House of Hackney’s gothic-cool new collection has a hidden environmental message

A crying rose. A trio of pansies dancing around a campfire. An iris flanked by two black candles.

While these images may sound like something out of a fever dream, British home furnishings brand House of Hackney is here with a message: It’s time to wake up.

The company — a cult favorite among decorators for its maximalist mindset and gothic-cool motifs — has teamed up with the environmental organization Stop ecocide and the Italian artist Andrea Zanatelli on a surreal new capsule collection that aims to raise awareness of our increasingly precarious planet while showcasing sustainable materials.

Anima Mundi – Latin for “soul of the world” – consists of three cushions, a wallpaper and a poster, each decorated with an intricate, mystical tableau of Zanatelli’s creation. The designs come from the artist’s archive and are influenced by everything from pagan rituals to Igor Stravinsky to Florence + the Machine.

“We have been admirers of Andrea for some time; His artworks with references to mythology and folklore, gothic literature and classical art are very well received at House of Hackney as we draw from the same inspirations,” says House of Hackney co-founder Frieda Gormley. It was also a way to continue the House of Hackney’s mission of putting the planet first; “Mother Nature” and “Future Generations” are literally listed as members of the company’s board of directors.

They only had to do one small detail first: ask Zanatelli if he would be willing to work together.

The collaboration features a maximalist wallpaper made from sustainable wood pulp and non-toxic dyes. “The Blue Rose Weeping is a reinterpretation of one of my pieces, whose inspiration comes from old books on alchemy,” says Zanatelli.

Zanatelli, who admired the House of Hackney’s strong references to Arts and Crafts pioneer William Morris (an activist of his time), was immediately on board. “In a rapidly changing world, we can no longer delay protecting and restoring nature,” he says.

In all of his artworks, Zanatelli intensively explores the material culture of the past. “I incorporate several references from the late 19th to early 20th centuries into my work, drawing inspiration from theatrical characters, decadent poets, ancient textiles, embroidery and unusual objects,” he explains. He then works to create multi-layered and wonderfully immersive digital collages.

But Anima Mundi is not just a feast for the eyes. For the pillows, the jewel-toned depictions of weeping blossoms, radiant suns, and swirling oak leaves were printed in Italy on organic cotton velvet, which were then filled with a blend of regenerative wool (from farms that practice sustainable land management). Woolkeeper Wool, a British certification focused on creating ethical supply chains. Gormley says the wallpaper is made from Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood pulp and uses non-toxic, water-based dyes.

The Flower at the Gate velvet cushion was inspired by pagan myths and PJ Harvey’s book Orlam, Andrea Zanatelli tells us.

“Everything we create is people and planet-focused,” she says. “It is important for our house to support regenerative agriculture, which works to restore and improve the ecosystem by improving soil health, biodiversity and climate resilience. We hope there will be an industry-wide shift towards these types of materials in the near future.”

All proceeds from the collection will benefit Stop Ecocide.

While Gormley says she can’t pick a favorite from the new line, Zanatelli doesn’t hesitate. He points out the midnight sun ceremony pattern that arose from a past collaboration with Florence + the Machine for the arts at the band’s 2022 event Dance fever Album.

“One of the main inspirations for the album is this strange social phenomenon that occurred several times between the 14th and 17th centuries Mass hysteria where the participants danced until they collapsed,” he explains.

Hopefully you won’t cause mass hysteria by placing one of these exquisite cushions on your sofa, but mass awareness of a more ethical route to luxury could be an unintended – and welcome – consequence.