Andrew Gn's Paris Apartment

Elle Decor

Chinoiserie Magazine Styling

I always enjoy doing a post when I find photos of the same room styled by the interior designer and then restyled by a magazine for a photo shoot. I understand that magazine stylists have to earn their keep, but it is a bit funny in the case of an interior designer as talented as Alex Papachristidis.

Above is his own dining room as styled by him, and below as styled by Elle Decor. I prefer his, especially for a magazine shoot. On top of the Chinoiserie cabinet, they have replaced his bold coral pieces that really pop against the aubergine walls, with books, foo dogs, a Chinese figurine, and a black object. I think their choices are too small and too dark, blending in too much against the deep purple background.

In the photo at bottom, you can see that on the dining table, they have replaced his blue and white ginger jar and coral animal figurine with a pair of pagodas and a couple of other pieces apparently to pick up the purple and white. Stylists always have fresh flowers, or in a kitchen, staged fruits or vegetables. They have chosen to leave the politically incorrect blackamoor, perhaps feeling that since he is dressed as a flower child with a peace sign above it is OK.

Alex Papachristidis

When I saw that the new Manhattan apartment of interior designer Alex Papachristidis is on the cover of the November issue of Elle Decor, it was with a mix of trepidation and anticipation because I adored his previous apartment featured in the next five photos. Happily, his new digs are nothing short of spectacular, filled with Chinoiserie and my favorite pieces from the old place. The new apartment is more adult and sophisticated, with a more limited jewel toned color palette. In lieu of wallpaper like the previous apartment, lots of fabric covered walls. If you don't subscribe, go get this issue - it is a keeper. Read it online here.

Previous living room

Previous living room

Previous library

Previous bedroom

Previous bedroom

The new apartment starts below.

The double sided Chinoiserie bookcase from the previous living room is in the new entrance hall.

In the living room I recognize the sofa recovered in Shumacher ikat, the gold faux bamboo coffee table, and the Robin Wynne art. The chair is from the old library. I love the additional Chinoiserie touches of the Chinese toile lantern, the yellow foo dog and elephant, and the Christopher Spitzmiller double gourd lamp.

The living room is fabulous with its Gracie Chinoiserie wallpaper - the turtle apparently walked over from the old place.

I love the vintage bamboo armchair.

The Chinoiserie sconce is from a pair in the old living room.

A pair of pagodas on the dining room table.

This Chinoiserie cabinet was in the previous library.

Blue and white in the master bedroom, with the old bed recovered in blue velvet - lots of blue and white Chinese porcelain and a Chinese Chippendale chair - the mirror was above his bed before.

Walls and sofa in the dressing room are in a Manuel Canovas Chinoiserie fabric.

The antique Chinoiserie cabinet is a beautiful piece.

Chinoiserie in the Workplace

Miles Redd - Elle Decor

In each of these three work spaces I love the eclectic mix of modern, mid century, and antique with Chinoiserie.

Julie and Luke Janklow - Vogue

Ashley Goforth

The Top Ten Chinoiserie Pieces #10

The final piece in Elle Decor's Top Ten Chinoiserie Pieces is the stoneware Lotus Table Lamp by Hwang Bishop with its hand painted dragon motif for $1,799. Here are some of my alternatives. In a modern look I love the Jonathan Adler Dragon Lamp just below or one of Adler's lamps that have a similar shape with a much better price tag. I am not a stoneware fan at all. In a traditional look I would choose a blue and white Chinese porcelain lamp with a dragon design. Another great idea is to have a Chinese porcelain vase with dragon design made into a lamp, as in the example below. Tomorrow I will be starting my own Chinoiserie Chic's Top Ten Chinoiserie Pieces.

Jonathan Adler Dragon Lamp - $695

Fabulous Dragon Lamp - a perfect marriage of a traditional blue and white Chinese porcelain dragon design with lucite accents - the white silk shade is lined in navy blue - $640

Antique Dragon Vases converted to lamps

Jonathan Adler Lamp - $199 - available in many colors

Jonathan Adler Capri Bottle Lamp - available in many colors - $275

The Top Ten Chinoiserie Pieces #9

We are up to #9 on Elle Decor's Top Ten Chinoiserie Pieces with one more left. I hope you have been enjoying this series. The Pagoda Lantern by Charles Edwards shown above is $7,400. My pick is this pagoda lantern below at $265. Now that's quite a difference! It is also available in red -  a very popular look.

The Top Ten Chinoiserie Pieces #8

I have skipped ahead a couple in Elle Decor's Top Ten Chinoiserie Pieces, but this is time sensitive. Above is their Chinoiserie mirror pick - The Pompidou Mirror for $10,585. My pick is this Red Pagoda Mirror from Horchow at $495 with a One Day Sale today at 30% off or $346.50 AND free shipping!!!!!!!!!! Now that's a Chinoiserie deal.

The Top Ten Chinoiserie Pieces #7

Elle Decor's Top Ten Chinoiserie Piece #7 is this new Chinoiserie Armoire by Julia Gray for $16,800.  A lovely piece to be sure, but I have found you similar looks starting at under $1,000. If you are looking for this sort of thing, your local auction house is a great source. I have seen stunning ones go for next to nothing at auction.

1st dibs - English Late 19th Century - $6,400

1st dibs - French 18th Century - $9,800

1st dibs - Chinese 19th Century - $6,500

18th Century Style Computer Armoire - $1,290

18th Century Design TV Armoire - $899

Black Canvas Crackled TV Armoire - $899

Hand Painted 19th Century Antique Armoire - $1,469

Hand Painted Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Armoire - $2,695

The Top Ten Chinoiserie Pieces #6

Elle Decor's Top Ten Chinoiserie Piece #6 is this Indochine Etagere by Red Egg pictured above for $1,308. I don't dislike this piece, but I'm not sure I get spending over $6,000 on those Red Chow Nesting Tables that was their pick #5, but spending far less on a major piece like this. I would put the money into one of these stunning high end Chinoiserie etageres below at Kristen Buckingham, The Well Appointed House, or Anne Selke. I have also shown some great well priced versions. Another idea I love is to find a vintage rattan etagere on Craiglist, etc. and paint it a hot color like orange.

Pair of rattan etageres in a room by Meg Braff

Massive Hand Carved Teak Etagere at Kristen Buckingham with Chinese Lattice

Chinese Chippendale Etagere at The Well Appointed House - now 20% off

Pagoda Etagere by Anne Selke for Vanguard

Red Iron Pagoda Stackable Etagere - I used this in my daughter's apartment

Hermes Orange Vintage Etagere at the Tweaked Home

Vintage Faux Bamboo Etagere that recently sold at LIV Vintage for $150

Check out all the great vintage examples at Circa Who

Circa Who