DECORATING WITH
ANIMAL PRINTS

Hello!

We are going on "safari" this month. I have so many inquiries about decorating with animal prints that it just "screamed" to be a newsletter.
(sorry about that!~grin~)

Animal prints are not only "in", they are sophisticated and wonderful to work with. My husband has learned to "steer" me gently away from any and all things with animal prints, trying to be sure I do not "spot" them. He goes "ape" (sorry, can't help myself) if I pull a "leopard" print dress out of my closet! He thinks animal prints lack something in the way of professionalism. What does he know! <grin> Seriously, animal prints are everywhere and very accessible for anyone wanting to add them to their decor. They can be worked into any decor.

The fact of the matter is, these terrific prints are really neutrals in disguise! In a careful kind of way. I wouldn't use them on an entire wall, but the tones are generally workable with many other colors. Black, white, tan, red, burgundy, greens. Think of the up and coming bamboo trend. What goes well with bamboo? Animal prints! Picture the new bamboo and copper kitchen cabinets with touches of animal print accessories in the kitchen. Touches, not too overwhelming. Dramatic, yet tasteful.

Another striking use of these prints is in a bedroom. Here you can go a bit wilder with duvet covers, pillows, border paper , framed prints of African animals, etc. Lots of tan and black will give this look a feel of exotic places. Since animal designs have been used in almost every culture at some point in time, the look is old, yet new. Traditional decor can use these touches, as well as contemporary, country, ethnic, you name it! Think of how well the tones go with wood, bamboo, brass, gold, leathers, etc. Even floral prints can look well with an animal print if the colors blend. Sage is a wonderful color to use as a backdrop for animalistic fabrics. I did a bedroom with a wall size outdoor mural with mostly greens, and the rest of the room in neutrals. The fabric used was a white with sage print and the touches that the leopard pillows add are very dramatic, without being overpowering. Black wrought iron was used generously in the accent pieces. The sleigh bed is black wrought iron also. Its throw is a wonderful, soft, and very leopard print! The final effect was great!

See something you just "have to" have?

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Happy Decorating!

This decor is not for the faint of heart. It can be worked with very easily, but will tend to be overpowering to a true decorating wallflower. The flip side of this is that you can EXPRESS your wilder side with a few touches. Maybe you will decide you are not as timid as you thought! This animal stuff grows on you! Really, you have to try some animal prints in small doses and get use to the drama. Go slowly, as in all decorating, and you may find you love what the look does for your home and yourself!

Let me give some more examples.
A dining room done in a traditional style: assume it is done in soft greens and you want to add some animal print "snap" to see how you like it. OK. Try "scarves" over the existing drapes, in the print of your choice. Now add some black framed artwork of animals, and some statuary of African animals. How about a long table scarf in a matching or complimentary print. An animal print vase with silk greens in the center of the table. Maybe a silk bamboo plant in the corner! Stand back and enjoy! It is not a major investment and will give you an idea of the look and your comfort level with this "wilder" decorating. If you like it, go for a great rug for under the table. Whether you have tile, wood, or carpet, an area rug is a great addition!

Try a living room! The same applies here, easy does it. Drapery scarves, pillows, an area rug, black accent pieces animal statues, and bamboo or lots of greenery are the simpler things you can add to try out the look. Maybe a border paper to tie it all together. Don't go crazy and if you are interested enough to be reading this, I promise you will like the look! Below are some ideas of things that work together.

 

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