East Meets West: Creating a Chinoiserie Chic Home in the Modern Era
It all started with Europeans traveling the world and bringing a piece of their adventures back home from their Eastern trade routes. From luxury products such as porcelain, silk, decor, artworks, and lacquerware, the West fully embraced the fascination of a culture and place they were only starting to get to know in the 18th to 19th centuries. Thus, Chinoiserie was born.
The word “Chinoiserie” comes from the French word chinois, meaning “Chinese”. As an interpretation of oriental scenery, European artists would add elements such as fantastical landscapes, lush gardens, rapacious animals, and romantic florals and put them together with Rococo elements. The interior motif’s exotic appeal has become a hit among the upper crust of European society of their time.
Fast forward to the modern world, Chinoiserie is making a resurgence with a mixture of chic and modern interpretations to it. Here are some of the ways to make your home feel like an avant-garde European home.
Choose an exquisitely-printed wallpaper
A callback to mid-1800 European art, Chinoiserie wallpapers, which use Chinese and Asian motifs, adds depth to your walls. The oriental-inspired wall murals feature intricate florals and feathering creatures in jewel colors.
The designs became a popular hallmark in European houses with local artists modifying the Chinese elements through hand-drawn flowery shrub vignettes and shimmering bird cages. Decorate your walls with elegant coverings from Heim’s wide range of designs to suit your home’s design.
Add floral and avian accents
Aside from sprawling motifs on walls, birds and foliage-structured accent pieces emphasize the Chinoiserie aesthetic. The range of ornate decorative accessories from centerpieces to wall decor and furniture adds a luxurious touch to any part of your home.
The display is a mise en scène of grandiose embellishments by layering pattern, decoration, and color. Heim offers state-of-the-art pieces to adorn various spaces in your home.
Go for classic lacquered furniture
Choosing furniture for a Chinoiserie motif should have an emphasis on Chinese or Asian antique designs. As the theme is also a fusion of Western elements, mixing European furnishings with Rococo styles in vogue during that time period can further the exotic-cum-maximalist atmosphere.
You can play with designs from Heim and Nobizzi with their ornamented yet quality chairs, tables, and cabinets. Natuzzi, with its unique textures, provide utmost comfort with their top-of-the-line sofas perfect for a relaxing afternoon of reading or having your afternoon tea and snacks.
Glam up through colors
Aside from its maximalist style, the Chinoiserie is mostly known for its play on colors and texture. With its history originating from tradings between Europe and East Asia, the colors are an ode to Europeans’ fascination with Chinese, Japanese, and Indian culture and elements.
The colors can go bold or subtle with hints of metallic pigments making your place a whimsical site to behold combined with ornate furniture and decor.
A subtle flooring ensemble
With all its grandeur from wall coverings to furniture and decor, Chinoiserie flooring is more subtle and traditional to complement its maximalist trademark. To add a modern nod to your floor, choose wooden-finish tiles from Arte Ceramiche, Saigress, and Basel. Created from top-grade porcelain, the kaolin-made tiles are known for their durability, and low-maintenance material, and are scratch, stain, fading, and liquid-resistant.
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