Jewelry - Bamboo, Palms, Seashells & More

Bamboo Chain Necklace

 

I just found a jewelry collection that literally checks all the boxes for me. It is Palm Beach based and designed  - all the collections are inspired by nature. The collections include Bamboo, Palms, Ocean, Orchid, Forest, and more.

Blue and White Outdoors

Milieu Magazine

This is such wonderful blue and white inspiration in one of my favorite places, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. 

Faux Wicker, Faux Bois, and Faux Seashells in the Garden

Faux Wicker Planter

 

I love container gardening and it's wonderful whatever the size of your garden. The key is choosing containers that are elegant and unique. I recently bought a pair of these faux wicker planters for my gardenia topiaries and love them.

Faux Bois & Chinoiserie

Charlotte Moss

 

I absolutely love the combination of faux bois and chinoiserie. Faux bois (from the French for false wood) refers to the "artistic imitation of wood or wood grains in various media. The craft has roots in the Renaissance with trompe-l'œil. It was probably first crafted with concrete using an iron armature by garden craftsmen in France called 'rocailleurs' using common iron materials: rods, barrel bands, and chicken wire." (Wikipedia)

Another shot.

Charlotte Moss

Faux Bois & Chinoiserie

Charlotte Moss

 

I love chinoiserie and I love faux bois (French for false wood) and they look so great together. This blue and white tile tray is likely Delft, but Delft mixes beautifully here and with blue and white Chinese porcelain.

This dining room below by the late Andrew Raquet is my favorite example and a favorite dining room. He was immensely talented and died at forty five. Wallpaper is Gracie. Faux bois on the chairs is Quadrille's Alan Campbell's Meloire Reverse.

My painters are due over shortly. The projects never end!

Andrew Raquet

Andrew Raquet

Faux Bois & Chinoiserie

Andrew Raquet

A common conundrum is what patterns combine well with Chinoiserie wallpaper and fabrics. A favorite of mine is faux bois (from the French for false wood). Its subtle organic quality makes it a perfect choice as shown in this gorgeous Chinoiserie dining room by Andrew Raquet with its Gracie wallpaper and Quadrille's faux bois - Alan Campbell's Meloire Reverse on the chairs. Here is another shot of this wonderful room.

Let's look at some other ways designers have combined the fanciful faux bois with the fanciful Chinoiserie.

Michael S. Smith - Chinoiserie wallpaper and pagodas with a faux bois table

Cecilie Starin Design - Chinese screen and a faux bois chair

Biggs Powell - faux bois mirror and a pair of Chinoiserie lamps

Kristen Panitch - House Beautiful - Chinoiserie wallpaper and faux bois mirror

Benjamin Dhong - House Beautiful - Cole & Son wallpaper Nuvole Storm and entwined dolphins mirror combined with a faux bois table

I was delighted to find this lovely Dransfield and Ross faux bois linen pillow at HomeGoods recently -

My Favorite Chinoiserie Dining Room

No matter how many dining rooms I see, this one by Andrew Raquet remains my favorite. He combines traditional Chinoiserie elements like Gracie hand painted Chinoiserie wallpaper, pagodas, foo dogs, and Greek key with unexpected choices like a striped rug and faux bois fabric on the chairs. "Faux bois," French for false wood, adds a subtle organic quality. The fabric is by Quadrille - Alan Campbell's Meloire Reverse. The wonderful soft palette he uses keeps all these elements in check.

We have now looked at my favorite Chinoiserie entryway, dining room, kitchen, powder room, work space, laundry room, dressing room, bathroom, and bedroom. All that is left is the living room and we will be ready for a wrap-up post combining them all.

Faux Bois

A common conundrum is what patterns combine well with Chinoiserie wallpaper and fabrics. A favorite of mine is faux bois (from the French for false wood). Its subtle organic quality makes it a perfect choice as shown in this gorgeous Chinoiserie dining room by Andrew Raquet with its Gracie wallpaper and Quadrille's faux bois - Alan Campbell's Meloire Reverse on the chairs. Here is a wonderful and very affordable choice - faux bois window panels from West Elm. These would be lovely by themselves or layered under curtains.