ColumnTimeless and bold, animal prints just never go out of style.

As timeless as they are bold, animal prints just never seem to go out of style. Sprinkle a bit of these prints into your outfit for a discrete, playful edginess, or go all out and wear them from head to toe. There are many conscious, animal-friendly options out there that ensure this look will work for everyone.

1. Camel Cashwool Jacket by Thu Thu
Ever since I spotted this oversized cashmere & wool motorcycle jacket, I’ve been completely in love. Trimmed with traditional embroidered Sapa fabric from the H’mong tribes in the Northern Vietnam, it features a contrast leopard print lapel. Despite those eye-catching details, the camel color and versatile cut make this jacket a sure wardrobe staple.
on sale for $638, A Boy Named Sue

2. Foldover Clutch by Clare Vivier
Made in LA from beautiful artisan leathers, this foldover clutch by Clare Vivier is simple luxury embodied. Unfussy and adorned with only a 14k gold medallion, it is the perfect complement to any outfit.
$198, Clare Vivier

3. Leopard Print Organic Cotton Long Sleeved Tee by Stella McCartney
This long sleeve jersey tee from Stella McCartney’s Spring 2013 collection is made from organic cotton and features a great leopard ink print. Pair with simple white jeans and a pair of flats and you are good to go.
$260, Stella McCartney

4. Medina Satchel by Elkarti Morocco
These one-of-a-kind satchels are handcrafted by the Simo artisan group in the old markets of Marrakesh, using unique Italian calf hair and naturally dyed Moroccan leather. The Media is a sturdy doctor-style carry-all that easily opens while maintaining an upright rectangular shape.
$275, Modavanti

5. TOMS Snow Leopard Vegan Classics
These leopard print flats are a slightly wilder version of your classic TOMS. Made without animal products, they are a vegan-friendly way to adopt this trend. Wear them with jeans and a simple tee for a casual look or use them to dress down your favorite LBD.
$54, TOMS

Photos courtesy of the designers, top collage by Johanna Björk

The post On Trend: 5 Wild, Wearable Animal Prints appeared first on EcoSalon.

I love my dog more than frozen yogurt or vacations at the Four Seasons resort in Punta Mita, and that is saying a hell of a lot. But I have a pet peeve about styling decor with images of animal friends, like my precious Pug. I won’t accent a chair with a silkscreen pillow of his highness like the ones available at Etsy or commission pet portraits to join our family dynasty of oils on the walls. To be fair, the same goes for my aging arthritic cat, Audrey Jane. When I want to recall her placid, green glassy eyes and wanton yearning for a dead spider, a lovely photograph will suffice.

Animal ambiance is just not my cup of kibble. The ubiquitous practice of borrowing from both the domestic and wild animal kingdoms for home decor should be buried for good. Herewith, my top pet peeves in decorating:

Oil Memories

Remember when our little equestrian, Pepper, took the fifth prize in stadium jumping on Liberty Bell? Remember when old Harpo escaped the wrath of the kids by resting on the deck? If you don’t, you must have forgotten to order a large oil portrait from that digital photo. It’s just like a real painting, except it’s not. Think paint-by-numbers and a perfect 10 in sappy.

Antler Furniture

Home on the range for the deranged. Cover your bases with something other than dead animal cartilage, the chateaux version of Euro trash. There is eco wood, repurposed metal, and dozens of other surfaces that make a more uplifting statement in the eclectic, well appointed space.

Genuine Skin Rugs

Whether cowhide, zebra or bear, these genuine floor skins give me the willies. Vendors like Hollywood Love Rugs say sales of the rugs are up. But the chic factor takes a back saddle to the tacky factor. Sheepskins that don’t require slaughtering the source are less offensive. Faux is the way to go, a way of saying I dig your stripes and spots without placing coffee tables on the real thing.

Leopard Print Fabrics

Even when it’s high quality, such as this upholstery velvet  from Old World Weavers, safari glam is just pretentious and cheesy, evoking Out of Africa set design in this English Regency ottoman. It went out with leather rhinos from Abercrombie & Fitch.

Trophies on the Walls

Is a Scalamandre room any richer with an African trophy mounted on the toile wallpaper? I get a headache just looking at taxidermy treasures, even though some designers argue they cannot forgo them when styling upscale rustic lodges or taverns.

Main Image: Flock Home

Images: Seattle Times, Guaranteed Portraits, Scalamandre, 1st Dibs

The post Pet Peeves in Decorating: When Design Goes to the Dogs, Leopards and Zebras appeared first on EcoSalon.