Inspiration from the deep sea can be seen in many print designs both in wallpaper and fabric. The enduring love of coral — the tiny creatures that build a reef — is reflected in the pretty colour of that name seen in most paint palettes.

My favourite coral colour is Coral Glow in the Benjamin Moore range. This tone captures the perfect balance between pink and orange that distinguishes this shade.

Coral works beautifully as a background for classic paintings. Its deep richness offsets gilt or wood frames and enhances the brush strokes of any picture.

The fronds of sea weeds and gentle movement of underwater anemones are used to good effect in several wallpapers. Jean Monro’s Coralie wallpaper is a sweet version of a coral reef theme. Coming in three colourways (pink, green and yellow), they remind you of the variety of colours in the reef life.

A traditional, but equally gorgeous underwater themed paper, is by Seaweed by William Morris. This arts-and-crafts paper is bold, capturing the sinuous curves of the fronds in jewel colourways

The Little Mermaid should not have all the fun.

Dive in and use this image from nature to decorate your home