Get inspired with these folk art finds to create a magical folkloric hideaway.

In case you are wondering just what we mean, today’s folkloric decor and design is inspired by primitive art styles of Scandinavia, Mexico, Peru, and other countries and cultures of the world. It’s an appreciation for the timeless and simple aesthetics of primitive folk art. And primitive is not intended as a pejorative, but instead denotes the difference between the arts and crafts. Primitive folk art by definition is the culture of the peoples of a region.

So, if you like the homey style of primitive folk art, here are some fabulous folkloric finds you can add to your own home.

Folk Art Finds for Your Home

1. Folkloric Forest Wallpaper from Anthropologie

We love this Hygge & West wallpaper that depicts the flora and fauna of the forest. It’s available in three different colorways–red, neutral, or turquoise. Go big and cover your walls in folkloric splendor.

2. Awesome Project Ceramics

Add a touch of Romanian folklore to your tabletop with these stunning porcelain pieces from artist Madalina Andronic. All the pieces are designed and hand-decorated individually, using porcelain and love.

3. Enameled Coffee/Tea Set from Wild & Wolf

Add this wonderful enamelware from Wild & Wolf to your collection featuring wonderfully illustrated woodland creatures peeking through an enchanted woodland. What a perfect addition for your next brunch.

4. Locust Wall Hanging from Urban Outfitters

Add some simple folk art inspiration with this soft cotton tapestry that could work as a wall hanging or bed or sofa covering.

5. Scandinavian Folk Art Bird Print from Illustrationpop

The easiest way to add folk art style to your home is with the addition of art prints like this Scandinavian bird print.

6. Sagaform Story Tea Towel from Huset

Incorporate the folk art style to your kitchen with this black and white tea towel inspired by the world of the Norse sagas.

7. Woolen Blanket from Koromiko

Add some primitive folk art warmth with this handwoven blanket made from natural wool in soft cream with black embroidery. It’s hand-loomed in Central Mexico using the highest quality wool from sheep herded in the mountains. It’s then embroidered with simple folk art designs.

8. Wooden Dala Horse from Swedishdalahorse

Add hand carved and hand painted Swedish Dala horses to your home for that Swedish folkloric touch. The are made with sustainable wood and hand painted with eco-friendly paints.

9. Bear Pillow from Frydendahl

Cover your throw pillows with these Scandinavian-inspired screen printed bear pillow covers to add some folkloric style to your couch.

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Image: Breakfast Modern Table via Shutterstock

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The folkloric design trend is in full swing—from Scandinavian-inspired embroidered pillows to Ikat-printed textiles, folkloric designs and themes are on trend.

Just what is folkloric exactly? According to dictionary.com, folklore is “the traditional beliefs, legends, customs, etc., of a people” (folklore is the noun and folkloric is the adjective).  So folkloric design is one way in which those traditional beliefs, customs and legends have been transmitted—it’s the representation of the culture via produced goods. Along with the oral and written tradition, creating arts and crafts has been a mainstay in transmitting the culture of a many peoples. And this artistic transmission of culture is a beautiful way to celebrate home, no matter where you are in the world. 

Today folkloric design encompasses an additional layer as designers are drawn to and inspired by primitive and folksy designs of cultures around the world in their own designs. It’s not uncommon to see folkloric inspired designs while shopping at Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, Etsy and others.

It’s important to note that the description “primitive” isn’t meant as an insult, but is used as a descriptive word that signifies the difference between low art (the crafts of the people) as opposed to high art (fine art). It’s the difference between culture with a “c” and Culture with a “C”. High art has often been what’s revered and coveted, but with folkloric designs becoming more popular that trend just may be waning.

So, if you like the primitive, folksy and homey feel of folkloric designs and want to add more to your home, here are 7 great folkloric pieces you can add to your own home.

1. Folk Art Letterpress Coaster Set

Image: pressbound

Protect your coffee table from rings and show off some folkloric style; this is a quick and easy way to add a bit of style.

2. Handprinted Folk Art Veggie Tea Towel

Image: ChestnutStreetStudio

Even drying dishes can be stylish! Or you can just use these for drying hands and save paper towels for real messes (and make these last longer).

