Thursday, February 17, 2011

My Valentine

On the morning of Valentine's Day....my true love gave to me....a French tole bird cage....from the 1870's....



Sometimes there's a bright spot in life when you least expect it.  My husband likes to surprise me with things, but I usually ruin it for him.   Like my Christmas present:


I decided I wanted the lovely very georgian looking antique chandelier in the living room.  I mulled it over for about a month, and then went back to the antique shop and bought it--about 2 days before my husband was going to...   I've been nicknamed "rainman" when I don't buy something and then can't forget it.



Life has been super hectic building a casita for my parents.  Coordinating all the sub-contractors, decisions & headaches has not been fun.   So on Valentine's day, we got up at 5 AM and we decided to leave and drive home, as it was raining to much in California.   I took my shower and headed straight to the car with my bag, and noticed the living room light was on... (yes the chandelier)...  and there it was!   I barely had time to take a photo of it for you as we had a 10 hour drive ahead of us.  It was quite a jolt of fun, an escape from the stress all around our lives at the moment.

So I can't wait to have a little fun with it.   I love the tole painting on it. I think maybe a few Steiff mohair birds, perhaps a nest, or???    A little bit of black in a room helps give it some depth.   I don't think the stand is as old as the cage, I don't know if I am going to keep it on the stand.  Next week I get to figure out the perfect spot for it.

Designers have been using bird cages for years.  I remember the reproduction birdcages that were imported 20+ years ago.   Here is another bird cage that "got away".  I spent a small fortune at this estate sale.   It was a bid sale, lost out on the bird cage (I didn't bid high enough), but got those drawers on the table.  I had also bid on the chair and didn't get it.

Cute Victorian Birdcage with fretwork
It's a funny thing about bid sales, I always feel you wind up getting the things that you "overpaid" on, and you totally underbid some of the really special things.  I hate bid sales....I'd rather go to a live auction...

Check out this blog for more photo's of some very neat bird cages.

http://myfavoritefrenchantiques.blogspot.com/2011/01/french-architectural-antique.html

The good part about February is spring is just around the corner!