"Giraffes are the new bird-on-a-stick." That's a quote from Apartment Therapy's own Chris Phillips, who coined the term bird-on-a-stick over three years ago — at least the way we use it in our office. It's a reference to the cliché hipster insta-style brilliantly captured by Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein's Put a Bird on It sketch from the IFC show Portlandia. After Chris' declaration, I started to see giraffes everywhere and it seems like he got it right.
While giraffes have been a classic motif in both nursery decor and the global-import "World Market" aesethetic, they've recently become badges that signify hipster cred. Printmakers and artists like Hybrid Home, Threadless, Petit Collage, and Berkeley Illustration have all used giraffes in their work. Hybrid Home's limited edition print actually combines the giraffe and bird motifs, as does Threadless' giraffe wall decal.
Anthropologie's picked up on the trend — we counted 11 giraffe-themed items in their home decor catalog. And the ultimate test... an Etsy search for giraffe turned up 12,134 products in the handmade category alone.
What do you think? Are giraffes the new bird-on-a-stick?
SHOWN ABOVE
- Threadless I'm Like a Bird Giraffe Wall Decal at Blik, $35
- Limited Edition Giraffe Print at Design Public, $40
- Jonathan Adler Giraffe Lamp, $395, shown in an Ohdeedoh Nursey Tour
- Jonathan Adler Kissing Giraffe Pillow, $165
- Savannah Story Giraffe Bust at Anthropologie, $68
- Set of Giraffe Stack Pots at Anthropologie, $128
- Riley the Giraffe at WallPops, $32
- Giraffe Wall Art from Numi, $28 - $118
- Inke Heiland Giraffe Wallpaper Silhouette, $110, shown in a photo from Domino
- Giraffe Table Cards from Etsy Seller Cuddle Creatures, $12
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This is so cute! I've been thinking about doing a post on Giraffes for quite a while now. They're always on my radar since they're my best friend's favorite animal! Definitely linked her to this post!
I'm into giraffes now too for some reason. I made a modern giraffe print for my daughter's room: http://www.etsy.com/listing/70171163/modern-giraffes-print-personalized
I LOOOVE Giraffes. I'll be buying this print from etsy.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/68327450/giraffe-8x10-archival-giclee-print
And here I thought I was doing something original when I used giraffes in my sons nursery last year. They are cute though.
dang it. I always liked giraffes. I am going w/ a different theme for my son's nursery but as I search for items I think that might not be so unique either. Oh well.
More interested in the couch in pic 1 then the giraffe.
I think the same case can be made for owls, squirrels, elephants, etc.
Hey, I want to stencil some vintag-ey looking Noah's Ark animals as a border in my baby's room, but haven't really found any stencils I like. Anybody suggest something?
My grandmother just turned 100 years old, and has always loved giraffes. She tells me "they have such soulful eyes." So her house was full of giraffes people gave to her as gifts. This makes me want to sent everything here to her, but now that she's moved into a nursing home, I suppose they will have to stay where they are.
Really? Cute for a nursery but that picture of the mother giraffe kissing her calf was so overproduced and then there was all the African inspired home interiors full of brown, beige and giraffes..... I know that in a couple of months I will probably have to eat my words but right now....... I'm just not 'digging' the giraffe thing. When will snails be cool? I like snails. :)
I'm seeing tons of elephants. Must be a safari animal type of trend.
...not sure how to do this but I'll try: here's my hooked giraffe rug: » http://www.flickr.com/x/t/0096009/photos/27571127@N02/2577176032/
i've been on the Giraffe train for a few years now.
my English Premier League fantasy football team is/will always be name Perfect Giraffe FC.
GOOO LOOOOOOOOONG NECKS!
I've done so many giraffe prints for nurseries. Didn't realize how popular they were getting!
http://toxicguineapigs.etsy.com
Oh dear. This is the new owl thing the same way as we need something new to replace the "Keep calm" posters. Poor giraffe.
I'm somewhat excited about this... while I don't want them to become the next owl, I absolutely love giraffes.
But when you wake up with wild giraffes out your window when you're studying in Africa, they quickly take over as favorite. Some of my best photos from that trip are of these wonderful peaceful creatures.
Ugh! I'm already bored with "put a bird on it" now we have to use it for other animals??
nooooo....I LOVE giraffes -- and have since I was a toddler -- I hope they don't turn (in terms of trends) into birds! Not much I can do about it, I know.
my four year old is in love with giraffes too, thanks for the inspiration... i asked him awhile ago if he would like a kitten, he responded "no a giraffe"..
My own nursery (close to 40 years ago) was decorated with giraffes. I still have the felt, giraffe-shaped growth chart my mother made for me and my sister.
So old its new again!
I turn 40 this year and the giraffe painting my dad did for my nursery hangs in my son's room.
Is it cooler if it is vintage?
Yes - my tongue is planted firmly in my cheek.
This reminds me of the Direct TV commercial with the Russian billionaire who has the mini pet giraffe
I agree with hertels, owls, elephants, and squirrels are everywhere.
So funny- I actually have an ENTIRE shelf in my daughter's closet full of giraffe themed gifts that she has received over the course of the last two years that are waiting to be regifted. I'm to the point where I have so many items that I've begun subtlely suggesting to newly pregnant girlfriends that they decorate the nursery in giraffe theme (so I can give it all away in one go). Honestly, what is up with all the giraffes???
a couple of giraffe in savana behind a baobab tree http://www.decoalademande.com/africa-madame-bidule,fr,4,65586.cfm
This is refreshing! I've unintentionally collected a bunch of giraffe things for a nursery. Vintage irmi giraffe lamp, irmi 60's safari mobile, a vintage plastic giraffe coat hanger, and I just recently found a huge long neck brass giraffe statue that im going to paint. Must be fate.
I did a giraffe motif in my daughter's nursery, finished last year. I might have squeaked in just before the trend picked up!
I love giraffes, but the idea evolved from trying to come up with an easy way to transition between two paint colors on the wall. The giraffe spots looked as cute as I hoped, but it probably wasn't the easiest thing I could have done! I love the way the room turned out, and my daughter LOVED the high-contrast spots from the very beginning.
http://growingupsenge.blogspot.com/2010/06/spot-on-nursery.html