Want your home décor to really make a statement? Whether your home is classic, contemporary, or somewhere in-between, incorporating animal prints into your décor is a fabulous way to do it. Zebra, leopard, cheetah, and tiger are just a few of the animal prints capable of making any room in your home pop--and featured for you here are some fun ways to use them.
Hint with Print
If you want to add just a few splashes of animal print to a room, you can do so with accents. A few pillows and a throw on the sofa, hand towels in the bathroom, or bedding and a unique animal printed lampshade in the bedroom can add some much-needed flair without going overboard. Picture frames and other trinkets bearing fun animal prints can also be used to incorporate a hint of print if you're going for subtlety.
Choose One Bold Piece
Animal print doesn't have to be limited to accent pieces. If you want to take it a step further, introduce one boldly patterned furnishing into the room. A sofa or chair upholstered in animal spots or stripes, a faux-painted armoire, or a wild area rug will not only command attention in the space--they'll bring it to life.
Pair Of French Gilded Louis XV Style Armchairs Little Paris Antiques
Entrance of a Manhattan apartment decorated by Miles Redd, a leopard-print stair runner adds a subtle graphic touch- Elle Decor Magazine
Italian Gilt Wood Chairs Seller Penny Long
Mix and Match Prints with Solids
While it's okay to use more than one animal print in the same room, mix and match them with some solid colors to avoid a look that's too busy. If you have a sofa upholstered in a zebra print, for example, accent it with some colorful pillows instead of ones in the exact same print. Solid colors mixed in with animal prints also give you some control over the level of boldness in the room. Neutral solids will tone down animal prints, while rich or bright colors can really spice things up.
Size It Up
Animal prints come in many different sizes, and in many cases a small print paired with a large print is quite complimentary. Smaller sized animal prints that tend to look a bit busier typically make better accent pieces, while larger prints that are more spread out work better for focal pieces such as furniture and floor coverings. Too much of the same-sized print will scream over-worked instead of effortless--and when you're decorating with a dominant pattern such as animal print, you want to avoid a look that says you're trying too hard.
Make the Room Roar
You can make animal print look larger than life by using it as a wall or floor covering in one of your favorite rooms. Walls can be faux-painted, wallpapered, or tiled with animal spots or stripes depending on the look you're after, while floors can either be painted or simply covered with a large area rug proudly displaying a wild and funky print. Accents pieces in animal print work well with walls and floors covered in the same, but be careful not to over-do it. Too many pieces that go beyond simple accents in a room that's already covered in an animal print will overwhelm the space in a hurry.
There are many ways in which animal prints can liven up a room--so don't be afraid to experiment with them in order to get just the right look. Versatile, easy-to-find, and just plain fun--animal prints in your décor will take you on a style safari that'll make you want to sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Patterns can add flair to even the most muted color themes in your home. Tortoise shell pattens are both organic and geometric in design, making the pattern one that works well with a wide range of colors and styles. To incorporate a new pattern into your home decor, you will want to begin by evaluating the existing patterns and looking at small changes that you can make to fit the pattern into each room nicely.
Getting Started
One of the simplest ways to add a new pattern into a room is to choose just one or two patterns that work well together and eliminating others. For example, a circle patterned rug may not work well with tortoise patterned accent pillows. Solid colors should provide a foundation for more ornate decorations in your home. When choosing accent patterns it is a good idea to look for colors that already work well with the existing furnishing in each room you want to update with new accents.
Decor on a Budget
Incorporating tortoise patterns into your decor is very simple, even if you are on a budget and can't change everything in the room. Opting for accent rugs and throw pillows is one way that you can change the look of a room very inexpensively. Most accent pieces are also available in a wide range of colors and sizes, as well. You can choose a large fourteen by twelve rug for a living room, or a small patterned rug for the entrance of your home to tie the room together perfectly. If you are handy with a sewing machine, you also have the option of purchasing tortoise shell fabric and polyester fiber fill very cheaply at a local discount store to make your own throw pillows.
(Picture Credit Victorian Tortoiseshell Model of a Square Rigged Schooner Seller Guinevere)
Mixing and matching pattern sizes is also an option that adds a little drama to your home decor while also working well together. You may also want to consider looking for colors that unify the theme of your room. Mixing and matching colors that reflect each room in your home is a good way to do this. One of the benefits of choosing to color your home with inexpensive accents is that you can easily update your home with new color themes without replacing more expensive pieces of furniture. Decorating using accent pieces, such as vases, throw pillows, and rugs, is very easy if you have neutral colors as a main theme in your home.
Where it Works
Tortoise shell patterns work best with a contemporary style. If you aren't sure that this pattern is right for your space, you may want to begin by adding just a pair of throw pillows to the room to test the pattern. Everything from the color of the woods used in your home to the types of fabrics that you choose have an impact on how well each color and pattern will work. In general, tortoise patterns work well with any theme if you have chosen the right colors to fit into your existing decor.
In fact, if you have chosen the right colors and pattern sizes, you will be able to fit this pattern into a diverse range of styles easily. Taking the time to look for the colors and styles that will fit your home best ensures you get the styles that are right for your current decor.
Author bio:
Cassandra Challas is a professional interior designer who writes for News Updates Weekly.
