My Norfolk Nest: animal

Monday, May 16, 2011

Animal Instinct

(Design Clique)

I recently purchased a blue leopard print pillows from The Kellogg Collection for our oversized white chair (pictures below). It fits perfectly against the back of the seat and offers both lower back support and a pop of fun. While I'm an adament animal lover and personally wouldn't decorate my house with anything that was shot and skinned for my design pleasure (though I might make an exception for faux cow hide rug; they look so real and a good quality ones only cost around $200), I do love an occasional animal print or faux fur for a touch of Hollywood glam. I'd even do some antler accents for a rugged, organic feel.

One of my favorite designers, Windsor Smith, is an expert when it comes to incorporating tasteful touches of print into a home. House Beautiful recently featured her showcase estate in a cover story and it's worth viewing the full slide show of her sumptuously appointed rooms and reading her interview for design inspirations. Her LA home mixes casual, yet vibrant romanticism with grand, luxurious elegance, a true reflection of the designer's talents.

zebra rug layered on a sisal for an unexpected wow factor
(House Beautiful)

antlers repurposed as table legs tie in the rugged feel of the metal wall hangings
(House Beautiful)

Here are some other pictures of interiors I like that incorporate touches of animal prints and accessories.

leopard print rug by Ralph Lauren Home
(blossominteriors.com)

the acryllic table is the perfect choice to allow the faux zebra rug to take center stage
(shelterpop.com)

I love the bold blue print contrasted with the tangerie chair
(kcinteriors.com)

white antler chair and feather head dress in
Vanessa Traina's NYC apartment
(Harper's Bazaar; photo by Todd Selby)

faux cow hide chair
(image source unknown)

a fux fur throw on the couch adds a punch of fun to neutral furnishings
(birds of a feather)

a brown zebra ottoman compliments the coral window panels
(Mary McDonald)

Monday, February 21, 2011

Trunk Show

Richard Avedon photography

My favorite animal has always been the elephant. They are majestic and graceful relative to their enormous size, and they have better memories and display true humanistic emotions more than most creatures in the kingdom. Flipping through the winter issue of Luxe magazine this weekend, I found this porcelain urn by French artist Jean Boggio.

My earliest indicator of my love of elephants is recalled by my parents when they took me to see Disney's "Dumbo" in the theater. I was four-years old and apparently I could not bare the scene when Dumbo is separated from him mother. Despite attempts to keep her little son with enormous ears by her side, she is helpless to the circus' metal shackles and Dumbo is torn away, sold to another circus. I became hysterical, and crying ran out of the theater, flinging myself on the lobby floor. I never finished watching "Dumbo" that day and scarred for life, I adamently boycotted Barnum & Bailey and began collecting elephants. Throughout the years, friends and family have bestowed upon me many elephant-themed gifts. I have over 30 minatures mainly attributed to my grandmother. She has travelled the world--literally every continent--and whenever she saw a pacaderm figurine she would purchase it for me.

gold elephant necklace
my friend in NYC found it at a street vendor in the city for me

I have collected pictures of elephants in fashion photography for my inspiration book. They include Richard Avedon's famous photos (see above), Keira Knightly with a baby elephant from Vogue, and a photo of an elephant in front of a gorgeous facade in Paris.