Watch The Birdie

I've been amassing a veritable collection of birds used in decor for some time now, which this week inspired me to make my own display. In auction I came across two rather elderly game birds, with a bonus dead bunny. As with most vintage taxidermy, the casing and 'habitat' effects - in this case a motley bunch of dead fern - was scruffy and shabby. I wondered what else I could do with the ensemble to spruce it up, and hit upon removing the glued down fern and replacing it with pearl spar gravel. Instant improvement. But what it really was crying out for (to me, probably not to anyone else) was a mass of bright, white fairy lights to uplight from below, as the case lid pretty much cancelled out any light source from the exterior and was keeping the whole thing gloomy and dark. One visit to Peter Jones later (the only place among countless others tried who had a stock of basic, white LEDs with clear wiring) and my birdies looked fairytale instead of foul. Or fowl. Smartened up with redone case and placed whimsically beneath my other auction gem, a Stubbs print of hunting dogs, they glow. They are very happy! I call it "Keep digging. They're down there."

And so on to my inspirations, and hail to the creative souls not afraid to toss in the odd bird or two and shamelessly manipulate them should the occasion warrant. If you don't have an actual bird, you can certainly have a flight of fancy like this:

 Or indulge in some wallpaper, as here at Friendly Place:

 I love these Ibride Design trays:

Or a wall of prints perfectly complementing this country dining room:

At Rosy, a row of Budgies pick up the shots of color that brighten up the kitchen:

Or grab a pot of paint and make your own - a sinister but stylish raven at De Beauvoir:

However, if you can get a hold of the real thing, they don't half add to a room. Here at Dacha this bird IS the decor:

Or throw caution to the wind and go for it. Kontiki is a bit notorious for doing just that, and I like it:

Go large. Antique taxidermy at its finest:

This ostrich was discovered in a Paris apartment that had lain abandoned for over 70 years.

 I think the goose has a crown on. Yes!

Duck Cool:

Go REALLY large. Triple Ducks in a Dutch pool:

And the piece de resistance...a Lalanne designed canopy bed. Stupendous! 

Crystal Blue Persuasions

Some wonderful new things are being currently done with the old concept of a light with a bit of sparkle around it. Chandeliers, while retaining their beauty of glass and decoration uplit, have gone all creative on our asses and are delightfully playful. Imagination has no limits. Traditionally, we've seen clear crystal, unless we've ventured into Murano territory, but here's some designs that take a whole new twist on the established. They are from the studio of Hans Van Bentem and are staggeringly good:

However, Lee Bul has taken the genre in his own, ethereal direction with creations such as this one:

This Galleon, photographed by Inga Powilleit, just has to be the star of the room:

Swarovski have rightfully taken back their crystal crown with this unbelievable horse created in droplets. Just wow. 

Also by Swarovski, their beautiful cascade of light dripping onto the ground:

Quirky is fun too. The Villa Augustus restaurant commissioned this whimsical hen themed giant of a statement:

The chandelier below may not measure up to the others, but being flanked by a pair of unicorns pretty much wins the prize of life right there. End of. 

Beep Beep!

Something fun this week! A lot of Londoners are using a peculiar quirk of a decorating device: Vintage toy cars and antique rocking or carousel horses. I should think antique dealers are on to this by now and the price of them has rocketed, but if you have one in the loft, haul it out. Or flog it, who am I to hold you back? They are hot right now! So we're going to have a peek at the best of the best, but I have to say the little set of miniature Lambrettas are perhaps my favorite...
Blake House

 Lyndhurst

 Kennelly

Carousel fantastico:

 Admiral:

Adorable little vehicles! Source

 Dalston Heights

Buckle Factory

 Joyriding at The Depot

 The Grove

 Staithe House

...and these little creatures of Studio East

The most inventive award goes to Bungalow for repurposing this little beauty as a light fixture:

Tally Ho!

The Completionists

Most of us collect something. Be it concert stubs, egg cups or art, the human whim is to hold onto stuff we like - and if we like it, we like more of it. What brings me joy is seeing how people choose to display their collections and make them an integral part of the decor. They become the decor, in many cases, and cues for the room are taken from the nature of the collection. I like how the two are symbiotic and often coalesce to great effect. Speaking of which, I have collected some fantastic examples for you, and hope it inspires you to make a feature out of your passion for your unique thing. After all, no two collections are alike unless you are Richard Carpenter (reputedly one of the world's greatest 'Completionists'), i.e someone who must have every single item of the field they dedicate themselves to. Rumor has it that he amassed identical, complete everythings for each one of his five children...of The Carpenter's work and memorabilia. On reflection, 'Completionist' may not be the term for that. Not sure what that is. Possibly 'Rampant Egomania'. Anyway, anyway. Some fine stuff here:
At Harlow Garden, this collector of Georgian antique dogs has beautifully combined it with the decor, making a specially bold contrasting niche for display. 

But at The Manor, the collection is just part of the ambiance that makes the hallway. Casual, even though it took years to accumulate:

I love these two vintage tray arrangements and how such a humble item becomes art when used so well together:

Or like-minded items are a collection when displayed so charmingly, such as here

...and here, which has inspired me this week to begin my own collection of craft goodies in glass jars:

Although I wish I had these vintage tins. Gorgeous. 

Have to say that these last two are hard to beat for sheer display expertise and talent. Such pros! 

What's your passion?