Dreams, Coming True

Friends! I'm here! And I'm going to put Scalamandre's Shanghai wallpaper in my new dining room. Dreams do come true.

I have so many updates. So, so many. But really, few beat this bit of news re: wallpaper. I've had the sample taped up in the dining room for a couple of months now. And Carter Shuffler is on board. I was preparing Power Point presentations to convince him that using this paper would be a solid move that would pay dividends in the future. High ROI. But he was in agreement pretty much immediately. Good man.

I have plans for painted moulding and a lipstick red lantern light fixture. So many good things to come with this house....

But they aren't here yet. We still have moving boxes tucked into every corner. Our new microwave and dishwasher might be sitting in our living room. But we'll get there. I'm actually pretty happy that we are taking our time. Not only because doing work on the house will be so disruptive (hello three kids) so I'm avoiding starting, but also because we are being v thoughtful with each decision.

I've missed y'all! Haven't quite worked out what my regular posting schedule will be like, but I hope to start ramping up and getting back to you with some regularity.

xoxo

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Friday Crush

Mark D. Sikes - always winning in my book. His work is timeless and often infused with my beloved Chinoiserie. Case in point 👆. You should check out the whole apartment here - it's a zinger. Also, these walls appear to be a very light lavender...a color that doesn't really appear anywhere in the room's accoutrement. Take note - I like that trick of using an "off" color for your walls that you don't really repeat but I find it provides a nice contrasting backdrop to add interest.

Cross your fingers, I think I scored a great campaign dresser for Mac's upcoming big boy room. It is not in my possession yet, but hope to grab it this weekend. Hope your weekend is either relaxing or exciting...see you next week!

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Harrison Howard Fabric

Big news. One of my favorite artists - renowned  creator of fanciful Chinoiserie works, Harrison Howard - has.......wait for it.......FABRIC.

And it's beautiful and incredibly affordable.

Are you beside yourself with joy?? Imagine all of that Chinoiserie wonder gracing curtains in your dining room! I know...it's a lot to take in. Especially at under $25/yard.

The full line that I have seen is available at housefabric.com here. I have yet to do my due diligence to see if it's being carried anywhere else (I think it might be exclusive) or if there are more fabrics in the line. But this sampling is plenty and wonderful. Enjoy!

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Safavieh Stools

Garden stools are perpetually on my radar. Great size, highly versatile, instantly chic.

Their popularity isn't going anywhere and I just found these blue/white numbers from Safavieh that are perfectly perfect:

At under $100, I think a mismatched pair flanking a settee would be lovely and affordable. Although garden stools are a little easier to come by in retail these days, I do think finding blue and white ones is harder and these are quite pretty.

Shop these three here, here, and here.

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Catch Me in the Washington Post!

Friends, I'm so excited to share that The Washington Post recently asked me to weigh in on their Splurge or Save column...and it's available today!

I got to pick a subject of my choice so, naturally, I picked Chinoiserie.

Head on over to the online edition and see my picks for worthy splurges and smart savings for some of my favorite, classic Chinoiserie items.

And for locals, pick up the print edition and check out the Local Living section.

Special thanks to Megan McDonough for reaching out and including me.

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Katie Rosenfeld NYC

It's been a while since I've written about one of my favorite designers - Katie Rosenfeld - and, boy, do I have a doozy for you today.

Check out this maximalist New York City apartment...Katie and her client did not hold back and the results are stunning.

My personal favorite space is the bedroom featuring Les Touches with that punctuation of spring green. But every space is thrilling to look at with hearty doses of Chinoiserie and color.

Check out the full apartment here, along with some notes on the design from Katie...

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Friday Crush

Image and design via Eddie Ross

Eddie Ross always has the Midas touch...and this Insta peek at how his master bathroom is shaping up at his new house is pretty much everything that is right with the world. The blue/green Le Lac colorway is iconic and coupled with that tile, this will be #bathroomgoals. Can't WAIT to see this one in its final state. 

Summer has begun. We'll be hitting the pool and Ana Claire will make her dance debut in her first recital. Hope your weekend has fun plans. See you next week!

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Yangtze River Dining Room

I've had this dining room plan floating around in my head for a while.

It started with Schumacher's Yangtze River fabric in Aubergine:

I'd use it for the curtains. Then I'd paired it with lime green grasscloth walls:

Then would come the perfect dining chairs to work back to the fabric. Ballard Design's 12th Street Chair in Linen Magenta for side chairs:

And Ballard's Cortina Chair in Linen Peony for the head chairs:

I'd want a very modern dining table. Something like a blonde wood waterfall situation or sleek marble, like this Atlas Dining Table from Zuo Modern:

Then I'd soften it all with a pair of powder blue lamps ...

perched atop a fancy antique sideboard like this one:

All very low-key and budget-friendly 😉

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Friday Crush

Perfectly lovely. Design by Collins Interiors. Wallpaper by Schumacher. Gray with pastels doesn't often occur to me, but it's now on my radar. And the warm wood of that chair coupled with the lucite table and soft lavender shades is divine.

The perfect way to ease into the weekend. Hope it's a good one for you. See you next week!

