Self-taught interior stylist, Cynthia Shirey, inspires you to achieve an effortless classic, timeless style ... with a bit of chinoiserie ... in this week’s Complementary. Guest Curations.

Decorating with Blue & White Pottery, Birds, Bunnies, & Botanical Prints in Your Home Decor

Cynthia Shirey is a self-taught interior stylist whose love of collecting beautiful things was inherited from her mother. Her home is decorated with things she loves most: chinoiserie, blue and white pottery, birds, botanical prints and bunnies.

Every room is a mix of new and vintage that says, "This is who we are, this is where we've been, this is what we love."

Cynthia loves great pattern play and thinks every room needs a little animal print, as well as some black elements.

Her music room (above), for example, mixes modern furniture pieces like the glass and metal coffee table with traditional pieces like the mahogany chest of drawers and the blue and white urns.

Furthermore, Cynthia never met a gallery wall she didn't like. Her own Pittsburgh, PA region home is a testament to that as she treasures and proudly displays her late son's art throughout her home. In the study (below), the wall decor truly pops on the deep, rich blue painted wall.

Cynthia’s ‘Get the Look’ Curation

In this week’s Complementary. Guest Curations, we asked Cynthia to select a few pieces from our current online auctions to help you “get the look” inspired by her own home design. Take a look!

Styling the Sideboard

Cynthia adds flair to this Regency era style sideboard (painted in a high gloss gray blue finish) by using various vintage pieces and decorative arts. Such elements include East Asian inspired blue and white chinoiserie porcelain and pottery such as lamps, ginger jars, and vases.

She adds organic elements to her interior design with the use of botanicals and the natural woven tray containing some of the porcelains. A large piece of art on the wall ties it all together. Cynthia is using a whimsical portrait of a young lady. You can easily swap it out for a beautiful piece of botanical art or work inspired by the Regency period.

1. Fine Councill Craftsman Mahogany Regency Style Sideboard (item #: 217083)

2. Hand Painted Oil on Canvas, Pink Lily Pads (item #: 217582)

3. Pair of Brass 1-Light Wall Sconces (item #: 216692)

4. Pair of Asian Inspired Table Lamps from Wildwood (item #: 217935)

Styling the Windows & Walls

For the windows and walls, Cynthia blends bright botanical prints with a variety of vintage porcelains ranging from blue and white to red and white, and green. By the windows, Cynthia uses three large decorative plates as wall art. On the built-in shelves, she displays seemingly unrelated dishes, statuettes, and framed art, but by repeating the colors throughout the display, it all works harmoniously!

1. Fabulous Set of English Royal Crown Derby Ceramic Dishes, 6 Lunch Dishes & 8 Bread & Butter Dishes (item #: 213991)

2. 12 Custom Drapery Panels in Floral Print Fabric (item #: 217586)

About Cynthia Shirey

Cynthia currently lives near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband of 48 years and their one-year-old shih tzu, Olive. When they're not spending time with their grandchildren, they enjoy antique shopping and believe "it's all about the hunt!"

Follow Cynthia

Love finding more classic and timeless designs inspiration? Follow Cynthia on Instagram @cynthiamargaretathome.