I'm about to tell y'all something that is probably a big no no in the blog world.
I'm not down with animal prints.
I know that's probably like telling a room full of kids that I hate Santa but animal prints have never been my jam. They always make me think of that horrible lycra outfit Michelle Pfeiffer wore in Married to the Mob. Eww.
The funny thing is, I like them in magazines, and in other people's home, but I've just never gotten on board. But the more I study, the more I find that some of my favorite images have animal prints involved.
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| Cottage Living |
I'm thinking I need to go with a 'What About Bob' approach and take baby steps into this whole animal print thing. Here are some ways to dip your toe into 'the jungle'.
So now its your turn to fess up - what design secrets are you keeping? Share!
And one last reminder, today is the last day to
sign up for your chance to win a $200 gift card to Target! (oh yeah).
Giveaway ends tonight at midnight!
You hate Santa???!!! I mean animal prints!!! Gasp! LOL Baby steps to the leopard print ;) Happy Weekend! xo Kristin
ReplyDeleteYou surprised me on this one. I have a designer friend who says "every room needs a little leopard". I actually don't have any in my home, but I do like it. Love your pics.
ReplyDeleteWhat?! I have no words. You need some animal print baby, there's just nothing that brings a little vavavoom into a room (hey that rhymed). I adore it and fear at times I may be getting into the Married to the Mob aesthetic - in fact, I was just eyeing up a leopard print tote bag asking myself, 'Too much..?' But there is NEVER ENOUGH. Get on board ;) xxx
ReplyDeleteOh Elizabeth, I am so glad you are dipping in ... I was worried a little!! Have a wonderful weekend! xo
ReplyDeleteI am shocked by this confession! Animal print is great, although I only have a hint in it in my own space (that leopard loafer aestate print and my little zebra). A little goes a long way though!
ReplyDeleteMy own decor confession....I used to HATE orange. Now I'm obsessed. Go figure.
I love it when someone comes "clean"!!!
ReplyDeleteI never thought about it one way or the other. Loved them in photos but never had the opportunity to have them in our home....until....I introduced our cow hide rugs!!! I love them, but family and friends aren't on board!!! I ignore their screams that I'm crazy and have enjoyed "Honey Bell" and her sister "Lulu Bell".
I will also admit that I don't like it in my house either! I can see some zebra prints or a cow hide... but leopard has never been my thing in my house. I love leopard accessories like those shoes {I have the same pair} but not in my house! Take a dabble... the water is warm!
ReplyDeletefunniest post intro to date. Love it! And love me some leopard. And zebra. And cheetah. And giraffe. And....all of it. Mixed together on the same chair kind of love it. But only in a modern way, duh.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't "speak" to me either. I completely overlook it in pictures most of the time. It looks so good for other people but its just not me. Here's one that will get me in huge trouble...I don't have any ginger jars in my house!
ReplyDeleteI think you aren't in to animal prints in the traditional color, but I noticed that once preppy colors are in the mix, you tolerate it more. I'm no biggie on it either, and the only print I like it the giraffe, so don't worry you are not alone. :-)
ReplyDeleteMy secret design dislikes are: Peach or salmon walls (currently making a comeback), those big white porcelain dogs, and most of those chinese barrel things that are often used as side tables....And I usually only like about 20% of what Kelly Wearstler does. Tee hee, It's fun to just put it out there.
ReplyDeleteYOU definitely need some animal print in your life...I mean after all they are a neutral?! haha I'm contemplating covering my office chairs in the aqua les touches right now!! Now go get you some!
ReplyDeleteI like animal prints, but in small doses. A leopard print belt or shoes I could do, and for some reason I LOVE leopard stair runners!! So fun and expected (and dirt-and-fur-hiding :) :) )!
ReplyDeleteI love them all and consider them neutral. Lol.
ReplyDeleteGo for it girl! I am a bit surprised at your admission...I love a little animal print here and there and was sure you had a zebra or leopard something somewhere!
ReplyDeleteI like animal print in small doses, that's for sure (belts, shoes, handbags, pillows) but part of me desperately wants a leopard print are rug (I've written about that before) - just to do something completely different that's still pretty reversible.
ReplyDeleteLove that blue pillow...that would look great in my bedroom. :) Have a nice weekend!
I'm a sucker for leopard print, but only have it in my wardrobe. I do have a leopard scentsy warmer in my powder room:-). Everything in moderation. Great round up!
