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

ceiling-bird1.jpgAnyone 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...

 
 

ceiling-bird-2.jpgAt 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

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AT Europe, Closeup, Europe

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Comments (10)

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

posted by Griffin on 2008-08-26 09:03:06
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Love the bird and the whole apartment!

posted by jacasi on 2008-08-26 09:19:50
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WOW!!!

posted by ridge_van_winkle on 2008-08-26 09:20:22
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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 2008-08-26 09:20:57
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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 2008-08-26 10:17:40
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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 2008-08-26 11:01:13
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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 2008-08-26 11:35:55
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that thrills me

posted by Kate (NC) on 2008-08-26 13:30:23
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beautiful, I love this

posted by hanako66 on 2008-08-26 13:52:22
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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 2008-08-26 19:50:21
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