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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.

Mudcloth, the traditional African textile made in Mali, is popping up more and more in interior design. I  love its simple black and white palette and free form patterns. Vintage mudcloth is available, as are modern interpretations. I especially like it used to upholster antique and vintage furniture - it pairs beautifully with bergere style and gilded pieces. I love the way Jamie Meares has styled this sofa below done in oversized mudcloth, even pairing it with Greek key.

I think mudcloth and Chinoiserie would be a great combination. Mudcloth would be a graphic juxtaposition to Chinoiserie, like stripes that combine so well with Chinoiserie. And like ikat and suzani that work so well with Chinoiserie, mudcloth would add an ethnic element that is so popular.

I have been adding more and more black to my own living room and love the contrast of black against the pink, ice blue, and celadon in the room. A bergere chair upholstered in mudcloth might be a great mix with my pastel palette and Chinoiserie. This may go on my To Do List for 2014.

Jamie Meares - Furbish

Jamie Meares - Southern Living

Jamie Meares - Furbish

The Pursuit of Style

The Pursuit of Style

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