Close-Up: Colette & Pierre's Ceiling Bird Paris

Close-Up: Colette & Pierre's Ceiling Bird
Paris

Anyone who has ever visited a chateau has probably been met with the fleeting sentiment that they could move right in, possibly followed by the crushing reality of their walk-up apartment. But Colette spotted a design detail on an outing to a chateau in Normandy, and rushed right back to Paris to recreate a similar effect in her Paris apartment...

At the Chateau d'O in Normandy, she noticed a flock of ceiling birds that appeared to be holding up the crystal chandeliers and decided to recreate a similar effect in her own small Paris dining room. Colette commissioned an artist friend to paint the graceful ceiling bird that is a lovely surprise you first spot while walking up the stairs to her top-floor dining room.

For the full house tour, go here.

- Kristin Hohenadel blogging from rue Vieille du Temple, Paris, France. If you have an idea for a European house tour, please write kristin @ apartmenttherapy . com

Comments (10)

Beautifully painted! Whimsical and elegant at once! Love it!

posted by Griffin on August 26th 2008 at 4:03am
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Love the bird and the whole apartment!

posted by jacasi on August 26th 2008 at 4:19am
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WOW!!!

posted by ridge_van_winkle on August 26th 2008 at 4:20am
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Having to commission an artist (or be one) is going to put a little halt on getting me one of these here ceiling birds. Soon enough, someone will sell them as a decal. :(

posted by K T G on August 26th 2008 at 4:20am
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KTG,

I find that there's nothing like the real thing. I have 2 cockatiels inside and orioles and hummingbirds currently at the feeders on my balcony. Easy to care for and always entertaining.

posted by jacasi on August 26th 2008 at 5:17am
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i am not a fan of birds and all the aviary prints this year. Chalk it up to the number of birds who nested in my old house's soffeting, fell into the house through a small unseen hole, and died in my basement laundry room. not a fan of birds.
Still, this is gorgeous and whimsical. great post.

posted by Bobbycat5 on August 26th 2008 at 6:01am
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So nice to see such a delicately painted trompe l'oeil bird. Finally something with depth! (unlike all the flat cartoony silhouettes that have been overplayed the last few years)

posted by reb on August 26th 2008 at 6:35am
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that thrills me

posted by Kate (NC) on August 26th 2008 at 8:30am
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beautiful, I love this

posted by hanako66 on August 26th 2008 at 8:52am
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so ethereal...it made me finally stand on a chair and wipe off the dust on my little hanging light..

posted by keeks on August 26th 2008 at 2:50pm
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