wallpaper borders

I always enjoy doing a post when I find photos of the same room styled by the interior designer and then restyled by a magazine for a photo shoot. I understand that magazine stylists have to earn their keep, but it is a bit funny in the case of an interior designer as talented as Alex Papachristidis.

Above is his own dining room as styled by him, and below as styled by Elle Decor. I prefer his, especially for a magazine shoot. On top of the Chinoiserie cabinet, they have replaced his bold coral pieces that really pop against the aubergine walls, with books, foo dogs, a Chinese figurine, and a black object. I think their choices are too small and too dark, blending in too much against the deep purple background.

In the photo at bottom, you can see that on the dining table, they have replaced his blue and white ginger jar and coral animal figurine with a pair of pagodas and a couple of other pieces apparently to pick up the purple and white. Stylists always have fresh flowers, or in a kitchen, staged fruits or vegetables. They have chosen to leave the politically incorrect blackamoor, perhaps feeling that since he is dressed as a flower child with a peace sign above it is OK.

Alex Papachristidis

Two lovely vignettes by two wonderful interior designers. In both, I love the classic Chinoiserie wallpaper combined with pale blue and purple. Above, Alex Papachristidis uses a pale blue console that is studded and lined in purple echoing the deep purple of the dining chairs. I love that the soft blue desk below is quietly edged in gold. Thomas Jayne adds a lavender throw and purple flowers to the mix.

I have a new Pinterest board on combining blue, purple, and Chinoiserie here.

Thomas Jayne