Fabulous Fungi

Velvet Mushrooms

Since the pandemic began, mushrooms have emerged as a strong decorating trend, symbolizing resilience, renewal, and strength. As a gardener, I love seeing these beautiful works of nature, signs of healthy soil containing lots of organic matter. With fall approaching, I thought it would be fun to look at some ways to incorporate mushrooms into your home decor (and your wardrobe). And my favorite mushroom recipe too.

Chinoiserie Chic Trends 2018

Beth Connolly Interiors

This week we will look at interior design trends predicted for 2018 that work especially well with Chinoiserie. First on my list is the color lavender. Pretty, but less feminine and more sophisticated than pink that has been so popular the last few years, it combines beautifully with Chinoiserie. It is gorgeous paired with blue and white Chinese porcelain and I love it with Chinese red.

Beth Connolly Interiors

Suzanne Kasler - Veranda

Kimberly McCluskey

Decorating Trends - 2017

Honestly WTF

Happy 2017 everyone. This week we will be looking at hot decorating trends for 2017 in Chinoiserie.

Trending - Pink Sofas

Lee Radziwill's Paris apartment

Yesterday I posted an inspiration board that featured a pink sofa. Pink sofas are becoming quite mainstream and quite the decorating trend. I have a Pinterest board here on Pink Sofas. I love it above paired with Scalamandre's Chinoise Exotique.

Do you remember years ago when Domino magazine ran this photo of a living room with a pink daybed? People couldn't stop talking about it.

A pink sofa works in any style living room, but is at its best paired with Chinoiserie. A pink sofa is amazing with blue and white Chinese porcelain and black and gold lacquered Chinoiserie furniture. Use it with black and gold to keep it sophisticated and adult. Zebra is a natural with it.

Here are some wonderful examples -

Ruthie Sommers

Lilly Pulitzer

Michael Carter

Diamond Baratta

Mary McDonald

Lilly Pulitzer

Betsy Burnham

Vintage

Erika Bonnell

Trending - Pink and Gray

From time to time, I love to post on emerging trends I perceive in interior design. These are not the hot trends written up in shelter mags, but looks I start to see repeated in rooms that I feel work especially well with Chinoiserie. Last year I did "Trending" posts on -

*Pineapples
*Malachite
*Purple
*The Big Chinoiserie Lamp
*Antelope
*The White Elephant
*Brushstroke
*Mudcloth
*The Return of the Skirted Table
*Combining Pink and Orange
*Black Windows

My first emerging trend for 2014 is combining pink and gray. I believe that gray is here to stay as an elegant, versatile, and sophisticated neutral. People will be looking for new ways to use gray and I absolutely adore this combination. Here is some inspiration -

Gray with hot pink -

Gray with coral pink -

Gray with pale pink -

#9 - The Top Ten Chinoiserie Trends for 2014

I am thrilled to welcome Jennifer of The Pink Pagoda to talk about my #9 Chinoiserie Trend for 2014 - Blue and White Chinese porcelain. Blue and white Chinese porcelain is always in style, but lately it has taken center stage, gracing virtually every beautiful room you see. This trend will continue to be very strong in 2014.

Jennifer is my go-to source for blue and white inspiration. Her blog The Pink Pagoda, as you all know, is a wonderful resource for inspiration on decorating with blue and white. Jennifer has a gorgeous post each Monday aptly named Blue and White Monday. Several months ago, she started her Blue and White Bash Linking Party inviting all of us to link up with our own blue and white posts. Her Etsy store is filled with blue and white giclees that are a huge hit in the interior design world.

Her accessories store is my favorite source on the internet for stunning blue and white Chinese porcelain pieces. And Jennifer has just added a "Walls" section where she will be selling original works of art by several artists including Kerry Steele. These pieces are originals and exclusive to The Pink Pagoda, and will either feature blue and white Chinese porcelain or be designed to work perfectly with blue and white Chinese porcelain. What an amazing idea!

An umbrella stand from The Pink Pagoda in my One Room Challenge laundry room

Now sit back with a cup of coffee or tea on this brisk winter morning and enjoy Jennifer's insights on blue and white for 2014. Thanks so much Jennifer!

Georgica Pond

I'm loving this series on Chinoiserie trends for 2014, Beth!  Blue and white has never been out, but it's definitely been on the upswing for a couple of years, and there's no end in sight.  

The Rinfret Group

Luella & June

I'm noticing blue and white used at more weddings and parties.  In fact, I'm receiving large orders from customers who will use vases, jars and planters at their events.

Carmen and Ingo Photography

Carmen and Ingo Photography

Using blue and white on the table has become more popular than ever. Besides big statement jars in the center of the table, smaller pieces scattered with blooms are beautiful, and I'm seeing so much of this look.

Carolyne Roehm

I can't keep this ginger jar in stock.  I've just recently gotten some in, but they won't last long.

While the taller jar remains highly sought after, the melon jar is gaining in popularity.  I'm seeing it more and more online and in magazines, and I love it.  A collection looks stunning in bookcases and the smaller ones can be taken out and used on the table, too.

When I first opened my shop, ginger jars were clearly the most popular.  Now, I'm seeing customers purchasing more planters and bowls.  

via Belclaire House

Orchids planted in a large bowl are always a show stopper.

My faux green apples are lower maintenance, though : )

Are you noticing all the incredible photos in magazines, on blogs and on Pinterest of all the blue and white with florals?  I'm seeing more and more which I'm so very much enjoying.  Below are a few of mine. 

All of the beautiful flowers in blue and white I'm seeing everywhere gave me the idea to ask my artist friend Kerry Steele to create these watercolors for my customers.  They flew out of my shop in just a few hours, and she's busy painting more.  

Thank you for allowing me to share my blue and white observations, Beth!