Sometimes decorating your home involves compromise. I like to think I take both the wants and needs of both the husband and the wife when I’m creating a color palette or decorating an interior. As I was arranging furniture yesterday in a client’s bedroom, she made mention of the mounted deer head she had seen on my blog.
taxidermy deer head at Bella Rustica Barn Sale 2013
She said it would make her husband so happy if she could find a way to incorporate the mounted deer that was crammed into the bottom of their office closet, but she didn’t see how she could stand it. Of course, you know that I had to go drag it out of the closet and take a look for myself! And look what we did:
decorating taxidermy
Do you love it, or are you appalled? I must know!
We used what was on-hand, but I’d love to find her a more ornate frame, like this one:
I kinda love this frame, because it was the inspiration for my business logo. Anyway, I’m still waiting to hear her hubby’s reaction. Let’s hope he appreciates then lengths his sweet wife is willing to go to make him happy!
On another note, I’ve been all over the place this week – figuratively speaking. Make sure you check out my interview on Houzz.com in the article called 10 Things Decorators Want You to Know About What They Do. I talk about sweating and losing toenails, so you should totally check it out. I was also interviewed for the latest issue of Greater Nashville House and Home in an article on paint trends:
And featured in last Saturday’s Tennessean Style Section:
And I’m excited to be speaking at City Farmhouse’s Pop-Up Barn Sale on Oct 11 in historic Franklin, TN. My topic will be “Choosing Paint Colors That Will Enhance Your Antiques and Vintage Decor.”
I’d love for you to come out enjoy the sale with me! I hope you all have a great weekend. My daughter is playing guitar at the Tennessee State Fair tomorrow, so I’m really looking forward to that!
I think that sometimes you have to compromise, and this is an OK way to do it! My dad was a hunter, and this brings back memories of the deer heads and mounted fish that adorned the walls of our farmhouse back entry.
Well being the animal lover that I am I am not appalled but sad that someone felt the need to shoot such a beautiful animal. HOWEVER…having voiced my personal opinion, I love what you did. I just wish it was faux and I would love it even more. Congratulations on all the wonderful exposure you are getting; I am so happy for you and you SO deserve it!
Thank you, Linda – and I understand that it might be appalling to some people. I got a facebook message this morning from a lady from Greece who talked about how far outside of her reality that is (in her culture) – and she definitely was appalled. Many people here in the south eat venison, and there are many husbands of my friends and clients who hunt deer (not my own husband, though). In my area, the deer population is nearly out of control – they are all over our roads and frequently in our yards. There are laws and regulations around the deer hunting season, so it’s not a willy-nilly killing spree or anything. I would definitely never shoot one myself, but I have one in my house that I got from an antique store years ago.
And thank you for your encouragement and support, as always!!
Love it! My interpretation: who lives in this house…people with confidence and sense of humor.
What a loving wife to take her husbands deer head into account for her redesign. I am definitely not that loving. Thankfully my husband is not a hunter!
Well, I love it. Most excellent. Very well done.
Just had to let you know that I laughed like crazy at the top picture. Made my day.
I think the less-dressed option has lots of charm. Great compromise.
Love the deer head….not that I’m a fan of hunting, but if one has killed the dear and has the trophy, don’t stick it in the closet! Great compromise!
Not a fan of taxidermy. I’ve seen it more and more in design magazines–deer, birds, etc, and I personally wouldn’t want to look at that in my home. I find it a little creepy.
I think they’re such beautiful, noble animals in life and it seems a bit of a mockery to decorate them with gaudy jewelry and tiaras.
But sometimes you do need to compromise, so I’m glad this couple found a way to keep them both happy.
I like the frame, but the jewelry doesn’t fit at all. A more manly touch maybe–how about a tie?
This is a great idea, Christie! I think jewelry works well on does but might not be as good of a fit on bucks.
I agree with Teri and Tanya above … I really laughed and It would make me think that the people who lived there had a great sense of humor.
