It's disturbing, the way this bizarre fascination crept up on me. Disgust morphed into curiosity, and before I knew it (um, was I sleeping while this transformation took place?) I found myself, glazed over like a zombie, eyeballs blue from the computer-glow, researching antique taxidermy at 3 in the morning.
Sometimes, I want what I want. And evidently, I wanted my own piece of the trophy room pie. Have I mentioned that I'm not really much of a hunter?
Enter the (other) problem. In my mind, beat up, antique skins (or otherwise fabrics that closely replicate them) are the only way to go, but tiger and zebra are notoriously difficult to find in this form. Part of what makes these rooms so appealing to me is the dusty, smoky atmosphere and romance of a story, and the common cotton tiger (zebra, leopard, whatever) print just doesn't suffice. Neither does acrylic "fur." Not to mention that most prints are so uniformly intense in color and pattern. They just don't hit bullseye, so to speak.
The solution? You might remember this room —the painted hunting scene is a vestige from an earlier incarnation. Convenient, the way these things work out. To fill in the gaps, we did what we always do in these situations: PAINT OURSELVES INTO OBLIVION. Specifically, I'm referring to the zebra "hide" (painted on canvas, mounted on wool felt) and tiger upholstery (yup, canvas too). The pillow (painted griffins backed with the dreaded ubiquitous cotton leopard print) and red table are also our creations, albeit from a while back, resuscitated for the intensity of their color.
Anyway, since I'm pretty damn certain that no trophy room ever involved a "Naugahyde," we temporarily deep ditched the sofa in favor of this chair, which has become, as you can clearly see, an experiment in, well... animal.
And now, my life is complete. I can live out my latent imperialist fantasies while drinking Christmas whiskey, smoking a cigar (or is a pipe more fitting?) and reading Rudyard Kipling in my own trophy chair. All upon return from safari, of course.
Above, Teddy Roosevelt (check out that fringe), and his very own trophy room. Images from theodore-roosevelt.com.
All other images photographed and created by (IN)DECOROUS TASTE.
I absolutely LOVE the 'tiger skin' on the chair - too beautiful! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteyour work is really quite extraordinary... happy new year.
ReplyDeletejust too much talent in one chair-let's get some of those skins draped on that naugha!the walls. You are so talented, and is that an old "real textile" OR a Lauren one? Gaye
ReplyDeleteWow, somehow all those elements shouldn't work together but with your style and panache they transform to an elegant and harmonious creation. The first image is so beautiful and evocative. Happy New year x
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, these are too good to be true! I think trophy rooms are a little creepy, but at the same time I can never get enough looking at them!
ReplyDeleteWow, looks so luxurious! I cannot believe that rug is not real, so amazing!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Years!!
Gorgeous-Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteGosh, I know, it is freaky how one finds oneself inexplicably drawn to the bizarre. Maybe it because you know there is more than one story buried in there.
ReplyDeleteCheers in 2010!
That is the way things often work for me as well i.e. "disgust morphed into curiosity." Teddy would be proud -- it looks great!
ReplyDeleteThis post reminds me of the Red Baron, and the Castle Von Richthofen outside Denver Colorado. It was built by the Ace's uncle, the Baron Walter Von Richthofen, in the 1880s, and has to be like the scarriest hunter's castle in America. I think you might dig it. :)
ReplyDeleteThe room looks great, and that trophy rug is killer! Excellent brushwork, as always.