Blue and White

Mark Sikes

 A lovely blue and white room in the home of Mark Sikes. I of course love the wicker and the ginger jars and the framed chinoiserie panel. My favorite piece is the vintage Italian camel garden stool. I passed on one of these in Georgetown at a consignment shop a few years back and could kick myself. Oh well.... The only thing I do not love here are the checked walls. I think I would tire of those, but checks are definitely a signature of his - sort of like Miles Redd's ruffled curtains. 

Enjoy your Sunday. It will be gorgeous here with temps in the 70's all week. I should also have a very exciting delivery this week that has been tied up at the port in Tampa. 

The Blue and White Coastal Living Room

Marshall Watson - Flower Magazine

 This beautiful Palm Beach living room, with its palette of blues and creams, incorporates a framed Chinoiserie panel, ginger jars, Greek key, and seashells. Although this room has a lot going on, its cohesive approach maintains a calm and soothing feel.

Marshall Watson - Flower Magazine

Marshall Watson - Flower Magazine

Scale

Fun House Furnishings

Scale always fascinates me in interior design. I am sure many of you will hate this as out of proportion. Others will see it as fun and modern. This massive basket with a tiny oomph console.

I love playing with scale in interior design. It always involves a bit of risk and daring. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't.

Do you like this?

I think most people would prefer this Summer Thornton design below, including me.

Summer Thornton

The baskets are virtually identical and the lamps and Chinoiserie wallpaper are quite similar. The styling of the Summer Thornton is so much nicer though. In the Fun House Furnishings, the lamp cords are visible (at least hide them for the photo shoot), and I don't like that unfortunate little plant and those two white sticks - are those candlesticks without candles? I also think those lamps are anorexic and sort of creepy they are so tall (too tall) and skinny.

Wallpaper Surprises

Osborne & Little Coronata Star

Yesterday I found my stash of wallpaper - it includes vintage, discontinued, and very high end papers.  The catch? It is 2 rolls  of this, 4 rolls of that. Not enough to do rooms. So I am going to get creative and think of unexpected spots for some of this beautiful wallpaper in my new home.

I have in my arsenal 4 rolls of Osborne & Little Coronata Star wallpaper that I picked up for $20 at a favorite thrift store in Alexandria. (Look Again at 900 King Street). If any of you are in the NOVA area, it is in Old Town and benefits The Society for the Prevention of Blindness. (Secret - interior designers in Alexandria often donate there).

I am thinking of using it in the the vestibule on the ceiling. Why not?

And I have a gorgeous double roll of very vintage Louis W. Bowen Chinese Lattice (now manufactured by Quadrille/China Seas under the name Trellis Background and by Bob Collins & Sons as Chinese Lattice. It might end up in the pantry.

Louis W. Bowen Chinese Lattice

My wallpaper hanger is coming over on Wednesday morning for estimates on the guest bath and laundry room projects.

Have you used wallpaper in any unexpected places?

A closet?

A ceiling?

A pantry?

An armoire?

A bar?

Closet doors?

The backs of shelves?

I also have a stunning pair of Paul Montgomery Chinoiserie panels I have never used. And I have perfect spot for them.

Paul Montgomery Silver Leaf Panels

I would love to hear about your wallpaper projects (not on walls) for inspiration.

Old School/Grandmillennial

Valentino - Architectural Digest

I have saved this photo of Valentino's chateau outside of Paris for ages and I found it this morning and still adore it. This is the winter garden. Check out this other shot below of the same room with that stunning English Chinoiserie mirror. I adore all the Chinoiserie including the Chinese garden stool, ginger jars, figures, framed Chinese panels, the pagoda mirror, and that faux bamboo cocktail table that holds famille rose plates. The fringed banquette in mint green striped silk is to die for. This is so Old School, but is timeless, especially with its grandmillennial style.

Gray and Pink Chinoiserie

Frontgate

Here is a lovely color combination - gray and soft pink - I love the framed Chinoiserie panels and the pink wicker chairs. This would be a great color combination in a beach house and would pair beautifully with blue and white.

Classic Chinoiserie

Mark D. Sikes

A pair of blue and white Chinese garden stools and framed Chinoiserie panels adorn this classic interior.

The Skirted Table

Mark D. Sikes

Skirted tables, not long ago considered a bit dated, are everywhere nowadays. The look now is more oversized, tailored, and with great trim. I think a skirted table is one of the best spots for a collection of blue and white Chinese porcelain, or, as here, an eclectic mix that includes Chinoiserie. Here, in addition, the table is flanked by a blue and white Chinese garden stool and a pair of framed Chinoiserie panels. Do you have skirted tables in your home?

Blue and White

Pinterest

This wonderful blue and white room includes a framed Chinoiserie panel, a blue and white Chinese garden stool, and a bamboo chair.

Saturday Inspiration

Pinterest

Wonderful combination of blue and white Chinese porcelain, lucite, Brunschwig & Fils Les Touches fabric on the chairs, blue and white Chinoiserie framed panels, and pops of pink.

The Chinoiserie Living Room

Architectural Digest

This remains one of my favorite Chinoiserie rooms of all time with its Chinoiserie panels, ginger jars, Chinese garden stool, coffee table inset with famille rose plates, and Chinese figurines.

The Chinoiserie Living Room

Pinterest

The triple framed Chinoiserie panels and framed orchid in a blue and white Chinese porcelain cachepot are stunning touches in this monochromatic living room.

Classic Chinoiserie

Pinterest

Lovely example of old school Chinoiserie from the framed Chinoiserie panel, Chinese Chippendale trellis wallpaper, blue and white Chinese garden stool, rattan slipper chairs, and Chinese style coffee table.

The Chinoiserie Dining Room

Todd Richesin

Such a pretty color in this dining room  with mint green walls and matching de Gournay framed Chinoiserie panels.

The Chinoiserie Nursery

Pinterest

Framed Chinoiserie panels are a sophisticated choice in this nursery - the walls are painted in a favorite color of mine - Farrow & Ball Borrowed Light.

The Chinoiserie Living Room

One Kings Lane

Chinese porcelain, a Chinese ginger jar lamp, and a framed Chinoiserie panel accessorize this lovely living room.

Old School Chinoiserie

James Farmer

A lovely living room replete with Chinoiserie including a Chinoiserie panel, elephant garden stool, Chinese lamp, and blue and white Chinese porcelain.

The Chinoiserie Bedroom

Anne Pearson Design

A framed Chinoiserie panel and celadon Chinese garden stool add to the tranquility of this bedroom.

Chinoiserie Style

Mark D. Sikes

I am crazy about the use of a pair of Chinese gardens stools and the framed Chinoiserie panels.

The Chinoiserie Dining Room

Michael S. Smith

This dining room is stunning - my favorite features are the framed Chinoiserie panels and slipcovered dining chairs.