Today I'm honored to welcome Beth of Chinoiserie Chic (and Style Redux) for another installment of my Shop like a Design Blogger series. Beth is perhaps the first friend I made through blogging. We both started our blogs at about the same time and it's been so much fun to watch each other's blogs grow and evlove. She's been a great source of inspiration, support and encouragement for me since day 1. If you haven't explored both of her fantastic blogs yet (and shame on you then!), you simply must check them out.
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My blog is Chinoiserie Chic. In my daily postings, I indulge my passion and enthusiasm for all things Chinoiserie. The term "Chinoiserie" refers to Western interpretations of Chinese style in architecture, interiors, art, furniture, pottery, textiles, and gardens. It originated in Europe in the 17th century and is enjoying a resurgence today. This wonderful look works with literally any style of decorating. There is no house anywhere that would not be enhanced by some well chosen Chinoiserie. It works beautifully with French, English, Hollywood Regency, modern, you name it. Chinoiserie is fresh, whimsical, playful, and flexible, yet adds elegance, sophistication, and character to any room. I have no magical sources for Chinoiserie-it can be found anywhere! Start at 1stdibs. Whether or not you can afford to buy there, educate your eye. Then study the work of interior designers you love and who love Chinoiserie like Charlotte Moss, Alessandra Branca, Meg Braff, Ruthie Sommers, Mary McDonald, Miles Redd, Michael Smith, and many others. See how they use Chinoiserie. Learn about the style and decide what you like. Then go out and explore.
Here are my top ten tips for adding Chinoiserie to your home. Any of these ideas will add Chinoiserie flair to your home and can be found from budget to luxury:
Great Sources for Chinoiserie:
1. Farrow & Ball paint -- whether you need a Chinese red, a Chinese blue, a celadon, or an imperial yellow, the best paint money can buy.
2. Fromental, de Gournay, Gracie, Osborne & Little, Clarence House, Scalamandre, Designers Guild, Thibaut, and Phillip Jeffries for wallpaper.
3. Pigtown Design on Etsy (and Meg is a lovely fellow blogger) for pillows.
4. Quadrille/China Seas, Brunschwig & Fils, Thibaut, Schumacher, Cowtan and Tout, and Scalamandre for fabric. Check The Designer's Attic (another wonderful fellow blogger Shannon from Pink Wallpaper) daily for incredible deals on high end fabrics.
5. Caspari for paper products, chargers, lacquer trays.
6. iomoi for stationery, desk and home items.
7. Gump's, Horchow, Williams Sonoma Home, The Well Appointed House, and 1stdibs for high end online.
8. Etsy, eBay, One Kings Lane, and Craigslist for amazing finds online for everything.
9. Flea markets, thrifts stores, HomeGoods, and Tuesday Morning for great in person shopping.
10. My number one tip and source is to make eBay your friend. Can't afford Schumacher Chiang Mai Dragon, but love it? Keep checking on eBay and you will find it, especially if you are looking for just a yard or two of fabric. Many interior designers sell their designer samples and leftover fabric on eBay. I recently bought 7 yards of brand new Brunschwig & Fils Le Lac that retails for $390 a yard for $14 a yard because the seller didn't put down the name of the fabric and I spotted it. Be patient and what you are looking for will show up. My home is filled with fabulous finds from eBay.
Use what I have listed here as search terms on eBay and you will be delighted by what you will find. Happy Chinoiserie hunting!
Beth of Chinoiserie Chic
Next Week's Guest Blogger: Sarah from Haute Design.
