I'm the quintessential animal lover and I have been since day one. (Thanks, mom.) But strangely, I only recently began to understand the appeal of pet-inspired trinkets. And by "understand the appeal," I obviously mean covet, buy and go broke. Last week, I purchased a copy of the classic board game Monopoly simply for the cat token (it replaced the iron this summer). I've always been a "crazy cat lady," but I was never into the novelty of home decor or other products designed in the likeness of animals. I blame my fourth grade teacher. Her obsession with cows meant our classroom was covered in tacky spotted, black-and-white trinkets, even a life-size blow-up version suspended from the rafters. My mom wasn't much better, either. Our kitchen looked like a barnyard complete with ceramic cows, pigs, roosters. You name it. There's no question that animal decals can look tasteless. But integrated into your home in appropriate amounts (read, minimal), they can add just the right amount of personality and folksy flair. They also make great gifts for the animal lover in your life (hint, hint). Take a look at my top five picks for animal-inspired home decor. Both Is Better Can't choose between canines and cats? Show your love for both with these stylized earthenware coasters. Kate Spade Woodland Parks coasters, $40, thebay.com.   Best Breeds
An adorable bulldog and regal lab are both fashionable and functional. Hang your towels, scarves, robes and totes on these silver-polished hooks. Dog hooks, $25.50, potterybarn.ca.   Cabin Chic These ceramic stags heads were featured in our December 2013 issue, and they add a pop of contemporary design to an otherwise cottage-inspired accoutrement. Stag head, $189, urbanbarn.com.   Bulldog Abode This bulldog duo is a subtle way of incorporating your love of pooches into your place setting. Bonus: Their collar tags make for a clever way of labelling the salt and pepper. Bull Dog Salt & Pepper Gift Set, $53, potterybarn.ca.   Feline Fix This digitally printed wallpaper has a retro-feline feel that's perfect for an accent wall in the kitchen of powder room. Baines & Fricker cats wallpaper, $198 per 56 square feet, anthropologie.com.