We all have at least one space in our home that is completely boring. It could be a dark hallway, the laundry room, or even the half-bath down the hall. There is no good reason not to spiff it up.


   
Pepe-Lunché Designs
 

I used to walk through my upstairs hall without a glance. Then one day I decided to bring the outdoors in and liven it up a little. Now when I walk through (several times a day) I feel like it’s spring!...even when it’s dark and dismal outside.


   

Pepe-Lunché Designs


 What I am referring to is a painting technique called Chinoiserie (pronounced sheen-wah-ser-ee). It is the imitation or evocation of Chinese motifs in Western art, furniture and architecture, usually 18th century.


de Gournay wallpaper


 

De Gournay is one of the companies that produces beautiful Chinoiserie handpainted wallpaper (usually on silk). They are often quite elaborate, but not always, and usually cost several thousand dollars a panel. 





 
 de Gournay wallpaper

 

The Chinoiserie can be used on one wall as an accent in a room,



de Gournay wallpaper via Undecorate (Erica Tanov home in Berkekey)


 

throughout the entire room,



Schuyler Samperton via Stylecourt


 

or just in a small hallway or bath.



de Gournay 


 

You can even frame a small panel and hang it as a work of art…which it definitely is!


You don’t have to spend a fortune on Chinoiserie. Instead of the silk version, you can have it painted directly onto your wall or onto a piece of canvas to hang it on your wall. You can try it yourself or you can contact me and I would be happy to help you reveal the wildlife down the hall.