Put a birdcage on it. That’s right — why stop at putting a bird on something when you can put an entire birdcage on it?
Follow-up question: why stop at one when you can hang three?
Quick aside: you might notice a brown sheet on the daybed. We still haven’t picked up proper sheets yet, but they’ll most likely be navy and definitely not that worn tan sheet that’s been there for years. So please ignore it for now — a better set is coming.
Back to the birdcages. I’ve been itching to hang them since we started this room, so it’s exciting to finally reveal the “secret 3D items” we kept hinting about to balance the off-center window. Why birdcages? It started more than a year ago when we found a big white birdcage at a local thrift shop during book shoots. We grabbed it — thirty bucks well spent — and I held on to it the whole way home.
Then last September, while returning from redoing Granny’s bathroom, we scored some $8 thrift store chairs and also picked up a red birdcage at the same shop for $10 (it was white when we found it).
So we had two birdcages for a long time, and I wanted a third to create a balanced grouping. Of course, per Murphy’s Law, the third one was the hardest to find. We checked thrift stores, even stalked Craigslist (some people wanted $90 for theirs!), and looked at online decorative birdcage shops. Just when I was about to give up, I found one at Hobby Lobby — on sale — that completed the set.
I originally considered spray-painting that darker pewter one white to match the others, but decided to keep its darker tone because it ties into the navy curtains. Then I spray-painted the thrift-store birdcage bright red for a playful mix of colors and textures.
We wanted the reveal to be a surprise for Clara, so she didn’t see me painting or hanging them. They’re lightweight, so we used sturdy plant hooks and anchors for extra safety. She woke up from her nap to find them hung and was thrilled — lots of pointing, lying on the floor and the daybed to gaze up, and she even brought her stuffed animals over to inspect them.
Because the white and red wicker cages are especially light, we hung the heavier dark cage over the end of the room rather than over the daybed, so there’s no risk of it being directly overhead.
The lighter wicker cages are set back from the bed, and the daybed is pulled away from the wall to keep them out of the path of any jumping adventures. In effect they function like a mobile or a hanging airplane model — playful ceiling decor that a child can look up at and enjoy. We love creating things for Clara to gaze at, much like her flower mobiles, so the birdcages felt like a perfect addition.
They add pattern, color, and a touch of whimsy to the room — a nice complement to the frame collage on one wall and the postcard ledges on another. It’s fun to keep adding dimension and interest beyond flat frames.
Here’s a close-up of one of the birdcages.
We made a couple of small updates, too. I found thin red ribbon in my Christmas stash and wrapped it around the base of Sir Moose to better balance the patterned lampshade. Diane had suggested painting the base, but I chose ribbon because it’s easy to change.
I secured the ribbon with a bit of scotch tape at the back, and it’s stayed in place.
The room is feeling more finished in spots, though there’s still a list of things to do. Progress is slow but steady.
To keep track, here’s the to-do list:
paint the roomcut down our old den side table to make a play tablebring in a dresser (we’d love to find something secondhand)make/hang some curtainsadd a rugpaint the backs of the chairs along with her play tablehang our postcard ledges and fill them with favorite flashcardsinstall a new light fixturehang a few 3D objects that we have in mind for wall decor- get a new set of sheets for the daybed (most likely navy) and a cushy mattress pad
- refinish or paint Clara’s new dresser
- turn the cluttered closet into a clothes closet or reading nook
- add crown molding (and tackle the other bedrooms on this side of the house)
- possibly paint the ceiling once the crown molding is in place and a color is chosen
- add accessories like more pillows and storage bins for toys
We also framed and hung one more piece of art that greets you as you walk in. It’s colorful and ties into the rest of the room. The print is by Katie Daisy, and it was a thoughtful surprise gift from friends who recognized a piece I’d admired long before.
It makes me a bit misty when I think about how loved Clara is and how thoughtful people can be. Seeing that print always brings a smile.
So that’s what’s new in Clara’s big-girl room. Anyone else hanging oversized 3D objects or little prints lately? Will “put a birdcage on it” catch on? We think it’s a fun trend worth trying.
Psst — that secret video we teased on Instagram is finally out! It was for BBC and includes a chat about our big goal this year. If nothing else, the shots of Clara and Burger are priceless.