A touch of the Orient

Chinoiserie stories…

It sounds oh so fancy, but what is chinoiserie? Originating in the 17th century and hitting a peak in popularity in the 18th century, Chinoiserie meaning ‘chinese’ in french is an exuberant, oriental-inspired design. Traditionally focussing on subjects which are typical of chinese culture, Chinoiserie tells its own unique story.

In the home

Enough history, let’s get to the good stuff!

I love chinoiserie, and its’ boldness. It’s not for the fainthearted is it. But I love that there’s an interpretation for everyone. This a trend which can fit in with any colour scheme; neutral or bold.

The least intimidating way of introducing the style to your home is via accessories and finishing touches. White and blue porcelain lamps look simply beautiful against an all-white or neutral backdrop . This timeless and sophisticated style is very ‘country living’ and adds a touch of understated tradition to any room. Whilst I generally tend to associate this bold style with period properties , I do think the light / neutral adaptation could work well in more modern spaces, to add new-found character.

For the bold and brave, wallpapers and murals are the perfect Chinoiserie statement. Wallpaper Direct has an amazing selection. here are some of my favourites.

Want to see more? Graham and Brown’s The House of Wallpaper museum shows the production process for printing their beautiful designs onto wallpaper. Geek alert indeed!