Year of the Snake

The Chinese Zodiac says those born in a snake year are intelligent, graceful, creative, diligent and prefer to surround themselves with the finest life has to offer -- particularly in the home.

A vignette from the Sybil Colefax and John Fowler Antiques website. Beautiful. Tasteful.
I wonder if it is a taxidermied specimen? Or maybe carved and painted wood?
A snake like this is now on my list for this coming summer's garage sales.

We don't have to be born in a snake year to appreciate the mystery and sinuous grace this primordial design has to offer. Thinking about how to do snake decor?

If you are a herpetologist, go for it and swathe your home in snakeskin. For the rest of us, a little snake goes a long, long way. Here are some suggestions.


Just in time for Spring. Glamorous, modern (and minty!) Oriago snakeskin velvet "cushions". From Designers Guild.

The fresh minty green removes the dangerous element I easily associate with snake and allows me to look and appreciate the pattern. 

Throw pillows done in Lelievre's natural Boidae linen python would look great on an oatmeal sofa, or a leather sofa. I could also see Boidae as a cocktail ottoman; it would disguise life's little mishaps and add that raw, animal elegance.

Boidae linen from Lelievre

Technically these are dolphins but the scales and tails lend it reptilian feel. This exquisite Carvers' Guild mirror is made right here in Massachusetts, in quaint West Groton. All Carvers' Guild mirrors are hand carved and hand finished. I've been to their workshops. They couldn't be nicer or friendlier.

Design by Benjamin Dhong, House Beautiful, September 2012.
Entwined Dolphins mirror from Carvers' Guild.

I found this a$tronomically gorgeous antique on 1stDibs. The color combination and the gold craquelure of the spots are incredible. One day I will find something similar. Or I'll take up pottery (when I retire) and use this for inspiration.

I'm really surprised at how much I like this vase, especially given my previous run-in with one rather sluggish snake which I documented in this post:  Snakes, why'd it have to be snakes?.

Back to reality, this 8"x10" print from High Street Vintage is a good value, $15. Popped into an inexpensive black frame it makes an interesting little piece. No substitute for the vase of course, but it has blue. The Tiger Lily's petals might be described as burnt gold. 

How about snake wallpaper? I would put this in a small foyer, an office, possibly a powder room for the brave client.

All items from Schumacher

Given my history with snakes it is no surprise that we have not one snake-ish element in our home. Expanding our horizons and considering something we thought was not an option is a good thing; a sign of growth, perhaps?

Maybe I should frame this pic I took at Philadelphia's George Washington monument.

The plaque said she was victorious over the reptile but it still looks very much alive and alarmingly quite healthy.
Maybe this is the "before" scene.

Have any snake in your home, real or otherwise? Would you like some?

Thanks for reading.
Linda Pakravan

if you'd like to decorate with snake, please no living ones, email me!

Links for this unsponsored post below. If you'd like information on how to purchase the Boidae Linen, Entwined Dolphin Mirror or the Cody Snakeskin Wallpaper, please send me an email for info.

Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler
Designers Guild Oriago velvet cushion
Boidae, printed linen from Lelievre
print from High Street Vintage on Etsy
Entwined Dolphin Mirror from Carvers' Guild
Ceramic snake vase on 1st dibs
Cody Snakeskin Wallpaper from Schumacher