#10 - The Top Ten Chinoiserie Trends for 2014

The Rinfret Group

Today we look at my final Chinoiserie trend for 2014. I enlisted the help of my friends at 

Charlotte & Ivy, my go-to gals for the the elegant Chinoiserie home as to emerging trends in Chinoiserie. Charlotte & Ivy is the Goldilocks and the Three Bears of home furnishings sources. Some stores are too boring, or too stodgy, or too expensive. Others are too trendy, or too hip, or too cheap. Charlotte & Ivy is just right. They have such a wonderful eye for classic pieces for your home that will never go out of style. Their trend for 2014 is "Classic Chinoiserie." I couldn't agree more. Here are the Chinoiserie trends we have looked at so far - 

#1 - Mixing Gold, Silver, and Chinoiserie

#2 - Mixing African and Chinoiserie

#3 - Navy and Chinoiserie

#4 - Chinoiserie Chic Color of the Year 2014 - Baby Flamingo Lavender Gray

#5 - Gray and Chinoiserie

#6 - Bold Greek Key

#7 - Brass
#8 - Pale Pink as a Neutral

#9 - Blue and White Chinese Porcelain

I hope that what strikes you about many trends on this list is that this year you will see a very strong and marked return to the iconic, traditional, and timeless classics of Chinoiserie. It may be Chinoiserie used in fresh and modern ways like with lavender or pink walls, oversized Greek key, perhaps a piece of African tribal art, but at its essence it is what you know, love, and likely already have much of in your home. 

I asked Charlotte & Ivy to create an inspiration board with some of their favorite classic Chinoiserie pieces from Charlotte & Ivy.

I was not surprised that it includes many of the pieces on my list of my favorite classic Chinoiserie pieces for your home. Perhaps you have some of these already, handed down from your grandparents or parents so they hold special memories for you. Perhaps, like me, you have started collecting Chinoiserie on your own because something about it resonated with you. When I started adding Chinoiserie to my own home, it truly became my home. Perhaps you are looking to add a special piece or two to your home this year.

The Classics - 

*Blue and White Chinese Porcelain

*The Chinese Chippendale Chair

*The Pagoda Mirror

*Greek Key

*The Chinese Garden Stool

*Hand Painted Silk Chinoiserie Wallpaper or Panels

*Classic Chinoiserie Fabrics and Wallpapers

*Ginger Jars

*The Gourd Lamp

*Black and Gold Lacquered Chinoiserie Furniture

*Gilded/Gold Chinoiserie

*The Chinese Lantern

*The Pagoda Chandelier

I hope you have enjoyed my series on my Top Ten Chinoiserie Trends for 2014 and that it may serve as inspiration to you in continuing in 2014 to make your home a place you love.

Black and White - The Chinese Chippendale Chair

Another trend in Chinoiserie I see for 2014 is the Chinese Chippendale chair in classic white or black. Although I love this iconic chair in every color of the rainbow, to me there is nothing more beautiful than the timeless elegance of black and white. Charlotte & Ivy has just introduced their "Charlotte" Chinese Chippendale dining arm chair and side chair. They spent months designing their Charlotte chair and the attention to detail is absolute perfection. I think it is the most beautiful Chinese Chippendale chair available. See it here and they are offering special Introduction Pricing through the end of January. As always at Charlotte & Ivy, shipping is free which, as we all know when ordering larger pieces like furniture, is a big deal.

Introducing a Charlotte & Ivy exclusive design -- Our signature Chinese Chippendale dining chairs are solid mahogany, with faux bamboo finish, classic Chippendale back, and a beautiful upholstered linen seat. Available in both armchair and sidechair versions, the Charlotte & Ivy Chinese Chippendale dining chair is bench-made and hand-finished in white paint with a satin sheen or special order in black paint or french cherry stain. We created these chairs after finding the marketplace lacking in good options. These custom made chairs are expertly designed and solidly crafted. We love the elegance of the arm curve and the tapered legs. These chairs offer the refined grace demanded in a very formal dining room but can still be fabulous in a casual setting. 

The classic Chinese Chippendale style dates back to the 18th century but complements both modern and traditional decor styles beautifully. Match these dining chairs to a mahogany or a painted wood table for a dining room everyone will envy.

·       A Charlotte & Ivy Exclusive Design

·       Custom built and designed out of solid mahogany

·       Classic French linen pop seat for easy fabric change out or cane

·       Ships in quantities of 2

I hope this gallery of rooms with black and white Chinese Chippendale chairs will inspire you. And note how many ways there are to use these chairs -

*An entire set in your dining room
*A pair at the head and foot of the dining table with contrasting side chairs
*As side chairs in the dining room with a pair of upholstered chairs at the head and foot of the table
*In the breakfast room
*A pair in the entryway
*As occasional chairs in the living room, family room, or bedroom
*As a desk or vanity chair

The Frances Elkins Loop Chair

I have two favorite chairs - one of course is the Chinese Chippendale chair. The other is the loop chair. These are both timeless classics that are beloved by interior designers and those with exquisite taste. I even have a Pinterest board on The Iconic Loop Chair.

The loop chair was created by American designer Frances Elkins in the 1930s. Although she is not perhaps as well known as others like Billy Baldwin or Dorothy Draper, she left an indelible mark on design. She, for example, was one of the first designers in the 20th century to use antiques and modern pieces together. The loop chair though was her crowning glory. Its timeless modern elegance will define any room in which you use it.

1st dibs and antique dealers are great sources for antique and vintage versions. Unfortunately, a set of four can easily run $10,000. Here is a set of six for $25,000. Even modern reproductions can run close to $3,000 per chair.

Charlotte & Ivy has just introduced the loop chair above priced at $559 for the side chair and a $65 upcharge for the arm chair version. Shipping is free. It ships in sets of two. This fabulous chair is made from durable mahogany wood and features a designer favorite ribbon loop design. The gorgeous black hand rubbed finish is contrasted with sleek cream cotton seats.

Charlotte & Ivy Loop chair - arm chair

Below is an inspiration board I created featuring a loop chair and wonderful examples of the loop chair used in various ways from dining chairs, accent chairs in a living room, a desk chair, even kitchen stools. The loop chair combines beautifully with Chinoiserie, as you will see in several rooms below.