New Series - The Top 10 Chinoiserie Pieces

Red Quan Chair

Elle Decor asked Chinoiserie experts Thomas Jayne and Katie Ridder for their top 10 Chinoiserie pieces. Each day, I will show you one of their picks, then my pick at a MUCH better price. The finale will be my own top ten Chinoiserie pieces. Sound fun?

Piece number one is this Quan Chair by Jinr from Jia Moderne. This acrylic chair is available in red or clear. It costs $3,755 plus $275 shipping for a total of $4,030 in red and $3,480 plus $275 shipping for a total of $3,755 in clear. My pick is the Philippe Starck and Eugeni Quitlet Mi Ming Armchair inspired by the classical Quanyi or horseshoe chair. Philippe Starck is of of course the famous French designer of such iconic pieces as the Louis Ghost chair. It is available for $561 plus free shipping. The armrest or fuschou comes in red, black white, or silver (silver is an additional $57.00). I prefer the elegant lines of my pick and the price!

Clear Quan Chair

Mi Ming Armchair

Lucite Chinoiserie

I love the combination of Lucite and Chinoiserie, and was delighted to see House Beautiful feature this wonderful Lucite Bamboo Chiavari Ballroom Chair in the November issue. You can find it at Perch and at Ruby Beets. I think it would be perfect in a set in a dining room or breakfast room, or singly in a bathroom, dressing room, or office.

This piece called Usame by Kartell is a favorite of mine. With its Zen simplicity and gingko leaf design, it can be used as a cocktail table, side table, or bed tray.

Everyone loves the Philippe Stark Ghost Chair by Kartell, but you may not have thought of it in a Chinoiserie room. It is a natural in red, black, white, or Chinese Checkers design. I also love the original one combined with black and gold Chinoiserie-the photo below is in my house. Click on the photo for greater detail.

Have you seen this new Mi Ming Chair by Philippe Starck? Based on a Ming horseshoe armchair, it is a knockout.

Lucite Trays and other wonderful Lucite items from Iomoi.

Kendall Wilkinson's Chinoiserie bedroom with Lucite headboard.

I adore these Lucite Chinoiserie Placemats.

And matching Lucite Chinoiserie Coasters.

Philippe Starck Goes Chinoiserie

If you are a fan of Philippe Starck and his iconic Ghost Chair, here are two fabulous Chinoiserie versions. The first one is his new Mi Ming chair that combines the ghost chair's transparency with Ming Dynasty design. The bow-shaped back is based on a traditional Chinese horseshoe armchair from the Ming Period (1368-1644). Available with red or aluminum trim. The last chair is the traditional Ghost Chair in his Chinese Checkers design. I love both of these chairs.

The Man's Chinoiserie Closet

In a previous post I looked at ideas for creating a woman's Chinoiserie closet. Today we look at a man's Chinoiserie closet by Miles Redd from the July House Beautiful. This could not be simpler. Simply paint the closet in high gloss red paint. Miles used Benjamin Moore Heritage Red here. If space and budget allow, I love the idea of adding a Philippe Starck Louis or Victoria Ghost Chair in red or black. Don't forget to use wood hangers-bamboo hangers would be eco-friendly and chic.

Porcelain Prints

Porcelain prints are a classic, and for someone like me who adores Chinese porcelain, they are a natural. I think this Ming wallpaper by Pierre Frey is incredibly elegant. Can't you see one of these used in an all white kitchen, a breakfast room, or a dining room? Don't be intimidated from using bolder wallpaper prints such as these. A room papered in this would not only be stunning, it obviates the need for art on the walls and a lot of accessories. Think about a white or black Saarinen Tulip table, Philippe Starck Louis Ghost chairs, white Chinese porcelains. This would keep the look modern, fresh, and sophisticated.  This wallpaper would also be amazing in a traditional setting-especially the blue version, in an all blue and white kitchen, breakfast room, or dining room. Gorgeous!