Humane Hunting Trophies: Mock Animal Heads for Wall Decor

Deer, courtesy of C.G. SparksJanet Ramin - Hunting trophies – if you've ever shuddered at the thought of them but you still wanted to create that hunting lodge look in your home - then I have the animal-friendly alternative for you. Cardboard Safari and C.G. Sparks have brought to life popular wild creatures without raising the ire of animal lovers.

Designers at Cardboard Safari use lasers to precision-cut recycled cardboard. Then they layer them to create these modern, minimalistic three-dimensional heads. Cardboard Safari offers an array of bulls, longhorns, rams, deer, and moose to hang.

Bulls and Longhorns from Cardboard Safari

Moose from Cardboard Safari

For those who want a more colorful choice, C.G. Sparks uses rope taxidermy to recreate their heads. Michael Hennessey, co-owner, says that they use recycled cotton fabric from India to twist into coils of rope. The rope is then wrapped around the hand-formed heads.  In the first photo above, we have a blue and brown coated deer. Other choices include an elephant and lion. 

Elephant from C.G. Sparks

Lion from C.G. Sparks

This article courtesy of Sheffield School. Interested in learning more about accessories and design? Take a look at Sheffield School's Complete Course in Interior Design. At Sheffield, you'll learn how to transform a space, create color schemes, and select furniture, lighting, and accessories.  

Leta Austin Foster: Time to Rebuild and Help Our Neighbors

Irwin Weiner ASID - With the one-two weather punches of Hurricanes Irene and Lee, the eastern seaboard of the United States was hit hard with property and home damage. We know many people who have mud in their dining rooms, trees down in their yards, and dehumidifiers going round the clock in their basements (we're one of those). We received this lovely note from interior designer Leta Austin Foster, telling us of her experience, and throwing out an enterprising idea:

HI IRWIN: WE, TOO, WERE LUCKY TO GET THROUGH IRENE WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE - WE HAD A HUGE TREE GO DOWN OVER THE DRIVEWAY HERE IN MAINE WHICH HAD TO BE CUT UP AND CARTED OFF IN ORDER TO GO IN OR OUT - WE HAVE 40 ACRES HERE, AND ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN, TOO, SO THIS WAS AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY, AND WE LOST POWER, BUT ONLY FOR A DAY. IN FLORIDA, A LOT OF RAIN WAS DUMPED ON OUR GARDEN WHICH WAS SORELY NEEDED, DUE TO OUR EXTENDED DROUGHT.  
 
 

MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FARMERS ALONG THE HUDSON WHO HAD ALREADY BEEN SUFFERING FINANCIALLY FOR OVER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY, AND VERMONT - WHAT A DISASTER.  
 
 

I THINK WE NEED TO GET BACK THE CCC (CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS) OF THE DEPRESSION YEARS - IT WOULD HELP CREATE JOBS, AND IT WOULD PUT SOME SORELY NEEDED REBUILDINGS WHERE THEY ARE GREATLY NEEDED. LET'S GET A "REBUILD VERMONT'S BRIDGES AND ROADS" PLAN GOING. AND LET'S ALL HELP.  XOXOXOXO LETA

Leta, hugs and kisses to you, too - and thanks a million for writing in and sharing your thoughts. Are there others who are reading this post - homeowners and professionals and vendors in the Interior Design Community - who would join with Leta and me in supporting an industry-wide effort to help rebuild? Anyone out there with some great ideas for how we can make this happen?

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Update on September 14, 2011 by Design2Share

Super King Size Leather Beds: We just found a great collection of sleek leather bed designs. They add sophistication, whether your bedroom decor is traditional or modern. 

FEATURED PROJECT: DIY PAINTED HEADBOARD

Now is the perfect time to think about freshening up your interior space. With a splash of color here and a new piece of furniture there, it's easy to redecorate. Here's a quick, budget-conscious DIY design idea to help get you started.

Paint Your Own Headboard

Chances are if you if you purchased your bed frame as part of a bedroom set, the headboard is already included. If you don't want to put forth the extra cash, especially after paying for a pricey mattress, no problem! Painted headboards are a great way to add a pop of color to your bedroom.

Step 1: Measure the width of the head of your bed and mark it with blue painter's tape from floor to ceiling. Now, choose your color based on your desired color scheme. You obviously don't want it to be the same shade as your walls, but it should complement that color.

Step 2: Once you have your color, paint the wall, staying within the blue painters tape. Once the paint dries, if you choose to do so, you can detail with paint or with some removable wall decals from a company like Blik. For as little as $40, Blik makes easily removable wall decals in fun shapes like bookshelves, chandeliers, birds, etc. If this sounds like too much work, don't worry and leave your wall a solid color.

Step 3: Simply position your bed up against the painted wall, prop up some decorative Euro pillows in coordinating colors and patterns, and you have yourself a headboard. You might want to take this opportunity to invest in a new comforter or duvet in fun, light, spring colors. You'd be surprised at what a little bit of paint and some new bedding can do for your space!

Contemporary vanities and more at Decor Planet for your bathroom needs.

Don't Design Boxes Cutting People Off From Nature

Tony Cenicola / The New York Times

Irwin Weiner ASID - Look at the beautifully designed apartment in the photo above. They live in the country, right? Well, not really. They're on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and the principles of biophilic design are hot at work here (click on this link for a scholarly explanation, but click on the photo above for a less academic take on the subject). This school of design tells us (here I paraphrase) that when humans are cut off from nature, we start to feel sensory deprivation. How many of you stuck indoors during the recent Hurricane Irene blow felt extreme "cabin fever" and couldn't wait to get outdoors. That is exactly what we're talking about with biophilic design. Watch this video to learn more about how incorporating nature into residential and commercial architecture is imperative to bringing us back to a more natural, humane, enjoyable living and work experience. The goal is to create spaces where we want to stay, work, play, and live - and it will be healthier for everyone. Even though I can't keep a single houseplant alive for more than a week, I second that motion.

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