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That design is for the birds!

If you don't want/expect us to comment on a particular object's "price point," it's probably better not to include it.

This is a cute birdhouse but the cost is outrageous and, frankly, insulting.

If the argument is that it's a limited-production item, so be it. I just think that the types of prices we've been seeing on these "design" posts, coupled with the sometimes dubious designs, has gotten out of hand. Since you're ostensibly not advertising, but merely showing, why not just show the object and be done with it? If we're meant to just react to the design, fair enough. But these "price points," once published, are hard to separate from the object itself, esp. in cases like this and other recent examples.

I like the looks, but wonder if it doesn't act as an oven for the birdies? If cars get hot in the sun, wouldn't a birdhouse of steel?

I agree with the other commenters on the "price points"! (And how is a "price point" different from a price, anyway? Is it just supposed to sound more "high-end" and make folks think it's worth it?)

More to the point (without "price"!), an aluminum birdhouse in a sunny location is basically a bird-roaster or hard-boiled-egg cooker ... not exactly the most hospital place to nest!

That was supposed to be HOSPITABLE ... sorry! (The birds WOULD need a hospital

: )

It looks like a security camera

The bird is extra cute though

Birdhouses should be handmade inexpensively, preferably by children.

Birdhouses should give access so you can remove the old nests, but I can't see that this one would. Also, they should have more than one hole for air circulation, otherwise the birds could suffocate. Not to mention the heat mentioned by others here.

Also, there's no justification for a $142 birdhouse.

@JoanneM:

LOL! I made one out of popsicle sticks when I was a kid ... it was very cool, but alas, I used Elmer's glue, and it fell apart in the first rain (fortunately, before any birds had claimed it)!

mrandabee, "insulting" is right. I have no respect for designers who would insult our intelligence by pricing a poorly designed birdhouse at $142. There is NOTHING spectacular or out of the ordinary about that thing. Seriously, birdbottle designer, get over yourself.

I agree, looks like a surveillance camera. Unless there is some really good reason, I can't see shelling out that much for a bird house. I suppose if you want people to think it is a surveillance camera and you want to feed birds, this would -- pardon me-- kill two birds with one stone. Let he who would buy it (no she would be that crazy).

Um I thought it was a spray painted tin can and though CUTE DIY. Then I saw the price and thought WHA???

I love it! I'm a big fan of modern bird houses.

Ha ha....I thought it was a roll of toilet paper at first glance.

Don't care for the design, a nd the bird ergonomics are questionable at best. (Too hot in the sun, especially in summer, too cold in the winter -- there is a REASON bird houses are traditionally made from wood!)

"Good Design" should fall into the "form follows FUNCTION" school of thought, no?

I also thought it looked like a security camera. I'm thinking one could DIY this with an oatmeal canister or something similar.

Why can't it just be "price" or "cost"? What does "price point" even mean?

Clean design and very modern take on the Williamsburg bird bottle ! This would look perfect on my balcony with my Bertoia chairs, I believe you get what you pay for. I will be paying $142.00, quality doesn't come cheap.

I think it looks like a cross between a roll of toilet paper or a surveillance camera... What is so wrong with the shape of a normal birdhouse? You can "modernize" it but can't it still look like a house? That's the cute part of them.

I like the design, little expensive. Many bird houses are made out of aluminum or terra cotta. Unfortunately, seems that most of the commentators don't know a sparrow from a martin.

I am so disgusted by the price that I don't even care to look at the item again.

eiw: It's like MSRP, I believe.

I am surprised at all the talk of price, I thought the competition was about design. If so this design seems to be a pretty good modernized version of a classic object. If other commenters researched the design they may realize that. BTW, lots of bird houses are made of metal and birds make it fine.

Beautiful. Should provide for a lifetime of shelter for our flying friends. Well Done!!!

ammanda, I thought the same thing!

I think the talk about price is fair. To me, good design includes making the thing I am supposed to consider purchasing worth the money you are asking me to pay for it.

Pretty pricey digs for that blue tit.

...or whatever it is...anyone?

