Zebra Print Is Living in My Head Rent-Free

Even though I rarely come across zebra print in the wild, it feels like it’s becoming more common in casual corners. In 2021, my colleague Hannah Martin uncovered the history of Scalamandre’s iconic Zebras wallpaper, which went from an exclusive at the now-shuttered NYC restaurant Gino of Capri to a staple for bathrooms and kitchens worldwide. A zebra print rug turns up the drama of the red lacquered library inside Johnny Galecki’s whimsigoth mansion in Nashville. “Referencing the masters of interior design from the beginning and middle of the century, in [Elsesser’s town house] and in general, I have taken a lot of inspiration from the ways in which animal print or louder patterns are used to create a cultivated and luxurious aesthetic,” says Hodde.

In general, animal prints have been popping up more frequently, from Adwoah Aboah’s dining chairs and Benny Blanco’s dining room rug to the carpeted floors of Lily Allen and David Harbour’s downstairs den. There’s a perfect print for everyone if you’re willing to trust in the process of finding it—while Elsesser is clearly ten toes down for a zebra print moment, she cringes at the sight of leopard print. Hodde usually spots animal prints in media rooms, theaters, bars, and speakeasies within the home. “I think people feel more comfortable with the bold look of animal prints in rooms that have a moodier energy, or that feel like more of a departure from the rest of the home,” she explains. “When used correctly however, animal prints can add a really elegant and tasteful feeling to more high-traffic rooms like the living room and bedroom. I hope to see more of that in 2025.”

Rockwell and Hodde believe we’re currently in a design era that is rooted in modernity and minimalism. “While we love modern design, having a client who is more eclectic in their style is really exciting because it allows us to create a more layered, eccentric look,” Rockwell explains. “I think people are afraid of the ‘more is more’ look these days, and animal print certainly falls into the category that people shy away from when they are taking a more muted approach.”