Catherine Ledner lives with 2 dogs, 2 cats, 11 rabbits and 1 husband in Altadena, Calif. A portraitist and commercial photographer, Ms. Ledner became fascinated by the idea of using wallpaper patterns in animal portraiture, and her new book, “Animal House,” is the result. During her research, she pored over wallpaper books from the 1930s and ’40s, and pulled new samples from the Pacific Design Center. The 47 animals were cast from the pool the local trainers had available. Once she had chosen her matches, Ms. Ledner wallpapered moveable walls in her studio, and invited the animals in. The vulture, left, on a discontinued Cole and Son paper, was a bit timid, moved slowly and responded well to treats, she said. Photo: Catherine Ledner

The fox was the shyest, but loosened up the longer he stayed on the set. His paper, from a 1930s pattern, was made for Ms. Ledner by Astek Wallcoverings, a company that can copy any pattern with a repeat. Photo: Catherine Ledner

The deer came twice, once to check out the studio and again for his portrait. “I have a particular fondness for deer,” Ms. Ledner said, “so it was very spiritual” to have him there. Photo: Catherine Ledner

The goat (also on a pattern copied by Astek), behaved in the expected way, clowning around and headbutting the wallpaper background. Ms. Ledner is trying to convince her husband that they should adopt a pair of 4-yearold goats from a local animal shelter. “Animal House” (Welcome Books) is $24.95; Catherine Ledner’s 32-by-40-inch animal prints are $1,700 through www.catherineledner.com. PENELOPE GREEN (www.nytimes.com)