue and white observations, Beth!

#8 - The Top Ten Chinoiserie Trends for 2014

In an ironic interior design switch, pale pink used to be reserved for baby girls' nurseries but was rarely seen elsewhere in a home, except for the bedrooms of little girls. Now more and more, nurseries are gender neutral and pink has escaped into the rest of the home, especially into living rooms.

In the photo above and just below, Ruthie Sommers has used Farrow and Ball Middleton Pink on the walls, a great neutral pink that is a favorite with interior designers. These new neutral pinks are sensational with Chinoiserie.

Chinoiserie Trend #8 is Neutral Pink with Chinoiserie. This shade of pink is amazing with blue and white Chinese porcelain and with black and gold lacquered furniture. To stay on the more neutral end of pink, in the paint store look for warm beiges with pink undertones. Examples are Benjamin Moore First Light, Pink Cloud, and Brandy Cream and Farrow and Ball Pink Ground.

This blush pink is also a wonderful choice in Chinoiserie wallpaper. Not ready to go full out pink? Framed Chinoiserie panels in a soft pink are gorgeous, as are blush pink silk curtains and pale pink accessories.

Farrow and Ball Middleton Pink