Why I Added Animal Prints to the AchooBox Collection

If you've watched Hacks, you may have noticed that Deborah Vance is almost always dressed in animal prints. They're woven throughout her wardrobe and home, reflecting her bold, confident personality. It's a reminder that animal print isn't just a pattern—it's a design statement.

When I was choosing the first patterns for the AchooBox collection, I wanted to offer something for a variety of decorating styles while keeping the initial launch manageable. That meant making some difficult choices from an endless number of possibilities.

Some decisions were easy. Blues, greens, and soft neutrals consistently rank among the most popular home accent colors, so they became the foundation of the collection. But I also listened carefully to the people around me.

One friend immediately gravitated toward Zebra Zen and Modern Leopard. "You know I love animal prints," she said. Her home is filled with rich wood tones and leather furniture, and those patterns fit her style perfectly.

Another friend had the opposite reaction. "The animal prints aren't really me," she said. "I love the coastal patterns."

Others were drawn to the botanicals or florals.

That's one of the things I love about home design. The spaces we create become an extension of our personalities, and no two people are drawn to exactly the same look.

Living on Cape Cod, my own home leans toward a coastal aesthetic—whites, blues, and soft neutrals. But years ago, the home where I raised our boys had a very different personality.

When we finished our basement, I needed to choose carpeting for the stairs. The moment I saw a leopard-print carpet in my ex-husband's flooring showroom, I knew that was the one. He called it a neutral, which sounded strange to me at the time. I thought of neutrals as beige, gray, or white.

But he was right.

The pattern didn't dominate the space. It added warmth, personality, and just enough unexpected fun. It felt bold without feeling overdone.

I've thought about that carpet many times while designing the AchooBox collection.

Animal print doesn't have to cover an entire room to make an impact. A single pillow, an accent chair, a throw—or even a small decorative accessory—can add personality without overwhelming your space.

That's exactly how I think about Zebra Zen and Modern Leopard. They're designed to be little moments of unexpected style. If you've always admired animal prints but weren't sure how to incorporate them into your home, sometimes a small accent is all it takes.

After all, decorating doesn't have to be all or nothing. Sometimes the most memorable spaces are created one thoughtful detail at a time.

(Speaking of memorable moments, Merlin showed up at exactly the right time for this photo.)