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Best of the Week: 22 Bright New Ways With Chinoiserie
Hybrid east-meets-west decorating styles enjoy a contemporary update, with sleeker lines and punchier colours
In the 17th and 18th centuries, many Europeans were obsessed with what was then considered exotic and oriental, thus giving birth to the chinoiserie style. Otherwise known as western decorating that reflects Chinese art or motifs, elements of chinoiserie have today been absorbed into traditional decor for countries such as the UK, France and the USA. But add a lashing of bold colour, some quirky art pieces and a little cheekiness, and this style can go from chintzy or stuffy to contemporary with a pop, as these 22 spaces demonstrate.
And remember, you can get more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
And remember, you can get more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
2. Location: Singapore
Designer: The Local INN.terior
Features: Chinese antique-style bar stools are painted white and bright yellow – instead of the traditional lacquered finish – to match this kitchen’s fun vibe.
Find an interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz to tie your decor style together
Designer: The Local INN.terior
Features: Chinese antique-style bar stools are painted white and bright yellow – instead of the traditional lacquered finish – to match this kitchen’s fun vibe.
Find an interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz to tie your decor style together
3. Location: Minneapolis, USA
Designer: Refined LLC
Features: The wallpaper’s stylised Chinese lattice pattern in coral gives this laundry a summery feel.
Designer: Refined LLC
Features: The wallpaper’s stylised Chinese lattice pattern in coral gives this laundry a summery feel.
4. Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Designer: Jessica Buckley Interiors
Features: Chinese Chippendale chairs were refinished and upholstered to match the bright pink hues in this living/dining space. Blue walls with a washed silk look add a preppy feel to the colour scheme.
Must-Know Chair: The Chinese Chippendale
Designer: Jessica Buckley Interiors
Features: Chinese Chippendale chairs were refinished and upholstered to match the bright pink hues in this living/dining space. Blue walls with a washed silk look add a preppy feel to the colour scheme.
Must-Know Chair: The Chinese Chippendale
5. Location: Singapore
Designer: Design Intervention
Features: The darker pink on the stylised chinoiserie-print wingback chair is picked up by the dark raspberry colour on the Chinese-gate console table, bringing a pleasingly feminine touch to this contemporary space.
Designer: Design Intervention
Features: The darker pink on the stylised chinoiserie-print wingback chair is picked up by the dark raspberry colour on the Chinese-gate console table, bringing a pleasingly feminine touch to this contemporary space.
6. Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Designer: Fantoush
Features: Bold blue and green become a refreshing mix with the white Chinese lattice pattern of this headboard.
Designer: Fantoush
Features: Bold blue and green become a refreshing mix with the white Chinese lattice pattern of this headboard.
7. Location: Denver, USA
Designer: Andrea Schumacher Interiors
Features: The Chinese antique-inspired design of these kitchen cabinets is a brilliant touch in this blue kitchen.
Designer: Andrea Schumacher Interiors
Features: The Chinese antique-inspired design of these kitchen cabinets is a brilliant touch in this blue kitchen.
8. Location: Singapore
Designer: Design Intervention
Features: Pastels take this chinoiserie-styled space from classic to contemporary-chic.
Designer: Design Intervention
Features: Pastels take this chinoiserie-styled space from classic to contemporary-chic.
9. Location: Dijon, France
Designer: Atelier Nadège Nari
Features: Chinese brush paintings and heirloom porcelains find a home in this custom-made, curved bookcase painted in the traditional chinaware colours of blue and white (with lashings of soft yellow).
Designer: Atelier Nadège Nari
Features: Chinese brush paintings and heirloom porcelains find a home in this custom-made, curved bookcase painted in the traditional chinaware colours of blue and white (with lashings of soft yellow).
10. Location: Singapore
Designer: Arete Culture
Features: In this space, lilac brings a more contemporary setting to the Asian antiques and artwork.
Designer: Arete Culture
Features: In this space, lilac brings a more contemporary setting to the Asian antiques and artwork.
11. Location: Virginia, USA
Designer: Susan Nelson Interiors
Features: A lacquered Chinese-frame chair in turquoise finds company in this cosy living room, surrounded by chinoiserie-print cushions and porcelain garden stools.
Designer: Susan Nelson Interiors
Features: A lacquered Chinese-frame chair in turquoise finds company in this cosy living room, surrounded by chinoiserie-print cushions and porcelain garden stools.
