Charleston Dining Room - Southern Chinoiserie

This Charleston dining room is a lovely example of "Southern Chinoiserie,"  a look that prevails in Alexandria, Virginia where I live. In this style dining room, crystal chandeliers, real Persian rugs, blue and white Chinese porcelain, and mahogany furniture are "required." The deep coral and turquoise blue of the Persian rug, the use of the dramatic Farrow & Ball wallpaper Lotus, the simple white curtains, and the oversized ginger jar make it "New Traditional" and keep it fresh.

Do you recall where we've seen Lotus wallpaper used before? In the NYC kitchen of Ryan Korban shown below, also with a large ginger jar. You can see how this pattern adds drama to any room. Another more modern approach used here is a single large ginger jar as opposed to a smaller pair. The Pink Pagoda has a lovely selection including large sizes that would make a real focal point.

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

Chinoiserie and Spring Blossoms

My mind is turning to thoughts of spring after this crazy snowy winter here in DC. I had to share with you the new cover of Saint Louis Magazine's Winter issue by the oh so talented Harrison Howard. Note the attention to detail-the blue and white Chinoiserie vase with striped camellias, the bottle of perfume, the concert tickets. This is a wonderful magazine to subscribe to and their series of covers by Mr. Howard has been stunning.

I love the elegance and simplicity of this black and white Chinoiserie vignette. One black vase has a spray of white Phalaenopsis orchids; the other black vessel has mostly bare branches with just emerging white cherry blossoms. So perfect for a modern black and white home, which I have had on my mind since posting on Ryan Korban's black and white Chinoiserie kitchen in Lonny.

Ryan Korban's Chinoiserie Kitchen-Two Versions

Recall my post earlier this week on the Chinoiserie kitchen from the new issue of Lonny? I located an earlier version of interior designer Ryan Korban's same kitchen with black walls, a white refrigerator, a Ming horse, and sans Farrow & Ball wallpaper, chandelier and bench. Which do you prefer? They are both fabulous, right?