I was totally digging the peacock until I scrolled down and saw the ottomon, pelt, the skull another bird on the table. This is just one room! Dead animal overkill for me. I would say the rest of your home is inviting but yowsa.

Um, I like the bull in the bathroom.

Whoaaa...I don't mind taxidermy but that is too much. Ain't no way I'm putting my feet on that ottoman.

I love that chandelier though.

How lovely to see all these compositions of objects. Looks very thoughtful.

I think the space is quite beautiful, feels like a museum.

You're brave to leave your cello sitting out & standing up -- I always keep mine in its hard case, for fear of scratches or damage! It's a shame I hide mine because it's such a beautiful instrument, yours looks lovely out.

I love it. Very unique and interesting home.

I'm not in the least bothered by the dead animals. Animals die. So do people. Moving on...

Oh actually, I see that's a bass!

I know I say this a lot, but this has got to be my favorite house tour. Extra points for them being in my city. Kudos to the two of you on the great design!

I think it's cute and funky and unique, but just a tad overly-styled. Too much like a movie set and not enough like someone's home.

There really ARE a lot of dead things, but overall it's pretty awesome. I can't believe their kitteh doesn't go ballistimicus on that peacock. My cats would f$#k that mother up!

Nice and funky. That peacock is simply awesome. The ottoman creeps me out, but the rest of the house is fabulous.

@Calamityyayne - very funny post, had me laughing out loud.

Not more dead animals, whole and in parts! Yikes. That can't be good karma.

This place is amazing. LOVE it. LOVE it. LOVE it. Truly personal, and just comfortable.

Awesome place!! The chandelier is to die for!!!

Lovely eclectic mix. Picture #35 in the Home Tour is a beautiful vignette. I like the overall color scheme and the mix of modern and old. The animals....in spite of what a lot of people say.... are definitely a bold look, and point to a less foofy take on Victorian. (I remember a visiting a man restoring his Victorian mansion and wanting to deliberately stay away from the frilly aspects of Victorian)

There must be something in the ethers about taxidermy because I just blogged about my feelings about the feng shui of stuffed dead animals earlier this week...as stylish as they are, as beautiful as they can be, they aren't good for your fengshui.

Love it. This is one of the rare examples where taxidermy decor was done right.

I'm not crazy about the taxidermy, but thats just my taste....looking past all that I see a great place with a wonderful mix of furniture and that chandelier is absolutely gorgeous!

love!!!!!!

Joejeep, I would totally decorate my place with preserved corpses! And considering it's a studio, the results would be dramatic, to say the least.

Oh, and I like this tour. Beautiful place.

I really don't like all the taxidermy, and overall I feel like there are too many objects that don't serve a purpose (like the ladder in the corner or the rabbit skin under the keyboard). I also don't like that there is so much on every surface.

That said, the overarching "feel" of this house I really like. I like the mix of old and new - I am still trying to figure out how to get that right in my own home, so I really admire when old and new things are mixed well and seem to effortlessly coordinate. I also really love some of the advice - like to invest in art and rugs (I am in total agreement here) and to wait until you find the right thing instead of just trying to fill a space. This home has some very nice ideas going on.

Interesting pieces, dead animals aside. The bathroom is the only room I really like.

I love the artwork, especially the photograph over the fireplace. The bedroom is serene, and I would love to sleep in there.

But overall I feel like a really cozy, well-designed space is being smothered by the desire to be hip and quirky. Taxidermy seems to be a new trend in big city home design. Is our generation so starved for nature that we feel the need to surround ourselves with animals we have never seen alive, except for maybe in a zoo? I think all of these animals could be better enjoyed if grouped together. A deer head over the guest bed shows a lack of concern for guests' comfort.

theres no way i could sleep with that deer or whatever it is over my head

Buy Artwork-- Good advice. Watch your feng shui-- more good advice from Ms. Fish.
Some great chairs! But I really find the whole rather forced.
V

Love it, love it...except for the dead animal pelts and carcasses. While the forms and textures of these may be appealing aesthetically, remember that these animals didn't die from old age. They were killed to adorn a human's home.

this is one of the most beautiful homes i've ever seen on AT.

i was getting a bit sick of AT - everything is mid-century modern, like mid-century modern is the new pottery barn or something.

but it's not fair to say that because mid-century - Bertoia chairs for instance - are actually very beautiful and elegant...

