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Divia Harilela

Contributing writer for Style by SCMP, specialising in fashion, beauty and lifestyle


Like almost every other arena of design, the world of interiors has long been lured by the beauty and power of the animal kingdom.
Displaying hunted animals goes back centuries to the days when hanging skins was viewed as a status symbol. Royals and other elites even chose specific animals depending on the characteristics and traits they supposedly represented.
While real skins have thankfully fallen out of vogue, interior designers are still enticed by a walk on the wild side, using animal prints to create a range of moods in the home, from seductive to playful.

Leopard print has become a signature in the home collections of fashion designers Roberto Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbana. It’s celebrated in various forms in the striking soft furnishings and wallpapers by hip British design label House of Hackney, while designer Matthew Williamson is known for mixing it with other nature-inspired motifs like peacock feathers and florals. Fashion designer Philipp Plein just decorated the ceilings of his Bel Air mansion with leopard spots.
Renowned French interior designer Madeleine Castaing had a wall-to-wall leopard print carpet in her Paris salon, while Diane von Furstenberg is also fond of the motif, as was the late Lee Radziwill. Earlier this year Pauline Karpidas, considered the grand dame of the art world, partnered with Sotheby’s to auction off a rare collection of personal objects from her chic London flat, which featured bold and whimsical interiors that included plenty of leopard and tiger print.

“Animal prints endure because they are both adaptable and timeless. In interiors, they can function almost like a neutral, grounding a space much like a textured solid would, but they also bring energy and character. They allow you to instantly shift the mood of a room without requiring a full redesign,” says Guillaume Coutheillas, founder and creative director of interior design studio frenchCALIFORNIA.
The sheer number of offerings available have also boosted popularity. While classics like leopard and tiger reign supreme, newer favourites include zebra and cheetah for their bold and graphic looks, while reptilian patterns add a seductive, intimate vibe, and peacock feathers can add a touch of luxury or exoticism.
All the same, incorporating animal prints in the standard home takes planning, say the experts – and in some cases, a hefty dose of courage.

“Whether your home is traditional, modern or maximalist, ‘we all need a splash of bad taste’, to paraphrase Diana Vreeland. Animal prints are not safe, pretty or customarily tasteful, but I personally cannot imagine a home without one. For most spaces, a ‘splash’ is all you need,” says Lucia Tait Tolani, co-founder of interiors brand Permanent Resident.
Tait Tolani suggests starting out with soft furnishings like a pillow or a throw blanket, while Coutheillas recommends a rug in tiger or zebra, as it blends in with the architecture of a room while still making a clear statement. Experiment with less obvious materials like tortoiseshell or shagreen (there are now kinder man-made alternatives to unsustainable shark or ray skin), or animal-inspired textures such as snakeskin-embossed leather.

Complementing your animal print with the right colour palette is crucial and can take a print from tacky to transformative. Jewel tones such as red, green and gold pair well with leopard to create a decadent look, while a zebra print in black and ivory is modern and contemporary. If you want to play it safe, match your animal prints to your existing colour palette or stick to neutral shades.
“It’s all about restraint and contrast. If the print itself is bold, I’ll pair it with clean architectural lines and a limited palette so it doesn’t overwhelm. If I’m layering prints, I’ll stay within the same tonal family so the effect feels considered rather than chaotic. The most stylish interiors allow one strong voice at a time,” says Coutheillas.

For those who are wary of taking their guests on a full-on safari, there are more understated and elegant ways to reference the animal kingdom. Animal-themed sculptures and objets d’art can add a striking focal point to any room – be it a bronze gazelle or Murano glass parrot. Coutheillas also recommends photographic prints or a contemporary painting inspired by natural forms.
Tableware is another option for an elegant finishing touch.
“For one night, you can be someone with an animal print in your home. Try snake-print linens in a variety of colours and sizes. Opt for a full tablecloth for a striking and memorable base, or a napkin at each place setting for a daring dash,” suggests Tait Tolani.
Go wild: How to use animal prints in your home
– Play it safe and mix with neutral tones.
– Show restraint: one or two bold gestures are infinitely more tasteful than covering every surface.
– Pair your animal print with a geometric print, stripe or floral textile for a stylish contrast.
– Start with accessories such as a single rug, pillow or upholstered piece that make a quieter statement.


