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Lion Decor Makes Rooms Roar
Crown your home king of the neighborhood with elegant lion-themed furniture details, artwork, hardware and more
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
I recently spent a week in Germany's Bavaria region, where one of the dominant motifs is the lion — a central figure in the Bavarian coat of arms since the 1600s. I've always loved these kingly creatures, and all the statues, flags, porcelain figurines and other pieces bearing their likeness left me wondering why I've never made them part of my decor.
Lions have a masculine appeal that's balanced by their grace and regal elegance, and the combo lends a dash of uniquely exotic flavor. As I scheme about how to give my house a leonine lift, here are 10 starting points I'll be considering.
Lions have a masculine appeal that's balanced by their grace and regal elegance, and the combo lends a dash of uniquely exotic flavor. As I scheme about how to give my house a leonine lift, here are 10 starting points I'll be considering.
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1. Go funky. Sometimes all it takes is one key accent piece to set the tone for a space. The deep turquoise lion sculpture gives this room a totally whimsical spin and adds a flourish of color that revs up the neutral palette. Check out the claw-style feet on the chair, too — that kind of meticulous attention to detail is part of what makes good design great.
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| 2. Go layered. Lions preen over this kitchen cooktop, from the upper and lower corbels on the range hood to the brass statuette right on the center ledge. One of these elements by itself might have gone unnoticed, but grouped together, they make an impact in an unobtrusive yet unforgettable way. |
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3. Go playful. From the Cowardly Lion to The Lion King, these beasts are woven throughout the crazy quilt of kids' pop culture. This silhouette, cut from wallpaper, presides atop a library cabinet. A pair of candles wrapped in the same paper picks up the pattern.
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| 4. Go primitive. Lions aren't always about flowing manes and fierce golden eyes. A pair of roughly hewn sculptures in an otherwise sleek dining area provides an arresting contrast and captures the raw power of these animals. |
by Splendid Willow
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5. Go subtle. As if the high-gloss Prussian blue paint weren't enough of a knockout on this rehabbed dresser, the homeowner added one more decadent touch: small lion's head drawer pulls, which lend a top note of panache and presence.
by TEA2 Architects
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6. Go dignified. If you didn't inherit a family schloss in the Alps, do the next best thing and fake it. The lion-shaped inset in this iron stair railing stakes a claim to a piece of old-world history — even if you've never traced your roots farther than the Seattle suburbs.
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7. Go bold. Giant animal portraits tend to polarize people: You either love them or you don't. Whichever side of the fence you fall on, there's no denying that this full-front fellow dominates the corridor with a suitably regal air.
8. Go leggy. Why settle for a bland table base? A trio of lion's paws on a side table shows your sassy side without being over the top.
9. Go natural. A concrete lion peeking from a planter gives this garden a touch of surprise. Backlit by the sun, it evokes the impression of its real-life counterpart basking in wild grasslands.
by Design Manifest
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10. Go stylized. Guardian lions, better known as foo dogs in some places, have been a traditional part of Chinese culture for millennia. These lamps represent a cheeky, modern take on the custom that falls in step with the room's unorthodox palette and eclectic mix of furnishings.
More:
Getting Wild: Decorating With Animals
The Animal Statue: Pets Without Responsibilities
More:
Getting Wild: Decorating With Animals
The Animal Statue: Pets Without Responsibilities
Ideabook published on June 20, 2012.
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Great article! I just wanted to let you know that in example 9 "Go Natural" the lion is actually a terra cotta lion made in Italy and every year I plant his "habitat" a little differently.
Glenna Partridge Garden Design