Nope - Not For Me......Real Looking Animals On The Wall...

I hinted quite a while ago in this post about 'how NOT to decorate' about my distaste for certain types of animal paraphenalia on the wall...... and, yep...... my feelings haven't changed, even though the trend seems to be as strong as ever.

I just don't like 'real' looking deer heads staring at me from the wall.

I have however, warmed a bit to the trend for dear heads and antlers etc. that don't look like an animal that used to be alive, and is now trying to look alive again.

The artistic representations in these pics below for example, do have some appeal to me.

Image from Caldwell Flake

Image from Z Gallerie

In other words, if it looks stuffed or preserved, I'm afraid I don't want it on my wall. Smacks too much of hunting and those displays of gamesmanship for me... and I've never been able to stomach those.

Perhaps if I came from a different culture where it was more accepted, but I do not. I just can't abide the thought of animals being killed for sport, or even if they're vermin, so anything hanging up there on the wall that even faintly reminds me of that is going to disturb the vibe in my room and corrupt it for me.

Where I like them - in the wild. Image source.

One of these on my wall? NO, NO, NO, NO. Image source.

And, anything with glass eyes, or eyes that sort of look real, kinda reminds me of a creepy movie in an old haunted house where the characters inevitably feel the eyes in the family portraits are following them around the room!

Which, when you think about it, isn't the sort of atmosphere you want to create in a happy home!

I've also warmed a bit more to the trend for real or imitation skulls, bones, antlers and such..... they kind of resonate an earthy, natural vibe that encourages curiosity and an affinity with nature (for me). As long as an animal wasn't killed to get those antlers...... I'm much happier.

Perhaps because I was brought up in the country and saw many animal skeletons laying around in various circumstances, this sort of 'death' doesn't affect me as badly as the 'hunting' sort of death does. And, those animals died of natural causes (as far as I knew).

Image from Poppytalk

I liken this sort of display (bones, skulls etc.) to those with old bits of coral, sea shells, pinecones, driftwood.... anything nature has served up as a fossil or natural curiosity to be pondered and studied.

What do you think about animal heads, antlers, and things like that on the wall or on display?

Let's have a poll and find out shall we.  I'd love to know what you think!




Linda. xox

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More - Here's another 'Nope - Not For Me' post about old mirrors!

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Nope.... Not For Me! My New Blog Category, and A Poll About Mirrors!

Image source for both pics

I've been meaning to start writing posts for my new section 'Nope, Not For Me!' for a while, but I've always kinda second guessed myself at the last moment...... What if people think I'm silly? What if I come across as being condescending or knowing zip about design? What if people say stuff like 'Who does she think she is'?

Arrgghhh.

Well, today I decided to go ahead and 'just do it' because heck, this IS my blog after all, and these are only my own opinions, not something I'm trying to say you should or shouldn't do.

How I choose to decorate my home is all about what makes it feel 'right' for me. What gives it the vibe and atmosphere I want to create.... not what the latest design trend or majority of designers say is 'in'. For me, designing comes from the heart, the soul, and the gut.

I just thought it'd be interesting to see if there's other people out there who go against 'trend' in relation to some current decorating 'must haves' like I do.

So, I'd like to start with mirrors!

Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE mirrors. I'm very in favour of using them all 'round the place. In collections on a wall, one big mirror over a whole wall, in different shapes and sizes.... LOVE 'em.

What I don't like, and actually can't stand at all is....... (drum roll please)..... those old or antique mirros that look like they have mould growing behind the glass.

Yes, I know, slap me down with a wet fish right now.... those mirrors are so tre fashionable and bucket loads of people love them.

And, that's absolutely ok.

But, I do not.

I don't mind the old weather worn look on furniture (as long as it's not so distressed it looks like it's falling to bits or the paint's actually hanging off it in shreds), and I truly love and value the patina and aged look that most antiques and much loved items gather as they age.

But, I just can't stomach those mirrors.

If they were untarnished and the glass looked like new, I'd snap them up in a flash.... there's so many beautifully shaped older mirrors around.


I have a gorgeous old mirror in my spare bedroom/office space that used to belong to my grandma, and I'd NEVER give it up in a million years.... but the glass looks like new, which is because (gasp) I had it re-silvered about 10 years ago due to the slight 'mouldy' look it had.

I so desperately wanted to put it on my wall that I paid an exorbitant amount to get it 'restored'.

Maybe it's because I'm a clean freak and the discoloration does look like mould to me.

Maybe it's because I just love the sparkling gleam of, and crystal clear reflections you get in non tarnished mirrors.

I don't know.

Nor do I need to know....

I just don't like 'em.

What about you?

Do you like them?

Think I'm nuts? I'd love to know, so let's have a poll!!! Let me know what you think by voting below. I'm really, really curious to see if there's anyone else out there who thinks like I do.




Linda. xox

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