Chinoiserie Style Deja Vu

I guess sometimes things are meant to be.  I posted earlier last month about regretting having lost out on a Chinoiserie style bamboo desk and chair setting.  Not too long after I couldn't believe my good luck at finding a second setting and what's more in much better, almost pristine vintage condition!  Enough said I didn't hesitate at making sure I didn't let this one go.  So here it is sitting in a snug corner of our apartment.  I'm looking forwards to sitting in this little nook organising bits and pieces.

No doubt I have mentioned myriad times how much I love blue and white and lucky me I received this beautiful print as a birthday gift from Oi Lai of delicate blue and white Chinoiserie porcelain. Can't wait to get it framed, perhaps in a brass faux bamboo frame. Our birthdays are exactly one week apart and I have a lovely little something for her too but will post a bit later!

Bamboo Style

I am still thinking about this vintage bamboo Chippendale style desk and chair...darn it, if it wasn't for interstate courier fees being a bit off-putting and just not wanting it enough at the time!  It was all in original never refurbished perfect condition with such lovely details.  Some lucky person managed to nab this on eBay for all of $122.00, what a bargain! Must admit I am feeling a bit of regret about this one...I'm such a sucker for bamboo Chippendale anything!

Macarons and Jasper Conran

It's been a busy few weeks and I must admit I haven't been a very dedicated blogger of late.  James brought home these yummy macarons from Kenchington Patisserie tonight.  They are making them better and better over there! They are the best value macarons in town I think, and also the best kept secret.  The Chocolate, Rose Water and Caramel almond pastries came in a cute little pack of three. The standout was definitely the Caramel this time around.  I made myself a cup of my favourite Tea Forte Oolong tea that come in silky mesh triangles. It all looked so inviting on my Jasper Conran Chinoiserie set.  I'm collecting pieces from this Wedgewood range, I'm totally in love with all of it!

Vintage Wanderings

Well it's certainly going to be a busy day ahead with the last of the gift shopping to be done and Christmas cupcakes to make.  I did manage to go for a wander through some of my favourite vintage stores and antique centres earlier in the week on my hunt for vintage Chinese bamboo birdcages.  Not much luck on that front but I did want to post up a few of the great little things I came across on my wanderings.  The set of Foo dogs are fantastic and of course very du jour!  I love the colourful yellow vase with the blue and white ginger jar pattern too.  I couldn't leave without the pretty matching blue and white ginger jars.  It's difficult to see in the photo but they have a subtle gold trim on them.  I'm looking forwards to using them as vases and putting lots of lovely fresh flowers in them.  Happy holidays!

de Gournay + Anthousa

When we were trying to find wallpaper for our apartment earlier this year I was adamant that we were to find the perfect Chinoiserie print.  We most certainly did find this in de Gournay's hand-painted wallcoverings range. The London based company specialises in 18th century Chinoiserie designs.  However, we realised the panoramic nature of the designs would probably not sit well in our little apartment. Perhaps at a later stage when we have higher ceilings! I recently discovered that de Gournay has collaborated with luxury fragrance house Anthousa to create a limited edition home fragrance. Very covetable!

Top and centre image from de Gournay website of Temple Newsam and Askew designs

Bottom image from Anthousa website of Jardinieres & Citrus Tree fragrance

Chinoiserie at NGV

James and I visited the National Gallery of Victoria on Sunday.  I was very happy to discover that one of the featured exhibitions was Chinoiserie: Asia in Europe 1620-1840, having a keen interest in this particular era of design and decoration.  The display is so beautiful and is on until March 2010.  The gallery foyer is a stunning space in itself with diffuse light filtering through, intriguing hidden voids against grand spatial volumes and thoughtful use of tactile finishes conveying a sense of tonal warmth.

Flower Drum | Red Door

We want this to be our front door!  We had the opportunity to dine at Flower Drum on Saturday.  A restaurant renowned for its Cantonese cuisine.  The food and service was immaculate of course.  The glossy red door with a Chinese lattice motif caught our eye from the start. 

Current Obsession

I am currently obsessing over these Jonathan Adler Chinese Chippendale chairs. I think it's the combination of the mid-century modern styling, the bamboo chinoiserie motif and my favourite colour du jour turquoise in the image of the dining room above from housebeautiful.com I find so appealing. Considering tracking them down in Brisbane!