Glass (and Brass, Ceramic, Silver...) Menagerie

By The Inside Source
December 9, 2011

Menagerie

Anthropologie Candle Holder and Napkin Rings (courtesy of Anthropologie)

Animals have marched through our homes as decorative accents for as long as anyone can remember. And while from season to season there are certain species that peak in popularity—here at The Inside Source, we’ve covered peacocks, giraffes and foxes, to name a few—in the last few months, we’ve noticed a far more extensive menagerie cropping up in design circles.

While all the aforementioned fauna are still widely prevalent, there are just as many examples of elephants, horses, cows, deer—you name it—appearing everywhere from bottle openers to shoe horns to hardware, adding wit and whimsy wherever they’re found.

Menagerie

West Elm Decorative Metallic Owls (courtesy of West Elm)

For holiday specifically, we’re seeing the zoology theme play out a couple different ways. West Elm’s catalogs and website are rife with wildlife at the moment, and illustrate how diverse animal accessories can be. You’ll find Christmas trees laden with felt ornaments shaped like woodland critters (raccoons, bears, deer) along with a slew of tabletop items and decorative accents embellished with owl motifs, mostly done up in shimmery, glamorous metallics.

Menagerie

Dwell Studio Peacock Decorative Accents (courtesy Dwell Studio), Anthropologie Leather-Covered Animal Bottles (courtesy Anthropologie)

Whether your style is more foresty or fashiony, animals are a great motif to lean on when decorating for the holidays. They’re far less expected than the usual red and green, Santa-centric décor, though every bit as festive. And they’re of course far more versatile too, since these pieces fit right in year-round. Here, we’ve gathered a range of animal-themed accents to start building your pack, all of which you may want to keep in mind as gift ideas, too.

(Photos courtesy of Anthropologie)

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Glass (and Brass, Ceramic, Silver...) Menagerie

1. Vintage Brass Animal Placecard Holders: Personalize a dinner party with this set of twelve exotic camel, elephant and llama placecard holders.

2. Vintage Brass Owl Magnifying Glass Letter Opener: This multitasking owl is a magnifying glass and letter opener in one.

3. Unique Brass Horse Head Shoe Horn: This one-of-a-kind piece would make an excellent stocking stuffer for Dad.

4. New Stag Deer Bottle Stopper: This hand-sculpted stag has a distressed metal finish, giving it a handsome patina.

5. 60’s Owl Sculpture Made with Forks: Sure to be a quirky-chic conversation piece.

6. Vintage Brass Penguins: We love the contrast of wintery penguins and cozy, warm-toned brass.

7. New Sparrow Bottle Opener: This delicately rendered bird would be a pretty addition to any bar.

8. Vintage Japanese Temple Lion Paperweight: In the Buddhist tradition, lions like the one this 70’s era statuette is modeled after served as temple guardians.

9. Brass Giraffe Bookend: These graceful, long limbed giraffes are just the things to accessorize a bookshelf.

10. Collectible Farm Animal Cast Iron Cow Coin Bank: This delicately rendered coin bank comes in an opulent shade of yellow gold.

11. Vintage Farm Animal Napkin Rings: This whimsical herd brings a bucolic touch to the tabletop.

12. Vintage Brass Deer Candleholders: A trio of golden reindeer is festive without being overly Christmas-y.

13. New Chinese Bronze Lion Head Door Knocker: This regal door knocker makes a dramatic (and very classic) statement on any front door.

14. New Seahorse Wall Hook: Use one of these petite sea creature hooks anyplace you want to add a little nautical flair.

15. New Anthropologie Curiouser Rustic Owl Lamp: Look closely here and you’ll see a tiny owl perched at the base of this hammered black metal lamp.

16. New Horse Head Drawer Handles: Made of unfinished cast iron, this hardware imparts a rustic, western spin wherever it goes.

17. Elephant Door Stop: The chipped paint only accentuates the character of this weighty, well-worn doorstop.

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