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Saturday, January 29, 2011

Goodwill Hunting

Falling in love with a European-American who has been shooting guns since before he could ride a bicycle or write his long Greek last name has caused me to consider my position on firearms and hunting season. I was surprised to find that operating a rifle is a very zen-like experience in which everything but my own breath ceased to exist for a few moments while I aimed at my target. But in my case the target was - and will always be - inanimate paper circles tacked to wooden posts, which apparently are very safe from my novice aim. And even if I someday become a skilled markswoman, the targets will remain the recyclable kind and I won't be putting a real skull or artfully preserved buck head up on my wall anytime soon. But still, for some reason, I like to look at them; in fact the decor of one of my favorite Manhattan restaurants closely resembles an upstate hunting lodge, trophy heads and all. They impart a rustic feel of yesteryear that pairs well with my affinity for patina, peeling paint, wool blankets and clothbound novels. Fortunately for me and nonhunters everywhere, clever home decor brands deliver the look, minus the trip to the taxidermist.




The Steer Horns in Cast Resin from Restoration Hardware is molded from a real skull and hand-finished for striking realism.




This faux Moose Head from Z Gallerie is covered in white lacquer in a nod to taxidermy that is kitschy and fun.




Velocity Art and Design offers a whole herd of hand-carved wooden trophy heads that are as modern and tasteful as they are humane.




Add a little shine to your trophy wall with the oil rubbed Bronze Trophy Head from Ballard Designs.




Designers Christophe Hascoet, Annabel Karim Kassar and Isabelle Rolland created this unique wall-mounted Trophy Lamp replacing fur with form and function.




For a more practical lighting solution, the resin Barbara Cosgrove Ram Horns table lamp has a rustic Southwestern appeal that works with any decor style.

Conceptual Consoles

I'm on the hunt for a unique credenza for one of my design clients. Our three criteria points are that it must be eco-friendly, functional enough to be loaded up with dishware on the inside and loaded with character on the outside. Here are a few of my finds so far:



Trees Graphic Console by Iannone Designs is comprised of kirei doors, FSC certified plywood, Greenguard certified real wood veneers and formaldehyde-free adhesives.



The Weave Credenza by Structured Green is made from salvaged manufacturers' scraps and FSC certified walnut or white oak.




Made from FSC certified hardwoods and materials local to Brooklyn's Wud Design, the Red & White Sideboard looks like whispy clouds in a sunset sky to me.




Quality and craftsmanship are the sustainable aspects of the Namibia Credenza by Ilan Dei Studios, but it's still jaw-droppingly original.