Xie Xie, Chinoiserie

This settee and matching armchair are for sale on Alessandra Branca's OneKingsLane Tastemaker Sale.  Just look at this fantastic vivid red Chinese Chippendale furniture.

via One Kings Lane.  Sale ends on May 10

I'm not sure how I'd work this particular set in a room; it would be so much easier/better/more symmetrical if there were two of the armchairs with the settee.  Nevertheless, I'd probably split up the set.  I'd use the settee on a porch, or across from my desk, or in a long hallway.  The chair would live in a dressing room or as a single showstopping chair in a small entry.  Oh, and wouldn't it look fantastic pulled up to a handsome secretaire desk?  I could go on and on and on -- Chinoiserie dresses up a room and gives a little worldly kick to any interior.  The Chippendale style also provides the ever-important flow of air; the lattice-back allows for an unobstructed view through the piece and toward the remainder of the interior.

English furniture designer Thomas Chippendale created dozens of now-classic furniture designs and styles, all shown in his book The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director.  Chippendale was best known for his strong-silhouetted mahogany furniture when he applied the newly popular Chinoiserie style to his classic English look.  This style, monikered Chinese Chippendale by collectors today, has been widely embraced by the Hollywood Regency style (see, Dorothy Draper, Tony Duquette), but can be used in a number of different ways.  You can find them vintage just about anywhere and now reproductions are being sold by Jonathan Adler, Williams Sonoma and even West Elm.

via The Gentleman and Cabinetmaker’s Director by Thomas Chippendale, 1754

via Chinoiserie Chic

via House Beautiful

via Elle Decor

via Williams Sonoma Home

The color, shape and historical character of this Alessandra Branca set are terrific.  What a standout, signature look!  If you're interested, go see it here, or contact me to purchase it on your behalf.
Xie Xie, Chinoiserie.
Whitney