Martha and Ben used mid-century modern furniture as it should be used, as functional and beautiful pieces which they updated and historicized and personalized in their gorgeous brownstone. The animal skulls, skins, old trunks, books, quilts and art warm up the furniture so that it all melds into their home in happy harmony rather than just being a game of "spot the 500 dollar chair."

bravo

interesting euphemisms for killing for the heck of it... taxidermy, "animals die," "Natural History", agree with txbelle. These creatures did not just die of old age, they were killed specifically for their hides/pelt, or to stuff. Completely inappropriate, completely awful.

Ms. Coffey take note of majority of comments. No more posts like this please.

see THIS is how you put together a LOT of stuff in an elegant way.... like some kind of waking dream.. i loves it

Hi-- Love the place. One question: in the guestroom, to the left of the bed, are two framed prints (?) of blue Thai/Cambodian images. Sorry, I can't tell much more from the photo. Can you tell me what those are, exactly? Where you found them? Lovely.

Just curious... to those of you objecting to the taxidermy... do you ever go to the Museum of Natural History?

I find it very interesting that Martha grew up on a horse farm. I find that people who grow up around animals have a very healthy relationship with-- and respect for-- them, living and dead. And that includes appreciating the beauty of them in any form...

Since these all seem to be vintage examples, I'm not terribly offended (and that does not make me a deer hunter, either).

Heck, my idol Mayer Rus is a fan of the taxidermy, so it can't be all bad!!

No coincidence, though, that a house tour sure to attract such strong views was posted Friday to Monday... so keep those comments and arguments coming!

Hands down, my favorite is the fireplace. There is something that just feels right about a distressed fireplace in a home such as this...

I thought it was refreshing to see a home that does not fit in with the 'norm' of AT. I think the home felt comfy and warm and lived in by people with strong personalities and who don't take themselves too seriously. It's not my style, but I would love to visit - always something interesting and unique to look at!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this home. I totally second the comments of cizinka31000. This is the vision of someone with a sense of individuality and courage, and I for one would love to stay in a guest room with a deer head.

As for all the taxidermy hatin' - better that these pieces be appreciated and enjoyed rather than moldering in someone's attic or thrown in the garbage. For the same reason I wear vintage fur - it's already dead, and no amount of hand wringing is going to unkill it and unstuff it. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on this matter, but I feel like these home owners obviously respect the history of things, and are appreciative of the provenance of these animals.

Seriously, one of my favourite house tours of all time. Bravo!

SaraBa--

Funny, but I find this to be (pheasants and peacocks aside) very much within the AT norm of House Tours. It is very thrift-store collected, very eclectic, very "Etsy" with the odd 60s piece.

I find that quite a few of the House Tours follow this formula.

Well, yes, I go to museums, but I don't have genuine Egyptian mummified artifacts or the Declaration of Independence as casual decor in my home either, and not just because I can't afford them. People can study them in the museum, where they are there for the learning and the appreciation of many.

I find the large collection of dead animals gloomy, and affected, rather than immoral. Also, I can't believe that cat leaves them alone. My cats would dismember that peacock the minute I left the room!

My first thought when I saw that peacock was "they can't possibly have a cat" ... and then I saw that they do! (It's got to be a female and at least middle-aged!) Lovely place ... but I'd be sleeping with one eye open with that deer head looming over the bed

"like mid-century modern is the new pottery barn or something."

nice little gem tucked in this thread, cizinka31000

Quirky and unusual. Love it!

I love, love, love books, so I LOVED this house tour. It's funny, because I was so focused on all of the gorgeous books, and how they were incorporated into the decor, that I wasn't turned off by the dead animals. I don't want them in my own house, BUT THIS ISN'T MY HOUSE. Sheesh, people, stop judgin'.

I think that Martha and Ben did an amazing job of creating an eclectic, personal, stylish, chic space. And I personally think that it's very well edited. Yes, it's highly "accessorized"--but in a good way. It's easy to fill rooms with gorgeous furniture and call it a day; it's not quite so easy to style an entire house so that it feels like an extension of the people who live there. Bravo.

