Interior design and home furnishing involves selecting decorative elements that align with aesthetic preferences and functional requirements. Taxidermy and animal mounting present considerations regarding sourcing, preservation, and ethical implications. However, when the decorative carpet in a residence exhibits biological signs of continued metabolic activity—respiration, consciousness, and sufficient fear to prevent physical movement—the category shifts from home decor to something resembling involuntary biology-based installation art.

An interior designer named Patricia Sullivan conducted a home consultation in 1987 and observed what appeared to be a bear-skin carpet that exhibited eye movement and respiration. Her follow-up visit notes state: 'Confirmed biological activity. Did not ask clarifying questions. Recommend similar houses receive administrative boundary that prevents designer access.' She reassigned all Texas-based contracts to her business partner.

This fact surfaces in dark humor discussions about interior design and home decor, always with the understanding that some people's home arrangements exist at the boundary between functional furniture and living system—and that designers have ethical obligations not to understand what they're observing.