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

The post 9 Fantastic Folkloric Finds: Adding Folk Art to Your Space appeared first on EcoSalon.

Environmentalists are often sloughed off as extremists and freaks. So is it any surprise that Icelandic elves are a reason to thwart a highway expansion project?

Yes, that’s right. Elves.

In Iceland—home of Bjorks and fjords—there are also elves. And advocates for elves. These advocates have partnered with environmentalists in efforts to get the Icelandic Road and Coastal Commission to drop plans for a highway project in the Alftanes peninsula because it could disturb a fragile elf habitat. And an elf church. All of which wouldn’t be such a farfetched preservation plan if, you know, elves actually existed.

According to the Huffington Post, Iceland’s Supreme Court will rule on a case brought by a group called Friends of Lava. Until the case is heard, the Icelandic Road and Coastal Commission has to halt its highway project. “And it’s not the first time issues about “Huldufolk,” Icelandic for “hidden folk,” have affected planning decisions,” reports the Post. “They occur so often that the road and coastal administration has come up with a stock media response for elf inquiries, which states in part that ‘issues have been settled by delaying the construction project at a certain point while the elves living there have supposedly moved on’.”

However quaint the elf folklore may be—and Scandinavian folklore is full of elves and trolls—the region (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) generally doesn’t take elves seriously. Unless you’re in Iceland, where a University of Iceland study found 62 percent of those surveyed believed it was “at least possible that elves exist,” reports the Post.

Friends of Lava supporters and environmentalists are mostly concerned about the environmental impact the Alftanes project would have on the area’s lava field.  So perhaps the elves are just a way to tell the story.  Or maybe it’s even a bit more. According to Terry Gunnell, a folklore professor at the University of Iceland, who told the Post, “In short, everyone is aware that the land is alive,” he said. “And one can say that the stories of hidden people and the need to work carefully with them reflects an understanding that the land demands respect.” Sometimes a good story makes all the difference. Especially if it’s about elves.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

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Image: stuck in customs

The post Please Don’t Bulldoze the Elves: Environmentalists in Iceland Fight for (Imaginary?) Regional Creatures appeared first on EcoSalon.

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

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