Are you as big a fan of Chinoiserie chic table settings as we are? This fanciful, exotic decorating style has been around for centuries and with its association with the current Grandmillenial style trend, it’s bigger than ever.
Chinoiserie (which is French for “Chinese-esque”) dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries when world travelers and traders would bring back treasures and sketches of their eastern trips. European designers became enamored with the elegant Asian style and began bringing replicated elements of the style to architecture, interior decorating, and garden designs.
If you’ve been wanting to elevate your table settings with a worldly, elegant new look, look no further than Chinoiserie. A few striking pieces will do the trick.
Whether you want a bold, exciting, and maximalist vibe to your table or prefer Chinoiserie-lite dining, to get this fanciful look, you’ll want to incorporate some of these key Chinoiserie tablescape elements:
Chinese figures: Porcelain figurines or sculptures often depict people dressed in colorful costumes. And of course, many vintage porcelain plates showcase elegantly dressed Asian figures. If you love shopping through thrift stores you may find a design you like.
Whimsical landscapes: Lush landscapes with exotic birds, lush gardens, and sprawling florals appear on paintings, wallpaper, and porcelain vases and urns. The lovely blue platter, coffee pot, and dishware on this Chinoiserie blue and white table depict lush garden scenes.
Pagodas: For table settings, many vintage plates showcase a pagoda in a beautiful pastoral setting. Modern pagoda-themed table runners and pagoda salt and pepper shakers make a great addition to your table.
Mystical and ferocious beasts: Dragons symbolize strength and luck and have a prominent place in Chinese mythology. Dragons adorn ceramic dishware and paintings. Foo dogs are fierce crouching beasts that often appear in many Chinoiserie designs. Called “Shi” which means lion, these guardian lions appear outside temples and palaces to ward off negative energy. Each pair includes a male and a female, representing the philosophical concept of yin and yang.
In the photo below a blue and white dragon bowl tops a Chinoiserie chic table setting:
Peacocks: A classic Chinoiserie addition, you’ll find them adorning textiles like cushions, table runners, decorative chargers, and dinnerware.
Romantic florals: Flowers are a major element of a Chinoiserie table setting. From a floral tablecloth to a collection of ginger jars billowing with pink peonies and white hydrangeas, flowers as a must-have when it comes to a Chinoiserie table.
The Chinoiserie blue and white table
Finding a Chinoiserie tablescape without the quintessential blue and white porcelain just might be impossible! These eye-pleasing ceramics are everything when it comes to creating a Chinoiserie chic tablescape.
Chinoiserie blue and white decorative accents and dishware are both easy on the eyes and easy to decorate with, as this color combination pairs beautifully with many other colors.
Chinoiserie chic flatware: the INOX Twisted Urban flatware and Sundance Heart Coffee/Dessert Table Spoons are a lovely contrast to the Chinoiserie blue and white table setting.
Large blue and white ginger jars create a bold centerpiece. Add some white ribbons around your Chinoiserie table décor for a fresh springtime tablescape. During the Holidays, this look is just as enchanting with red ribbons and red blossoms.
This stunning Chinoiserie chic centerpiece showcases a large Rose Medallion vase brimming with romantic blossoms. The centerpiece also includes blue and white ginger jars and vases filled with a mix of flowers, a charming ceramic pagoda, and stylized foo dog salt and pepper shakers.
Go maximalist
Don’t be afraid to let your inner maximalist show. A chinoiserie chic table setting and maximalism are two peas in a pod that dine together elegantly. Both styles are all about embracing layering – layering patterns, textures, colors, and decorative collections that make you feel cheerful and abundant.
Start by adding fabrics and materials that engage the eyes and tempt you to touch.
For eye-pleasing allure and sensory interest, we think Twisted Urban Flatware flatware is a top choice for Chinoiserie style flatware. The artistic handles resemble twisted ribbons and the hammered details bring a textural element to the table.
Call in bright colors
Although Chinoiserie blue and white is key to this style, pops of bright vibrant colors set the Chinoiserie style table apart. Think of color combinations that you wouldn’t expect, like turquoise and red.
This Chinoiserie chic tablescape is a perfect example of combining colors in different tones. Romantic florals are a big part of this table, with bright pink orchids, pale pink roses, and crisp white blossoms.
Add rich texture
The use of texture is an important component of the Chinoiserie style. From smooth linen placemats to basket-woven ginger jars and flatware with hammered copper handles, layering various textures at your Chinoiserie chic table creates sensory interest, winning over the eyes and tempting dinner guests with tactile pleasures.
When it comes to Chinoiserie chic flatware, our Ridge design is a great choice for Chinoiserie chic flatware. The copper antique finish brings warmth and texture to this beautiful tablescape. Textured glass goblets in different colors add a whimsical touch.
We hope this look into the elements of Chinoiserie style will inspire you to incorporate this exotic and elegant look into your table settings.
Find more table-setting inspiration by browsing our Pinterest boards.
Heading photo: Cheche Lacsamana of @casalacsamana
Blog photos: Ritz @decorbyseason
