ThisNext Blog

Back when I went to college in Michigan, around this time of year well-wishing reporters and authority figures would send warnings to all the school kids not to walk alone in fields or by large groupings of trees because hunting season had begun, and – well – anyone not safely clad in fluorescent orange is pretty much fair game.  To shamelessly use a pun.

Me, I’m more of an Animal Planet kind of gal, and I tend to think we should let animals be happy woodland animals.  I can’t say I don’t love a burger now and again, but I’m not about to wind back and blow some poor furry’s head off to get it.

Thankfully, today’s chic aesthetic takes plenty of inspiration from Bambi, et all – and presents us with much forest fare without the need for live ammunition.

For whatever reason, there is something massively satisfying (for the ego as well as the eyes) about seeing a majestic deer mounted on a wall.  Call it a throw back to our colonial roots, but deers are purty and they make great decorations. 

Lately, artists and designers have taken a page from classic hunting lodges; I’m calling this season’s hippest wall décor “Faux Trophy” and it’s popping up everywhere.

decor8 is drooling over these hot pink mini faux trophies featured in the hip German store Impressionen that look like they leapt right out of Alice’s Wonderland.

Domino Magazine’s “Girl About Town” Rita Konig loves Faux Trophies like I do, and has purchased her own white alabaster stag head by John Derian, “They are so delicate and pretty that I would like to highly recommend them. I have one over my mantle, not centre stage as it is quite small, but hanging to the left and it looks great.  A lot easier than going out hunting too.”

mouseking likes her deer a bit on the cute side, like these perky, pastel-y deer hat hangers from the Whitney Museum gift shop, which she would love to use in her kid’s room.

If you think game can’t make an appearance in the bathroom, think again says Di Overton.  She’s discovered an absolutely exquisite stag water tap from Emery & Cie, which could make any bath-taker feel like royalty.

Moving Bambi to the table, a pair of pewter Stag Deer Head salt and pepper shakers are just the thing to spruce up a table setting. Like Joe says, “it’s hard to imagine the decor where these wouldn’t fit in.”

If you prefer to keep your game in your pocket, check out this Mad Deer wallet by DB Clay, which is a reproduction of a photo taken inside a taxidermy by artist/designer Steve Steckly.

Hilarious. (sold out too…DB Clay’s iconic wallet is on pre-order for it’s second run, so order fast!)

 …and it’s all so much better than those ugly orange vests.