Category: chinoiserie

Quest for the Perfect Powder Room Wallpaper

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I may not have executed it all, but I at least have plans for just about every room in the new house except the downstairs half bath.  Here is its current state.
The rest of the house is rather neutral so I decided to go bold with this room as it’s small and low risk.  I’ve got a huge white carved wood mirror for the back wall and the corner sink will soon be replaced by a square pedestal sink.  I’ve decided to go blue and white with the wall and I’ve been desperately searching for the perfect wallpaper pattern.  Here are my favorites so far!
I love this wallpaper print but I’m afraid the repeat is too small and would be overwhelming in a small bathroom.
This wallpaper has a larger print, which I love, but has more white than blue, which I don’t love.
I think I REALLY love this chinoiserie navy print wallpaper but it’s sooooo bold.  I’m just a little apprehensive but part of me says I should just take the pluge.

I think this print, like first one, is too small and would make a guest to our half bath dizzy!!

Wallpaper is so difficult to decide on.  It can easily get too stuffy and outdated. I’m hoping that this mix of traditional colors but with a fun, bold pattern would be the perfect way to keep it fresh.  Which do you like best??  (Hint, hint:  I’m trying to get you people to comment!)
~Katie
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A Little Living Room Inspiration

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A sweet friend of mine, Meg Cook, whom I recently purchased some fabulous art from, sat down with me to do a little brainstorming for my living room.  While I love the french blue color of our wall, I find myself struggling to incorporate any non-neutral colors with it. I splurged a few weeks ago on a cowhide rug that I’M IN LOVE WITH and it gave me an itching to update the room a little bit…give it a little more “wow” factor.  The bold rug was making everything around it look so boring in comparison.  I felt myself hitting a wall and called her up for some advice.  Her advice was to incorporate a burnt orange color in the room with accessories.  So far I’ve added two of these burnt orange pillows to my sofa.
These are Celerie Kemble’s Betwixt pattern in “Spark” which is a lovely shade I’d call burnt orange.  I love them!  They add a pop of color and the pattern is transitional so it blends with both the modern and traditional elements in the room.  I’m still working on finding a complementary fabric to do some additional pillows….but now I’ve set my sights on the wall above the sofa.  My husband gave me an Mary Bryan New York skyline painting that now rests above the fire place opposite of this wall and I’m thinking I’d like a mirror to reflect that painting so that you notice it as soon as you walk in the room.  The problem is a big mirror over the sofa is….well….boring…right?
Right now the wall has four vintage car prints but the wall is large and looks sparse and I’m ready for a change.  Which leads me to my inspiration photo.
Isn’t is lovely?!  This living room is much more traditional than mine but I think the gallery of sunburst mirrors is a fun eclectic touch (even a tad modern) which is exactly what I’m looking to incorporate into my living room. I have two sunburst mirror in other rooms of the house that I can repurpose into the leaving room but I need at least three more and I’m hoping to find some vintage/antique ones to add in.  And so the search begins…..

Bedroom Choices: Chinoiserie or Cottage? Help Me Decide!

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So my Waverly Olana drapes have officially been hung and now the decisions start rolling in! Once hung, I began to realize that drapes are definitely going to be game changers in our bedroom.  And after staring at the pattern for what seems like hours (I’m a little obsessed), I’ve decided the room can go one of two ways:  Chinoiserie inspired by my new favorite blog Chinoiserie Chic or Cottage style (which is kind of my safe place).  

Here’s an idea of what’s going on in the room currently:
Tufted headboard, sunburst mirror over vintage bamboo dresser, and a jute rug, a few lamps, etc etc…  I don’t hate it by any means, but compared to my dramatic drapes, it’s a little…well, bland.
Let’s take a look at Option 1:
Add in a coordinating fabric with a bamboo/chinoiserie vibe to it, a bamboo mirror (but preferably one without the $600 Horchow price tag), my favorite painting by my all-time favorite artist, Patrice Brunet (I wish!  But, hey, a girl can dream), and a ceramic stool for a little bit of seating.  Overall, it’s got a Chinoiserie feel to it, but it’s not too over the top or “theme-y.”
Here’s Option 2:
Add in a traditional striped fabric for possibly a bedskirt and some throw pillows, some monograms (of course), a few chippy pots/vases from Anthropologie, and a random antique chair that I’m sure I can find a Urban Suburban.
My first instinct play it safe with cottage style, but part of me wants to do something a little more bold and dramatic.  That’s where you come in faithful readers…I need you comments, questions, and suggestions! Help me decide and leave a comment below!
Thanks!