P.S. I keep seeing posts with great use of black paint. Here's another one!

Bravo, patrick.
You always keep the high-fallutin' moral arguments light and breezy here at AT.

Thank god for you.

Patrick! Snort! LOL!

I really like this place, even if all the taxidermy is overkill. They've done a great job with all the textures.

I love the red chair in the living room with a passion beyond reason. What IS it?

I like the black fireplace with white walls and neutral furniture and gold nice combo. I like the fabric on the sofa, looking for something similar for a daybed cover.

I have often thought after my dear dear best friend passes away, my best dog that I would freeze dry him have him taxidermed (such word?) so I can display him but what would people think -is she crazy, has she lost it, that is creepy??

I loved this house tour. Each room is cohesive and interesting. I especially love the layered rug look in the basement, and the large framed photography. Absolutely gorgeous!

Yes, the red chair...it's great! What is it?

Hi, I love your shower curtain...where did you find it?

To AT commenters,
Thanks to all of you for you feedback on my home. To address specific questions: the footstool is from Jayson Home and Garden and can be purchased on their website. The Thai/Indonesian prints in the guest room are temple rubbings my mother picked up overseas in the 70's, and the red chair is still a mystery to me...I picked it up at the Rose Bowl in LA and had it shipped to Chicago...I love it and have never seen another one! Regarding the taxidermy: The pieces I have are all antiques, mostly gleaned from an out of use cabin on my family's farm in Kentucky. None of the mounts were acquired by seeking out game hunters. These items are a part of my Southern heritage and I think they are beautiful as objects, and preserved to celebrate that beauty. I, too have mixed feeling about having so many pieces, and am considering getting rid of them for the reasons many of you expressed, but for now, I thought it might be interesting to use them all in one space, and really max out the weird factor. That was the state of the apartment when AT shot it, but it is sure to change. I appreciate all of your commentary and ideas.
Best,
Martha

This is my favorite house tour in a long time! I love the almost Georgian lightness of the rooms and how you incorporate modern elements (chairs) and Victorian as well (taxidermy, curia)... not to mention many of your carpets.

None of this is really my style, but I really like the way your home feels. I don't care for the dead animals, either-and not just because I'm a vegetarian. I just don't see the point of it in the decor when you already have so much great stuff. How can you show off the great lines of those things you worked so hard to find if they're covered in pelts? As for czinca31000's remarks about MCM being over-kill: you don't seem to notice that EVERYONE has a deer head somewhere these days? That's a trend that's been getting on my nerves for a while now-especially when it's plastic and painted white. I don't care-that's just ridiculous.

I love this house tour. It is eclectic, organized and well designed. One question: where did you get all of the throw rugs in the basement? I love that look... Thank you for sharing!

this is great. I loved it. Tht peacock is to die for.
I too, am from the south and now live up north. I have deer mounts and antlers in my living room. I'm looking for a large fish right now. They are all vintage- some are over 60 years old. they don't fit into every decor or lifestyle for sure, it's a personal choice.

Thanks again to Martha and Ben for opening up their home to us!

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And another thing - I have to disagree with LivC on her biggest complaint. Since when was it a crime to have beautiful objects in your home that are not highly functional? Isn't this what accessorizing and personalizing your home is all about? The ladder in the corner and fur under the keyboard were some of my favourite details!! I would love to have a little furry pelt under my wrists when I'm chained to my ol' man (that's what I call my desk).

I am from Tennessee, and I want to assure everyone that not all of us from the South like a bunch of taxidermied animals in our house. Eesh.

Martha, thanks for sharing your lovely and unique home.

I admire how you've combined traditional/regional elements with modern classics in a way that feels fresh and unstuffy. (I can definitely see your homage to your Kentucky roots AND your love of the YSL and Pierre Berge apartment.) I also appreciate how your home feels real and lived-in, not overly curated.

Finally, it's just nice to see a diversity of decor represented on AT, not just the crowd-pleasing but yawn-inducing mid-century modern cultists.

Theserovingeyes and kelleyk--

Glad you enjoyed my humor... but apparently sarah c found it too much, since it's since been deleted.

Oh well.