The only change I would make is to put the larger frame around the head … not sure why … balance maybe?
Great Job!!
I am so happy for you my Superstar friend!! xoxo
I just could never put Bambi on the walls. When my husband came back from the Viet Nam War he brought back some water buffalo horns. They were decorated and huge. Our homes no matter where we lived was too small. I am not sure where the horns are but they never found a home on the walls.
I am glad ladies has found a way to make their hubbies happy besides food 🙂 Looks great!
Oh gee, Linda, if it takes food to make a husband happy, I am in BIG trouble!!!! (terrible cook)
I do wish there was an attractive solution for taxidermy. The antlers have come into style, but really, a dead animal on the wall is just hard to decorate around. I know my husband would NOT be happy if I put a necklace on his “trophies.” I just try to put them in the “den” area and not around my pretty stuff!
Would love to come to the Barn Sale!!!!! Have a great time and cherish your daughter’s guitar playing at Fair!!!!!
I love humor!!! This just strikes me so funny and in a perfectly incongruous place–the master bedroom! Conquests anyone? (Teehe) I miss the little crown the 1st one has, and kinda agree that he needs more bold accessories or the tie. What’s fun is that she and her husband can change this guy’s outfit all the time!! I know, I’m a little nuts myself!
Great publicity stuff there, also, Kristie….you are Cookin’! (In a better way!)
Both deer photos gave me a big laugh!! Dressing Mr. Deer in a tie to make the buck look more buck-ish is a great idea. Also, how about a little holiday fun with this piece of trendy taxidermy? Garland at Christmas… green on St. Patrick’s Day… flags on Independence Day… spider webs and such on Halloween… the possibilities are endless.
I’m from the south, and seeing a deer on the wall reminds me of dad’s conquest to provide mom with the means to cook up some delicious venison bar-b-que! A deer also means lots of yummy meat in the freezer with plenty to share with friends and neighbors. Indeed, I understand how bringing home a big buck would make a man, and his family, proud. The feelings taxidermy arouse are all wrapped up the perspective of the observer, yes?
Thank you for that insight, Shannon! Very well-said.
Perspective indeed. In our house it’s the other way round. I had lots of taxidermie birds from my grandfather and my husband begged me to sell them because to him they were just creepy.
I smiled when I read your post. I moved into my husband’s home when we married a few years ago. I redecorated the enitre house. The only thing I was not able to do was remove his trophy deer head from the wall. He is a hunter and it is a part of who he is so I simply decorated around it. I have incorporated the deer head with newly purchased artwork and it works really well. It’s all about compromise.
Yes, we sometimes have to compromise. I feel you did a good job, however, the flag on the left is hanging incorrectly. Our US flag on the left should never be turned around like this. Thank you for your inspiration,
Nancy, the first photo there was from the Bella Rustica Barnsale – it’s not one I styled. But thank you for letting us know about the flag issue – I didn’t know that!
I have several friends who state that the moose head, deer antlers, turkey tail and bear rugs on my family room wall would NEVER be in their homes. Well, when you marry an avid hunter, it’s just something you have to deal with. He does pay half the mortgage after all. Plus, if he shoots it, he eats it, so they’re not just trophies. I compromised by giving him a single room for his things. He’s running out of wall space due to big screen tv and two bear rugs, but that’s his space. Ours are not wearing jewelry per se, but one set of antlers has St Patty’s day beads, one serves as a camo baseball cap rack, and the moose head sports a green felt bavarian hat year ’round (now with turkey feathers in the band). At Christmas time he’s decorated with tinsel and shiny ornaments. And anything with a head has a name. To be honest, I barely notice them anymore and the guys all love the room.
I can really appreciate your client embracing her husband’s deer head. When we moved into our house I had free range until it came to the family room. My husband coined it his man cave and I knew I was in for trouble!! He wanted movie posters and orange walls. I cried on the inside. After living with the color for a few years he finally comprised and allowed me to paint the walls off white. We love the difference.