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Wild Kingdom

Edited by Karen D. Singh, Text by Karen D. Singh and Mark McMenamin -- Interior Design, 2/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

Manufacturer: Eelko Moorer.
Product: Bearskin.
Standout: Even animal activists will want to paw this bear of a rubber rug.

Few things scream "seduction" like a bearskin rug. Curious to find out if this swank symbol of indulgence would translate into a far more pedestrian medium, Eelko Moorer designed a version in hand-cast urethane rubber similar to a material used for a beloved German line of toys. Intended to lie on the floor or hang on the wall, at about 70 inches long by 61 wide, the bear was initially sculpted in clay over the course of a labor-intensive six weeks, after which a silicone mold was created. White, brown, black, and almost any custom color are now available—however, lighter colors will gradually yellow from exposure to air and UV rays. That won't be an issue with the dark gray of Moorer's next effort, a urethane-rubber elephant-foot umbrella stand. Moss, 212-204-7100; moss.coresense.com. circle 430

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