Heatherbelle, that was just my opinion. For me, it is a bit too much in SOME places. There is a fine line (and it varies A LOT person to person) between what is a lovely detail and what is clutter. For me, there were just a few photos where I felt like my personal boundary for that had been crossed. But I agree that everything looks very cohesive and well done. And I am all for having some things that are just beautiful rather than purely functional.

Overall, I really enjoyed this house tour. The ability to mix and arrange things so well, to blend old and new, to have that curator's appreciation for finding and displaying so many beautiful pieces of art... well, there were a lot of really inspiring ideas here for me.

Oh, and I just want to say, I LOVE that antique portrait next to the modern chair... what a great mix. It is those little details that I like most about this home.

"Tell about the South," said Shreve McCannon. "What do they do there? How do they live there? Why do they?…Tell me one more thing. Why do you hate the South?"

"I don't hate it," Quentin said, quickly, at once, immediately; "I don't hate it," he said. "I don't hate it he thought, panting in the cold air, the iron New England dark: I don't. I don't! I don't hate it! I don't hate it!"

I should also mention that a great resource in Chicago is Michael Del Piero. She is an incredible interior designer and has a great shop on Damen, which is where the mud cloth and the bottles on the mantle came from. She's getting a ton of press in Chicago for her incredible design sensibility, and if you like my place but prefer it without the taxidermy then her style would be right up your alley.

Those are a lot of dead things, albeit it ancient! I've lived with a few skulls in my time but I'm not sure I would feel comfortable with having a stuffed animal or two about the place. It's the eyes. I couldn't relax in a room with pair of unblinking eyes staring at me (I feel the same way about portraits, come to think of it) and if it was a bird, unless it was a bird of prey, it would have just one eye staring at me until I moved far enough towards its other side and then it would 'switch' eyes... The peacock is quite amazing though.

I'm afraid (in every sense) that, for me, the footstool looks like the stuff of nightmares. I'm sure it an object of beauty to its owners but, personally, I think I'd rather have several glassy eyes glaring at me than worrying if the Frankenstein stool thing might come alive in the dead of night, and tiptoe around the place in search of its supper....

I'm going to sleep well tonight!

I find the taxidermy lends the place a Victorian flavour.

This is a woman who obviously has a wonderfully developed aesthetic and sense of placement, and I must say that I am absolutely charmed by what she's done to the house (and it is a welcome reprieve from the Good Ship Mid-Century Modern); however, I also find the overuse of taxidermy off-putting and offensive. She notes that it is part of her cultural heritage; however, I’ll wager she spends a good bit of time keeping up with design trends – and one of them is the overuse (in my mind) of taxidermy. I'm not sure if it's a look appropriated from country homes in France and England, but it appears derivative, forced, trite and shows an cavalier thoughtless when it comes to animals - I'll wager almost none of these people are hunters. And wish it would stop! But to the homeowner/renter, you house is truly fabulous (minus taxidermy – of course), and with your taste and talent I’m sure you could find exquisite and imaginative substitutes.

They are antiques, replica, but hopefully taxidermy doesn't become a growing trend and create a market.

Actually, now that I'm more awake though, I've notice that not all the pelts appear to be from sheep. I hope that I'm wrong, not that I've got anything against sheep but they would've been slaughtered first. Over here, where there is already a demand for fur in the garment and accessory industry, it is being met by a cheap supply of rabbit, cat and dog pelts, imported from China, where they skin the animals alive. So, now I'm looking at the fur on the green chair and most especially THAT footstool, with a genuine sense of horror. What are, or rather, WERE they?

Joining the group of anti-taxidermy posters.

Now this is weird. I posted a comment, asking what animal(s) the pelts came from that are on the green chair and the footstool, because of my concerns about where fur is sourced from and how it is 'harvested' and lo! My comment has vanished. My first thought just now was that I couldn't have clicked on the "Submit Comment" properly but I'm pretty certain that I did. If it had been "extreme" or offensive then I would expect it to disappear but I was asking an honest question. Evidently it was a little too honest for the AT moderators!

Actually, my comment HAS been removed, as has Replica's comment and NEITHER of us had actually written anything that should merit this course of action! Am I not allowed to ask where something comes from because the answer might be harder for AT to deal with than if I were asking about pillow fabric or carpeting? Wow!

