Rudyard Kipling’s famous quotation, “East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet” never proved to be less true than during the 17th and 18th centuries, when the Orient captivated the West in the form of chinoiserie design. Chinoiserie (French for “Chinese-like”) is defined as a fanciful European interpretation of Chinese, Japanese and Indian styles in the design of interiors, furniture, pottery, textiles and gardens.
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This house is filled with color and comfortable, beautiful furnishings thanks to designer Ian Stallings. Stallings has a fine arts background, so it’s no surprise he began with the art. “You can just assemble pretty things and make a good room,” he says. “But it’s so much more interesting if you tell a story. Art is a great way to begin the tale.
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Timeless furniture and accents seamlessly finish any look. These pieces—Danish glass vases, French accents, Turkish Oushaks, and Brazilian coffee-sack pillows, to name a few— have been handpicked from far-flung locales and offer a glorious sense of history. Article published on One Kings Lane
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Shop Vintage! As any designer will tell you, the secret to a great space is making it your own by combining pieces that personally resonate. Which means? Give yourself license to pick up whatever strikes your fancy: Deco chairs, antique ceramic pots, gorgeous pillows, cool pendant lights. Your eye will give the look its focus. Article published on One Kings Lane
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In unexpected materials and colors, these pieces don’t look like the heirlooms gathering dust in your aunt’s attic. But their classically inspired style and impeccable craftsmanship ensure that you and your family will enjoy them for decades, if not generations, to come.
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This British-themed selection—from Staffordshire plates to framed Union Jacks—combines traditional decor with a touch of urban opulence. It may inspire you to put on the kettle and bring out the Earl Grey.
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Whatever your taste in decoration, an element of visual contrast is a great way to make your home more interesting and personal. Something oppositional or unexpected awakens the senses. There are many ways to introduce invigorating contrast into a space, and art is one of the best. Here are some examples where modern art breathes life into traditional rooms.
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In the market for a new bookshelf? If you have an old ladder lying around, you might not need to hit the store. In fact, there are countless ways you can turn old objects into amazingly practical solutions for storing, displaying and organizing your stuff. Here are some of my favorites:
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I hate to break it to you, but designers don’t follow a secret rule book. There are no hard and fast laws governing what we do. We are creative types by nature and love to imagine, dream and explore, following our intuition. That said, there are some rough principles that guide us to ensure a great result every time. They are just tried and true things that work. And these aren’t tricks or skills that take years to master. Anyone can do them from day one. Consider this a foundation for developing your own quirky, creative, rule-breaking intuition.
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