Lately I’ve been on the hunt for hide. I’ve been a designer in AZ for over 10 years now and I have seen it all when it comes to cowhide. I’ll admit, it hasn’t all been good. Not good at all. When you live in a place that has such a strong, specific design flavor that the Southwest has, it’s easy to get cheesy. So just imagine my joyful surprise to see cowhide making it’s way into some super chic and modern interiors this year. This design trend truly captures the essence of modern eclectic. From Traditional to Boho, Mid Mod to Farmhouse, here are a few inspirations on how hide can make a marvelous statement in your room.
There is something clean and refreshing about this room via Carlay Page Summers. Her dynamic boho mix gives new identity to the classic cowhide treatment. A spotted hide allows your eye something to land on in the middle of all the textures and collected design details while maintaining the simple organic emotion of the room. If you have a lot going on in your space, think about adding a strong anchor, like this, to pull it all together.
If less is more is more your speed, you can use a cowhide to create a simple WOW moment in your room. Here we see a modern take on traditional southwest style but with a clean and crisp twist. I really love how the organic and amoeba-like shape of this faux hide knocks the edge off the strong straight lines of this room. It does a beautiful job softening the hard surfaces without adding more to the mix that could complicate the moment. When you are looking for the more minimal design style, make the pieces you bring in really count.
Ok gang, so yes, we expect to find a cowhide hanging out in our Bohemian beach house or our Arizona adobe, but here are a couple of inspirations that will stretch all you traditionalists out there! Just because you love a good English arm, or some deep diamond tufting doesn’t mean you can’t introduce a little cow hide luxe into your life so don’t feel left out! Here are some fantastic examples of how a well-placed hide can create drama and surprise. There is something unexpected and memorable about using a cowhide in place of that traditional or textured rug. A hide provides a certain strength and understated drama that works hand in hand with those fantastic formal details.
You don’t have to fence in your cow hide over in the family room! Let it wander. Hides are making their presence known throughout the house. In bedrooms, bathrooms, and dining rooms (full disclosure…I’m looking for one of these myself!) the texture, flexibility and low maintenance of cowhide makes this look one that easily translates into a variety of décor styles and treatments.
Ok, so I know that cow hide can be a Love it or Leave it detail! Let me know what you think of this trend gaining momentum in 2018!
Feel free to share your favorite cow hide pics with me on Instagram at #shawsquaredesign.
feature image via Instagram @LiketoKnow.it