Lesley Cooke's design of the dining room in the Gloucestershire

Lesley Cooke's design of the dining room in the Gloucestershire rectory sounds absolutely stunning! The incorporation of chinoiserie—an ornate, exotic style inspired by Chinese art and design—adds an elegant and sophisticated touch to the space. The choice of De Gournay wallpaper with its celadon silk background is particularly refined. De Gournay is known for its bespoke, hand-painted wallpaper, which brings an element of luxury and craftsmanship that perfectly complements the classical atmosphere of an old rectory.

The fact that the wallpaper extends onto the jib door leading out is a beautiful and subtle design choice. Jib doors, typically used to seamlessly blend into their surroundings, offer an ideal surface for incorporating such an intricate design. This helps the door disappear into the space while maintaining continuity of the room’s aesthetic, ensuring that the flow of the design remains undisturbed.

The choice of celadon silk as the background is also noteworthy. Celadon, a soft, muted green with a blueish undertone, evokes calm and serenity, and it pairs wonderfully with the delicacy of chinoiserie motifs, which often include flora and fauna, intricate patterns, and architectural details.

This approach shows how even a seemingly mundane feature like a door can become an integral part of the room’s design, blurring the lines between architecture and art. It sounds like a room where every detail has been carefully considered, from the wallpaper to the hidden door, to create a harmonious and graceful space.

Do you have more details or photos of the room you'd like to share? It sounds like a gorgeous design project!