January 6, 2020

Products We Love: Montrose & Merrick

The New Year has us reflecting on how grateful we are for our customers and everyone who has helped keep our little shop open for over TEN years now. Yup, it’s been more than ten years since Sharon opened the doors to The Animal Print Shop and breathed new life into the nursery art world with her iconic baby animal imagery and nursery designs. 

While Sharon still loves getting in the studio with adorable critters (we’ve got a few new faces joining the line up in 2020), she’s recently teamed up with her good friend, Heidi Merrick to turn her lens to her other love, the ocean – resulting in our new favorite (and close to home) find,  Montrose & Merrick.

Bonded by their mutual love of the sea—Heidi and Sharon grew up on the beaches of California (Heidi in Carpinteria and Santa Barbara, and Sharon in Santa Monica and Venice). The ongoing series is a study in the texture and balance that is the California coastline. With flawless image quality and incredible dynamic range, Sharon and Heidi bring the majesty of the ocean right into your home. 

Montrose & Merrick offers unframed fine art photographs in five sizes from 11”x14” up to 40” x 53”. Framing help is also provided for ease here.

April 6, 2019

Round-Up: Throw Blankets.

Make your nursery an (extra) soft place to land with baby blankets whose hand-crafted quality matches their good looks. An added bonus (other than pairing perfectly with our babies)? They may be sweet, but they’re sophisticated enough to be used well past babyhood, for sweet dreams and warmth for years to come.

Clockwise from top left: Flock Together Muslin Quilt, $52; Baby Herringbone Cotton Blanket, $110.00; Heart Baby Blanket, $90.06; Pendleton Crib Blanket, $99.50; Rainy Day Mini Blanket, $74.97; Pom Pom Blanket, $26.09.

January 19, 2019

Round-Up: Ready-Made Frames

Not sure how to frame our prints? Not to worry, we’re here to help! We know how overwhelming the prospect of finding just the right frame can be, so for those looking for help deciding on the picture-perfect choice, we’ve got a round-up of options to suit a range of styles. And just in time for Holiday gifting!

1. West Elm White Frame (Matted)
Fits our open edition 7” x 9” size

A gallery wall essential, these frames are available for purchase individually or in sets of three or four. You’ll want the 8” x 10” size, which is listed by its overall dimensions of 14” x 17”. Read more.

2. West Elm Bamboo Frame (Matted)
Fits our open edition 7” x 9” size

Made of bamboo, these Thin Wood Gallery Frames are clean and classic. Choose the 8” x 10” size, listed by its overall dimensions of 13.5” x 16.5” or 15.5” x 19.5”. 

3. Restoration Hardware Frame (Matted)
Fits our open edition 7” x 9” size

These solid oak frames are weathered by hand for a rustic effect that still looks polished. Choose the size with mat opening for 8” x 10”. 

4. Ikea Ribba Frame (Matted)
Fits our open edition 7” x 9” size

The Ikea Ribba frame in white is a fail-proof classic. Choose the 12” x 16” size with mat opening for 8” x 10” — and be sure to check international sizing compatibility when you’re at the store.

5Restoration Hardware Frame (Matted)
Fits our open edition 7” x 9” size

White Weathered Oak Gallery Frame. Choose the size with mat opening for 8” x 10”. Read more.

6. Room and Board Frame (Matted)
Fits our open edition 10” x 13” size

These solid wood frames with mitered corners are the product of an Ohio-based, family-run company. Choose the size with mat opening for 11” x 14” ( overall dimensions are 21″ x 1″ x 25″). 

7. Blick Frame (No mat)
Fits our open edition 10” x 13” size with no mat

The Blick Essential Wood Frame in 11″ x 14″ (available in four different finishes) will require you to trim the paper down to size – your local frame shop can help you with this.

8. Country Road Frame: Australia (7” x 9” Matted)
Fits our open edition 7” x 9” size

For Australian shoppers, Country Road Frames offers a great minimalist option — select the 8” x 10” size. 


Not seeing the frame style or color you’re looking for in this roundup? We can ship your print directly to online framer such as Framebridge or Simply Framed. It couldn’t be easier! Email us for help.

Most important to remember in all framing decisions, however, is to stay true to your personal style. Our tips are meant specifically for those looking for recommendations — but, ultimately, what looks and feels best to you is always the right choice!

