Black and White and Found All Over: Zebra Print

patscats2 says:

After looking at the different Zebra print applications I think I've made a decision on the cover for my office guest chair. I think I'll do it in a zebra print. Thanks for inspiring me.

periwinkleblue says:

Searched forever until I found the perfect zebra rug - color and texture. Love it!

jeg700 700 says:

Zebra print is right up there with the old black and white cow print that was popular way back in the day...it's just too much for me:)

anneadam says:

I agree with Obsessive and can go even farther back to the 60s when only really tacky people were connected with animal prints. So, every time I see them I see a skinny little old lady with dyed bright red hair, red lipstick running into the lines around her lips, a cigarette hanging out of her mouth, wearing leopard print leggings that bag around her knees and butt. Sorry, can't get past the images of my youth!

The Yellow Cape Cod says:

Animal prints are a forgiving pattern. My zebra print chair is the kids' favorite spot. It hides stains well. Also, nothing lightens up a serious space better than a little animal print.

mark s chapman says:

Check out this Zebra, I recently saw in Boston.

storklady says:

Anneadam, where were you hanging out in the 60s to associate the use of animal prints with lipstick-smeared old ladies with dyed red hair and baggy britches? I was around in the 60s and never saw anyone like that. We had an older lady live next door to us when I was growing up. She was born in 1903 and was very elegant, sophisticated, well-educated (2 degrees from Sophie Newcomb) and well-to-do. I was invited into her home many times over the years to visit with her and always saw a touch of animal print in her home. I remember at times seeing either zebra or leopard. She used them in moderation...a rug....or a pillow(s) or a single accent chair. She didn't use everything at once or mix the prints. Not everyone can appreciate or like animal prints. But to make a general statement that animal prints go back to the 60s and only used by the declass is not true and also could be offensive depending on who you say it to.

Shabby Nest...thanks for a beautiful ideabook.

georgetownsandi says:

I love this ideabook - thanks for sharing your great ideas! I think a little animal print in a room adds adventure and zest and beauty.

Dunafon Construction, Inc. says:

I agree with Stork Lady and Shabby Nest! Have some fun and think outside the box.

gypsysix says:

I agree with the positive comments...this has always been an accent I've loved.

ellie48 says:

I absolutely love touches of zebra or animal print. It gives element of surprise!! and adventure. There is no timidity in that kind of design. Theshabbynest, thank you.

aim4123 says:

Loves me some animal print. Although I'm more the leopard type. It NEVER goes out of style and goes with any decor.

marowcliffe says:

I know what anneadam is saying. I've rejected animal prints in decor and fashion for decades, associating them with a sort of 70's crassness. Isnt it funny how we all respond differently to trends? It's only recently that I've embraced them in small doses, thanks in part to my fashion forward daughter. I've found they can be chic, fun and sophisticated if you are willing to take a bit of a risk!

storklady says:

Somebody needs to post photos of the use of animal prints in decor from way before the 60s or 70s. It's a classic look and has been around "forever." As for clothing, I personally could never pull it off and wouldn't try. I don't have the right *attitude*. :-)

nenamarci says:

Storklady, you are so right! Animal print is classic, has been around forever and will continue to be so. Why? It's natural, remember the animals? As in home decor and fashion, it can be used on either ends of the spectrum- use with restraint or over the top a la Versace. Either way you use it, the first ingredient needed to use it is attitude.

The Shabby Nest says:

Wow! What a spirited debate going on over here! Obviously, I love animal print...but I do agree it should be used in small doses. I wouldn't want my room looking like a zoo. ;-) But done correctly, I think that animal print can be very sophisticated!!

Kate says:

I love zebra print too. I am thinking to buy a rug but afraid it might be too much. Instead, I bought a zebra print plant pot and it looked great!

Vicki says:

Ummm...haven't animal hides/skins/prints been around since cave man days? That would make them one of the oldest, most enduring of decorating designs, and therefore a classic. I am bowled over every time I see anything with animal print used in a room, especially zebra. It always amazes me to see how well leopard, ostrich, alligator, zebra, cheetah, and their relative "critters" transcend ANY style of room. I am a huge fan. Huge. HUGE!~!!

libby68 says:

I also agree with the positive comments. Almost any style can be taken to the extreme or used in a over-the-top manner. Because there are so many examples of this with animal print, I think it makes classy and well-done use of it even more brave and sophisticated. I adore it!