‘Portman’ design in standard design colours on custom blue painted silk. Styled by Tara Craig. Photography by Natalie Dinham.
There’s no doubt you recognize these gorgeous chinoiserie wall designs, but did you know they are by London based, luxury hand-painted wallpaper brand de Gournay? De Gournay’s artisans interpret dreams to create heirloom works of art with supreme quality and painstaking attention to detail.
And did you know that De Gournay designed much of the look of Met Gala this year, China: Through the Looking Glass, on exhibition May 7th – August 16, 2015? From the gorgeous stage curtain, to all of the beautiful tablecloths and a 40 foot feature wall, they were chosen as a partner for the gala due to their incorporation of artisanal Chinese techniques to create their products.
The exhibition documents the impact of Chinese aesthetics in Western fashion, art and culture; showing the strong influence China has played for centuries. You can view a tour of the exhibition here to get a glimpse.
Below are some of my favorite designs from the de Gournay chinoiserie collection…
‘Jardinieres Citrus Trees’ wallpaper in full custom design colours on custom Mica metallic xuan paper. de Gournay hand carved Swedish Settle in original antique finish upholstered in de Gournay’s ‘Eucalyptus’ silk velvet.
‘Askew’ design in standard design colours on Apple Green Williamsburg painted silk. de Gournay hand-carved furniture; Gustavian console table (C01) in ‘Fontainebleau’ finish, Gustavian chairs in Queen Anne style (C1) with de Gournay silk velvet upholstery, Louis XVI desk (BP1), Chinese Dragon wall bracket in ‘Valois’ finish and Eternal Flame lamp stand with Blue Grey Pineapple silk damask lampshade. Photography by Sunna& Marc van Praag.
‘Badminton’ design in standard design colours on 12 Carat White Gold gilded paper. Photography by Dan Marshall.
‘Askew’ design in full custom design colours on custom light blue painted silk. Victoria Pearson Photography.
‘Earlham’ design in standard design colours on Emerald Green dyed silk. Photography by Werner Straube. Designer: Melissa Warner Rothblum, Massucco Warner Miller Interior Design
‘Coutts’ design in part custom design colours on Dappled Gold dyed silk. Photography by Dan Marshall.
‘Jardinieres Citrus Trees’ wallpaper in full custom design colours on custom Mica metallic xuan paper. ‘Jardinieres Citrus Trees’ silk organza blinds in full custom design colour on custom Green background.
‘Portobello’ design in full custom monochromatic design colours on Pitch dyed silk. Photography by William Waldron.
‘Badminton’ design in part custom design colours on Verdigris india tea paper. Photography by Brantley.
‘Portobello’ design in standard design colours on Blue Grey dyed silk.
Chatworth in Standard colours on Pea Green dyed silk – Image courtesy of House & Garden, Interior design by Turner Pocock, Photography by Richard Powers
‘Earlham’ design in special colourway on custom blue Williamsburg. Photography by William Waldron, interior design by Kemble Interiors.
In commemoration of the exhibit, China: Through the Looking Glass, de Gournay has collaborated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s store to create a limited edition hand painted silk scarf.
Evoking rare Chinese wall-coverings of traditional botanicals from historic English manors as well as zoological paintings featuring birds and flora, the hand-painted bespoke design with hand-rolled edges is created from the finest-quality silk by artisans in China. The lively orange and yellow scarf is hand-painted on silk like all de Gournay products, of course and is available in limited quantities, exclusively at the Met Store for $1,750.
“China: Through the Looking Glass” Design Collection presents an exclusive collection of fashion accessories, jewelry, and stationery all commissioned by world-renowned designers including Alexander McQueen, Cartier, Giambattista Valli and Dries Van Noten, to celebrate The Costume Institute’s latest exhibition.
Shop: China: Through the Looking Glass Online Store
A little more de Gournay history and more photos, if you like…
