Decorating Guides
Make Like Cruella de Vil With Dalmatian Prints
No puppies were hurt to achieve this fabulous look — on chairs, bedding, walls and pillows
Dalmatian print may just be the new “it” animal print. Most major wallpaper and fabric vendors are now showcasing products that feature tightly clustered black and white irregular dots inspired by the coat of the beloved firehouse hound. This is the animal print for the anti-animal-print person, someone who appreciates the graphic vitality of a black and white color scheme but might find a zebra print too traditional or tired. Here are nine ways to introduce Dalmatian-inspired prints to your home.
1. Not-too-serious style. A black and white color scheme can come across as too severe for some. Enter Dalmation print. Along with chalkboard paint, these chairs add a youthful playfulness to a kitchen corner. The Disney classic 101 Dalmations was a kids’ movie, after all. Would you guess that the chairs were actually a DIY project made with a felt-tip marker on simple Ikea dining chairs?
2. Use sparingly for a serene bedroom. Soft gray paint on the walls and a classic beadboard ceiling give this bedroom a serene vibe. The Dalmatian print bed covering at the foot of the bed introduces a subtle pattern that doesn’t take away from the space’s overall feeling of calm.
3. Glam it up. If subtlety isn’t your thing, Dalmatian prints work equally well paired with bold decor. This bedroom features an attention-getting orange lacquered screen repurposed as a headboard. The Dalmatian print bedspread and pillows add to the modern appeal of this glam boudoir.
4. Energized office. The thousands of tiny spots in this wallpaper have an almost kinetic quality: They seem to be buzzing about, vibrating with energy. This perception of movement can promote productivity in an office space. Add a bright turquoise chair and you’re ready to tackle that work.
5. A natural fit for your fireplace. Ever wonder how these loving dogs became synonymous with fire rescue? Many look to their coloring, citing the Dalmatian’s easy-to-spot spots during a roaring blaze.
Back in the days of horse-drawn carriages, Dalmations used to run alongside the horses, who were afraid of fire, and provide comfort while the rescue team extinguished the flames. Today, the breed still symbolizes protection and companionship.
Back in the days of horse-drawn carriages, Dalmations used to run alongside the horses, who were afraid of fire, and provide comfort while the rescue team extinguished the flames. Today, the breed still symbolizes protection and companionship.
6. Pair it with hot pink. Black and white mixed with hot pink has long been a popular graphic color combination. This living room limits the pink to the pillow cording and candles to keep things from looking too juvenile. The result is a graceful space that blends traditional and contemporary elements flawlessly.
How to Pick the Perfect Pink
How to Pick the Perfect Pink
7. An alternative approach. So maybe black and white spotted walls or fabrics aren’t your thing but you’re still a sucker for the lovable Dalmatian. If so, perhaps this gold-clad living room featuring a painted Dalmatian on a reproduction armoire is more your speed. Notice that once again the black and white pooch is paired with hot pink.
8. Bohemian bowwow. Those who love the quirky bohemian genre in decorating have come to expect the unexpected. Here we find a Dalmatian print office chair atop an antique rug. A leather pouf and a vintage wicker chair all add to the eclectic edge of this sunny sitting room.
9. Shades of gray. If you like the idea of using a Dalmatian print but find black and white a little too stark, consider gray and white as a soothing alternative. This space features a gray and white striped daybed paired with Dalmatian print pillows and curtains. It’s a great blend of graphic and serene.
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Fresh Take: 13 New Ways With Animal Prints