Maitland Smith Dark Bronze Finished Brass Candelabra Lamp, Penshell Shade From Nobel Rugs Home
Faux Tortoise Shell Chair featured on Style Beat Blog
Former Ford model and television host Nina Griscom has parlayed her passion for collecting while traveling into a full fledged store for decor
Breathtaking Tortoise Shell Chairs featured on Belgain Pearls Blog
Oscar de la Renta is known around the world for his exceptional designs in the fashion industry. Together with Century Furniture, he put together a collection of extraordinary pieces that he has collected over the past 40 years. The collection is several years old, but still are some of the most sensational pieces of furniture around. Oscar de la Renta Home for Century Furniture was inspired by the furniture found in Mr. de la Renta's three very different habitats: his New York City residence, his country estate in Connecticut, and his oceanside island retreat in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The result is a collection remarkable for its scope and variety—from sophisticated, 18th Century inspired mahogany pieces, to casually inviting upholstery, to Caribbean woven rattan designs.
Some of the most interesting pieces from the collection.....
-Shell ottoman by Oscar de la Renta for Century in Kublai Khan linen by Oscar de la Renta.
Both functional and fashionable, horn-rimmed glasses have proven to be an iconic accessory that trendsetters flock to time and time again. Thick frames in dark colors, no nose pads to speak of, these classic spectacles are ones that definitely get noticed. You may not realize that horn-rimmed glasses have a history that's as unique as their style-and if you're curious about their origins, you've come to the right place. Featured here is a brief history of horn-rimmed glasses, leading up to their role on the fashion scenes of today.
In the Beginning
Horn-rimmed glasses first appeared in Europe during the nineteenth century, and quickly spread as a popular style of eyewear in other parts of the world soon after. Named for the fact that the frames were made of either horn or tortoise shell, horn-rimmed glasses were quite pricey because of the materials that were used to make them. It wasn't long before manufacturer's starting making the frames out of plastic, keeping costs down for consumers and boosting their sales. Between 1910 and 1920, the well-known silent comedian Harold Lloyd sported horn-rimmed glasses, starting a trend in the United States that would come and go throughout the years.
A Hybrid Emerges
By the 1930's, horn-rimmed glasses had taken a backseat to a new trend--metal-rimmed glasses. However, a decade or so later the two very different styles were combined to form an interesting hybrid. Dark plastic rims on top and metal rims on the bottom, this new style of glasses kept the spirit of the classic horn-rims alive until the music scene of the 1950's would come along, raising them to a whole new level of fame in the fashion industry.
Making a Comeback
Horn-rimmed glasses were perhaps made most famous by Buddy Holly, and in the 1950's his thick, dark frames were recognized the world-over as part of his trademark image. Following the rocking 1950's and 1960's, the horn-rimmed glasses trend seemed to die down for a decade or two with the birth of the hippie movement. It wouldn't be long, though, before the alternative music wave of grunge, gothic, and emo musicians would bring the glasses back once again--bigger than ever and this time, for good.
Today's Geek-Chic
Horn-rimmed glasses, often referred to as "nerdy" glasses, have a strong foot-hold in the twenty-first century's fashion scene--and there's no sign that they will be going out of style anytime soon. Popular television shows like Heroes, Mad Men, and Ugly Betty feature the horn-rimmed spectacles, making the geek-chic image a new trend that has captured followers all over the world.
As you can see, horn-rimmed glasses have left their mark many times along the timeline of eyewear. Since their beginnings, they have been used not only just for seeing, but also to make a fashion statement--one that isn't easily forgotten. With a fascinating history behind them, multiple celebrity endorsements, and frequent comebacks as a popular trend, the likelihood that horn-rimmed glasses are here to stay is one that you can almost positively bet on.
Lazy Susan sells a pair of two resin Tortoise Shells for your wall. Place the larger one below the smaller tortoise shell for a very hip rustic look. The picture above looks to be a real genuine tortoise shell. If you are wanting more of a glossy appearance, Michaels Crafts sells a line of floral spray paint called Design Master. In that line they sell a "cherry 756" and "walnut 758" spray paint which is transparent. It almost looks like furniture stain. I often use it with my faux painted burl finishes, and it does a remarkable job of blending together my paint strokes for a deep rich appearance. If you buy both stains and start spraying with the cherry and finish highlighting it in the walnut, you may get a richer finished product like the picture above. Spray painting the whole entire piece to begin with may not be the best approch. Although if you spray a couple shapes or lines typical of the patterns found in natural tortoise shell, and let it dry, and come back and repeat the process, (let it dry) then the layering of the paint will create more than just two tones of colors.
LOUIS XIV TABLE Reproduction Tortoise Shell Replica End Side Accent
Decorate With Darla is selling a stunning Louis XVI table that features a decorative replica tortoise shell faux finish. The finish isn't real tortoise shell, but simply a faux finish. The table is certainly a hard to find piece all on its own without having such an elaborate finish. This piece takes a 22 step process to look like genuine tortoise shell. Decorate With Darla is selling this exquisite piece for $847. Elle International also sells this piece at a little over 1k.
NH Rare Coins on ebay is selling a stunning 14 K Gold tortoise shell bracelet in an antique victorian style. The bracelet is currently on auction for $2,800.
Naomi Campbell looks incredible in this Cheetah number. Is there a way of wearing Cheetah print without it looking like club wear? Here are my top 10 Cheetah accessories that are classy and lady like! Adding a little cheetah print will look wild without being overdone.
Brown Leopard Buckled Thong Sandals CityClassified Letup
French Cheetah Print Commode From Alibaba
Pair Of French Gilded Louis XV Style Armchairs Little Paris Antiques
Entrance of a Manhattan apartment decorated by Miles Redd, a leopard-print stair runner adds a subtle graphic touch- Elle Decor Magazine
Italian Gilt Wood Chairs Seller Penny Long
Raymond Waites -Zebra Chest From Former Furniture
Breathtaking Tortoise Shell Chairs featured on Belgain Pearls Blog
