Monthly Archives: June 2009

Singerie – the monkey motif

The word singerie (san-jah-ree) is a French word which means monkey trick. The monkey motif genre originated in the 18th century in France during the Rococo period. The style depicts monkeys attired in clothing mimicking humans in their activities. Often they are dressed in Chinese Mandarin clothing which is a reflection of the Chinoiserie style of the Rococo period.  The singerie motif was popular with French artists of the 1700s who painted villa walls, furniture and canvas with this motif. This style has evolved over the centuries to encompass textiles designs, wallpapers, furnishings, lighting, and ceramics.

See what you think about all this monkey business in the following examples of singerie.

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Chateau de Chantilly

Grande-Singerie

Chateau de Chantilly walls

Jaima Brown Wallpaper

Majolica Monkey

Monkey Motif Dishes

Thibaut Wallpaper

Wallpaper Design

By:  Charisse Marie Colbert, CMC Design Studio

Take your Pink

The color pink is oh so pretty.  Pink is synonymous with beauty and femininity.  Valentine’s Day, romance and love are represented by the color pink. The color pink is a tint of red and its complementary color is a mint or pale green.   The warm and embracing shades of pink are gentle and soothing.  Pink is similar to green in that it is represented by the heart chakra for its protective and healing properties. Flowers and flowering trees embody the color pink better than anything in nature as carnations, celosia, dahlias, dianthus, Gerber daisies, hydrangeas, orchids, peonies, rhododendrons, roses, snapdragons, sweet peas and tulips to name a few.

The gemstone rhodonite is known for its balancing effects on the emotions and is known as the rescue stone. Rhodochrosite is thought to relieve stress and is used by healers to cleanse the aura. Ancient legend says that the gemstone tourmaline is found in all colors because it travelled along a rainbow and gathered all the rainbow’s colors. Tourmaline is believed to strengthen the body and spirit, especially the nervous system. It is also thought to inspire creativity and was used extensively as a talisman by artists and writers.

The pink ribbon is globally recognized as the symbol for breast cancer awareness.  Little girls and babies are adorned in the color pink. Ballerinas wear pink slippers and tutus. When I made my Catholic confirmation as an adolescent I wore a beautiful shell pink dress with matching shell pink shoes with a French heel. I was giddy over those pink shoes! It has become fashionable for men to wear pink and it looks particularly stylish on a man with a dark complexion.

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Harlequin Tamika_P02_T01_01

Zoffany Pink

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Gien Millefleurs

 

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tourmaline-collage

 

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If you want to look at the world through rose colored spectacles, dazzle yourself with some pink. Get in the pink—it’s pinkalicious!

By:  Charisse Marie Colbert, CMC Design Studio