I think the occasional oriental piece works in so many mags and people's home, because it gives a feeling of an exotic trip. Works in giving it that "well traveled " charm. Asian imports and furniture have always been big, I'm sure since Marco Polo's time.
If the colors are complimentary, you get that "from my special trip to..." or " I'm cultured" vibe.

Even in my grandmas house had an oriental frame, given to her from her son from a trip. Even in the older greek women's homes
I always notice an oriental piece among all the lenox/lace/pottery/mikasa. I think it just gives the impression of being cultured.

I may be wong. lol I mean, wrong.

Because it was on travels to the East, that westerners, i.e., French, Dutch, English, discovered the blue and white which they have brought to the forefront through their interpretations but the originals came via eastern travel. There is much pretty blue & white in France, Holland, Germany, England and the USA, but there is a plethora of it in the Orient.

This helps to explain.

Here is a link that might be useful: link

cattknap, thank so much for the link. It explains a lot about blue and white china.
But so far no one has explained the answer as to "why it is the "Oriental designs" that are chosen by designers over other countries blue and white pieces." In other words why would blue and white from England, Holland or France not be equally chosen by designers as opposed to them choosing the ones from the orient.What is it about their designs and motifs that makes it more unique than others?Thats what stumps me, as I cannot figure what is so particular about their designs on the blue and white that makes them the "favored piece"?

Is it their artistic form that adds a little of the unexpected to an otherwise French or English room?

I was hoping someone here knew the answer. If not, I will continue to discover why this is so, even if I have to speak directly with an Interior Designer to find out.Hubby always says that I am like a dog with a bone when I am after information, and I usually always get my answer.

I do think the article give you a hint as to the answer to your question:
English ironstone dessert plate, Willow pattern, circa 1830. The earliest copies were made to resemble the Chinese porcelain as closely as possible, since the export was an expensive and precious commodity that brought status to it's owner.

Maybe because the blue & white from China is lots cheaper than the pieces from France, Holland and other countries?
China's production is massive and not always the best quality (I have lots of it) and the French pieces are just alot better quality.
Decorators can also buy cheap and up the price to the customer.

I have seen the Oriental Designs with high prices some places and pieces for $29.95 others.
Same pieces.

If I'm wrong tell me.

As you can see from the link below, for hundreds and hundreds of years Chinese porcelain has been prized the world over for its quality and artistry - long before any imitations were made - Chinese blue and white porcelain is the real deal - all else is an imitation and arrived much later on the world scene.

Here is a link that might be useful: link

I for one believe that practice makes perfect and they perfected this practice of making this blue & white stuff before Westerners had even visited there.

Crafy, I'm going to be completely off the wall (I haven't read the links yet) and guess, that possibly...for those wanting to steer away from the floral, perhaps formal look, that designers may choose oriental because it appeals to those who are into a modern, more angular look. Maybe designers don't want to shut out the "I don't want flowers crowd" and to give them the blue/white,,,this oriental may get them there that way. Maybe they also want to be able to say,,"this was the origin of blue/white" therefore lending more prestige, if you will, from the designers and to the homeowners friends when they relay the story. For me, I've seen so many of those cheap oriental blue/whites that I associate them being churn outs. Of course I'm not into being a connoiseur of fine antique porcelain etc. so I wouldn't know what to look for in oriental antiques as the blue/white I love IS from the other European countries. Just my thoughts, which may be completely off base but something to ponder.

Well its me again lol. If nothing else I am determined as I decided to call several Interior Design studios in our city. Spoke to two new designers ( experienced ones out of office) who both told me it was an excellent question but did not know and agreed with me about the usage of these items in rooms. Then I decided to call an interior designer that I have worked with with over 30 years experience. She laughed and also said, " What a great question".She also said she could not give me an answer without some thought.They all said tho that they were going to start paying attention to those accessories in magazines now that I had piqued their curiosity.

I do know of one other designer that is older than methusala, and caters to the rich, that may have the answer so I may call him when he is back from holidays.

I would like to say tho, that I definitely do not think its because these items from the orient are "cheap" and thats why designers use them. Not when I cam getting my sources from Artchitectural Digest, Veranda, Coastal Homes, BHG etc. These are not low end looks and certainly cover a wide variety of price points and tastes in these magazines.From the links posted and other comments here, I think it may be fair to say that they have perfected their designs because they have been at it for so long that none of the other countries can duplicate the look to copy.

Their designs usually are scenes like Toile d Jouy, in that they sometimes tell a story or set a scene. One young designer also had a good point. Sometimes there are some symbolic design or writing which may have some specific meaning.

So maybe its enough to know that they can fit into any style of decor, because they are the ones most used by desigers ( for whatever thier reasons lol ).So having said that, I guess its fair to say you can put one of these pieces in many of our decors and they will "just work". Sometimes we just have to accept things for what they are.

It's the little black dress in accessorie form, It looks good with silk curtians or bamboo shades, you can dress it up or dress it down. it's classic and yes, it even goes with a country goose.

Could it be just a trend? Back in the 80's and at least early 90's everyone was using the Spode patterns for their blue and white. Now it's shifted to the oriental ones.

No it isn't a trend - it is a timeless style of decorating - please read the links I have provided above - this explains quite clearly to me any way why Chinese blue and white china was prized since the 1300's - it was/is a symbol of wealth, world travel and beautiful design....when imports from China became more accessible in the 19th century (and long trips to exotic countries became in vogue for the rich), wealthy Victorians adored things from the orient and often included them in their decor.

I've worked in two house museums and both had numerous objects from China inculding numerous pieces of blue and white.

Blue and white china has been prized for hundreds of years - it has been used for decorative purposes by Americans for well over 200 years - no trend - it has never gone out of style - my great grandmother had blue and white Chinese urns - please look at very old issues of American decor magazines - no doubt you will see glimpses of blue and white Chinese china in shapes of bowls, urns, plates, chargers, foot baths, vessels, etc.

This may be one of those questions that there is no real answer to....only theories.

If I had to take a guess, I would say that the Chinese blue & white was cheaper, more readily available and more exotic than other blue and white pieces. As a result, it became part of the timeless decorating style by selection.

b.t.w. There is a LOT of Delft in Charlotte Moss's "Winter House". I just received the book and it is wonderful.

I didn't have time to read all the links, but my first thought was also that the Chinese blue and white is more angular, less floral, and that makes it a perfect complement to a room that already has florals, as well as a great accent in a more modern/contemporary setting. I have two "Happiness" jars that I bought in the early 80's at Pier one for $9.95 and they have always had a place in countless homes and untold decorating phases over the last 20+ years. On the other hand, I have some Delft pieces and some Royal Copenhagen plates that only work in certain settings; generally more formal spaces. The Chinese designs seem cleaner and easier to get along with.

Maybe this is a stupid point, but I don't think the large ginger jars that one frequently sees used are produced in European transferware. So if someone is looking for a large vessel (and is not necessarily a collector of one or the other) - Chinese Export is the only way to go. Personally, I prefer aesthetic movement trasferware (brown and blue). The largest "vessel" I own is a pitcher that goes with it's large washstand bowl. Wouldn't look right (or fit) on mantle. I also have a huge punch bowl.

The other advantage of decorating with blue and white Chinese export is that you can come by pieces in all price ranges - mixing very fine quality with not so fine and really make a statement - anyway, that's just my take.