Remember when zebra rugs made everyone go all swoon! and lurve! and heart it so much! Ah, the 80s. Kidding — that was just a few days ago. The internet in all its infernal efficiency has shortened the trend cycle almost to death, as in it’s busted before it even begins. Case in point: I find myself yearning to jump on the leopard band wagon because it’s trendy and I have been inundated with eight trillion hot ass pictures of fancy leopard sundries that make me want to run out and tattoo leopard spots all over my face. But if I invest in reupholstering a pair of wingback chairs in leopard velvet (something scalamandreish that magically costs about $40/yd hahaha), or — even more attainable – a leopard rug, will I regret hitting a wave that’s already crested?
But I’m also lusting for leopard because it’s dirt colored. Thank you, evolution, for considering the unavailability of showers in the wild for our feline friends. I, for one, support all things invented by necessity. And if you have a toddler you know patterns and dark colored fabrics are a necessity. Toddlers are a lot like wild animals.
Also leopard is just really pretty.
So what do you think? Is leopard a classic — worthy of an investment piece? Or is it better used in small, easy to swap doses — like pillows and throws?
Due to a major case of analysis paralysis (and a very tight budget), the fate of my living room decor depends on your opinion.
[via This is Glamorous, Barclay Fryery, via My Interior Life, Aerin Lauder's couch two ways, Miles Redd]
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I think you already know the answer…of course, it’s a timeless classic. Grand gestures or small touches, I don’t think you can go wrong! As for toddlers, they ARE wild animals. As are 6, 10, and 12 year olds. Yeah, it was a long weekend. ;0)
It’s funny that you mention it. My living room took a turn for the granny recently and one of the things that I’ve decided to do to funk it up ever so slightly is to add some leopard on a bench. The problem, of course, is finding one of the super fab fabrics that will fit my budget. The super expen$$ive ones are the ones that look timeless. I feel your pain.
“Dirt colored” haha, too funny. Dont get me wrong, leopard prints are really cool (the first pic is amazing)…but in my opinion, home furnishings are in leopard overload. It’s probably going to look veryyy dated/uninspiring in a year or two. My advice is to save your money and stick to throws
Leopard is a forever “do.” I hate to be corny, but I’ve always seen it as a kind of neutral. Love it and all of its animal friends. Especially snake. But I digress. TOTALLY do it.
Leopard is forgiving in a house with dogs and kids…always a classic. Whether you use it on a club chair or as an accent, you can’t go wrong.
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Leopard is a neutral in my book. Maybe this wearable version of the amazing Thibaut Cheetah wallpaper I am currently sporting will sway you… http://www.riverisland.com/Online/women/t-shirts–vests–sweats/short-sleeve-t-shirts/beige-cheetah-print-t-shirt-615178
It’s a classic! A little bit is super chic and it basically goes with every color. Do it.
i inherited both a zebra hide and a leopard print pillow from my two grandmothers. the pillow is from the 70s and older than the WWW, so i think you’re safe.
I love when my opinion is sought as if I knew what I was [were?] talking about. (Were I? But I *know* I’m talking…)
I agonize over the do-I-like-it-because-it’s-trendy question all the time. I have yet to come up with a wise answer, but I have some principles. (1) If it most strongly visually identifies with an era that is not this one and only a minority of people are using it now, you’re safe. (I think vintage stoves qualify.) (2) If you’ve always loved it and it is trendy now but you actually maybe like it slightly less because other people now have it, you will still love it later. (3) If they sell an indistinguishable one at Target, don’t plan to have it more than five years. But if you love it NOW, it’s OK to buy it anyway, as long as it’s not too expensive. (4) If it is a design (not mechanical) element and 75%+ of the consumer base wants one and 20 years ago nobody had one, you will hate it, and soon. (Granite. Obviously.)
I think you’re OK on leopard-print pillows and probably also a rug, but I think if you reupholster furniture in leopard, you might regret it – unless you recover all your furniture every few years as it is. Unless you’ve ALWAYS loved leopard prints, in which case you’re probably fine.
More pictures, please. You could take them from your bed while you’re resting. That would be fine.
I love the leopard and had the same quandary when redesigning my bedroom. After much thought and contemplation I went for a leopard spot wallpaper above my bed. Although it’s not classic in it’s colour (a deep chocolate ground and bronze metallic spot) I absolutely adore it and have never regretted it. So I say go for it – definitely a classic…enjoy.
I’m a big fan of the leopard but am wimpy and would probably just do pillows.
Do it!! In the most beautiful, luscious fabric you can afford.
I confess I’m not a fan, but I think that’s more my aversion to dead animals than anything to do with trendiness. None of the photos you posted look overbearingly trendy to me.
I’m going to guess that your application will be interesting enough to last, so you’re safe. If you love it, you really can’t go wrong. Imagine passing a leopard couch down to grandkids….They’ll be the envy of all their friends! I’ll admit, I had the same problem painting my powder room (an almost) black. I have loved black bathrooms for years and years and years, and I curse that they’re popular now. But I know I have always had eyes for them, so that makes it okay somehow.
Holy longest comment ever. “DO IT” would have sufficed…
feeling it. big time.
Haha! Last year I saved for a Zebra (print) rug but I got cold feet thanks to all the Cowhide rugs all over the internet and magazines. I mean, how did this timeless classic go by so quickly? As for toddlers YES they are like wild animals. Our toddler was up for 11 hours straight!
F it. Do it. It’s one of those things that will always come back in style again.
If you’ve always loved it, it’s a classic.
If you don’t feel strongly, it’s a trend.
Stick with what you love — unless you really enjoy redecorating every year.
Classic.
Leopard is a classic & that has been proven continually in fashion for decades. I support the love of leopard forever. This is also coming from a girl who has been staring at some amazing leopard wrapping paper trying to figure out how I can turn it into wall paper. Just DO IT.
it is both. end of discussion.
Leopard is always a classic!! I love it in any application!
Springs. You may notice that I did not mention removing the old fabric before putting on the new.
Check the condition of the top layer of webbing.