Listen, get over the price people. This isn't a Wal-Mart purchase! It's the design that matters. This is a "modern" design..not "old school." Plus materials and manufacturing done in the US of A. Many b-houses are made out of aluminum and birds do great. Should have a H20 source nearby with any birdhouse.

To aabbbiee...READ the ifo in slide #2 please, there are 2 ways to clean the Birdbottle..an O-ring removal system on the rear mount and the front face plate is removable.

Kudos to this designer for including the design specs. As a designer/engineer I can appreciate all the effort this design took..impecable DESIGN. Would get 4 stars if I could.

We all know designers "think outside the box"...do the rest of you only think inside Costco ? Lets start giving our young designers the credit they deserve and our business also. Bring design and production back to the USA.

all of these sowcases have been incredibly expensive. isn't this website about more affordable and accessible options? especially with the current economic climate, i would think these would focus on less expensive options.

i don't care how awesome or time consuming a bird house is to make, there is no way that $142 would ever be justified.

I think there are a lot of design details being missed here...

I'm extremely impressed how this design was pushed to be held together by only ONE little red screw. This little red screw also appears in the logo as a red dot which ironically is the crux of the logo between bird and bottle.

I personally can see the amount of design and development time which was put into this product that has this much intentional thought behind its aesthetics, material and manufacturing choices....

I'm personally disgusted by the amount of people complaining over the price. America has been overrun by the wal-mart and target overseas manufacturing pricing structure. Heres a young designer trying to bring a limited production product to the public and the first thing people judge is the price over her design as a whole.

Awesome design Julie. What a great new take on the Bird Bottles used by early American settlers.

I like how so many people are disgusted by the price. Clearly, you have no idea what goes into designing something new and unique. Stop wasting our time complaining about the price... finish drinking your 30 pack of Budweiser and continue to shop at Walmart.

Very nice. I was just looking at classic Williamsburg bird bottles and am all the more impressed with this design.

That would be a sweet little tufted titmouse, muirwoods08... (easily the most beautiful and *well-designed* element of that photo!)

twelve... you want to talk about being justifiable... let me state my case by showing you a "designed" mailbox selling for $400!

http://www.dwr.com/product/premier-mailbox.do?keyword=mailbox&sortby=ourPicks

how about $400 for a cheap piece of wood, some super thin stainless steel and exposed fasteners.

The bird bottle is obviously not being produced in mass quantity or it would be priced differently.

Folks, is it impossible to defend the design without being condescending to those who voiced complaints about the price point?

Beautifully elegant design. I love the clean lines and the slight angle at which the perch slips along the bottom of the bird bottle. This is a fitting piece of art to add to my landscape, and my nesting birds will thank me for giving them such a beautiful home.

For those who jump right to the price and are so easily "insulted", I challenge you to make an intelligent thoughtful comment regarding the design.

For anyone that may or may not be out there to apprecaite mid century design,this is truly a classic. As some of the other comments that were make,if you have to use popsicle sticks or scrap pieces of wood then you obviously are on the wrong site.
This design is,pure,and in it`s own way a form of neo modern classic mid century modern in the simplicity of the design.
People who deign to go to WalMart obviously do not appreciate classical design and should be discouraged in ruining the innovative styles that go back to when Madison Ave began and it`s reason for doing so. Thank you Miss Rooney for the purity of the bird bottle and the purity of from in which you represent a time when classic meant exactly that. If one has to quibble about price then look elsewhere.

eh. I thought it looked DIY, and like a security camera.

Upon closer inspection of her diagram, it seems you can open it to remove old nests or birds inadvertently roasted in it.

I'm aghast at the price point, but that's nothing new at AT.

This modernist adaption of the colonial bird bottle is dead on, with simple clean lines and timeless design it will be stylish for years to come. The thought of classic moderism is in keeping with many fine designers over the past 80 years. The depth of understanding of modernist design is amazing for such a young designer. With engineering and utilization of quality materials this product is crafted for durability and will surely stand up against the trials of nature over time.

