Sunday, September 30, 2012

Sunday Inspiration - My Saturday Score


As much as I love eBay, there is nothing like a real auction house for antiques. I think it is essential to see in person the colors, condition, patina, and the like. I won these yesterday at auction in Alexandria at Potomack Company, a huge pair of Oriental Fantastical Ships - watercolor on silk signed and dated Leila de Dampierre - 1941. I have learned online that she was a French poet, artist, and illustrator. Many of you may have read this week all the national and international press about the "suspicious" Renoir that was originally to be auctioned yesterday at the same auction.

The bid estimate was $300 - $500 and I had decided not to go over $500. I was thrilled when bidding began that there were no absentee bids or online bidders - the kiss of death for getting a good price. I was able to snag them for $200, and minutes later I had them safely ensconced in my A3 Audi - this is one of the reasons I love a hatchback - and on their way to their new home. They will hang in my dining room - the colors are perfect. I will take pictures once they are up.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Saturday Inspiration


An inspiration board using Thibaut Cheetah wallpaper in orange and gorgeous vintage pieces from Property of a Lady.

Cecil Beaton


I came across this sketch by Cecil Beaton the other day of William Harrison and Mona Bush from Vogue 1937. Cecil Beaton was a photographer, writer, painter, interior designer, and stage and costume designer. Note the Chinoiserie wallpaper of course. This room looks quite modern. I've shown here rooms from today that look quite similar.

It reminded me also of how fantastic his book covers are. His books are wonderful to collect - keep your eyes open. They have become very hard to find and very pricey. I would love to find copies of the Chinese Album and Far East.

Southern Living

Tory Burch

Martha Angus

Lee Ann Thornton

de Gournay







Friday, September 28, 2012

Cheetah & Chinoiserie


I am wild about this Thibaut Cheetah wallpaper. I already loved mixing leopard and Chinoiserie (Pinterest board here). Now add cheetah to the mix. Thibaut is also not crazy expensive - Furbish, for example, sells it for $105.00 for two single rolls. I think this is going in my powder room. Above is my inspiration board on using it in an entryway.





Congratulations Aesthetic Oiseau


Daniela of Aesthetic Oiseau is celebrating three years of her wonderful blog today. We are both DC bloggers, Alexandria residents, and lovers of Chinoiserie. Moreover, she created the fantastic designs for my blogs Chinoiserie Chic and Style Redux. She also has a new follower of Chinoiserie Chic - a baby girl on the way in December. Congratulations my friend.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Inspiration Board - Greek Key Trim


Greek Key Trim


Are these colors fantastic or what? Use it to trim pillows, a lamp shade, curtains, a chair skirt hem.... Available here.

One Rug Challenge Part 2


Here we are in week two of the One Rug Challenge, also known as the Paint a Rug Party. Since there is no food or alcohol involved, I prefer to call it a "challenge" and not a "party." Click here to read last week's post on part one of this challenge.

This past week my goal was to locate a runner. In searching for a flat weave white runner, I discovered that they don't seem to exist. Jennifer from The Pink Pagoda had the same experience trying to locate one, so Linda from My Crafty Home Life made her one. Glad there are no rules here because...

I was at Crate and Barrel with a client looking at rugs and spotted this Olin runner (top right). Exactly what I was looking for and the black and white stripes are already done for me!!!!! The perfect size - 2' by 6',  a great price - $49.99, and all I have to do is paint one orange stripe and one pink stripe. I can do that and I will have painted my rug. Unless Linda will drive down from New Jersey and paint it for me.

Now I am off to delve into the crazy world of paint to use on a rug - do I use acrylic craft paint or latex with a fabric medium or fabric paint? Too bad this isn't a party - I need a drink....

Here are the participants -

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The Girl's Bedroom Inspiration Board


Here I have created an inspiration board for a girl's Chinoiserie bedroom using my fantasy colors for Scalamandre Zebras wallpaper. Any of the wallpaper colors would work well.

Anthropologie Italian Campaign Canopy Bed
Kartell Lou Lou Chair in Rose
Child's Egg Chair 
Fanella the Flamingo
Colorful Dragon Pillow
Greek Key Duvet
Coral Greek Key Bolster
Baby Blue Double Gourd Lamp

Dear Scalamandre


One of my favorite designs is Scalamandre's iconic Zebras. Its boldness and whimsy allow it to pair beautifully with Chinoiserie. These top two photos are fantasy versions that do not exist. (It does come in other colors besides red like black and brown but not colors I generally use!)

So "Dear Scalamandre: Please come out with Zebras in hot pink, light pink, lime green, orange, turquoise, and navy blue. This would make many of us very happy and would be a big seller for you. Sincerely, Chinoiserie Chic."



Jamie Meares - Furbish

Scalamandre Ad

Kips Bay Showhouse

Steven Stolman

Jamie Meares - Furbish

Jamie Meares - Furbish

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Sunday Inspiration


Fantastic room - saturated pink and blue upholstery, graphic black and white floor with squares laid on the diagonal (much more chic) and a Greek key border, an unexpected green chair, loads of tufting, softest blue walls, crazy good plants and planters, and Schumacher Chiang Mai Dragon pillows. Quite spectacular.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

My First Inspiration Board


I decided it was about time I started creating my own inspiration boards. I have no idea what I am doing, but this is my first stab at one using items I have recently posted on. Pretty cute.

Saturday Inspiration


Yes, there are other colors for lampshades besides white as these fabulous examples by Hillary Thomas (from her One Kings Lane Tastemaker Tag Sale) show - think hot pink, lime green, coral pink, Chinese red, or blush pink silk to dress up any vintage (or new) lamp. It is a great way to turn even a mediocre lamp (like some of these) into a showstopper.







Friday, September 21, 2012

Ikat, Suzani, & Chinoiserie

Alex Papachristidis
 Now that's a mouthful. A growing trend is mixing global influences, like combining ikat or suzani with Chinoiserie. Here are some fantastic examples including DIY ideas for that great vintage Chinese Chippendale or rattan chair you snag on Craigslist.

Jamie Meares

Elle Decor

Domicile Interiors

Veranda

Miles Redd

A Single Man

Veranda

House Beautiful

Ivy and Vine

Ivy and Vine

Ivy and Vine

Jayson Home & Garden

Ceylon et Cie