December 12, 2017

Gift Guide: For Pets.

This holiday season, we’re thrilled to share the fourth(!) installment of our Animal Print Shop gift guide, specially curated to help make the season merry and bright for the furry and feathered among us. This year, spoil your favorite cats and dogs by gifting top-quality catnip, a handmade leash, or all-natural treats in flavors like peanut butter and chicken pot pie — we’ve even got a little something for rabbits and birds, too. Scroll through for the full list in all its festive glory.

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Candy cane rawhide, $6.99
Simple and satisfying: an extra-large braided chew toy in a classic holiday shape.

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Ceramic bowl, $18
Make every meal a reason to celebrate with this sturdy ceramic bowl, hand-dipped in a jolly, joyful red (though there are nine other colors available if you prefer).

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Catnip, $5.99
Grown on an organic farm, this premium catnip comes in a pretty corked bottle filled with a week’s supply for one lucky (and soon-to-be very lively) cat.

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Red leash, $62
The perfect example of strength that doesn’t come at the expense of style, this handmade leash features marine-grade rope, brass carabiners, and a splash of bright color that infuses the holiday spirit into every step.

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Cat house, $49.99
Part of Ikea’s new pet line, this sleek house — complete with scratching pad — can stand on its own, be mounted to the wall, or is easily integrated into the brand’s existing KALLAX shelf.

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All-natural dog treats, $17
Balance hearty and healthy with all-natural dog treats in two enticing flavors: peanut butter (made with peanut flour and blueberries) and chicken pot pie (with chicken, molasses, carrots, and parsley).

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Scratching pad, $15.99
This curved scratching pad is attractive enough to keep on display — and, because it’s made of cardboard, it’s 100% recyclable, too.

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Dog mist, $22
Made using essential oil derived from 300-year-old Japanese trees, this invigorating mist acts as an insect repellant, deodorant, germ-killer, and mood-lifter, all in one.

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Crinkle sack, $10.29
Entertain curious cats for hours on end with a comfy fleece sack that crinkles and crackles as they play.

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Dog bandana, $17.50
Keep your dog warm all winter with this snazzy flannel bandana — or soak it in water and keep in the freezer to fight the blazing heat come summer.

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Nature chew balls, $6.24 for three
Want to show your bunny (or guinea pig, ferret, or other small animal) some love? Pick up a set of these sisal, cornhusk, and seagrass chew balls for safe, sustainable fun.

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Bird toy, $7.45

For birds: an environmentally friendly toy crafted by hand from wooden branches, a coconut shell, and natural rope — just right for promoting “foot and beak exercise.”

Another great gift idea? A donation in honor of your beloved pet to a charity that rescues, houses, or protects vulnerable animals. We like the ASPCA and The Humane Society, but there are many, many others out there that are equally deserving.

Wishing you all, big and small, a very happy holidays!

November 22, 2017

Introducing: the Kindred series!

You might notice that our latest Nursery Project packs a little extra punch—and not just for its energizing hodgepodge of patterns or its cheerful color palette, accented with hits of saffron and rose. Today, in addition to offering a peek at this sweet, serene space, we’re excited to unveil our brand new series: Kindred.

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Comprised of four prints to start (Kindred Tigers, Kindred Sheep, Kindred Kangaroos, and, shown here, Kindred Camels), the Kindred series showcases the tender, loving bond between parent and child. So naturally, we figured, what more appropriate place for them to make their debut than in a bright, sun-splashed nursery, freshly designed to welcome a lucky family’s newest member?

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For this room, we joined forces with Victoria Smith, the author of the wildly popular — and always inspiring — blog, Sfgirlbybay. (Happily for us, she’s now living in LA.) Victoria played a significant role in shaping this new space with her recently launched shop, Super Marché, that supplied some of its most standout pieces: the dreamy rattan daybed with its hand-stitched tufted pillows, for one, and the painted vintage chandelier found at a French flea market, too.

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The shop, which Victoria stocks with the help of Elsie Green, is filled with vintage finds impeccably curated to fit a vibe she refers to as “eclectic modern bohemian” — and that’s just what informed the look and feel of this nursery. To complement the rustic elegance of the daybed (and the playfulness of its colorful cushions) we chose a tasseled Moroccan rug in shades of pink and cream, and a hand-embroidered cotton whale, who is, as described, “quite big, but very kind.”