The bird bottle is just that, a bottle not a bird house. This product solidifies that in classic form, a study of it's origin will reveal that birds have instictivly used bottles to nest and protect their young for hundreds of years.

What a wonderful design to assemble the entire unit with one simple red screw, one spot of piercing color within the pure white product only to be sliced by a thin line of the stainless steel perch. Appears easy to assemble and disassemble for easy cleaning and storage, although house cleaning is normally handled by the birds.

The price is easliy justified with this product as it clearly apperars to be a durable. It fits perfectly in my modern decorating scheme, a great American designed and manufactured product.

I remember when modernism wasn't just an ironic comment on design with a pricetag that reassured everyone who bought into it that they were in on the joke

Are all of the designers getting their friends and family to log onto AT just to post fawning comments? You think they'd be a little more subtle about it.

Oh, and people don't "deign" to go to Walmart. They usually have to.

Why are nearly all the snotty remarks being made by people who just joined AT yesterday or today?

Let me make a point perfectly clear ( especially to slowdown). I am not related to the designer of the BirdBottle or any of the other products. HOWEVER I do recognize an incredibly designed product. If you look at the specs drawing on slide #2, it's amazing that it is put together with one screw and an O-ring.

This is a DESIGN contest people, it's an "I would never pay that much contest" . If it went that way, then yes, the person on this comment board who made birdhouses out of popscicle sticks and Elmers glue should enter. This design was researched, check out the Williamsburg Birdbottle and see how it relates to this design. It is not a random "birdhouse".

Yes slowdown, many of us are first time people to this site and judging from the lack of insight and professionalism from SO MANY of the people posting the "reviews" it will likely be the last. The so called "snotty" remarks were the intelligent ones. Not everyone will have the same taste in a style or product and that's understandable, however don't call a product poorly designed, a waste of money, etc. unless you understand design/construction/manufacturing. I'm sure most if not all of these designers have a 4 year college degree in design, whether it be graphic, industrial, textile or interior.
Get used to it people of the world..designers who are passionate don't go away, they just keep going back to the drawing board. AT Design 2009 may be showcasing a future Castiglioni, Alessi, Breuer or Wright. To all new designers..THE WORLD AWAITS YOU.

The above post should read " This is a design contest people, it's NOT an I would never pay that much contest".
Major typo...sorry !

I am not a designer, but I look around me and understand that I see and use countless items everyday. Some are simple; some are very complex. Whether I like the items or not, they all began with an individual who took an idea and with some creativity, imagination, and hard work brought them to fruition. Fortunately they did not allow others to discourage them.

I've seen the Williamsburg bird bottles. I like the clean lines of this bird bottle and the more up-to-date take on the old. It looks as though it would be very simple to make, but I'm sure looks are deceiving. Congratulations to the designer for this well crafted item.

Thank you to those who have had constructive criticism about the Birdbottle and to those who have had positive feedback. I do appreciate both! It's always good to hear what others have to say, negative or positive.

For those who do like the Birdbottle and would like to learn more about it or purchase it you can go to www.blend-design.com.

I think this looks great. It reminds me of a modern take on the birdhouses I used to make out of coffee cans and it succeeds in my opinion. As far as discussions on price, to me the price may limit those who will purchase this item, but it doesn't seem over the top. With the materials listed, the amount of manufacturing, and the fact that this is a designer item, it seems to be in the right price range. Well done!

The snotty remarks were snotty. You can make a smart point or defend a designer (or both!) without sneering at those who disagree with you.

@Mirandabee...Thanks - he is so cute.

@JonF: I choose not to shop at Walmart - never have, never will; a personal decision based on my belief that Walmart is part of this country's problem, which, BTW, does NOT stem from ppl. not having the means to purchase high end design items. Also....FYI, I prefer wine to beer. I do not, however, condemn Walmart shoppers...as you seem to do. My friends/family members choose to shop at Walmart and that is their choice.

To Julie R, the designer who left her own feedback,you are true designer and professional by acknowledging both the criticism and praise. I wish you success in your future and keep thinking outside the box.