AcrossThePond--

A whole slew of comments got removed from this thread. Sometimes comments referencing a controversial item are removed simply because their context no longer makes sense (if they reference the original post that was removed).

That's what happened to my "Why not? In both, something gets stuffed in the end." comment. I will not put it in the original context, though, lest it be removed once again.

But seriously, SarahC and AT in general... if you don't want conversations that get heated, and about which people are EXTREMELY passionate, don't post houses full of Pheasants and Peacocks and Deer heads. You HAD to know there would be heated debate.

I remember the comments that got removed. While it was an odd direction, it was nowhere near out of hand, and not nearly as nasty as it sometimes gets here.

And believe me, given the topic of what was removed, and how I am, um "oriented," I was one who would have had every reason to cry foul... and it didn't bother me in the least.

Or actually, given the topic, cry fowl. :)

Thanks for that Patrick, I was also beginning to wonder if I'd imagined Replica's comment as well. Neither of ours warranted removal, which makes me wish I'd read the comments that came immediately before them!

I've scrolled back up to read your previous comment and you've reminded me of how long it's been since I last visited the Natural History Museum here in London! Why is it that great ideas for things to do over the weekend, never surface until Sunday evening? Admittedly though, I don't think I've done the galleries full of animals more than once.... so many eyes!!! ..... Actually, that's probably why I also haven't been to the National Portrait Gallery for a few years.

Good Lord, the comments are back again, Patrick! Or, perhaps they never actually vanished.... either way, I haven't been this confused since Bobby Ewing stepped out of the shower..... ;)

I love this place. I'd omit the dead things from my house, but I'll take everything else, please.

Dear readers and Patrick, my friend,

I KNOW that taxidermy always seems to invigorate comments, but we have a responsibility to the big pool of readers and to the homeowners to keep the conversation on track and not ugly, otherwise we have to simply turn them off. That's why there's been some editing.

I also know it's confusing when comments go missing, but that's what we have to do.

Please, comment all you like but remember that this is a real person's home and be respectful of that fact. That way we can leave them up and not turn them off.

Thank you!

Best, Maxwell

I actually feel the same way about taxidermy I do about iconic mid-century furniture or Anthropologie - generally striking, often beautiful, *one* may make a room. And every room should think strongly before having more than one of each, IMO. Just my two cents, no disrespect to the homeowner, especially since she even said she was going for that dramatic, weird effect (the same I get when a room looks like a single store's catalog).

This home is arty, and personal to a fascinating extent. More interesting than many house tours. For my own taste too many taxidermy/bone things are not any cooler than an Eames/Noguchi/Saarinen Bingo card room though. Fun to visit, though, thanks.

simply lovely. Love how you make the nuetral color pallet interesting. Love the sofa and the floor lamp together.

creepy. indie. lacking charm.

I was reading the comment thread here and thinking, "Wow, this is a fairly civilised conversation - the anti-animal-product trolls have finally developed some decorum!" Then I learnt about the moderation... and I was kind of disappointed ;) Oh well.

There's so much to love here. Every object is lovely or interesting or both, whether it be an 1980s plastic table or an 1880s stuffed animal.

I like that fireplace vignette. The single red bottle is a tiny object but it gives just the right dash of colour to "make" the area. The thing I'm taking overall from this apartment is the owners' exquisite sense of proportion - everything is balanced (or deliberately unbalanced) perfectly.

Oops, getting scolded like a schoolboy by Maxwell, by name! Aww-kward.

Seriously, though, for the record, I did not have anything negative to say about this house, taxidermy or anything negative at all for that matter, really, and wish that had been made clearer... instead of having it seem like I was an instigator.

I made a joke about a serious comment that could have gone awry in an attempt to lighten the mood, as theserovingeyes and kelleyK both referenced, and "got."

At least he didn't make you sit in the naughty chair!

Oh, my comment was moderated. Didn't think of it as offensive. But I'm sorry if it was.

However, some people _might_ find the home is as offensive as any of the comments.

