Now I am sure AT isn't encouraging the shooting of poor, defenceless pheasants. You can get feathers that have shed naturally not from farmed factories (akin to peacock feathers etc). My friends sells them at her organic specialty store and ensures they are "cruelty-free".

If you find a feather in nature its a gift otherwise not cool.

If you're eating the pheasant anyway, may as well make the feathers into something pretty!

Please: no feathers (or antlers, as shown on a recent post) on the table !!!

A good source for beautiful feathers is The Feathered Egg.

www.thefeatheredegg.com

They follow practices that are organic, domestic, and humane.

I like a few feathers here and there, but the feathers ON the place setting kind of grosses me out.

As far as the ethics of feather decor, I don't think that AT is promoting factory farming or even hunting. They're providing us with the inspiration, not the source. It is up to the reader to seek out the materials. Naturally shed feathers and/or ones that come from free-range poultry farms are available (at a premium, of course) and not all that hard to find.

Sharpie, does your friend have an online store?

My parents always have a vase of wild turkey feathers as the Thanksgiving centerpiece. There's a flock that lives in their yard, so they have a near-endless supply.

Feeling neither here nor there about the aesthetics and politics of pheasant feathers, but this is definitely one of those humungo, bothersome centerpieces that make it impossible to see and talk to dinner companions on the other side of the table.

My mind would be preoccupied during the meal thinking about bird mites.

Not a big fan. It would be like having something made of real fur on the table. And ruckus is right that it totally blocks the view across the table.

I like pheasant feathers in fashion, but not so much in interiors.

Yech.

Big old yuck. I never pick up feathers when I see them for fear of wacky bird diseases. To have one smack dab in front of my face during a meal seems gag-inducing. Not for me, thanks.

You can actually purchase feathers that are humane AND cleaned. I don't see why that's gross. People are putting potted plants on tables and that soil is probably full of chemicals or who knows what else. You definitely should not pick up dirty feathers and put them on your table, though.

omg that wreath is gorgeous! the link doesn't send me to it though.

agreed with others that feathers are not meant for the table. yech. nothing wrong with my front door though.

Hope y'all enjoy sleeping on your down pillows, underneath your down comforters.

Yeah, feathers on the table are gross.