wallpaper borders

Alessandra Branca has just debuted her line of fabrics for Schumacher and it comes as no surprise that it is fabulous. With dramatic scales and a vivid color palette, the fabrics are sophisticated and classic, yet modern and fun. My favorite shown below is Coromandel. If you are drawn to deeply saturated colors - think Miles Redd rooms - you will love these. I also like her Bianca Stripe and Andrea Velvet Strie as I love to combine Chinoiserie and stripes. Enjoy the photo gallery of some of my favorites below and see the entire line here. Note - red, fuchsia, and Prussian blue are repeated throughout the collection, so if you enjoy these colors, you are in for a treat. I can't wait to see interior designers doing lacquered walls in Chinese Red, hot pink, black, and Prussian blue with curtains, bed linens, headboards, pillows, and such in Coromandel.

Coromandel - Rouge/Noir

Coromandel - Fuchsia/Grey

Coromandel - Prussian Blue/Rouge

Alessandra Branca

Last Saturday I posted on the wonderful red, white and blue foyer by Tobi Fairley shown below with its combination of classical and Chinoiserie elements. Today we look at another lovely example by Alessandra Branca of a classic approach with a dramatic black Greek key skirted table, marble lamps, broken pediment mirror, dentil molding, and an oversized lantern. What keeps this modern and fresh are the pair of slipper chairs with gilded legs and fun swirly fabric - an unexpected choice.

Both foyers share the use of a skirted table, Greek key, and the classic symmetry of a pair of lamps and a pair of chairs. I think both are fabulous. BTW, a skirted rectangular table can be a dramatic and budget friendly choice for your entryway. Here is another great example by Palmer Weiss below with a fretwork trimmed linen skirted table.

One day this coming week, we will look at more modern versions of the traditional skirted table - a look that some abhor, but I adore.

Tobi Fairley

Palmer Weiss

I'm sure you have all noticed how hot Juju hats (African headdresses from Cameroon) have been over the past several years in interior design. I fell in love with them after seeing these two rooms by Alessandra Branca below and how beautifully they work with Chinoiserie and traditional decor. I still hadn't pulled the plug, thinking that perhaps they are too trendy for me. My hesitation stopped when I saw this mini Juju on a stand on the entry table in Michelle Adams' apartment featured in the new issue of Lonny. So I am now on the hunt for this in these colors of black and pink to go on my black and gold Chinoiserie chest in the living room. I would love any sourcing help on one of these tiny versions.

Alessandra Branca

Alessandra Branca

My Chinoiserie chest