Surreal décor is about objects that make you look twice: a lamp held by a monkey, a pistol made of porcelain, a doormat that is also a joke. Italian brand Seletti does this better than almost anyone. Here is how to use its pieces room by room, and how to stop a surreal scheme tipping into chaos.
Hallways: make the first impression count
The hallway is the perfect place for a bit of wit, because guests see it for a few seconds and it sets the tone for the rest of the house.
Start at floor level. The Seletti x Toiletpaper Magazine Mat is a small mat printed with some of the studio's most recognisable images. It is part of the Seletti Wears Toiletpaper collection, which pairs black humour with pop spirit, and there are ten designs to choose from, including Shit, Eye & Mouth, Globe, Lipsticks Black and Pink, Milky Boots, Revolver, Sea Girl and Two of Spades. Pick the one that suits your sense of humour (and your visitors').
Then look up. The Seletti Monkey Light is a black resin monkey holding a light bulb, designed by Marcantonio. It comes in six poses: Sitting, Standing, Hanging, Swinging, and Climbing Left or Right. One on a hall console is charming; a small group at different heights becomes a proper display.
Living rooms: one surreal object per surface
In the living room, the trick is restraint. Give each surreal piece its own space so it reads as art rather than clutter.
- The mantelpiece: the Kintsugi Skull by Marcantonio is made from fine porcelain and embellished with real 24k gold. It takes its inspiration from kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver or platinum, a philosophy that treats breakage and repair as part of an object's history.
- The bookshelf or desk: Seletti Memorabilia My Gun is a finely detailed porcelain pistol, 22cm x 14cm x 3.5cm, in white or gold. It is part of the Memorabilia collection, which turns familiar archetypes into decorative objects, and it pairs with the Memorabilia My Crown.
- The side table: a Monkey Light here works as well as it does in the hall.
Pick a single metal finish, such as gold, and repeat it. A gold skull and a gold pistol on different surfaces will feel like a collection rather than two random buys.
Bathrooms and beyond
The bathroom is a small, private room, which makes it a good place to be braver. A Toiletpaper mat by the bath or basin brings instant personality, and Seletti suggests it for a hallway, bathroom or bedside alike.
And if you have outdoor space, Seletti asks a good question: who said you have to take a shower in the bathroom? The Aquart Shower combines copper and concrete with an irresistible retro charm. The cement base provides stability, the large knob is inspired by old-fashioned taps, and the red water inlet control takes its shape from the industrial world. It is easy to install and move, so you can find the right spot in the garden.
Balance surreal pieces with pattern and softness
Surreal objects look sharpest against a backdrop with some quiet character. Nature-themed wallpaper works especially well, because a monkey or a skull feels at home among birds and foliage.
Sanderson's Woodland Chorus wallpaper, inspired by an 18th-century painting, shows a green woodpecker, wren, robin and thrush alongside nesting blue tits in a modern tree of life, all painted in fine watercolour. Mulberry Home's Flying Ducks wallpaper, from a late 1920s design by Alfred Stone, has mallards in flight against silhouetted trees. Our Morris & Co wallpapers are another good foil.
Finally, soften the edges with fabric. The Crane Blush Printed Velvet Tab Top Curtain shows ivory cranes gliding through blush skies on soft velvet, a calm counterpoint to a pistol on the bookshelf. It also comes in Crane Black, Cigar, Duck Egg, Teal and Willow.
Start small
If you are new to surreal décor, begin with one piece in a room you pass through every day and see how it makes you feel. Come and see the Seletti pieces at our shop in Somerset, or contact the team for advice on mixing them into your scheme.
