A follower of Chinoiserie Chic has a conundrum-how to meld her love of Chinoiserie with her exposed brick entryway and staircase of her Capitol Hill rowhouse. She plans to use in the entryway a pagoda mirror over a long narrow table. Great start! I would love to see a Chinese garden stool or even a pair under or flanking the table if space permits. As for art on the staircase, I think you need some boldness and drama to hold its own against the brick. I love the idea of one or a pair of framed Chinese ancestor portraits or a grouping of Japanese woodblocks. Both are readily available in antique or new print versions, at all different price levels. Here are some examples of Chinese ancestor portraits followed by Japanese woodblock prints. Please report back on what you do.
