Monday, January 14, 2008

Call of the Wild




The blogosphere has been atwitter over the fabulous leopard print-clad room designed by Mary McDonald (in the Feb. issue of Domino)- and understandably so. This homage to Madeleine Castaing is stylish and fun. And while McDonald used the same leopard print for the walls, curtains, sofa, and armchairs, it's not animal overload. Fortunately, McDonald has not abused the leopard print, something which some people so cruelly do in the name of style (and if you need proof of this, then read my book review of "Dictator Style" for some truly terrible examples of animal prints gone bad). But I digress.

If you want to dip your toe into the sea of animal prints, you could add some leopard or tiger print pillows. Elsie de Wolfe did so at Villa Trianon, and they look quite smart against the caramel colored velvet sofas. Nan Kempner obviously thought so too.



Villa Trianon, Elsie de Wolfe's home



If you're feeling confident and want to mix your prints, you should see the apartment of writer and stylist Julie Fowler. I had to take photos from the TV as this apartment was featured in an old episode of Sheila Bridges show, so forgive the quality. Anyway, Fowler has a very small apartment, and she chose to incorporate various animal prints (something which she has always been drawn to) mixed with shots of bold color. I especially like how she has draped the ottoman with the leopard fabric. (If any of you readers know Julie Fowler, have her email me because I'd love to have photos of her apartment to show you. I think many of you will really like her home.)


Living room of writer Julie Fowler


A vignette from Fowler's home

Or, you could throw restraint out the window (like Mary McDonald), and embrace the animal print. Betty Sherrill of McMillen did, and how chic is this dining room?


(Photo courtesy of New York Social Diary)

17 comments:

  1. Love Kempner's leopard pillows! Oh and the de Wolfe image too :)

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  2. Just sent the inquiry to one of our showrooms about the antelope carpet for the office. Funny how animal prints are timeless, yet seem daring at the same time. I am apparently still in domino purgatory - to the news stand!

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  3. Hate to break it to you, but the cushions on Ms Kempner's sofa are real.

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  4. HOBAC- Unfortunately, I think you're right. Wasn't she the one who was detained by Customs for bringing a shatoosh into the country?

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  5. I love animal prints, but like all of you, love animals too, and would never purchase real fur or god forbid taxidermy of any kind. I do love Mary McDonald's leopard print walls and curtains though. I have always associated her with the blue & white california look, as I think I'm remembering her blue & white garden.

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  6. Anonymous2:07 PM

    Now that's she's passed on, maybe Ms. Kempner has ended up in a heaven run by tigers, who lounge around on sofas upholstered in the skins of rich old ladies.

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  7. Topsy- I agree about not using real. Fortunately, there is no need to with all of the great faux animal print fabrics on the market.

    Anon- You're BAD!! ;)

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  8. I think Kempner would have laughed at that comment--she supposedly had a really good sense of humor about herself (when questioned by the--now defunct--Spy magazine whether she'd had plastic surgery she said "Of course I have, darling! SOMEONE has to look older than me!") Is that a Mark Hampton rendering of the Michael Taylor living room next to her in the photograph?

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  9. Morris- They don't make them like her anymore! I was curious, too, about that rendering. Does anyone know?

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  10. I just have to admit, I'm not an animal print lover - real or otherwise. I don't wear it and don't decorate with it. Sometimes I think the zebra or cowhide rugs are attractive because they are so graphic -but I just can't bring myself to walk on one. On the other hand - I don't have a problem wearing leather or even fur if one is in a very cold climate where it is as much practical as pretty. Personal preference, I guess.

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  11. Linda- I definitely think it's one of those things that you either love or you really dislike- no in between!

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  12. Ha! Anon, that's great...we can only hope so! I do love animal prints though, only faux of course. They can look so tacky if not done right, but otherwise seem to never date or go out of style. The pic of Villa Trianon is superb. And Mary does it again, stunning! Can't wait to get my copy of the Feb Domino.

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  13. Where's my domino????? Mary's been busy lately. Total departures too, nice to see that. lovely post, Miss Jennifer - really beautiful. Oh, and expect to get an email about the use of skins from some animal lover. Everytime I post a picture of a skin or zebra or bear rug (!) = I get a slew of emails from one person who changes her name with each email.

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  14. I like a " touch" of animal print . It makes your life wilder ...

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  15. holy yowza, one has to be super confident to use that much leopard. I do like the idea of having one fab piece though like a pouf.

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  16. Anonymous1:55 PM

    Even if you're perfectly ok with animal skins, wouldn't you feel like a ninny after a while, having it all over your furniture, your floor, your curtains, etc.? The whole look is verging on "Happy Hooker."

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  17. Tres chic!! Love it! Very feminin!
    Would move in just like that! ; ))
    And she's such a charming lady isn't she?

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