#2 - The Top Ten Chinoiserie Trends for 2014

Mary McDonald uses African drums with Chinoiserie

Yesterday we looked at #1 of our Top Ten Chinoiserie Trends for 2014 - Mixing Gold, Silver, and Chinoiserie. Today's Trend #2 is Mixing African and Chinoiserie for a great global vibe. I believe that the passing of Nelson Mandela paired with the continued popularity of global decor will bring African arts into the limelight in 2014.

The feathered Juju Cameroon headdresses have been favorites of interior designers like Alexandra Branca for several years. Here are examples of juju hats and Chinoiserie.

Alessandra Branca

Alessandra Branca

Rose Anne De Pampleonne

Lonny

Also in 2014 we will see a branching out into the use of African fabrics like mudcloth. I plan to incorporate a chair upholstered in black and white mudcloth in my upcoming Chinoiserie Man Cave.  I think that mudcloth and Chinoiserie is a great combination. I love its simple black and white palette and its free form patterns. Mudcloth is a perfect graphic juxtaposition to Chinoiserie, like stripes that work so well with Chinoiserie. And like ikat and suzani that have been a popular mix with Chinoiserie, mudcloth adds an ethnic element that is so hot today.

Jamie Meares

Jamie Meares

I also see the emergence this year of African decorative art used with Chinoiserie for a wonderful modern global look.