Chinoiserie Style

Samantha Todhunter Design

I had the most wonderful week here in my little paradise and I am looking forward to kicking back this weekend. I hope you are too. Yesterday my gorgeous gold bamboo flatware arrived. Remember when I said it was 46 pieces? My lovely eBay seller had 8 additional teaspoons that she included as a little gift. Today they all get a little bath and polish.

My Gold Bamboo Flatware Finds

via Weston Table

When I was working on the post the other day on bamboo flatware, I looked to see what was available on eBay. I happened upon a brand new vintage set of discontinued Reed & Barton Gold Regal Bamboo flatware still in its plastic sleeves and box - eight place settings and six serving pieces. There was a serious bidding war, but I was able to snag it in the last few seconds.  This flatware is highly collectible and I have never seen a brand new complete set. Sellers generally sell it by the piece. Lucky find. Here it is below.

Online Framing

Willa Heart on Etsy

My daughter Kate surprised me with these darling prints for the new house from one of her favorite Etsy shops Willa Heart. I think they will be wonderful in the kitchen or breakfast room.

Willa Heart on Etsy

 I think I will have them framed in gold bamboo. Has anyone used Framebridge? It sounds so easy - included in the price, they send you a mailer, you mail them back, and they ship you your framed art. Framebridge gets rave reviews and their prices are great. Tons of bloggers recommend them highly, so I am going to give them a try. Especially now, online is the way to go.

Framebridge

Framebridge

The Chinoiserie Bedroom

Domino

A gilded bamboo canopy bed really pops in this monochromatic modern bedroom.

Blue and White Plus Hot Pink

Society Social

Society Social's Ming Grasscloth Console beautifully styled with a gold faux bamboo lamp and hot pink touches. I love the blue and white floral wallpaper.

Gold Bamboo

via Muffy Takes Manhattan

Gilded Faux Bamboo

Nate Berkus - A pair of gold Chinese Chippendale chairs

We have all seen lots of vintage brass faux bamboo pieces as well as metal faux bamboo painted gold. But I am becoming increasingly intrigued with the idea of either gilding or painting gold a vintage faux bamboo piece of wooden or rattan furniture. I love gold bamboo mirrors and picture frames and this would be a fresh way to use it. Here is some inspiration.

A gold fretwork stool

Ralph Lauren's gold fretwork side table

The Pink Pagoda & The Palm Beach Look

Devon Baer was featured in the latest issue of Matchbook and I was thrilled to see her giclees by The Pink Pagoda. I have said this a hundred times, but you will never go wrong framing Chinoiserie art in gold bamboo frames - such a natural. I posted the bottom photo because I love the idea of blue and white Chinese porcelain in the fireplace for a summer look.

Gold Faux Bamboo Bar High/Low

This gold faux bamboo server by Baker is one of my favorite all time Chinoiserie pieces - fabulous but also fabulously pricey. It is pictured here in the first three photos. The bottom photo is my new great find at a fraction of the price. It is somewhat smaller, but still a great size for a bar. Both have the gold bamboo frame and the mirrored shelves.

High - Baker

Low - Lamps Plus

One That Got Away

I want a gilt faux bamboo chandelier with bells so badly. I lost out on this on eBay the other night in the closing seconds. It will probably turn up on 1st dibs at about ten times the price it went for. My dining room really needed this. Oh well....

Vintage Italian Toile Gold Bamboo Stand

Available on Etsy, this would make an incredible side table with a piece of marble or with a great tray. Or use it as a luggage stand in the guest bedroom. Either way-super chic. Just listed-see it here. (Update-sold!)

Gilded Bamboo Umbrella Stand

I love a beautiful umbrella stand in an entryway. One makes an especially nice focal point in a tiny entry where furniture is not possible. This gold iron faux bamboo version fits the bill perfectly. Find it here.

Chinoiserie Frames

My go-to frame for Chinoiserie works of art has long been gold bamboo. It is without question an elegant and natural choice. On One Kings Lane yesterday I spotted these Japanese woodblocks with gold fretwork frames. I think this fretwork molding makes a lovely new addition to my framing repetoire that I will be on the lookout for.