Sunday, June 16, 2013

Animal Magnetism

A slideshow on Elle Decor.com declares that leopard print is trendy, with the picture below as an example.
Elle Decor
Now, this is Mary McDonald's living room and I am NO ONE to pass judgement on anyone's designs choices, let alone the great Mary McDonald's.  But this is a LOT for me.  Let's look at some more designs using animal prints in a more... restrained way.  Shall we?

1.  Something's Underfoot!

A great way to inject a room with a little safari flair is by using a rug.
Stylish Eve

2.  Pillow Talk

A few throw pillows certainly can't hurt, can they?


Digs Digs

3.  Sitting Pretty

A chair covered in a zoological pattern is another way to put some animal print in a room.  The picture below shows how elegant and sophisticated a room can still be with animal print fabric featured in a prominent way.  (Also, the modern fabric on the antique french chair is a lovely juxtaposition.)
CMC Design Studio

4.  Subtle Shades

This wallpaper by Thibaut is such an elegant way to have a little fun with fur!  A cream and taupe take on the traditional zebra motif is understated and lovely.
Etosha Wallpaper @ Thibaut

5. Temporary Insanity

If you just can't commit to any costly or permanent hides in your home, try out a throw!  Faux throws can add instant glam that is totally temporary.
Notes To Anne

I have not yet succeeded in convincing my husband that animal print is where it's at.  I think it's been done too badly too many times for him to trust that it can be beautiful.  If it even remotely looks like an animal, no matter how subtle, muted, or small-scale the motif, it gets an automatic nix from him!

A few notes and cautions: if you DO choose to put animal print in your house, please please please use a discerning eye.  Don't just snap up a print because it's animal.  Make it a good one, will ya?

Also, please don't over-use it unless you are doing it in a very intentional way.  If you love leopard and you want it all over every surface (a la Mary McDonald), that's great, but you have to commit to it and be prepared to defend it.

Lastly, LOVE what you choose.  If you don't love it, there's no point to having done it.  It doesn't matter what anyone else (okay, except maybe your husband) thinks.  Kelly at View Along The Way's Decorating Rules To Live By post says it really well:  "You can’t please everybody. If your goal is to wow others, you might get a few people who really dig the decisions you make, but most people probably don’t have the same style you do. You just can’t make a room that everyone likes."  

End of sermon.

What about ya'll?  Do you have any animal print in your house?  How have you used it?  Anyone else have a husband who is vehemently opposed to hides in the home?  Sound off by commenting below!

Do you want to try it, but not sure how?  We can help.  ;)



2 comments:

  1. I did the animal print things once and didn't know what I was doing. When I got new furniture and that all went out the window. I'm afraid to try it again.

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    1. Yeah, I've definitely screwed it up once or twice! (And I may or may not have had to return shoes that were a "bad" animal print.) It can be real tough to get it right! Thanks so much for stopping by, Carli! :)

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