I enjoyed this house tour and am always excited by the eccentric and visually dense and layered homes. I can argue the taxidermy controversy either way, that ugly unicorn (weeks ago) made me cry, but that peacock is beautiful. I would have a living peaock myself if they were not prone to wandering.
My southern heritage is more the rusty abandoned car type that the Garden and Gun literary/ taxidermy type.
I suspect that Martha is quirky and hip herself, rather than affecting quirky and hip as a decor style.
I am against censorship in any form and I understand the need to protect AT from out of control trolls, but when people are passionately expressing their opinion on the topics at hand. I say let it rip.
Those of us who have weird houses aren't trying to be like everyone else anyway.
Blazing Saddles has had a punch line censored that turns a joke into exactly what Brooks was reversing, (a dirty and racially stereotyped joke) It is disconcerting when content is removed from anything.
Let the people say what they will (unless there is needless nastiness or personal attacks) and we will make our own judgements.
Patrick gives this site an important voice and I always am interested in his views, whether I agree always or not.

Love the Bertoia and shearling (I think I will borrow that idea(...but I agree, there are a lot of animal parts! The one thing I thought of was maybe they are hunters in a city?? My grandparents have mounted buck heads in their house (a ranch house)...but they live out in the country.

I lived in the country for several years but we kept ourselves entertained by making music.

Thank you, Kate (NC). Much appreciated.

TONS of personality... not into dead animals but the place is amazing... and real!!!! love how you can see the power outlet in the kitchen with no intention

The one thing that i do think it's too much..(and one i'm guilty of too) is the Louis Ghost Chair, it's like decor herpes... it seems to be all over the place with no signs of getting over of....You see one in every interior design showcase...

love this

Great mix of styles. I really enjoyed this tour. I actually like the foot stool. But that pair of ceramic dogs with their eyes watching me.............

"I lived in the country for several years but we kept ourselves entertained by making music".. AcrossThePond

Many instruments particularly vintage ones, use animal by-products including intestines, hair, skin, hoofs, horns and tusks. Would there be any difference if the homeowner was displaying a piano made with ebony keys or a guitar made with cat-gut or a drum with a skin?

Whoops I meant to say "ivory" keys. Need to get some sleep.

Kudos to peachpie for the excellent comment.

Peachpie, I was joking about playing music. I could have said that we kept ourselves entertained baking bread, whittling spoons, or reading back copies of Readers Digest. When I read the last sentence of the comment before, I had a very naughty double entendre moment because I read it as though "mounted" had been a verb. Yes, I have a terrible sense of humour, I know, I know.... which reminds me, why "peachpie" btw?

AcrossThePond, Your comment wasn't taking literally - but it did inspire me to pose the question. Some folks are so black and white about any part of an animal being used for decor, it makes me wonder how much thought they really put into it. It is quite trendy to use animals as decor and also quite trendy to be against it.

Peachpie......well naturaly it's because I'm so sweet!

......naturally

Irony. Love it!

Interesting enough to look through all pics.

Is the cat not afraid of that menacing footstall in the lounge? I trust the cat has never jumped onto the desk and been frightened out of its wits by the hairy keyboard mat?

It's eclectic alright. I like that. But why? Perhaps there's an unnatural sense of a search for historical artifacts around - with the sudden shock of something modern - nothing unique there. What does this say? That modern man is proprietor of all this? Is this supposed to represent the cultured King of his Castle?

Sometimes I am amazed how people opt for uncomfortable furniture - such as wire chairs. Mixing the harsh with furry covers - just seems spiteful.

Still, thumbs up from me.

PS My soon to be ex boyfriend will be relieved to see that it's trendy not to put covers on duvets!

AcrossThePond, that's actually hilarious.

Enough with the gripes about dead animals! Geez, people! Shouldn't comments be reserved for compliments, questions and sometimes constructive criticism, not complaints and insults? Maybe that's just me... Beautiful home!

@ the Moderators

We are all very much aware that this is someone's home. But they put it on display for THE WORLD to see. Anyone viewing this should be allowed to voice their opinions. It is not always going to be nice. My comment about not being able to see past all of the dead stuff was valid and I stand by it. And if I can't say that people should be able to decorate their homes without many creatures having to give their lives, then just stick to boring IKEA hacks and yet another post on the Rasterbator.

By the way, what kind of throw/blanket is on the bed? It is beautiful!

Some very nice and interesting pieces - many thanks for sharing.

This is probably the best house tour yet.

This is beautiful. Effortlessly too.
It doesn't seem OCD.