The Faux Bamboo Bench

One of my favorite Chinoiserie pieces is the faux bamboo bench. Above is a beautiful example by Hickory Chair. Just below is the JCPenney version I have talked about many times in my own home that I covered in Cowtan & Tout Malabar. A faux bamboo bench is an incredibly decorative and versatile piece that can be used in a living room, bedroom, study, or family room. Below is a great roundup to inspire you. A faux bamboo bench is a must for any lover of Chinoiserie.

I adore this restored vintage piece from V&M with its black accents and black snakeskin leather.

Hickory Chair

Kelly Proxmire

1st dibs

Chinoiserie Walls-Black

Black walls have become quite the trend in interior design over the past few years. Adding a dose of Chinoiserie to the black gives it a real wow factor. Choices abound-black background wallpaper, black background art, stenciling, a large black Chinese screen in lieu of a black wall, or Chinoiserie furniture or accessories that will really pop against the black walls.

Kelley Proxmire

Sherrill Canet

Kelly Wearstler

Ryan Korban

Stenciled walls

Black background Chinoiserie art-Harrison Howard

Alessandra Branca

Black walls with Chinoiserie art

A black Chinese screen

Thibaut wallpaper

Fromental wallcovering

Farrow & Ball wallpaper

More Kelley Proxmire

Black walls have been a design trend for a while now. Every time I see a room with black walls, I seem to ask myself these questions:

-Is it a look I could live with?

-What did the designer do or would I do to bring it to life?

-Would it work with Chinoiserie?

This wonderful bedroom by D.C. interior designer Kelley Proxmire is probably the finest example of a room with black walls for my taste. First, the room has lots of white including the curtains, bed linens, upholstery, carpet, ceiling, trim, lampshades, picture mats, seashells, and fireplace. I love the punches of orange. The Chinoiserie pieces including the Chinese Chippendale mirror by Baker, Knapp, and Tubbs and the bamboo stool by Hickory Chair are stunning. I would have to find a place for the three Chinoiserie giclees below by my favorite artist Harrison Howard. I would also love to incorporate a fine piece or two of Blanc de Chine on white brackets on the walls that would really pop against the black. Notice the flat screen television hidden in the bed-brilliant! This room was from the Spring 2007 Design House in D.C.

Bold Blue Chinoiserie Inspiration

Having recently completed my Pagoda Bedroom in blue and white, I am now planning my laundry room in blue and white as well. Although I have already found and purchased my wallpaper and fabric that will remain a secret for the time being, I have been focused of course on blue and white rooms with Chinoiserie details for inspiration. Everywhere I look I am seeing bold blue walls. This stunning bedroom is by one of our local D.C. treasures Kelley Proxmire. If you are unfamiliar with her, her look is tailored and sophisticated and always perfection. View her portfolio here. With its dramatic blue walls, crisp white, and beautiful Chinoiserie fabric and garden stool, this is a wonderful combination of modern, traditional, Hollywood Regency, and Chinoiserie. Click on the photos to enlarge them. As you are aware, I am wild about Farrow & Ball paint. Its pigmentation and complexity are without equal. For some gorgeous bold blues, look at Pitch Blue, Drawing Room Blue, Chinese Blue, Stone Blue, and Cook's Blue. You may recall that my shed door is in Chinese Blue here.