What Is Chinoiserie—And Why Do We Love It?
- Julia+Elizabeth Home
- Jun 5
- 3 min read
Some design trends come and go, but Chinoiserie has remained a favorite for centuries. Elegant, colorful, and full of personality, Chinoiserie brings a sense of history and artistry into a home while still feeling fresh and relevant today.
At Julia + Elizabeth Home, we have always been drawn to timeless design, and few styles embody that better than Chinoiserie. Its graceful patterns, rich history, and enduring beauty make it one of our favorite ways to add charm, sophistication, and character to a home.
What Is Chinoiserie?
Chinoiserie (pronounced shin-wah-zuh-REE) is a European decorative style inspired by Chinese art and design. Originating in the 17th and 18th centuries, it became popular among European aristocracy who were captivated by the beauty of imported Asian porcelains, textiles, lacquerware, and paintings.
The style is known for its whimsical scenes, hand-painted florals, pagodas, birds, bamboo, intricate patterns, and beautiful blue-and-white porcelain. While inspired by Asian motifs, Chinoiserie developed into its own distinctive design style that continues to influence interiors today.
Why We Love It
It Never Goes Out of Style
Unlike many decorating trends, Chinoiserie has true staying power. A blue-and-white ginger jar, a hand-painted lamp, or a Chinoiserie wallpaper looks just as beautiful today as it did decades ago. It is classic without feeling outdated.
It Adds Character
Many homes today can feel overly neutral or predictable. Chinoiserie introduces charm, color, and personality. Whether it's a decorative tray, a patterned vase, or a collection of porcelain pieces, these accents create a space that feels curated and collected over time.
It Mixes Beautifully with Other Styles
One of the best things about Chinoiserie is its versatility. It works beautifully with traditional interiors, coastal homes, grandmillennial style, English country design, and even more modern spaces. A single Chinoiserie piece can add depth and sophistication without overwhelming a room.
It Celebrates Craftsmanship
Many Chinoiserie-inspired furnishings and accessories showcase detailed artwork, intricate patterns, and timeless craftsmanship. In a world filled with mass-produced products, these pieces feel special, meaningful, and enduring.
It Brings Color Into the Home
We love a neutral room, but every home benefits from a touch of color. Chinoiserie offers endless opportunities to introduce beautiful blues, greens, corals, and soft pinks through accessories, wallpaper, artwork, and textiles.
Easy Ways to Add Chinoiserie to Your Home
You don't need to redecorate an entire room to enjoy this timeless style. Start with a few carefully chosen pieces:
Blue-and-white porcelain vases and ginger jars
Decorative trays
Tissue box covers and wastebaskets
Placemats and napkins
Decorative bowls and cachepots
Floral and bird-inspired artwork
Chinoiserie-inspired lamps and accessories
Wallpaper and textiles featuring classic motifs
Even a single accessory can bring elegance and personality to a space.
Chinoiserie at Julia + Elizabeth Home
Because we love this timeless style so much, we've expanded our collection beyond furniture to include a curated assortment of Chinoiserie-inspired home accessories. From decorative trays, wastebaskets, and tissue box covers to placemats, napkins, vases, and tabletop accents, our collection is designed to bring classic beauty to every room in your home.
Whether you're styling a coffee table, refreshing a guest room, elevating a powder room, or setting a beautiful table for family and friends, Chinoiserie accessories offer an effortless way to introduce color, pattern, and sophistication.
At Julia + Elizabeth Home, we believe the most beautiful homes are layered, collected, and personal. Chinoiserie tells a story, sparks conversation, and adds a sense of timeless elegance that never feels trendy or temporary.
And that's exactly why we'll never stop loving it.