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Architecture and design

Animal print interiors: how to embrace your wild side while keeping it classy

The living area in Pauline Karpidas’ London home incorporates several flashes of animal print. Photo: Handout

Zebra and leopard print adorn this outdoor furniture by Dolce & Gabbana Casa. Photo: Handout

A bronze bed by Claude Lalanne in Pauline Karpidas’ bedroom. Photo: Handout

Details of the upstairs landing in Pauline Karpidas’ home. Photo: Handout

Dolce & Gabbana Casa bedspread and pillowcases. Photo: Handout

Medusa tablecloth in Berry by Permanent Resident. Photo: Handout 

How independent luxury hotels are offering a more intimate, local feel

The Raas Jodhpur is an excellent example of an independent hotel: sat amid the hustle and bustle of the old town, it affords stunning views of a 15th-century fort. Photo: Handout

The low-key yet luxurious Palihouse offers a “home away from home” vibe in California’s West Hollywood. Photo: Handout

Adler Spa Resort Sicilia is located in Agrigento province on the southern coast of Sicily. Photo: Handout

Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti is nestled between the majestic peaks of Italy’s Dolomites. Photo: Alex Filz

The living area of the Mountbatten Suite, at Raas Rajmahal Palace in Jaipur. Photo: Handout

A luxury tented room at Raas Chhatrasagar in Rajasthan. Photo: Handout

The Manner is New York’s new design-led hotel with sweeping views and style to spare

The Rooftop at The Manner in New York is already a hit with the in-crowd for drinks – and it’s easy to see why. Photo: Handout

The Apartment is a lovely private lounge only open to hotel guests. Photo: Handout

Deep colours dominate the design of the rooms. Photo: Handout

The Penthouse is inspired by the New York office of 1970s designer Roy Halston Frowick, better known as Halston. Photo: Handout

How to create a private outdoor paradise at home: create an alfresco oasis with multifunctional spaces, durable materials and biophilic design from brands like Dolce & Gabbana Casa and Soho Home

Elevate your outdoors: create an alfresco oasis with multifunctional spaces, durable materials and biophilic design from brands like Soho Home, Soho House’s homeware brand. Photo: Handout

A balcony designed by Guillaume Coutheillas, founder of frenchCALIFORNIA. Photo: Handout

Mediterranean to the max with Dolce & Gabbana Casa. Photo: Handout

RH outdoor furniture. Photo: Handout

Soho Home side table. Photo: Handout

The rise of branded residences from Four Seasons to Aman and beyond

The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Bali, offer a home away from home by the sea. Photo: Handout

A craggy natural backdrop at the Aman Residences at Amangiri in Utah. Photo: Handout

A master bedroom at Anantara Desaru Coast Residences. Photo: Handout

Poolside living at the Anantara Desaru Coast Residences in Malaysia. Photo: Yang Zhen Siang

A luxurious open kitchen at the Rosewood Residences Beverly Hills. Photo: Handout

A sumptuously appointed bathroom at Rosewood Residences Beverly Hills, California. Photo: Handout 

Poolside at the Mandarin Oriental Residences, Madrid. Photo: Handout

How to make your home bloom, plus 5 tips for the perfect floral display: from choosing seasonal blossoms and the best vase, to creating stunning arrangements and ensuring sustainability

Bunches of beautiful  blooms such as these from Flowerbx bring instant colour and a sense of freshness to your home. Photo: Handout 

The Violette arrangement from Libertine Flowers at Lane Crawford. Photo: Handout

A striking display of phalaenopsis (moth orchids) and snake grass by Armani Fiori. Photo: Handout

An arrangement by Pretend Plants & Flowers in Los Angeles brings the room alive. Photo: Handout 

Autumnal arrangement from Hong Kong-based Blooms & Blossoms. Photo: Handout

 Nuit Blanche by Libertine Flowers. Photo: Handout

This Flowerbx arrangement, using repeated single stems, makes for an artistic look. Photo: Handout

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Long tied to glamour and excess, animal prints are back – here’s how to use them to add energy and character to modern homes


Long tied to glamour and excess, animal prints are back – here’s how to use them to add energy and character to modern homes.


Animal print interiors: how to embrace your wild side while keeping it classy

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Long tied to glamour and excess, animal prints are back – here’s how to use them to add energy and character to modern homes

Long tied to glamour and excess, animal prints are back – here’s how to use them to add energy and character to modern homes