The Chinoiserie Dining Room

This dining room by Martyn Lawrence Bullard incorporates many of my favorite dining room elements such as -

*Chinoiserie wallpaper
*pagoda chandelier
*bare dark hardwood floors
*silk curtains
*leather dining chair seats

I have all of these in my dining room except for the leather seating that is on my eventual to do list. Right now I am enjoying the Cowtan and Tout Malabar fabric on my chairs - a velvet epingle animal print I got from a Mary McDonald One Kings Lane sale.

House Beautiful describes the room as "formal, with a glamorous, young point of view," designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard says. He designed the silver-leafed chairs, covered in leather in Frost by Garrett Leather. The ball-and-claw-foot table is also his design. "We're so used to seeing things that are streamlined and made for pure ease of use these days, it's nice to add some whimsy into a room." One more such touch: the chandelier, based on one he saw in George IV's exotic Regency pleasure palace, Brighton's Royal Pavilion. Hand-painted silk wallpaper from Stark.

I have been wanting leather dining room seats ever since seeing this gorgeous dining room by Grant K. Gibson. The idea of green leather sounds wonderful.

Pagoda Chandeliers in Dining Rooms

My pagoda chandelier went up in my dining room this past week and it is gorgeous! I'm just waiting on one little addition before I show it to you, hopefully this coming week. You can read more about the chandelier here and here. It's really a great story. I love pagoda chandeliers in dining rooms - here are some wonderful examples. I can't wait for you to see mine.

Design Your Own Custom Chinese Chippendale Chairs

I would love to introduce you to Charlotte & Ivy's gorgeous Custom Chinese Chippendale Dining Chair where you are the designer. With dozens of combinations and excellent prices, these chairs will turn your dining room or breakfast room into the eating space you have always wanted. There is even a gold crackle finish that I would love for my own dining room. This chair is available as a side chair only at the present time. I have shown you below that using all armless Chinese Chippendale dining chairs is a very hot and modern look, especially with round tables. With a rectangular table, use all matching Custom Chinese Chippendale Chairs or mix things up by adding two upholstered chairs. These chairs are only $369 each (minimum of 4) with free shipping! Be sure to check out their entire site - it is utterly fabulous.

INTRODUCING CHARLOTTE & IVY'S CUSTOM CHAIR

This gorgeous custom Chinese Chippendale dining chair has a Chippendale fretwork back and a beautiful upholstered seat.  Choose from dozens of color combinations. The classic style dates back to the 18th century but compliments so many modern and traditional decor beautifully. Match these dining chairs to a mahogany or a painted wood table for a dining room everyone will envy.

You're the designer!  Pick a finish, color, fabric, and a custom level (heavy or light) of finish hand-distressing. Your perfect creation will be worth waiting for!

• Custom paint and upholstery is finished by hand for each customer!

• Choose from light or heavy hand distressing.

• Optional premium gold crackle finish option for upcharge. Gorgeous!

• Most orders ship freight in approx 14-20 weeks from date of order.

• Minimum order of 4 dining chairs.  

• *Check back!  An arm chair option may be available soon.  See the Andover Chair to add as a pair of arm chairs.

Charleston Dining Room - Southern Chinoiserie

This Charleston dining room is a lovely example of "Southern Chinoiserie,"  a look that prevails in Alexandria, Virginia where I live. In this style dining room, crystal chandeliers, real Persian rugs, blue and white Chinese porcelain, and mahogany furniture are "required." The deep coral and turquoise blue of the Persian rug, the use of the dramatic Farrow & Ball wallpaper Lotus, the simple white curtains, and the oversized ginger jar make it "New Traditional" and keep it fresh.

Do you recall where we've seen Lotus wallpaper used before? In the NYC kitchen of Ryan Korban shown below, also with a large ginger jar. You can see how this pattern adds drama to any room. Another more modern approach used here is a single large ginger jar as opposed to a smaller pair. The Pink Pagoda has a lovely selection including large sizes that would make a real focal point.

Blue and White Dining Room DIY

I am crazy about this room I first saw via The Pink Pagoda. When I researched it thinking it was very expensively done, I was very pleasantly surprised. The chairs are from Ikea. I suspect they are the Harry at $49.99 that they slipcovered in a blue and white stripe. One could also use Henriksdal for $89.99 that you can get with a long white slipcover. The really big surprise is that the slipcovers were stenciled with Chinoiserie designs. A fabulous DIY. The Stencil Library has a huge selection.

Eddielicious just left a comment about a wonderful Waverly blue and white Chinoiserie toile that is an indoor/outdoor fabric that could be used for the slipcovers in lieu of stencilling at $10.98 a yard. Thanks for the great find - link and photo at bottom of post.

For the dining table you could find a great vintage version or use the classic and budget friendly West Elm Parsons Dining Table in Chocolate Oak.

Roman shades take very little fabric (usually a couple yards per window) so they are a budget friendly choice. I have shown two blue and white Chinoiserie fabrics I like, but there are many options out there in every price range.

Henriksdal

Harry

West Elm Parsons Dining Table

Yosca Blue

Robert Allen Full Sails

Waverly Palm Palace

New Dining Room Inspiration Board and the Color Purple

Wouldn't this be a fun and glamorous dining room? The walls are painted a soft lavender. The glass dining table and faux bamboo mirror are vintage. I love the pale aqua color of the mirror. The gilded faux bamboo server is Baker. Similar lotus lamps are available at Pottery Barn. The rug is cowhide dyed to look like zebra available at many sources. The fantastic chandelier and chairs are by Marjorie Skouras Designs.

Do you use purple or lavender in your own home? People seem to either love it or hate it. I have created a board on Pinterest with great inspiration for combining purple or lavender and Chinoiserie. Liz Caan Interiors has collaborated with Scalamandre on the iconic Zebras wallpaper in purple. Isn't this fantastic? This would be spectacular in a powder room.

A Chinoiserie Christmas - Mary McDonald's Dining Room

Isn't this gorgeous? I especially love the way she integrates Chinoiserie - pagodas, a blanc de Chine figure, and a Chinese jar with the paperwhites and greenery on the sideboard.