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Nearby, a classic Oeuf Sparrow crib with handmade bedding encourages deep, restful sleep; on the opposite wall, an Oceanscape — part of Montrose and Merrick, a new series of large-scale photographs by Sharon and designer Heidi Merrick — contributes an additional lulling moment of quiet.

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Meanwhile, the room’s joyful patchwork was rounded out with a spunky printed wallpaper. In the end, we thought it set just the right sort of scene for greeting a curious baby camel and her devoted, ever-doting parent.

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We couldn’t be happier to introduce our Kindred friends to The Animal Print Shop family. Find Kindred Camels— and the rest of the Kindred series — here. See more of the Animal Print Shop’s Nursery Projects in our archives, and follow us on Instagram for exclusive sneak peeks (@theanimalprintshop) #theanimalprintshopnurseryproject

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October 31, 2017

Round-up: Children’s Books

No nursery or child’s room, we feel, would be complete without a well-curated collection of books. We love the color, the sense of play, and the imagination-sparking energy books bring to a space — that’s why just about every one of our Nursery Projects puts a little one’s library prominently on display.

Today, in celebration of a few of our favorites, we’ve rounded up a list of fourteen treasured children’s titles with a little something for everyone: from babies to big kids to the grown-ups reading the bedtime stories, too. A bonus: On top of their wonderful words, these books are so beautiful you may find yourself keeping them out to be admired — or even displaying them, gallery-style, on the wall.

1. Home, written and illustrated by Carson Ellis

Carson Ellis, a Portland artist (and “illustrator-in-residence” for rock band The Decemberists), illustrates all the many interpretations of home: from castles to log cabins, igloos to artists’ studios.

Home

2.Bruno Munari’s Zoo, written and illustrated by Bruno Munari

Take a trip to the zoo with legendary artist and designer Bruno Munari, whose poetic words are just as striking as his bright, buoyant illustrations.

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3. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, written by Bill Martin, Jr. and illustrated by Eric Carle

This colorful classic, published in 1967, features collage illustrations by then-unknown artist Eric Carle (who later went on to write and illustrate The Very Hungry Caterpillar).

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4. The Snowy Day, written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats

Published in 1962, this story — about a little boy’s discovery of the wonders of a wintry day — is iconic not only for its unmistakeable artwork and words, but also for being the first full-color US kids’ book to feature a black child as its central figure.

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5. Along a Long Road, written and illustrated by Frank Viva

Artist Frank Viva (whose work has been featured on the cover of The New Yorker) made his debut into the world of children’s books with this bicycle-themed bestseller. Fun fact: The entire book was illustrated using only five colors.

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6. The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts, written and illustrated by Maja Säfström

Packed with peppy illustrations by Swedish artist Maja Säfström, this little blue book offers up heaps of awe-inspiring animal facts — did you know, for instance, that seahorses hold each other’s tails as they move through the water? (We didn’t, either.)

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7. Seeing Things: A Kid’s Guide to Looking at Photographs, written by Joel Meyerowitz

For more advanced readers, this kids’ guide to photography — written by seasoned pro Joel Meyerowitz — features images by Mary Ellen Mark, William Eggleston, and more.

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8. One Thousand Things, written and illustrated by Anna Kovecses

A true treat for the eyes, this “visual encyclopedia” contains 80 pages’ worth of vividly illustrated people, places, and things.

1000Things

9. Sparkle and Spin, written by Ann Rand, illustrated by Paul Rand

A 1950s ode to the magic of words, Sparkle and Spin pairs author Ann Rand’s lively prose with the vibrant illustrations of her husband, midcentury graphic designer Paul Rand.

SparkleSpin

10. I Want My Hat Back, written and illustrated by Jon Klassen

Follow this charming bear on a search for his missing hat, through playful illustrations from Jon Klassen (also the author of This Is Not My Hat and We Found a Hat).

IWantMyHatBack

11. A Sick Day for Amos McGee, written by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

In a charming tale of friendship, a cast of caring (and exquisitely illustrated) animals tends to their cherished zookeeper as he nurses a cold.

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12. My Friends, written and illustrated by Taro Gomi

A ponytailed little girl is the star of this irresistible board book, sharing lessons she’s learned from her many friends — a jumping dog, swinging monkey, and sleepy crocodile included.

