Chinoiserie

Chinoiserie; a French term, meaning "Chinese-esque", reflecting Chinese artistic influences, it is characterized by the use of fanciful imagery of an imaginary China. It is generally asymmetrical and has contrasts of scale. In order to err on the side of brevity, furnishings get the spotlight today, but chinoiserie is found in fabrics, wallcoverings, lighting, accessories and tableware.

The surprising contrast of the mid-century lines of this 1950's Italian buffet with a chinoiserie center panel. Available at Gary Rubinstein Antiques through 1st dibs.

Technically not chinoiserie, but displaying a more modern vibe, the Diana Credenza by Jean de Merry.

With beautiful fretwork about the legs and feet, and lovingly hand-applied decoration after a circa 1690 original, the Chinoiserie Cabinet on Stand by Elijah Slocum.

After a late 16th c. Kakeban style tray table, the elegantly simple Chow Table from Erica Brunson, with tete d'negre crackled lacquer finish.

Asian fusion with raised decoration and hand-tooled leather writing surface, the Waxed Chinoiserie Desk by Century Furniture.

An extraordinary, truly one of a kind example is the Regency Chinoiserie Cabinet, circa 1820's England. Both the interior and exterior are pictured, as the example of both polychrome and monochrome penwork is exceptional. Available at Kentshire Galleries, Ltd.

Butterflies are free (well, not quite)

A butterfly is a thing of beauty, a little shot of color dancing about in the air, and defying the imagination. Why not bring them down to earth and let them help with a little interior metamorphosis?

A Ladies' Writing Desk originally designed by Gio Ponti and decorated by Piero Fornasetti at Van den Akker Antiques. Available in white and black.

These little jeweled napkin rings look as if they are alight on your table, in cloissone and cracked glass, by Dransfield and Ross.

The otherworldy and most impressive Butterfly Mosaic, part of the Sheer Glass Collection by Sicis.

The Rain Rug, hand-hooked and available in a variety of shapes and sizes through Surya.

Osborne & Little's Painted Lady, in a linen/cotton blend.

Back-painted glass, handmade in Abruzzo, Italy, the Butterfly Platter by Vietri.

John Derian's Pressed Butterfly decoupage wall grouping, gives an entirely new meaning to an artful display.

The sweetly delicate Butterflies Table by Lenox.

"The butterfly is a flying flower, the flower a tethered butterfly." ~ Ponce Denis Ecouchard Lebrun

Handmade for the Home from Lesley Anton

Known for her collection of stunning lighting fixtures, ceramic artist extraordinaire Lesley Anton has expanded her creative force with Handmade for the Home, a new line of handmade dinnerware and decorative pottery. The collection features plates, mugs, bowls and vases, bearing Anton's signature glazes including pomegranate and sea green. Other designs include surface textures of random sequences of dots and swirls. The collection made its debut at a launch party held at Anton's studio in Los Angeles. Guests included fellow lighting designers Kevin Kolanowski, Orestes Suarez and Shannon Shapiro, as well as showroom owner Thomas Lavin.

Plates range in price from $28 to $38 and serving bowls start at $125.

Bowls range from $32 to $38.

Mugs start at $35.

Salt bowls are $16.

A little something on the side?

Side, accent, occasional - whatever you wish to call them, these little tables are the perfect exclamation point for any room. Styles run the gamut and choices are endless!

A Baroque statement of elegance from Julia Gray, Ltd. Handpainted with a deft touch of aged gold leaf trim.

The PeeWee table from Oly Studios can thank George Nakashima for the inspiration of its free-edge form.

A little loop-de-loop and the contrast of an antique iron base and foxed mirror top on the Alamota Side Table from Gerard through DessinFournir.

The Hiquily-inspired Henri Side Table in brass from Ironies.

The petite Syrah Wine Table from Lewis Mittman was originally designed to fit under the foot of a club chair in a c. 1900 men's club.Comprised of 37 disks, circular or square, walnut or rosewood, stamped and numbered, the Luna Side Table from Helene Aumont.

Doing what they do best, Ironies uses organic form in its Clover Side Table.

Now it's just a question of which piece of eye candy is for you.

More beautiful bedding

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams are the newest to the sheet set with the launch of their "Modern Linens" collection available through their free-standing Signature Stores and also through Bloomingdale's. The collections are gender-neutral, mix-and-match, patterns and solids, for a truly collected look. The six patterned collections are complemented by six colors of 100% cotton, 600 thread count solid sateen sheeting groups.

Dream Stripe

Sleep Retreat

Good Night Denim Sunshine

Lights Out Spice

Signature Solids

The launch of this very versatile bedding collection is a wonderful way to mark the company's 20th anniversary. Happy Anniversary MG+BW!

A bounty of beautiful bedding!

We spend about a third of our lives in bed, doing whatever it is that we do there, why not enjoy it while enveloped in clouds of the finest in design, color and textures. The choices are seemingly endless.

Leontine Linens goes boldly graphic with their Fretwork Collection, and the monogram adds a very personal touch.

The luxury of combed Egyptian cotton and stunning design combine to perfection in the Flat Iron Ensemble from Yves Delorme.

Anichini takes us to Persia wrapped in the warmth of their Tasmania Collection and Venezia throw.

Truly as close to sleeping in a meadow is the Thicket Saffron from DwellStudio.

Combining textiles and colors from Southeast Asia, John Robshaw's Kahili is wonderfully riotous.

Quatrefoils and vines in slate and sky, yellow and avocado, with a hit of plum, all hand-stitched crewel embroidery on the Medallion Coverlet by Williams Sonoma Home.

Frette always inspires and delights, and Antalya Naturale is no exception with its wild dandelion pattern.

"Life is too short to sleep on low thread-counts sheets" ~ Leah Stussy

"Mad Men"-Inspired Tufted Bed Headboard

If you are like me, you have been captivated by the third season of AMC's "Madmen", a television drama following the lives of the top-brass of an advertising firm on Madison Avenue in New York during the early '60s. In addition to the fascinating story line, the show features an eclectic collection of furnishings that immediately draw the eye of any design-savvy individual. The bed shown above is the first foray I have seen into recreating a piece on the show.

The Draper Bed, named after the character Don Draper, is modeled after the bed that appears in his bedroom. Its subtle upholstery is sure to draw fans of the classic style. "Upholstered beds offer sophistication, color and comfort compared to wood beds," said Jeffrey S. King, vice president of Marketing at ClubFurniture.com. "Many people like to lean against the headboard while reading in bed, and the padding in upholstered beds allows them to do this comfortably." The bed's attractive design should appeal to fans and non-fans alike, and it is available for purchase online.