Lily Allen is never one to do things by half measures. The musician has always been outspoken and transformative in her professional and public life, so it comes as no surprise to see that she also threw the rulebook out of the window when it came to designing her most private space – which includes a fun mix of animal prints. The '90s interior design trends are back and better than ever.
Daring and bold, Allen's living room, which she shares with actor husband David Harbour, is as extroverted and maximalist as the star herself. The maximalist decor trend is all about embracing excess. Think large doses of color, exuberant patterns, and plenty of textural elements. While 'more might be more', the current trend for maximalism doesn’t equal mess. Allen gets the balance just right here. Think of your home as an Aladdin's cave of treasure – with each object being more exciting than the next.
The animal print is undoubtedly the hero in this maximalist living room. Once the must-have look of the late nineties and early noughties, animal print fabric and decor are back in the zeitgeist – and honestly, it is about time.
Animal prints have had a bad rep and are often considered outdated, but mix different scales and choose subtle hues for modern schemes that ooze sophisticated style.
Used in moderation, animal motifs add a touch of exotic sophistication to room schemes. Rather than going wild, introduce focused hits of pattern and you might be surprised to find that an animal print can really lift a space.
In her modern living room, designed by Billy Cotton and architect Ben Bischoff, layering animal print – tiger, in this case – with accents of jewel tones and quiet neutrals tell an elegant yet playful story. Harbour and Allen are clearly not interested in formality, and it is so refreshing to see people living life in full color.
However, it pays to exercise caution when introducing patterns and motifs into our home.
'In our opinion, utilizing animal print effectively requires thoughtful consideration and a restrained approach,' says Kailee Blalock & Taylor Troia, founders of House of Hive Design Co. 'If animal print is not used appropriately within a space, it has the potential to diminish the room's quality.'
'We would use animal print through furniture and true hides. An accent chair or an ottoman are great places to experiment with different patterns and would host an animal print well. Alternatively, used underfoot, or as a smaller decor idea, means that it can be easily changed as and when fashions and styles change.'
The eccentricities of the space are what make it so interesting and inspiring. It is a break from the middle-of-the-road aesthetic that we've become so accustomed to seeing. After all, it is always worth experimenting with your home decor ideas. Fortune – and style – favors the bold.
Shop the look
Don't be afraid to introduce animal print to your home. A rug is the simplest and more effective way to add color, pattern and texture to a space with minimal effort. The trick to decorating with animal print is to remember that less is more. Going for an outgoing leopard print design? Then balance it with plenty of neutrals for a sophisticated look.
More is definitely more when it comes to pattern this season – we're seeing all kind of motifs being given the catwalk treatment, but none more so than leopard print on armchairs. This piece is ideal for injecting personality into a space, and can enliven even the most featureless room.
Designed by Sarah Sherman Samuel, the mastermind behind Mandy Moore's recent remodel, this design pillow is a must-have accessory for your sofa or daybed. The gold-ochre colorway is the color of the moment – and I believe it will be an eternal favorite.
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