A sofa covered in Dedar's Tiger Mountain fabric in the sitting room designed by Christian Lyon.
Photo: Jody D’Arcy
Take a Walk on the Wild Side with These 10 Chic Animal Patterns
Leopard spots, zebra stripes, and more add an exotic flair to furniture, wallpaper, home accents, and upholstery
The upcoming fall fashion week will introduce the cuts and colors everyone will be wearing in 2021, but one style that seems to be perennially in vogue is animal prints. From exotic leopard spots to textural snakeskin, these patterns inspired by wildlife readily find their way onto clothing and accessories. However, the trend isn’t limited to the runway; textiles and tableware have all embraced the look, too. Whether you choose to go big and bold or pepper in small pieces, these exciting new introductions make for an eye-catching statement.
Leopard mug from L'Objet. Photo: Courtesy of L'objet
Leopard dessert plate, available in a set of four, from L'Objet. Photo: Courtesy of L'Objet
1. L’Objet
Spice up your next dinner party with L’Objet’s exotic Leopard collection of tableware. The ravishing spotted pattern covers dinner and dessert plates, servingware, tea service, and table linens—even candles and picture frames. Edged in gold, these prints provide a tantalizing accent to a neutral place setting or add depth to a rich wood table.
Cheval Cosmique tray from Hermès. Photo: Courtesy of Hermès
2. Hermès
The equestrian heritage of Hermès runs deep. Of course, the brand reigns as the place to go for the perfect riding boots or a custom saddle, but its horse-inspired creations appeal to more than just the horsey set. This lacquered-wood Cheval Cosmique tray, shown in the cherry-red Poterie, is hand-painted with the majestic animal, then enhanced with a leather tab.
Mosaic Mamba wallpaper in Slithering White by Phillip Jeffries. Photo: Courtesy of Phillip Jeffries
Mosaic Mamba wallpaper in Grey Charmer from Philip Jeffries. Photo: Courtesy of Phillip Jeffries
3. Phillip Jeffries
The established wall covering brand went wild with its recent Savanna collection, which featured bold Zebra Cloth stripes, Cheetah Cloth spots, and this exotic Mosaic Mamba pattern. Made from handwoven Manila hemp and set atop a solid color or metallic background, this striking style adds texture and dimension to a room in a manner that’s both graphic and adventurous.
Alberto Pinto's Savanna dinnerware. Photo: Courtesy of Gracious Style
Alberto Pinto's Savanna dinnerware. Photo: Courtesy of Gracious Style
4. Alberto Pinto
An icon of French style, Alberto Pinto cultivated many remarkable tabletop designs that are coveted by collectors and tastemakers the world over. His ultrachic creations for Raynaud, hand-painted on Limoges porcelain, feature this Savanna design, depicting African wildlife, including a lion, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, or tiger, surrounded by a bold leopard pattern.
Tortoiseshell salad tongs by Cabana Capri • Gstaad. Photo: Courtesy of Moda Operandi
5. Cabana Capri • Gstaad
Cabana Capri • Gstaad’s eye-catching tortoiseshell salad set outraces the hare any day with its warm, glowing tone. The amber serving pieces go with just about everything, much like the perfect green salad with a simple vinaigrette.
Eileen Gray's Transat chair, available from the Invisible Collection. Photo: Courtesy of The Invisible Collection
6. The Invisible Collection
This sculptural seat looks like it could have been dreamed up in 2020, but it’s actually an early-20th-century design by revered Irish architect and furniture designer Eileen Gray. Recognized as one of the icons of Art Deco, Gray originally conceived the Transat chair in the late 1920s. Ercart has reedited the piece, which is handmade in France and available in black-and-white cowhide.
Matouk Schumacher Quincy bedding. Photo: Courtesy of Matouk
7. Matouk
The new Quincy pattern from Matouk’s collaboration with Schumacher re-creates a zebra stripe in soft shades of silver, sand, and hazy blue. Printed in Italy on 500-thread-count Luca Egyptian cotton percale, the sheets are finished with a scalloped edge.
Dedar's Tiger Silk print in Miami Green. Photo: Courtesy of Dedar
Dedar's Tiger Silk print in Electric Orange. Photo: Courtesy of Dedar
8. Dedar
There’s no rule that all tiger patterns have to be striped. Drawing inspiration from Tibetan rugs, Dedar created this mesmerizing jacquard design, available in silk or velvet. The unique weave of these fabrics makes a big statement when used for drapery or furniture upholstery but still packs a ferocious punch on accent pillows.
Lladro's Toucan collection includes these crystal glasses and stirrers. Photo: Courtesy of Lladro
9. Lladro
These birds of a feather add whimsy to cocktail hour when paired together. Lladro’s Toucan crystal glasses and stirrers set, designed in Spain, are finished with a romantic gold luster that will enhance any home mixologist’s bar cart.
Moooi Rendezvous Tokyo Blue wall covering. Photo: Courtesy of Moooi Wallcovering
10. Moooi Wall Covering
Cofounded by Marcel Wanders, Moooi collaborates with a range of creative talents for a whimsical array of wallpapers. Its new Moooi Tokyo Blue by Arte collection joins its Museum of Extinct Animals prints and includes the lush Rendezvous Tokyo Blue pattern that features playful kimono-clad monkeys dancing among a jungle of blooms.
Cover: A sofa covered in Dedar's Tiger Mountain fabric in the sitting room designed by Christian Lyon.
Photo: Jody D’Arcy
