The Universal Appeal of Seashells

Thomas Boog - Veranda

 

When I lived in NOVA in Alexandria, Virginia, I definitely tried to resist my seashell urge, limiting them to one shelf in my living room's built-in bookcases. Now that I live in a beach house in South Florida, I have fully embraced seashell decor. But now in shelter magazines I am seeing more and more seashells in homes you would not necessarily expect them to be in. 

This charming drawing room is filled with seashells - from the coral look chandelier to the tortoise shell on the coffee table to the display cabinets filled with a collection of seashells and seashell creations. The carved wooden temple dogs are Burmese BTW.

And you will never guess where this home is....

The Brass Palm Tree

Meg Braff

The popularity of brass palm trees dates to circa 1970 introduced by the iconic Paris based interior decor firm Maison Jansen, and they are seeing a resurgence today fueled by the popularity of Chinoiserie Chic, Hollywood Regency, and Mid Century Modern decor.

Chinoiserie Mystery Solved/TMI

This is it!

Thank you all so much for all your ideas on my mystery object. The suggestions were so creative. Several of you came up with a slop pot or chamber pot and that's exactly what it is. A Victoria Ware English Ironstone Blue Flow/Flo Blue Slop Pot/Chamber Pot/Commode/Slop Pail. I'll let you figure out or look up what these were used for.... I refuse to have those words searchable on my blog. LOL

BUT IT'S A FAKE!!!

Blue and White Treasure

Rare Chinese bowl

 Did you see the news story yesterday about the $35 yard sale find that was appraised at upwards of half a million dollars? The bowl is a rare early fifteenth century artifact that will go to auction at Sotheby's on March 17th. There are only seven of these bowls known to exist in the world, most in museums. I have so many pieces I have found at thrift stores and such. I always wonder if I might have some treasure. 

This was a smart person to send their photos off to Sotheby's. I have had mixed experiences with lesser auction houses. Before I moved to Florida, I had several JFK letters belonging to my late husband appraised by a DC auction house as signed by his secretary and they all turned out to be original JFK signatures. It will be interesting to see what this sells for as the Asian antiques market has been so hot.

Blue and White

Mark D. Sikes

So much to love in this beautiful vignette  - an antique Chinese chest, gorgeous Chinoiserie wallpaper, and a perfectly balanced grouping of blue and white Chinese porcelain. I especially love the miniature garden stool. Today is the first gray day here in Florida in months - a great excuse to hang out in bed with the puppies!

New England Chinoiserie

River Road Farm

A beautiful combination of an antique Chinoiserie chest, blue and white Chinese porcelain, and a red and white buffalo check day bed in this pretty room.

Chinoiserie Vignette

Secrets of a Hostess

A stunning black and gold Chinoiserie vignette with pink roses and shells.

Antique Pine & Chinoiserie

Traditional Home

If you are a fan of antique pine furniture, blue and white porcelain is a great mix.

A New Chinoiserie Treasure

Skulking around one of my favorite consignment stores on Tuesday, I spotted this gorgeous gold leaf Chinoiserie lamp. I knew it to be a reverse on glass painted and decoupage lamp from the 1940s. I scooped it up for $79 and they were so apologetic that it is missing its lamp shade. Look at two similar pairs I found on 1stdibs - one for $3,900 for the pair and the other $2,800. I think mine is by far nicer. It is 22" tall and in perfect condition. I used to decoupage and I know how much work went into this beauty.

For a lampshade, I think I'm going with a shallow drum shade in dupioni silk - a more modern and unexpected pairing that I like. I always find tall thin lamps the hardest to choose shades for. Here are the color choices below with more shots of my lamp.

1stdibs - $3,900 for the pair

1stdibs - $2,800 for the pair

Bronze

Chocolate Brown

Pistachio Green

Lipstick Red

Brick Red

Seaglass

Silver

Have a favorite color? What lampshade would you choose? I think I'm going with the silver. It's a subtle and elegant choice and will work well in the room it is going in.

Update - Lots of emails and comments on the plates - they are Chelsea House. I love the way they go with the Brunschwig & Fils Xian fabric on the stools.

Sunday Inspiration - My Saturday Score

As much as I love eBay, there is nothing like a real auction house for antiques. I think it is essential to see in person the colors, condition, patina, and the like. I won these yesterday at auction in Alexandria at Potomack Company, a huge pair of Oriental Fantastical Ships - watercolor on silk signed and dated Leila de Dampierre - 1941. I have learned online that she was a French poet, artist, and illustrator. Many of you may have read this week all the national and international press about the "suspicious" Renoir that was originally to be auctioned yesterday at the same auction.

The bid estimate was $300 - $500 and I had decided not to go over $500. I was thrilled when bidding began that there were no absentee bids or online bidders - the kiss of death for getting a good price. I was able to snag them for $200, and minutes later I had them safely ensconced in my A3 Audi - this is one of the reasons I love a hatchback - and on their way to their new home. They will hang in my dining room - the colors are perfect. I will take pictures once they are up.

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

Black and Gold Chinoiserie

Isn't this a stunning piece? I love the way the back has been decorated in gilt landscape scenes.

Vintage Chinoiserie on Etsy

This new Etsy shop House of Pemberley has wonderful vintage and antique pieces brought back to life with designer fabrics, paint, and a great eye for design.

Saturday Inspiration-Frank Roop

I love Boston interior designer Frank Roop's wonderfully sophisticated and eclectic mix of antique and modern with a dose of Chinoiserie. Have a lovely Mother's Day weekend.