While he still considers the checkerboard pattern to be a design classic across most settings, Scott argues that the high-contrast iterations currently dominating the market have simply become overdone. In their place, the design professional is championing a motif that walks the fine line between daring and traditional: animal prints.

Animal Print Is the New Checkerboard, If You Ask Lone Fox

According to Scott, animal print occupies a unique space in the world of interior design because it is simultaneously trendy and timeless. There will inevitably be periods when it surges to the forefront of ultra-trendy status, and other times when it recedes into the background, but it will always secure a permanent place in thoughtful home design.

This philosophy was born out of a personal search for home furnishings. After spotting sophisticated, animal-print examples in high-end architectural and interior projects recently, Scott went looking for brands producing similar pillows and rugs at accessible, everyday prices. When he came up empty-handed in the retail market, he recognized an opportunity. He approached his latest home collection collaboration with Joon Loloi as a vehicle to bring his own refined, abstract takes on jungle-inspired motifs to the masses.

Animal Print Is the New Checkerboard, If You Ask Lone Fox

The resulting fall collection features a versatile range of jungle-inspired designs that span various colors, patterns, and construction fibers. Among the standout pieces is the printed Rana rug, which loosely resembles a zebra pattern through its soft cream and espresso striations. There is also the Clarke rug, which presents a classic tiger print in a highly practical, washable format rendered in rich bronze and black tones. Meanwhile, the Tahlia rug offers a fresh perspective by introducing a sophisticated plum spin to traditional leopard spots.

For homeowners hesitant to embrace bold graphics, Scott’s new collection offers an approachable entry point. The four primary rug options in his large fall release rely on subtle colorways that, when viewed from a distance, read almost like standard geometric patterns. Furthermore, Scott points out that the floor serves as the ideal canvas for experimenting with a bold new pattern, largely because a significant portion of the surface area will inevitably be covered by furniture.

Animal Print Is the New Checkerboard, If You Ask Lone Fox

Even though area rugs are inherently large and visually prominent in a room, Scott argues that laying down an animal-print version feels considerably less overwhelming and in-your-face than committing to a massive statement piece like a bold bedspread or a patterned couch. By keeping the color palette grounded and the motifs abstract, the designs manage to add character without dominating the entire visual space of a room.

When it came time to style these new pieces within his own historic 1929 Los Angeles home, Scott experienced a pleasant surprise. He admitted that he had initial curiosities about how the hand-tufted wool Rama rug and the washable Clarke rug would integrate into a space defined by architectural details like dark wood paneling and vintage fireplace tiles. To his delight, the pieces did not feel out of place at all. Instead, they provided the room with precisely the right amount of contemporary edge.

Animal Print Is the New Checkerboard, If You Ask Lone Fox

Reflecting on his living room prior to the styling experiment, Scott noted that he had always felt the space leaned a bit too stuffy. The introduction of these graphic, animal-inspired patterns ultimately provided the exact breath of fresh air his historic interior needed, proving that historical architecture and playful patterns can coexist harmoniously when curated with intention.

The Lone Fox x Joon Loloi collection brings these design philosophies directly to consumers through an assortment of accessible price points and versatile formats. The Rana CloudPile printed rug in a 7-by-9-foot dimension is available for $299, offering a plush texture with its cream and espresso zebra-inspired motif. For those prioritizing easy maintenance without sacrificing style, the Clarke washable printed rug in the same size retails for $269 in its bronze and ink tiger pattern.

Animal Print Is the New Checkerboard, If You Ask Lone Fox

At the higher end of the rug assortment, the Rama hand-tufted wool rug delivers a premium tactile experience in a generous oatmeal coloration. For homeowners looking to experiment with leopard spots, the Tahlia printed rug in bark and plum is offered at $369 for a 7-by-9-foot layout.

Beyond statement floor coverings, the collaboration extends the animal-print trend to smaller accessories designed for effortless styling on sofas, chairs, and beds. The collection includes the Rana lumbar pillow in a black and natural palette priced at $35, alongside the Marcus pillow available for $29, allowing design enthusiasts to incorporate subtle touches of the trend into their homes at a minimal investment.