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Guest Picks: 20 Great Leopard-Print Finds
See how to use a little or a lot of this great animal print, hot again this fall
Hi! I live in New Orleans, but work everywhere as a stylist, interior decorator, designer of boutique events, and as a freelance writer. I write the blog The Visual Vamp.
Hi! I live in New Orleans, but work everywhere as a stylist, interior decorator,... More »
Leopard has been in style since we dressed ourselves in pelts and lived in caves. Perhaps the height of popularity for the leopard print was in old Hollywood, with a revival of it in the glam rock and roll era of the 1980s. Leopard print in the home as been fashionable since the 1920s. It really has never gone out of style in fashion or home decor.
I look at leopard as a neutral; any style room and color palette works with it. This fall, animal prints in home decor are back in full force, though for me they never went away.
Designer Mary McDonald has used uniform leopard print on walls, curtains, and upholstery, which she says creates a comforting room rather than a zany one (see for yourself in the last slide here). This is the inspiration for the products I chose for you. Whether you add a lot or a little to any room in your house, you can't go wrong with leopard. — Valorie from The Visual Vamp
I look at leopard as a neutral; any style room and color palette works with it. This fall, animal prints in home decor are back in full force, though for me they never went away.
Designer Mary McDonald has used uniform leopard print on walls, curtains, and upholstery, which she says creates a comforting room rather than a zany one (see for yourself in the last slide here). This is the inspiration for the products I chose for you. Whether you add a lot or a little to any room in your house, you can't go wrong with leopard. — Valorie from The Visual Vamp
by Valorie Hart
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How simple to add a few leopard print toss pillows to any room. I promise they will mix in with anything.
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Add this charming artwork to your gallery wall to update your collection.
We've all used the giant white ceramic dog as the glam animal du jour home accessory, but why not swap it out for this three-foot-tall leopard? I love the modern stylized lines of it.
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A pair of these well-priced leopard print X-base stools would look great at the end of a bed, or as additional seating in a living or family room, tucked under a library table.
by Home Depot
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Leopard print wallpaper — how fabulous! Do an accent wall, or paper the whole room. You won't be sorry!
by csnstores.com
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Check out this sofa in a softer snow leopard print. I would ditch the pillows shown with it. If you are brave enough to get a print couch, leopard print is the way to go. It really is another form of a neutral that you can enjoy for years and years.
by salestores.com
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Okay, okay, if a leopard print sofa is too much for you to wrap your mind around, try out a piece of leopard print furniture with an accent chair. This modern piece has the lines of a French classic.
by Lamps Plus
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Have you ever worn a fur-lined trench coat? On the outside it looks tame, but when you open it up, the hidden glam is revealed. This chic black lamp shade reminds me of those coats. The leopard print is on the inside. LOVE it! Switch out a couple of your existing shades with this one for some subtle mystery.
by Lamps Plus
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Who says leopard only comes in browns and blacks? This orange leopard print pillow would mix so very well with the ikat patterns you have. I predict orange will be the color of the year.
by Lamps Plus
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This area rug has the best of both neutral universes — the plain center, and the leopard print edge for just a bit of interest. Work it in any room in your house.
by Lamps Plus
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But if you want the whole enchilada, get this individually hand-washed rug. The antique finish is achieved through special tea washing techniques.
by Lamps Plus
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Grab a pair of these swing arm lamps with leopard print shades to use at each end of a sofa, or in a bedroom for bedside reading lamps.
by csnstores.com
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Now we're talking about Old Hollywood glam: a leopard print headboard! This one is fab because it has a removable leopard print slipcover over a padded headboard.
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Oh boy — metallic and leopard print together! This is a useful and glam cube ottoman. I die!
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I have to get this set of three leopard print trays! If you only need one, give the other two as gifts.
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Love this leopard print Melamine dinnerware. It's great for poolside or patio, or indoor dining too. And don't you love being able to get it monogrammed?
by stylebop.com
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Okay okay, so this has nothing to do with home decor. But these killer shoes would look great at home or anywhere. After all, fashion influences home decor which influences fashion...
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Cold weather is coming, I promise you. This is a faux fur leopard print throw that is actually blanket size. It's by Posh Pelts. Back to the cave!
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Another small but significant piece to add some leopard print to your room.
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Glam, rock, funk-a-licous chandelier with leopard-print shades. Channel your inner Martyn Bullard dahling, doing up a room for Sharon Osbourne.
Next: Decor Meets Fashion
Next: Decor Meets Fashion
Comments
fondue Oh, how I love all things leopard!
21 months ago · Like
Sheila Edmond If there was a like button I bet those shoes would have at least six figures.
21 months ago · Like
ankerudy I've long been a fan of leopard print, love it in small (tame) doses for accents & accessories (both rooms & clothing). It never gets old! Love this ideabook, had me ooh'ing & ah'ing! My favourite is the french-style chair, thinking of re-covering some old chairs of mine to achieve that look...
21 months ago · Like
Casart Coverings Good morning, Valorie. I'm having cabin fever here in the water-logged Big Easy, so really enjoying Houzz today! Love the animal prints but will have to forego those silk shoe beauties until the storm finally passes. I'm wearing an elegant pair of white shrimp boots for now!
21 months ago · Like
Sharon Barnard My mother's passion for leopard in the 40's has now traveled through 3 generations..I, too, have always felt that leopard is a neutral and can be used anywhere...usually best in small doses, however. I would love to see M. McDonald's "leopard room," but it did not show up on this page...could be fabulous.
21 months ago · Like
newmouse A few houses ago, I had a leopard print wallpaper on the powder room ceiling. It was fab and I had forgotten all about it until I went thru this excellent ideabook. Thanks for rekindling the memories.
21 months ago · Like
ellie48 This is a great post Valerie! I love animal print, especially in small doses, like that small ottoman, the accent table, a throw pillow. The inside of lamp-shade. Brilliant!! Animal print adds fun and whimsy. And yes it looks good with almost any decor, especially traditional where when it is used that unexpected fun element comes in. Love this!!
21 months ago · Like
furpants Oh, how I HATE leopard. It's so Walmart. Zebra prints too.
21 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Aug. 31, 2011.
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