Travel movies can inspire us and our homes in many ways. In this two part feature we journey to different parts of the world via the big screen, celebrate the creativity of global artisans and bring you some unique ideas for home decor sourced from our friends at Culture Vulture Direct.

In Part 1 we set sail to France and India, now we invite you to join us our second leg to Russia and The Highlands of Scotland – all from the comfort of your armchair.

Part 2: Russia and Scottish Highlands

Russia

Russia has always fascinated the western world and it’s not surprising given it’s rich and controversial history as well as its unique arts and culture – from music (Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky), to visual arts (Rubio), to literature (Pushkin, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy) and theatre (Chekhov, Gogol). War and Peace (King Vidor, 1956, the first English-language version of the classic Tolstoy novel) and the epic love story that is Doctor Zhivago (David Lean, 1965) are two all time classic films set in Russia.

Our tongue-in-cheek Film and Furniture pick of a film set in Russia is The Twelve Chairs (Mel Brooks, 1970) which takes the viewer on a comical treasure hunt for family jewels across 1920s Soviet Union. Their travels convey both the geographical and cultural landscape, as the main characters encounter all manner of interesting people on their journey. After many comical scenes of the protagonists running around with chairs (“walnut, covered in gold brocade”) over hills, through villages and smashing them over each other, the jewels are eventually found hidden inside one of them.

When we think of typical traditional Russian interior design style we think of bold folk art motifs, embroidery, hand painted wood or metal and vibrant patterned floral textiles.

This Kovernino embroidered armchair is upholstered in a unique mix of embroidered fabrics over a solid seesham timber frame.

Kovernino embroidered armchair
90 x 80.5 x 66cm
Fair Trade
£925
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This Liski floral hand painted metal wreath also caught our eye.

Liski floral wreath
£40
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The Tomari 3-drawer unit is hand painted mango wood frame with metal handles.

Tomari unit
60 x 53.5 x 35.5cm
Fair Trade
£340
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Scottish Highlands

Scotland has long inspired filmmakers. The 70s brought us a Film and Furniture all time favourite – Wicker Man (Robin Hardy, 1973), the 80s brought us the sci-fi classic Highlander (Russell Mulch, 1983) starring Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery and more recently, the Bond movie Skyfall (Sam Mendes, 2012). In all cases Scotland is integral to the story.

Nobody needs an excuse to hole up on a dark Autumn evening to watch the original Whisky Galore! (Alexander Mackendrick, 1949) with a sheepskin rug and glass of single malt in tow, to watch Scottish islanders plundering 50,000 cases of whisky from a stranded ship.

Local Hero (Bill Forsyth, 1983), starring Peter Riegert and Burt Lancaster was predominantly set in the Scottish village of Pennan and put the remote highland coast firmly on the map. The iconic red public phone box that featured in many scenes is still in situ. The emotive Mark Knopfler soundtrack is also worthy of mention and is regularly played at F&F HQ.

The dramatic Cuillins in Skye were chosen as the backdrop for the opening scenes in Ridley Scott’s Alien prequel Prometheus, starring Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba and Charlize Theron.

Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most recognised of all Scottish castles and has featured in Made of Honour, Highlander and Bond’s The World is Not Enough.

The home décor of a Highlands hideaway conjures up the simplicity of crofters’ cottages, cosy sheepskin underfoot and the hues of the countryside from lee to loch.

This Traves sheepskin floor cushion echoes the creamy wool of the Cheviot sheep of the Borders.

Traves sheepskin floor cushion
62cm square
£78
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This Tay Wool throw in soft woven wool is perfect to cuddle up in when the days get shorter.

Tay Wool throw
Made in Scotland
135cm x 190cm
£95
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This Lowes sheepskin rug brings home memories of a loch-side hideaway

Lowes sheepskin rug
100 x 75cm
£65
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This Lochalsh driftwood mirror is inspired by beach combing finds along the coast of the north west of Scotland.

Lochalsh driftwood mirror
60cm wide
£75
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We hope you’ve enjoyed our whistle stop tour of furniture and décor from around the globe – via the big screen, and have been inspired to introduce something a little ‘je ne sais quoi’ into your home.

If you have any other favourite travel movies (we know we’ve only scratched the surface) please share them in the comments box below.

Read Part 1: India and France.

 

 

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We tell you this in the spirit of openness and please rest assured that all our recommendations are vetted, carefully chosen and genuine.