3. Dala Horse Screen printed Pint Glasses

Image: vital

Dala horses are traditional Swedish carved and painted wooden horse statue and figurines. Try them adding them in a non-traditional way, like with a more formal tabletop.

4. Giclée print “Deva or Maiden”

Image: anyapany

This illustrated print of a Deva (a maiden turned into a bird by a magic spell) is stunning, and would add a strong graphic element to any room.

5. Hand Painted Folkloric Chotchkies 

Image: TheLewisKingsleyCo

Inspired by folkloric designs, these handpainted wooden knickknacks would look really cool on a mantle or nestled between books on a shelf.

6. Folklore Cups and Saucers

Image: Ninainvorm

And for something a little more practical, these vintage cups and saucers are perfect for that morning (wee) cup of joe.

7. Traditional Romanian Handwoven Rustic Pillow Cover

Image: folklorelove

This pillow cover is made from a Romanian handwoven and hand embroidered vintage textile and features a folkloric geometric design.

Top Image: OLMstudio

Related on Ecosalon:

7 Modern Ikat and Tie-dye Home Decor Prints without A Hint of Hippie

How to Use 5 Bold Design Patterns to Make Your Home Pop, Gorgeously

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Historic Girard prints: vintage American design that’s good ‘til the last drop. 

The influence of America’s most beloved and legendary textile designers and colorists, Alexander Girard, is palpable even today. He is known in design circles for his work with Herman Miller, wherein he created fabrics for the house of Charles and Ray Eames, as well as his eclectic collection of folk art and exotic textiles preserved through the Girard Foundation.

His pop-aesthetic became legion, however, with his mid-century hues and patterns (very Mad Men). Most notably, the Pinwheel pattern: featured here on this George Jensen mug and tableware collection from the Miller House and Garden, a national landmark and architectural study that has been called “America’s most significant Modernist house.”

Truly good til the last drop, note that Patera 1 pattern on the inside of the mug.

Pair with these porcelain plates for the perfect cuppa.

Prices range from $12.95-$52.

Look for Lustables at EcoSalon and submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

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Each week here at EcoSalon, I beg my favorite bloggers and designers to hand select a beloved green product, whether it’s a finish, furnishing, or accessory. The end result? An endless anthology of aesthetically perfect products for your perusal.

This week we will meander to India with Gagan from Of Peacocks and Paisleys. Gagan was born and raised in India, where she grew up with an innate sense of appreciation and value, and an early distaste for waste upon moving to the United States (in India, nothing that can be repaired or salvaged is ever thrown away).

Gagan has selected a handful of Indian handicrafts that she wants to bundle up and carry home with her during her next trip to India, “because they pack so much color in light, fold-able, and carry-able sizes.” These gorgeous items are handmade with materials on hand by Indian artisans. The gorgeous Wildflower Wonderland wall hanging (detail shown above) is woven of sari and kurta borders (click here for a glimpse of the full patchwork tapestry).

The lovely Gagan couldn’t leave India without a couple of Indian folk art paintings. Vidushini’s United Forever II depicts the union of the creative forces in the universe in the unique Madhubani style (on the left). Brajeswar Pattnaik’s Sailing II (on the right) is painted in the traditional Patachitra style (crushed stone colors on tussar silk).

If you want to peruse a little more Indian folk art, this website will satiate your craving. You can catch up with Gagan at her blog (don’t miss her graciously hosted, beautiful home tours).

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EcoEtsy artists are starting the new year off on the right foot with these imaginative handmade creations.

It sure isn’t the best season to sow your favorite seeds out in the garden, so bring them on in. The Original Folk Art Daisy Painting box makes a perfect planter to brighten bare surfaces with nature’s vibrant hues.

If you’re looking for a sofa accent that looks as cozy as it feels, then the Organic Cotton pillow’s branch-like wool design is the perfect match for your plush throw blanket.

Want to give your room a makeover without investing in a whole new furniture set? The Genuine Beachstone drawer and cabinet pulls (shown at top) will jazz up that dresser for a whole new look. You can hang your towels with similar stone accents from VivaTerra for a tactile flourish in your bathroom.

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