Ralph, I vote for getting a dog. My little subdivision was built in the middle of farm land. Deer frequent everyone elses yard except mine. I've even seen deer directly across the street from my house but they didn't even look at the daylilies planted by my mailbox about 20 feet away from where they were munching. We have a fence but they could surely jump a 4' fence if they wanted and I think I have tastier stuff than everyone else. I think it's because we have dogs. Now sometimes dogs and gardens are a pain, but we started early with the big dogs with training. Now they walk all the way around the garden, never going through it. One even stands at the very edge waiting til I throw her a tomato. Last year we got a third dog and she's a little digger. I've never had so much digging going on, but then again she small and its probably in her genes to dig for voles and stuff. Plus I haven't spent a ton of time teaching her not to dig. So far she knows not to dig while I'm outside. I guess that could be considered progress. lol Yep, get a dog. They are way more fun than a fence.

My DH is a hunter also. The den is all about hunting (we live in Texas). The walls are a faux leather paint style, carpet is antelope, deer mounts on the walls, a full body bobcat on the mantel (with another one on the way, as well as two more deer head mounts) and a cow hide hanging on the wall. The antelope carpet has since been replaced (it was defective) and we ran it on the diagonal...looks MUCH better! In the picture of the deer heads, the furniture and carpet are no longer there (I liked the sectional a LOT better than what we have now) :( The heads are arranged differently now too. Sorry I don't have updated pictures. It seems like this rooms is always a work in progress! Hope this helps.

But it doesn't have to generate controversy, particularly if we all take some time to stop and think twice about making comments that are hypocritical. I used to have a mounted mule deer head many years ago, but sold it to an antique store. We decorated him with a red nose and Santa hat for Christmas. Although not something I'd want to live with at this point in my life, I do recognize that my leather sofa and chairs - and a host of other ways that I have used animal parts throughout my life - pretty much disqualify me from ragging on someone because they choose to decorate with hunting trophies.

If this were my space I would find a piece of art that I absolutely loved and a couple of sculptures / vase / figurine to flank the art. I would most likely admit that the sconces are a mistake and remove them, replacing with appropriate lighting to illuminate the art. I have never bought a piece of art specifically for a space in my home. I have purchased art because I was at an art show and fell in love. There is a theme to my art - it is all animals, mostly wildlife, some horses. I am passionate about nature and wildlife and animals. The pieces reflect my personality and my passions. Do you have a type of art or subject matter that you are passionate about?