Make an impact with animal print

Take a walk on the wild side with these top tips for incorporating glamorous animal print and faux fur into your home.

Add opulence

“Faux fur can make a big statement in any room and can really elevate an interior. We use it to convey a sense of luxury and comfort when paired with simpler furniture pieces. Use a beautiful earth-tone fur with some dimension or variation in it or be bold and use a coloured fur for a more modern scheme. Look for long pile fur that is soft and pleasant to the touch. It’s welcoming, it’s opulent and it is inviting.” – Cecil Cameron, managing director of Cameron Collective

Add texture

“Many contemporary interiors sometimes feel a bit cold and flat. By adding some faux fur you really bring in an element of comfort and warmth. Layered textures immediately make a space more sumptuous and appealing – and this is easily achieved by adding a fur throw, cushion or rug. But limit it to one of those options.” – Cecil Cameron, managing director of Cameron Collective

Go for a feature wall

“Animal print has become the trademark of a chic interior, and this unique style can easily turn any room into an expression of your personality. One very effective way of doing so is creating a feature wall. Create this standout feature wall by applying your favourite print to a single wall, and use complementary colours to enhance it.

“In bedrooms, the area behind your headboard is a great space to make your feature. Lounges often use the largest wall as a focal point, while bathrooms and kitchens may simply use the largest available space to be the feature. Don’t be scared to go bold on walls and keep the rest of the space quite neutral. Have fun with animal print!” – Danelle Terblanche, owner of Graphic Gurus

Try out quirky patterns

“If you are looking to achieve full-scale glamour, then animal prints are a perfect fit for colourful and flamboyant interiors. They also provide a great opportunity to combine unique and organic shapes. To highlight your favourite décor pieces and accessories, choose zebra stripes that are confident and attention-grabbing or leopard print – the new neutral – to match up with metallics and solid colours.” – Johann De Waal, marketing manager of KARE Johannesburg

Subtle does it

“When you think animal prints, you generally think bold and ‘in your face’, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Animal prints can be beautifully subtle and be the perfect kind of design to layer a space. These kinds of designs are often smaller in scale, like a cheetah print, and are gorgeous in more muted tones.” – Cara Saven, owner of Cara Saven Wall Design

Include a canvas print

“Canvas prints are an inexpensive way to add striking feature walls. Choose animal prints that provide accents such as Nguni cows or wildlife printed on a plain background. Make it more eye-catching by choosing a solid paint colour such as a charcoal to contrast the plain background of the canvas. Seeking a more sophisticated look? Invest in original artwork for guests to ponder.” – Michelle Page, interior designer at Kraaines Interior & Garden Centre