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Friday Crush

I reminded myself this week about Griffin and Wong wallpapers...like this one. For the day when I have my grown up house and do adult things like paper walls with scenic landscapes. And this one is giving me a wintry vibe that I wish my real life was giving me. I am not into 60 degrees in January. I adore winter's chill...as Carter notes, I'm an indoor cat.

Have a fabulous weekend. See you next week!

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Chinoiserie Christmas Dream

Someone has been holding out on me.

I didn't know the blog Chez V existed. And although these photos are old news from 2014, they are perfectly relevant for any Chinoiserie-lover decorating for Christmas.

All images via Chez V

This image below is from a different post I can't track down, but let me tell you, the pink poinsettia inside the blue/white porcelain is pretty much everything to me right now:

I have never had hot pink poinsettias at Christmas...but this year I WILL. I am planning a whole Christmas table around them and I couldn't be more excited about it. And then I saw this picture. And I may never have another Christmas in my life without pink poinsettias.

Aside from the pink plants, this whole Christmas situation above is amazing. The magnolia leaves, those stockings, the tree...all of it. We are getting a slow start to Christmas decorating this year, but I'm hoping to knock most of it out this weekend and will be referencing these photos as I go.

😍💕🎄 (<--Emoji in blogger. #finally)

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Chinoiserie Toile Fabric Score

Fabric house Waverly is once again bringing its Chinoiserie A-game. I recently discovered this fabric - Haiku Toile Chintz Noir - and it's really, really good.

So is the Indigo colorway:

And it's around $17-$20 a yard. That's phenomenal. Now, I'm not sure it's up to the task of upholstery (sadly) but you are looking at ridiculous curtains or pillows or a bedskirt. I love the light, airy feel of this toile. Nothing crazy and heavy...just delicate monotone shades that depict lovely little scenes.

I ran a Google search for you so you can shop it at various places and in some additional colorways - click here to see the options.

Do tell if you use it.

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Chinamania in the 21st Century

DC friends - if you are a lover of Chinese porcelain, head over to the Ring Auditorium at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden this Sunday, October 2, from 3 - 4:30pm. The Smithsonian Freer|Sackler Gallery is putting on a panel discussion - Chinamania in the 21st Century - about the West's enduring fascination with our beloved blue and white vessels. And it's free!

Artists, scholars, and critics explore the West’s enduring fascination with Chinese porcelain in this moderated panel discussion. Listen in as the group discusses Chinese porcelain’s influence on such areas as the global trade economy, collecting, production, and contemporary art and scholarship. 

This program is held in conjunction with Chinamania, the last in a series of special exhibitions organized in conjunction with Peacock Room REMIX. Along with Kangxi porcelains, the exhibition includes works by contemporary sculptor Walter McConnell that were inspired by his travels to China and by the nineteenth-century British craze for Chinese ceramics.

Unfortunately, I can't go, but I would definitely be there otherwise. This sounds quite interesting. Do attend if you can!

Happy Friday - see you next week!

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Friday Crush

How fun is this?? One of my readers, Merlyn, took my coral bedroom from yesterday's post and brought it to life!!  This tickled me in so many ways. I'm always hoping that the little nuggets I give you here and there can inspire bigger things, so I LOVE seeing how Merlyn took it all the way. Those lamps are killer! Thank you, Merlyn!

Hope you have something fun on tap this weekend. This week was nuts, so I'm happy for some downtime. See you next week!

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Catalog Pick: Chippendale Headboard

Chinoiserie lovers, put this one on your radar - the new Dayna Headboard from Ballard Designs:

It's a Chippendale Chinoiserie dream. And it's on sale with Queen and Twin under $400 (no King, though).

I wish it came in more colors, but I have to say that doubling up on these would be phenomenal in a double bedroom. And the price point is palatable.

Happy hump day!

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Forbidden City Fabric

Looking for fabric for a client, I came across this gem. I will not bury the lead - it's $7.49/yard at Calico Corners.

That's insanity. It's called Forbidden City in Feather Gray.

If you like neutrals that kick it up a notch, this should be your jam. And if you use it for upholstery, I would highly suggest a contrast welt in that cinnamon tone.

My brain is hard at work thinking where I can use this...or perhaps I should just purchase and hoard. That's always an option.

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Herend Forains d'Orient

Let me be clear that I have fallen in love with many a china pattern in my lifetime. Many.

But this week, I found my soulmate.

Herend's Forains d'Orient:

The Chinoiserie motif is obviously on point....but the gold borders, scalloped edge (!), polka-dot background and saturated hues are what make this pattern above and beyond anything I've seen.

Like so many things I love, these items are luxe. So instead of setting my table with various sets, I'll need to pump the brakes and narrow in on one statement piece that I can own.

[insert heart-eyes emoji]

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Oasis by Harrison Howard for Caspari

Two of my most absolute favorites have teamed up once again - Harrison Howard and Caspari - for a fantastic new line of paperware, perfect for ushering in beach season.

Take a look at Oasis:

image via Caspari's Instagram

Harrison's art is breathtaking and I love that Caspari knows just what to do with it. The combination is always spectacular.

I basically hoard Caspari products - it's the easiest way to dazzle guests...just break out some beautiful napkins - so I'm sure this collection will be joining my stash.

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