12. Location: Paris, France
Designer: Sara Camus Bouanha Architecte d’Intérieur
Features: The scallop-wave patterned wallpaper is a very subtle nod to Art Deco-era chinoiserie.
Designer: Sara Camus Bouanha Architecte d’Intérieur
Features: The scallop-wave patterned wallpaper is a very subtle nod to Art Deco-era chinoiserie.
13. Location: New York, USA
Designer: Reed & Acanthus Interior Design
Features: Eggshell blue brings a sweet touch to this well-coordinated space, filled with chinoiserie prints; while coral adds an edginess to it.
Designer: Reed & Acanthus Interior Design
Features: Eggshell blue brings a sweet touch to this well-coordinated space, filled with chinoiserie prints; while coral adds an edginess to it.
14. Location: Rome, Italy
Designer: studioQ
Features: Traditional pieces – such as the opium-leg coffee table, porcelain pieces and artwork – get a colourful and cheeky update from these Mah Jong sofas by Roche Bobois.
Designer: studioQ
Features: Traditional pieces – such as the opium-leg coffee table, porcelain pieces and artwork – get a colourful and cheeky update from these Mah Jong sofas by Roche Bobois.
16. Location: Atlanta, USA
Designer: Colordrunk Designs
Features: The celadon-green jars against the pink silk wall may seem seriously stately, but the Chinese garden-print curtain and contrasting turquoise chandelier make sure this dining room sees a lot of fun.
Designer: Colordrunk Designs
Features: The celadon-green jars against the pink silk wall may seem seriously stately, but the Chinese garden-print curtain and contrasting turquoise chandelier make sure this dining room sees a lot of fun.
17. Location: Singapore
Designer: Interior Design Journey
Features: Chinese Chippendale chairs in turquoise enliven this otherwise neutral dining space.
Designer: Interior Design Journey
Features: Chinese Chippendale chairs in turquoise enliven this otherwise neutral dining space.
18. Location: Valladolid, Spain
Designer: David Montero
Features: A pair of Chinese fashion prints watches over this Asian-inspired, contemporary dining space.
Designer: David Montero
Features: A pair of Chinese fashion prints watches over this Asian-inspired, contemporary dining space.
19. Location: Philadelphia, USA
Designer: Michele Plachter Design
Features: This is a very understated contemporary-chinoiserie chic space, with clean lines and more light, white pieces; but the nod to the east is very much present in the porcelain jars on the windowsill, the side tables and the brass details.
Designer: Michele Plachter Design
Features: This is a very understated contemporary-chinoiserie chic space, with clean lines and more light, white pieces; but the nod to the east is very much present in the porcelain jars on the windowsill, the side tables and the brass details.
20. Location: Moscow, Russia
Designer: Atelier Interior
Features: Chinese scrolls and a jewel-toned colour scheme bring the Asian flavour to this contemporary styled space.
Designer: Atelier Interior
Features: Chinese scrolls and a jewel-toned colour scheme bring the Asian flavour to this contemporary styled space.
21. Location: North Carolina, USA
Designer: Bradshaw Orrell
Features: Ornamental koi on the feature wall and a watercolour-soft colour palette add a contemporary chinoiserie touch to this refreshing space.
Designer: Bradshaw Orrell
Features: Ornamental koi on the feature wall and a watercolour-soft colour palette add a contemporary chinoiserie touch to this refreshing space.
22. Location: Northern Virginia, USA
Designer: Alison Giese Interiors
Features: Toile de jouy wallpaper depicting ancient Chinese scenery – but in this fun and contemporary colourway – gives this tiny powder room big personality.
Your turn
Which of these 22 contemporary spaces with chinoiserie touches do you love? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to save your favourite images, like this story, and join in the conversation.
More
Missed last week’s Best of the Week? Catch up here with Best of the Week: 21 Enviable Outdoor Fire Pit Set-Ups
Designer: Alison Giese Interiors
Features: Toile de jouy wallpaper depicting ancient Chinese scenery – but in this fun and contemporary colourway – gives this tiny powder room big personality.
Your turn
Which of these 22 contemporary spaces with chinoiserie touches do you love? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to save your favourite images, like this story, and join in the conversation.
More
Missed last week’s Best of the Week? Catch up here with Best of the Week: 21 Enviable Outdoor Fire Pit Set-Ups
Designer: Summer Thornton Design
Features: The bright blue banquette tones down the exuberance of the chinoiserie-print wallpaper. Bold, black-framed artworks add a modern, western touch and pick up the red of the wall sconces.