Blue and white is easily one of the most iconic colour combos around, especially when it comes to classic interior decor.

Having been used for centuries throughout nearly all parts of East Asia, the pairing's popularity in the Western world exploded in 17th and 18th centuries, when painted porcelain wares were first exported from region to Europe. Chinoiserie, as we know it today, is a (somewhat-distant) relative of these original art pieces, owing as much stylistically to the European lens through which it's been interpreted and imitated as it does to the East Asian artistic traditions from which it stems.

The most iconic pieces (and our personal faves): Glazed porcelain ginger jars. Whether authentic antiques, vintage reproductions or modern replicas, these jars are typically adorned with hand-painted (or screen-printed) motifs that draw on traditional imagery found in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian cultures, such as cherry blossoms, lotus flowers, and golden pheasants.

While Chinoiserie has been coveted by collectors for ages, the design world seems particularly smitten with the style right now — and we're obviously totally here for it. Here are three ways designers are bringing bold new takes on blue and white to their spaces, and how best to complement the colour pairing in your home.

For a maximalist take on the look, repeat after us: More is more!

The technique is simple: Layer rich cobalt blue and crisp ivory over each other in every print and pattern you can find — from stripes and checks to ikat and floral blockprints — and in any form your room requires, from wallpaper to pillows to rugs to decor accessories.

The tight two-colour palette means the look stay cohesive rather than cluttered. And, you can choose how bold or subtle to go by shifting the balance from heavier on the blue to adding in more white.

Prefer a lighter-handed approach? Opt for pale, soft blues matched with clean white for a quietly confident spin.

Instead of the warm brass that's often matched with chinoiserie in traditional homes, pair powdery blues with polished nickel for an airy finish. We love light blues in bedrooms (for wall paint or bedding) and bath or powder rooms (as wallpaper or cabinets) for a soothing, feminine touch. Marble tile, countertops and accessories are a natural fit.

With summer in our sights, we're drawn to this breezy, Caribbean-inflected take.

If you're a fan of the Bahamas-based British royal India Hicks, you'll have a pretty good idea of how to style this look. Pair denim blue and creamy white with natural materials like rattan and wicker furniture, jute rugs, sand-blasted terracotta, and beached woods.

For an extra sunny hit, add an accent of fresh, leafy green through cotton textiles and upholstery or lush ferns, and finish things off with bright, polished brass for light fixtures and hardware.