Is that an animal skin covering your chair or pillow? Look closer. That’s no hide. It’s cotton, velvet, suede or wool printed or woven in exquisite, fool-the-eye detail. Animal motifs complement the popularity of natural textiles in home furnishings. From leopard-print bordering area rugs to zebra-handled flatware, animal motifs are calling consumers to the wild side of interior decorating.
Animal prints are showing up everywhere. You’ll find leopard, Holstein, ostrich, zebra and reptile motifs on linens, rugs and upholstery. Nearly every fabric mill offers some kind of animal print in velvet, chenille, silk or cotton. Even suede and the new engraved leathers include animal textures.
“Animal prints have evolved to the point that they’re now found at most price points,” says one furniture manufacturer. “Designers use animal prints to warm up a room. A single animal print is used as an accent - an element that’s been introduced to make a room warmer. It’s the pillows on the sofa, the cover or drape on the chaise, the ottoman used as both seating and cocktail table.”
Animal prints coordinate well with many interior colors because they are warm, lifelike and versatile. A leopard print is a tone-on-tone, richly hued accent that complements nearly any color scheme. The black and white patterning of a zebra or Holstein print moves smoothly into both Traditional and Contemporary interiors. No matter which era you’ve evoked in your home - 18th century Country, Victorian, Art Deco, Mission or Urban Contemporary - animal prints are quite at home.
Furnish the outdoors with pieces tailored to your style and environment
Whether it’s a porch, deck or patio, you’ll get more enjoyment from your outdoor room if you follow a plan just as you do for an indoor area. Choose a basic color scheme and stick with it. Then pick your style from new furniture groups that combine good looks, easy care and comfort.
When you shop for casual furniture, take your climate conditions into consideration; check for good construction, durability and comfort and think about other uses. You may find a way to extend the season by using the table and seating inside during chilly months.
Never have there been so many colors and materials to choose from for the deck, patio or poolside. Natural desert tones of sand and beige are being joined by everything from deep raspberry and forest green to pastel peach, salmon and teal. Cushions come in vivid stripes, checks, geometrics and florals. Fabrics are made in loose weaves to let the water run through, or in tight weaves so it will run off. After a rain shower, synthetic fillings help cushions dry quickly.
Choose from old favorites like wicker and twig furniture, teak wood that mellows to a silvery gray, easy care aluminum, intricate wrought iron and sturdy polyresin plastics. Read the fact tags for information about care.
Whatever the climate or location of your casual living area, furniture materials are available to suit your needs.
- Hot sun? Check out anodized aluminum, wrought iron or steel with protective paint, PVC or molded resin and synthetic covers that resist fading.
- Near a pool? To resist damage from wet bathing suits, choose cushions with synthetic coverings and fast-drying polyester fiber fillings.
- Oceanside? Choose rust-resistant materials like plastics, anodized aluminum or steel.
- Windy? For pieces that stay outside, get heavier furniture made of wrought iron or steel.
- Enclosed porch? Consider wicker, bamboo or rattan and cushions with natural fabrics.