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13. Lost and Found, written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Beloved author Oliver Jeffers’s dreamy watercolors and simple, stirring words tell the story of a little boy and his new friend, as they journey to the South Pole and back again.

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14. Gaston, written by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Christian Robinson

Though the adorable cover art is reason enough to take Gaston home, it’s the sweet story about the bonds of family that’ll have little readers hooked.

Gaston 

September 13, 2017

Gender Neutral Nursery Moodboard

With the arrival of a new month comes fresh inspiration for a clean and airy nursery steeped in post summer warmth. It’s an enlivening room that brings together a mix of vintage and modern accents, soft colors and soothing neutrals, and defined lines and rounded edges.

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We started by laying the groundwork with a Persian Malayer rug in mellow shades of red and blue, beautifully faded as if sunbleached — it’s just one of a wide range of textiles, pillows, throws, and furniture from Brittany Chinaglia’s gem-packed Vintage Rug Shop. For the walls, we chose a luminous gold-and-white wallpaper from Portland design studio makelike, screenprinted by hand on recyclable paper and lit from above with an aluminum pendant lamp from LA’s Park Studio. Meanwhile, a handcrafted maple Caravan Crib from Kalon Studios provides a soft place to land for both baby and a chipmunk softie in organic cotton fleece (dressed appropriately for the season, of course, in an indigo sunsuit).

Presiding over it all, endless possibilities of Animal Print Shop pals: Baby Elephant, Baby ZebraBaby Camel, Baby Giraffe, and Lion Cub Twins are shown here, but any of of our Baby Animals will work – so pick your favorite. All elements combined, it’s a dreamy oasis for little boys and girls — that’s just as welcoming to grown-ups, too.

 

August 17, 2017

Wallpaper Pairing: Baby Camel + House of Hackney

Classic romance meets modern warmth in our latest wallpaper pairing, with the Animal Print Shop’s Baby Camel at the center of an eclectic, inviting nursery. A consistent favorite thanks to his friendly disposition and the twinkle in his eye, Baby Camel’s signature traits make him just the right match for a lighthearted room filled with fun details. Perfectly offsetting his frolicsome nature: a smoky blue and white wallpaper from British brand House of Hackney, chosen for its unpretentious sophistication and plucked-from-the-garden freshness.

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Husband and wife Javvy M. Royle and Frieda Gormley are the creative minds behind House of Hackney, a company that launched in 2011 at (you guessed it) a house in Hackney. Today, it’s a luxury lifestyle brand with top-quality products ranging from wallpaper to window treatments, furniture to fashion to fine china. In part a response to the popularity of bare bones minimalism, House of Hackney has “captured the zeitgeist and imagination of a new generation,” making stand-out prints and compelling color their calling card. They’ve also placed importance on merging modern sensibilities with a deep respect for tradition and local craft, manufacturing the majority of their pieces in the UK. And while it’s near impossible to pick a favorite print from their impressive lineup — which includes rich florals, bold stripes, and spectacular Art Deco animals — we saw London Rose and were sold on the spot.

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Here in our newest nursery, London Rose’s hand-painted design sets a serene, dreamlike stage not just for Baby Camel, but for a fresh assortment of furnishings and decorative finds, as well. To complement the paper’s unmistakable quality, each piece was selected with an eye toward style and thoughtful craftsmanship. We started with a timeless wooden changing table from The Land of Nod, picked for its clean lines and polished, unisex appeal. For the pad in its matching topper, we chose a 100% cotton cover from Petal and Branch, a mother-daughter team based in Amherst, New Hampshire. A handcrafted, Fair Trade Certified wool rug, made by Indian artisans for West Elm, added hits of softness, color, and a hodgepodge of unexpected shapes; meanwhile, a wire-framed wastebasket, handmade in Schoolhouse Electric’s Portland factory, gave even an oft-forgotten piece an integral place in the room. Finally, to finish, we spruced up the changing table with the perfect crowning touch: a colorful animal toy set from Kid O, with nine mix-and-match pieces for constructing fanciful creatures straight from the pages of storybooks.

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July 19, 2017

Round-up: The Best Crib Sheets

We love any excuse to add a little extra color to our nursery designs. And while larger details like floor-to-ceiling paint, jewel-toned furniture, and show-stopping wallpaper are always fun, it’s often the finishing touches that tie the space together. Case in point: crib sheets, which come in countless prints and patterns, and can be switched out regularly according to season, style, or mood. Below: 15 options we love, from geometric shapes to origami animals, pink flowers to kaleidoscopic polka dots.

