Love: A Bit of Chinoiserie

As soon as China opened it's doors to the West, palaces and homes of the nobility began sporting bits of their furniture and decorative arts. Before long, European cabinetmakers and artisans developed their own iterations - anyone catch the lacquered bar cabinet in Downton Abbey? "Stone-cold classic" means never going out of style and porcelain ginger jars, silk-screened wallpapers and room screens fall firmly in that camp...find some inspiration below

Early sightings not for mere mortals

Particularly suited for dining rooms

You can tuck a garden stool anywhere

A cocktail table from Bernhardt

Also from Bernhardt, but done in stainless steel - sigh

Classic silhouette from Hammary

Server from Henredon - I used as a dresser and springboard for an Asian inspired bedroom

Fretwork known as 'Chinese Chippendale'; stepped end table from Henredon

Bold console, also from Henredon

Gilded bamboo and blue & white porcelain - could be priceless antiques or a lucky snag at Marshalls

Images:house beautiful,britannica,thegraybungalow,luxereport