ReplyDeleteHahaha! Inconceivable!! ;-) And yes, you do need some animal print in your life...baby steps.
ReplyDeleteOh honey get with it LOL
ReplyDeleteI love the leopard print and have an area rug in my office
also numerous other leopard print items through out my house
my friend had a new sofa covered in leopard material, it's fabulous one one arm sofa sort of like a lounge sofa
Do It
HA! I'm right there with you, Elizabeth! I don't have any animal print anywhere in my house. The Les Touches I could do or the Marathon fabric by Thibaut. Something that hints at animal print but isn't full on. I'm great with it in photos or other peoples houses, but it's just too glamorous for me or my house. I love your "Fess Up Friday" title!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I never thought of Les Touches as being an abstract animal print. I was a little slow to come on board myself to animal prints, but now I have a few leopard pillows thrown around. Come on in, the water is warm! :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, my big fess up design thing is that I don't have a house full of white walls! Oh no, the horror. I know a lot of designers live and die by the white wall rule, but in my house, I think it would look terrible. There I said it. That being said, I do love it in other people's spaces and can understand while it's appealing. Ever the diplomat, right?
Sorry why not while. Need to proofread my comments better. ;)
ReplyDeleteOkay I hate purple, lavender, lilac or whatever version of purple they say is coming into vogue in home design. do not like. but I do however love animal print! to each his own I guess!! xoxo
ReplyDeletewao, this is a pretty big confession in blogworld! But I think its fabulous that even after seeing it over and over again you still haven't warmed up to it. You stand straight in your conviction. Out of these things that you posted....the YSL slipper shoes is awesome...I bought it and adore it! So much better in person...do it...also the candle is fab. The C wonder plates are so, super cute but I'm always weary of plates made in china from which I will be eating....is the only thing....What do I want to confess I don't love....Juju hats (even though they inspired a DIY I'm working on) and I may be warming up to them and I have another thing I dislike that everyone is doing but I don't want to offend anyone!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your board on all those goodies that I would have in my home! Im crazy about animals, as you may know.
ReplyDeletexo Nancy
Oh my goodness, love the bath rug! So whimsical and wonderful!
ReplyDeletexo
Alanna
i'm the same way! I always think it looks great in other homes, but can never imagine it in mine. great ideas for adding small doses!
ReplyDeleteI actually never was really into the whole animal print thing either. Glad to know there is someone else out there. But that cup and saucer set is something I could see in my house. It is animal print but due to the color not exactly being from nature, it gives animal print a fresh take...maybe that is my way in!
ReplyDeleteIf you can think of animal print as an historical fabric rather than on that awful jumpsuit you might embrace it...start small.
ReplyDeleteHere I go, forgive me for I have sinned...I cannot stand all those turquoise chevron prints...so tired of them especially when mixed with orange! Yuck! I better keep my name anonymous as I know I am in the minority but I feel much better now that I have said it. Off to recite my five Hail Marys.
I don't think it's a big deal you didn't like animal prints. If everyone liked all the same things, design would be very boring!
ReplyDeleteGasp is right! ;) I love animal prints, but they can go cheap quick, so I understand.
ReplyDeleteShocking! I love animal prints but my fiance won't let me put them anywhere in our home. I might have to sneak in a throw pillow when he's not looking.
ReplyDeleteWhat? You've thrown me for a loop. No clue you don't like animal prints and how is this so?
ReplyDeleteHahah I love What About Bob! I wish I didn't like animal prints..then I would get in less fights with my husband. I think a little goes a long way. xo
ReplyDeleteYES! Come to the winning team Elizabeth, you will love it in an animal print loving world! Honestly, they are an organic pattern, no different than a floral - Except 100x more awesome!
ReplyDeleteWas just thinking this would make a fun series! Every week you could have a new blogger over confessing their dirty little design secrets.
ReplyDeleteOnly a bit related, but I have to laugh every time I see that Osa Johnson zebra print book in a room. I had that book as a kid and remember loving to read it (it's about her time in Africa with her husband). Funny to see it used more as an object than something to read.
ReplyDeleteI have to confess, I don't like the trend of typography as art. All those "hello," "like forever," and "&" is just one step away from cheesy bumper sticker city for me.
ReplyDeleteaww thank you so much for including my print in your round-up! Love this series and i totally get where you're coming from with the animal print. it's been misused and abused so much in the past it can be hard to get over.
ReplyDelete