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1Floral Crib Sheet, $52

This floral sheet was handmade by Meredith Wright, an Austin, Texas mom with a serious talent for sewing. Not only that: The quality and functionality of her expansive line, Babiease, is informed by a near-decade of experience as a baby nurse and newborn consultant.

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2. Origami Zoo Crib Sheet, $26.25

Handmade from organic cotton, this sheet — from Nama Cotton of Haifa, Israel — features a charming selection of origami animals, from flamingoes to giraffes to fluffy-tailed foxes.

 

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3. Safari Fitted Crib Sheet, $37.99

DwellStudio’s 100% cotton percale sheet is a vision in soft yellow and gray — the perfect complement to a room filled with attention-grabbing accents.

 

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4. Pink Flower Crib Sheet, $40

This 100% cotton sheet comes from Toronto-based Auggie, a brand founded in 2011 by sisters Gen and Christina Burgess on the premise that a child’s life should be “filled with coziness, comfort, and color.”

 

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5. Gold Dots Crib Sheet, $14.99

For the bright new addition in your life, we love the Gold Dot Fitted Crib Sheet from Cloud Island™. It’s brushed 100% cotton and metallic gold dots add a sophistacated pop to any nursery.

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 6. Pebble Fern Fitted Crib Sheet, $45

Also from Auggie, this bedding comes speckled with an array of tiny dots. We’re fans of the yellow-green “Fern” color—but for those hoping for something a bit more subdued, there’s gray and a duo of stunning blues, too.

 

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7. Seaweed Denim Crib Sheet, $36

Brooklyn brand Lewis is a collaboration between friends Liz and Lizzy, who bring varied talents — in illustration and interior architecture, respectively — to the table. We can’t get enough of their organic cotton crib sheets, screen printed by hand in unique patterns that are sweet but never saccharine (sage green stingrays, bright blue onions, ballerina-pink palms, and more).

 

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8. Triangle Print Crib Sheet, $21.99

This triangle-print sheet from Sweet Jojo Designs features a clean, sophisticated pattern that makes coordinating with neighboring decor a snap.

 

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9. Black Forest Crib Sheet, $65-85

Elizabeth Ivie is the “owner, designer, curator, and seamstress” at Iviebaby, a shop specializing in gender-neutral nursery decor. This handmade sheet, available in your choice of two baby-friendly materials, features a forest full of happy trees.

 

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10. Dot Crib Sheet, $55

Fresh, modern, and California-designed, this chic cotton sheet embodies minimalist style without skewing severe.

 

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11. Woodland Deer Crib Sheet, $48

Go for gold! This triangle-print sheet from Caden Lane lends luminous sparkle to bedtime.

 

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12. Half Moon Crib Sheet, $24

This sheet’s smattering of purple half moons (courtesy of Kansas City’s Ampersand Design Studio) encourages soothing slumber.

 

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13. Fox Crib Sheet, $24

You’d be hard-pressed not to love this flock of busy foxes — but rest assured, the Land of Nod print is available in toddler and children’s sizes, too.

 

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14. Boheme Crib Sheet, $33.99

This vintage-inspired pattern from DwellStudio features French peacocks, towering flowers, and a hodgepodge of pacifying colors.

 

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15. Zebra Crib Sheet, $38

A herd of coral-colored zebras congregates against a wash of serene baby blue on this cotton-sateen DwellStudio sheet. For animal lovers, it’s the stuff dreams are made of.

Please respect our content: All of the images on our blog (that are not credited to other photographers) are protected by copyright law. Please do not use our imagery and/or designs for any commercial use whatsoever. If you'd like to share our images in a post about our shop, our images must be properly and prominently credited and linked back to our site. Thank you so much!

DISCLAIMER: The products and interior designs featured on this blog are for your viewing enjoyment and inspiration. Please be advised, The Animal Print Shop disclaims any warranty or representative, express or implied, that any featured product or design is safe for children, toddlers, or infants. Parents and responsible adults should always exercise due care and precautions for safety when selecting products or installing designs intended for use by children, toddlers, or infants. You've been warned, now enjoy!