Legend has it

There’s nothing like a sprinkling of mythology to add gravitas to modern offerings. Fashion has plundered folklore for years – think of Romeo Gigli’s heavy embroideries and Balenciaga’s latest collection – but what about interior design? “We’ve seen disparate elements such as woodland creatures and deer heads popping up here and there,” says Russell Sage, who is known for his wonderful (if somewhat macabre) reworkings of historical styles into modern homeware masterpieces. “Now these elements are merging to form definitive trends.”

He couldn’t have put it better. Last month, the New Designers exhibition was packed to the roof with bold, Russian-doll-printed wallpapers (it will soon be the new skull print, don’t you know?); the new home collections by Toast and Zara feature heavily embroidered bedspreads; and Asda, the supermarket du jour for home accessories, has mixed Russian imagery with an eclectic Romany style to create ornate gypsy floral bed linen (above), blackened purple glass chandeliers and Russian-doll-printed storage boxes.

Meanwhile, the Brighton-based illustrator Sanna Annukka has launched a website selling prints of her Finnish-folklore-influenced designs. Her signature pieces are mythological shapes and symbols recreated in ultra-bold graphics on stark white backgrounds. With screen prints from £260, buy into her look before the Joneses do (www.sanna-annukka.com).

What these designs have in common is modern context. I’m not sure how this affects inherent meaning, but they all look fabulous.

Chinese whispers

The mythology of China is behind the designs at Fromental, known for its stunning hand-painted and embroidered wallpaper collections. “Our artists work within classical traditions of scroll painting – every detail has meaning,” says Tim Butcher, the company’s creative director. “Peonies, for example, represent plenty, and pomegranates are a symbol of fertility.” According to Chinese tradition, certain numbers are propitious, too, so some clients look for the correct number of elements as a talisman. Whereas I just love the way it looks.Hand-painted Unconscious Nonsuch wallpaper, from £180 per metre, by Fromental; www.fromental.co.uk

Feelingg folksy?

1 Bags are a great way to dip into a trend without full-on commitment. Mary Ink’s deer tote makes the perfect portable fashion statement. £11; www.hannahzakari.co.uk.

2 “Bless this house” stitched samplers may be well meaning, but in terms of style, frankly, they don’t cut the mustard. Invest in a Day of the Dead tin house blessing that celebrates life and wards off evil spirits – or something. £40; www.judithmichael.com.

3 House Couturier’s Toile de Jouy lamps recolour archived Japanese storytelling scenes for a modern edge. £345; www.housecouturier.co.uk.

4 The talent-spotting trendsetter Thorsten van Elten has brought out his Qubus collection. It’s packed with quirky designs, from nu-rave-coloured, polka-dot tea sets to these tongue-in-cheek, undressing Russian dolls. Matroska set, £95; www.thorstenvanelten.com.

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