Enliven your home with animal chic

[NEW YORK] If you poke your head into a home decor store these days, you'll probably notice that it's a jungle out there - in more ways than one.

Among popular design trends, one of the most widespread revolves around all things animal - and all indications are that it is only growing. Many of you will naturally think of zebra-patterned throw pillows, leopard-spotted ottomans and tortoise-inspired mirror frames (and it is true that those elements have been around for some time and seem to be staying put) but those are just the foundation of what we're seeing unleashed on the world of home interior design.

The animal trend today also means an unlikely return to "taxidermy chic" in its most controversial and traditional form (think once-living heads hanging from walls), as well as in much less controversial and much more interpretative forms involving only sacrifices of papier mache, resin, ceramic a…