Inside Skull and Bones

Decorating tips when letting animals into the house

While animal trophies (usually of the taxidermy variety) tend to conjure images of hunting lodges or man caves, antlers and skulls can be an elegant, contemporary and totally ick-free accent to a room.  

Whether they are real or fake, new or antique, there is something both aesthetically striking, and something oddly comforting about these abstracted pieces of nature in your midst. Skulls, of course, can be a little more of a statement, but interesting nonetheless. At the Columbine store on Durant Street, you can find everything from T-rex skulls to cave bear skeletons to a woolly mammoth skeleton replica. Not for everyone, granted, but if you are looking for a dramatic statement in the foyer ... 

Whether as a lamp or a chandelier, a single statement or a full wall, the right piece can be positively bonafide. Except for ivory. No ivory ever!  

Mid-century antler 

Traditional European trophy wall 

These antlers give the room a touch of life 

A more contemporary version of a trophy wall

Book ends 

Golden antler table lamp 

The gorgeous twirl of these horns makes the room