The hot list: Skin deep

Leopard Bark, Dh4,774 per square metre. Courtesy of The Rug Company

Leopard, zebra or python – whatever your preference, animal prints will add a touch of spice to any space. Just remember to use them sparingly.

1 Tibetan funk

The Rug Company’s latest collaboration with Diane von Furstenberg offers a new twist on some of the fashion designer’s most iconic animal prints. Hand-knotted in Nepal using the finest Tibetan wool, the collection includes python and leopard print-inspired pieces, including Leopard Bark, a small-scale, graphic interpretation of Von Furstenberg’s signature feline print.

• Leopard Bark, Dh4,774 per square metre, The Rug Company, DIFC, Dubai

2 Snakes alive

We love the neutral colour scheme of this python-print placemat. Measuring 40 centimetres in diameter, it’ll garner some comments, but it’s subtle enough not to detract too much attention from the rest of your table setting.

• Python Placemat, price on request, The One stores nationwide

3 Earn your stripes

Zebra print is a great way to jazz up a monochrome interior, but the Bloom Chair from The One will make a striking statement whatever your interior palette. It’ll also look just as good at the head of your dining table as it will in the corner of your bedroom.

• Bloom Chair, price on request, The One stores nationwide

4 Standing tall

Working with animal print definitely requires a measured hand – but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it. You also don’t have to stick to the traditional prints, so why not try out some giraffe for size?

• Animal Print Vase, Dh155, Zara Home stores nationwide

5 Reptilian chic

Animal print will always look best when paired with a high-quality fabric. You have to tread a thin line with this trend, as over-the-top prints paired with low-quality materials will always end up looking garish. The Limoges dining chair by the American brand Kravet doesn’t come cheap, but it’s a subtle and striking example of snakeskin done exactly right.

• Limoges chair, Dh17,430, En Vogue, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai