With Oktoberfest kickoff closing in, we wanted to talk about decorating home bars and entertaining areas with animal art, specifically. It’s a great, subtle way to convey the feel of Old World Germany traditions year round. Of course one of the animals that should be at the center of the decorating scheme is the dachshund.

Dachshunds have been a part of German culture for centuries, and according to the American Kennel Club, their roots go back to the 1600's. At the time, many German huntsmen used the dogs to capture foxes, badgers, rabbits and feral pigs. In later years, they were entered into dachshund races during October celebrations and other competitive events, which continue around the world to this day.

On top of that, there are companies that manufacture dachshund themed wine, beer and bar supplies. Among them are Dachshund Riesling, III Dachshunds Beer and Maitland-Smith. The dog themed bar supplies include brass wine holders, shot glasses, steins, highball glasses, bottle openers, coasters and more. Thus, incorporating wiener dog themed animal art into a home bar or Oktoberfest décor scheme makes sense.

There are two pieces of animal art that must be mentioned when talking about Oktoberfest and home bar decor. One is Stephen Fowler’s Dachshund Wine print and the other is Ryan Fowler’s Dachshund Brewing Co. print. They both resemble vintage advertising signs and prominently feature the dog's image. Because they do have the appearance of commercial art, they could be paired with artist Brian Rubenacker's Dachshund Wieners.

 For a more whimsical look, there is also Tracy Flickinger’s Hot Dog. It features a cartoon image of a female dachshund enjoying a cocktail while dressed in a pink feather boa. Additional decorating options include actual photos of wiener dogs and work by artists like Dean Russo and Serena Bowman. A combination of these prints will make the perfect décor for Oktoberfest as well as everyday décor for your home bar.

With nearly every breed of dog represented in some way, artist Stephen Fowler approaches pet art in a fun contemporary style. If you're a dog lover, you NEED a piece of this art for your home or office, here are five reasons why:

1. Man's Best Friend - Pets bring many people a sense of responsibility, happiness, and connection to life. When we see pictures of dogs that remind us of our own beloved animal(s), those same feelings arise and bring a moment of meaningful interaction to the day. Man's best friend needs a place on your wall, whether you currently have a dog, want to, or used to.
2. Color - Stephen Fowler brings a fresh look to his dog art with delightful colors and dynamic text and patterns. The colors in his works will help set the mood in whatever room it is placed.
3. Price - With prices starting at $9 and up for a print, these pieces of art are truly budget friendly.
4. Size - Most of Stephen Fowler's dog art pieces are smaller in size (generally around 12"x12"), meaning you can surely find a nook or place to enjoy this work in your home or office.
5. Conversation - The combined text and images on these artworks are sure to encourage some spontaneous conversation amongst your family and guests. Take pleasure in the discussions likely surrounding themes of pets past and present.

Fulcrum Gallery offers an assortment of Stephen Fowler art prints and many other great styles from similar artists too! Take a look at what our offerings can bring to your decorating style.

Interior decorators are hailing the comeback of vintage art in homes—if it ever went away. A print, poster or painting that has retained its appeal over the years is a safe bet when adding visual flair to a room. Professionals offer these suggestions for successfully incorporating the vintage into your favorite rooms:

A grouping is superior to a single item. But a hodge-podge is distracting; aim for a unified look, either by style, subject matter, era, or tonal quality.

It doesn’t have to be genuinely old to be vintage. Reproductions serve the valuable function of keeping superior designs alive and in circulation. Also, reproductions greatly increase the choices available to create a pleasing display without breaking the budget. In this respect, it’s interesting to note how many bestselling reproductions were originally advertisements.

Don’t overlook artifacts as wall art. Old tools, keys, locks, windows, and cooking utensils have all been successfully re-purposed as art. The key is scale—giving large objects lots of room—and context: put rusty objects such as outdoor tools in casual rooms or porches. Furthermore, don’t try to clean them up too much! If you wanted to display new-looking tools, they’re available at the hardware store.

Meaningful artifacts are even better. Great-aunt Susie’s lace doilies don’t have to be heirloom quality to look superb mounted and framed. And anything that makes the past personal to us is to be treasured.

Use shadow boxes to display bulky or fragile items. This is especially useful in rooms that require frequent dusting.

Finally, don’t hesitate to display your personal collection of memorabilia. That’s what your living space is all about!

Let Fulcrum Gallery help you find just what you’re looking for. Contact us with your questions today.