This malachite and sterling fish pin from the Tamohora Collection is one of many aquatic designs out now.
(Jonathan Wiggs/ Globe Staff)
From product displays at the mammoth New York International Gift Fair to the tables at last weekend's local hipster craft fair Bazaar Bizarre, there's something fishy going on in the world of home decor and fashion accessories. The deer, squirrel, and other vermin that were all over pillows, serving dishes, and T-shirts just a few months ago are now scurrying back to the forest. In their fuzzy place are species with fins, gills, scales, tentacles, and other parts best suited for ocean dwelling.
"We didn't come up with these based on a trend," says Linnea Gits, an artist who collaborated on a line of aquatic-themed pillows, prints, and greeting cards for the Chicago-based company Binth. "We were fascinated by the octopus. It's one of those great creatures. There's something very mysterious about it, and it also just has this great graphic shape about it."
Binth's Octopus pillow was originally introduced as a children's cuddle pillow, but has found its way into adult living rooms. It's also quickly become the company's top-selling pillow.
"I think people really respond to sea creatures because they're so exotic," Gits says, "and just a little bit creepy."
- CHRISTOPHER MUTHER
1. Koi table lamp from West Elm: A ceramic koi curls under a white fabric shade: $299 at West Elm in Boston and Burlington, or at westelm.com.
2. Fish trivet from Xenia Taler: The Canadian ceramist introduced a seaside line earlier this year that includes fish and starfish designs. $104 at xeniataler.com or 416-588-8950.
3. Jellyfish print from Sub-Studio: Part of a limited edition of 50, the 10-by-10-inch prints are hand silk-screened on archival paper. $25 at store.sub-studio.com.
4. Malachite and sterling fish pin from the Tamohora Collection: Malachite gives the illusion of scales on Ruth Tamohara's fish pin. $328, available through special order at Lola Tortola, 81 Chapel St., Needham, 781-455-0018, lolatortola.com.
5. Handpainted fish platter from Simon Pearce: The 15-inch platter sports a school of Asian art-inspired fish. $175 at Simon Pearce, 115 Newbury St., Boston, 617-450-8388 and simonpearce.com.
6. Octopus cuddle pillow from Binth: A not-so-literal interpretation of an octopus frolicking in the flowers on a down-filled pillow printed with water-based ink. $68 at binth.com or 312-243-7326.
7. Octopus pillow from Dermond Peterson: The octopus is ready for its close-up on this linen pillow from the Milwaukee-based textile company Dermond Peterson. The Octopus is also available in glamorous gold on white linen. $185 at Hudson, 312 Shawmut Ave., Boston, 617-292-0900.
© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.
