Trending Now.....

With High Point Market in full swing I am getting tons of inspiration through all of the designers, bloggers and publications posting their take on the next greatest trends for the coming year.  

While I sometimes incorporate the latest trends into my home, I tend to stick with filling my home full of objects that I enjoy seeing every day and living with - after all, your home reflects yourself and your lifestyle and shouldn't necessarily be dictated by what is trending.

However, I have found that what is "old, classic and traditional" is finding a resurgence in the design world with hues of blue and white popping up in decor from classic urns to textiles, nods to Asian influences especially Chinoiserie and we cannot forget the luxe look of gold and of all things brass.

Blue + White Urns | Traditional Home Showhouse

I absolutely love the look of displaying a collection of blue and white urns on a mantle.  Another way to get a similar look is to hang blue and white plates flanked by a pair of blue and white urns.  Your Grandmother or Mother probably has a ton of these and they are fairly easy to find in consignment and antique stores.

Quill Notes Tip ::  Fill the urns with fresh greenery or corkscrew willow depending on what the season is - currently I have boxwood greenery in my pair of blue and white urns - magnolia leaves are always a good choice as well, and currently you may want to fill them with the bold yellow blooms of forsythia. 

Chinoiserie Armoire | Traditional Home Showhouse 

 This fretwork chinoiserie armoire is simply divine.  This piece exudes Asian influence yet due to its clean lines would fit in just about any home.

Another option for incorporating this look into your home is to include a folding screen or lacquer cabinet with a chinoiserie soapstone or ivory inlay.

Chinoiserie | Traditional Home Showhouse

The mint walls paired with coral details, chinoiserie upholstery and brass side tables are the perfect fit for this sunroom.  Again, the blue and white urns and plates would pair fabulously in this breezy space.  

Orchids | Traditional Home Showhouse

Chinoiserie | Traditional Home Showhouse

Saturn Table | Taylor Burke Home

Taking a step away from the blue and white and Asian influences, we move to the luxe look of brass. Taylor Burke Home's Saturn Table is a stunning use of brass paired with an agate detail.  I was able to snag one of these beauties in October and have it placed right next to my wingback chair with cane details upholstered in Cotton + Quill's Koi textile design.  

Even a modernized and contemporary style side or occasional table can be mixed with a traditional Asian look.  

Cane Wingback Chair in Koi Upholstery {shop textiles here}

Bamboo Chinese Paintings

Art is another way to incorporate Asian influences into your home.  I painted these bamboo illustrations while studying abroad in Taiwan - these were the basis for Cotton + Quill's Bambusa textile design as well.

Try framing black and white art in gilded frames.

Blue + White

I cannot get over the versatility of blue and white plates - they are so beautiful when framed as a grouping.  Here I have surrounded my hand calligraphy, letter-pressed wedding invitation with a few blue and white plates along with a pair of carved German wall brackets topped with a pair miniature cloisonné ginger jars with a gorgeous robin egg glazed interior.

Also finishing this look are custom linen-cotton draperies in Cotton + Quill's Capri pattern.

Get the Look ::

Carved German Wall Brackets {found at the Willow Tree in Athens, Ala}

Blue + White Plates {found at various shops while thrifting - the Willow Tree has quite a selection of these as well}

Letter-Pressed Invitations here

Cotton + Quill's Capri Textile here

Cotton + Quill's Terrace Collection | Bambusa, Shu Te's Chintz, Cuckoo

Cotton + Quill's newest textile collection, the Terrace Collection, is infused with Asian motifs.  Shown here are a few coordinating patterns in minty greens and turquoise.

Cotton + Quill's Terrace Collection | Cuckoo, Shishi, Dynasty

You simply cannot have an Asian inspired look without including a pair of foo dogs - or better yet, foo dog textiles!  I have recently acquired quite a few of these Chinese guardian lions to add to my own home.  Another great thing about these design icons is they are suitable for any home - I currently have my eye on a pair of lamps I spied at Beth Haley Design's showroom in Nashville, TN.

Now go scour those estate sales and consignment stores or even your Grandmother's attic for some blue and white gems and brass details to add to your home!