Category: chinoiserie

The Brighton Royal Pavilion: The Surprisingly Exotic Vision of George IV

There is nothing quite like the Brighton royal pavilion in the British Isles. Situated at the heart of Brighton, a seaside city south of London, stands what looks like an Indian palace. This Regency-style palace is the exotic vision of George IV, and its architecture is extraordinary. In the mid-1780s, as prince regent, George rented…


If Walls Could Dream

With the right decor, a room can be an experience, breathtaking and transportive. The master artisans at de Gournay, the world-famous British luxury interiors company, delight in curating these experiences. Delivering exquisitely hand-painted, custom-made wallpapers that fit a room like a couture dress, they’re reviving a pre-industrial Chinese art form—the laborious process that produces the…


Chinoiserie: Reimagining the East

How the whimsical, hand-painted wallcoverings have captured the imagination of artists and homeowners for centuries Precious exotic items from China, such as fine porcelain, silks, and lacquer panels started to trickle into Europe beginning in the early 16th century. These decorative items quickly gained popularity with Europe’s aristocracy. By the late 18th century, nearly all…


For the Love of Chinoiserie

Brendan and Kristan Kelly wished to create a house with interiors that respected their family heirlooms while honoring their love of the chinoiserie style, a European imitation of Chinese motifs in decorative arts, furniture, and architecture that became a popular aesthetic during the 17th and 18th centuries. They found the perfect match when they hired…