Animal Magnetism - The Softer Side

Hide... hide... oh hide... how I love hide!!

To continue the trend of having fun with all of the animal accessories out there (and I don't mean animal prints on fabric... Get that real stuff, or faux real, if that even makes sense) now it's time to feel the texture on your floors and sofas, etc. While playful and trendy, these hides and furs will stand the test of time. Below are just a few of my favorites (and there is soooo much more).

  

 

OK, this white hide mirror from Jamie Young on the right is just fabulously fun. It's fairly lightweight, easy to hang and takes up that vertical space on a skinny wall that otherwise might make a round mirror appear disproportionate when hanging it at a useable height. Place it in a teenager's room, in your entry, covering part of a window, or spice up a drab bathroom glue-in mirror and put one in front of each vanity sink.

Hide ottomans are easy to find and I just love the splash of texture they bring to a room. Whether a pouf (Graham and Green), foot stool (Oly Studio) or ottoman (Kyle Bunting or Jonathan Adler), these additions will bring the element of surprise into any style of room. 

Oly Studio's Hide Hank Stool

Graham and Green Billy Skin Pouf

Jonathan Adler's Mongolian Stool

Kyle Bunting's Ottomans - Yummy!!

Animals on the floor: Placing a hide on top of your sisal rug, layering one on top of another or finding one for your entryway floor is an easy way to add a bit of texture and fun to any space - AND spills clean up easily from them. Personally i would keep it light and simple if it's in your living room, but if you find a great pattern or bold color, place it for that pop of visual interest in your foyer.

While in the design industry, Kyle Bunting is in my mind the King of Hide (and a good place to get inspiration), there are other lesser-expensive options that are accessible to you.

Rondo Rug from Bo Concept

This penny-round hide rug from Bo Concept is tons of fun. I would caution putting it in a high-traffic area just due to the threads that keep the pieces together, but it is a great, round area rug.


I also gravitate towards the patchwork hide rugs. Design Within Reach has them, Horchow, of course Kyle Bunting, but a more affordable option is the manufacturer NuLoom (see below).

Patchwork rug from NuLoom

 

For an irregular floor covering, that doesn't define a space as much, throw a full hide on the ground. While I would take this neutral one and layer several over each other, throwing in some color in this orange hide or pattern in this zebra hide are stand out design statements.

NuLoom Hide

Tangerine Hide from Horchow

Zebra Hide from West Elm

This just in: Kyle Bunting's Zebra pattern rug in different and customizable shades of hide - oh, how absolutely fabulous!!!

For something more subtle, look for pillows or sheepskin throws (or this hide lamp, below).

Alumet Hide Lamp from Made Goods

Throw a Mongolian or sheepskin pillow (available in an array of colors) on your couch or side chair. Add a sheepskin or teal sheered Mongolian throw over a chaise or the end of your bed. It's fun, adds a bit of whimsy, and is, oh, so textural!

West Elm Mongolian pillow, in Celery

Room and Board's Silky Sheepskin Pillow

Room and Board has 3 colors of this sheepskin

Anthropologie's Teal Throw - I love teal!

Animal Magnetism

For the month of March, I want to encourage you to have fun with all of the animal accessories out there - and I don't mean animal prints on fabric... Get that real stuff (or faux real pieces) on your walls, floors and sofas. Enjoy the texture and dimensionality they create in your home: they're both playful and trendy and yet in many ways have stood the test of time.

Heads and Horns - with a twist.

These animal heads are everywhere - and what a great way to add a bit of the unexpected to an otherwise blank or bland wall! Take a similar color palette and group a variety of materials together. OR, take the same one in different colors and you've got a fabulous focal point. Another option is to place a singular unit over a doorway even in a traditional home, for that element of surprise. Here are a few sources and inspirations to get your creative juices flowing:

Whether from West Elm (to left) or Stray Dog Designs (right - and don't miss all of their other fab items), these papier mache trophies as solid colors work in a variety of spaces. (See below how I installed some at a decorator's dining event called Dining by Design in 2011).

Wallpapered Deer head

Steer Horns in Resin

Talk about fun, this Etsy artist
Ruby's Lounge, has added wallpaper to their animal trophies. Just imagine the possibilities with your own color-coordianted wallpaper.















Reminiscent of Georgia O'Keeffe, Restoration Hardware has a few more realistic pieces to add to your walls - the simple lines of this set of steer horns can stand on its own in a variety of settings.

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 Antlers, antlers everywhere! Just try a few, they're addictive!

I have always coveted this white resin antler chandelier. Whether mountain modern or city rustic, these would look superb over your dining room table.

 And for your table-top, find either Roost's candle holders or place a few raw or treated antlers on top of some books, in your bookshelves and near a table light for some unexpected texture.

Antler coat racks - fun and functional!

 

And I end this post with a set of large, bright green antlers - celebrating the color of the season and encouraging you to add a bit of whimsy to your rooms.

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