Ever since I saw this drawing of a "well-placed birdbath" in one of my old garden books from the 40s, I've wanted one for myself. Trouble is, every time I find one I like, we're somewhere across the country, where shipping would cost a fortune.
Then our luck changed Sunday en route from city to country, when I spotted this faux bois beauty at a junk shop in Pound Ridge. I slammed on the breaks, backing into the driveway. "Is this really necessary?" came his usual commentary. "It's pouring, you know."
At first, I coveted the one behind it—simple, with cleaner lines. But as the rain continued to fall, filling the hallows of the other and soaking my scalp like a sponge, I reconsidered. The basin is so much more unusual, I thought, with branches I could fill beautifully with moss. And even though one of the two is damaged, it's nothing a little chicken wire and cement can't fix.
"How much?" I asked.
When the response came, Jaithan and I looked at each other as though we'd just stumbled upon gold.
"49."
In the car it went, well-placed indeed, with a brighter future ahead…
TOTAL score! {Almost as good as my $2/each Hermes scarves the other day!). I can not wait to see what you do with this.
xo Meg
I love it! You’ll enjoy it so much. Our little house came with one which I mostly ignore but check out this post on the party there one day. http://kwana.com/2009/09/16/the-party/
GET OUT! it’s awesome….I live for finds like that one. I’d put it in my livingroom with candles in it, dripped down to nubs…the hint of green moss on the bottom makes me swoon…
You have a quick and keen eye! The birdbath is so whimsically wonderful and knowing you…it will be cared for, loved and doted upon and live happily ever after in your garden (lucky birds)!
Looking forward to seeing it all settled…
xo Jessica~
Love it! I’m sure you’ll have it looking magazine worthy in no time.
Yes, the basin is mahvahlas!
But those faux branches begging for attention. Oh my. Yes, plenty of scope for the imagination with those.
Ok. Here’s what I want.
Pics of your new birdbath decked out thru the seasons. Hmm, blog post with, hmm, hmm, 5 incarnations. Five.
Wish I had been junking with ya’ll.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
Love your score!!!
xx
Can’t wait to see the after pics!!
Sometimes something catches your eye – and you just HAVE to have it! I know the birds will be delighted with your choice. And for future fixes….Grant swears everything can fixed with Super Glue! xo
i’m so happy you changed your mind! this little guy will be fab with the moss you’re planning on planting. and for $49?! can’t beat that. do share the reveal!
I can totally see you both!! Love it!! I am so glad you bought the square bath, so much more interesting. I have one in my front yard and backyard. I put a mirror above the one in the backyard and the birds are so much fun to watch when they see their reflection in the mirror. I did a post on it if you would like to see it. It really is fun to watch the birds looking at themselves after their bath, too funny.
http://goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com/2010/02/outdoor-mirrors.html
I discovered that male birds are more vain than female. We get mallard ducks in our pool and I have a mirror behind the deck and I swear the mallard Male looked at himself a good 10 min while the female took one look and went right back into the pool. Very interesting, xoxo kathysue
That birdbath is an awesome find! And the price! I am never that lucky when I fall in love with something. It was meant to be for you. I love your idea of putting moss in it. One of my favorite plants. Please show us what you do with it and where you place it..please!
~jamilyn
You lucky duck! I have been looking for one of these! Enjoy your new treasure…
There is no greater joy than finding something you have been eyeing and for a great price. ENJOY!!! I can’t wait to see what you do with this new purchase!!
xo Holly J
http://www.anobsessionwithstyle.blogspot.com
Ooooooo — that lucky birdbath just found the perfect Forever Home! Hope we can see all of the stages of this project! I wonder what it would look like as a temporary icebath for a bottle of champagne! LOL! A brillant buy — and even in the rain!
Jan at Rosemary Cottage
I’ve missed your frequent blogs. So glad you are back. Love your purchase.
Jay
What a fabulous find! Love it – Congrats!! Please, please post pics once you have it placed in its future home.
jealous! congratulations!
cute story..i can just see you slamming on those brakes…whoaaaa…and then 49 bucks..HUH? score…that was like finding GOLD..what a treasure indeed..LOVE IT…
congratulations on that one !!!!
kary from my farmhouse kitchen
xxx
Great find! Can’t wait to see its’ home!
That is what I call serendipitous! You had me at moss…
Lucky you. Lucky birdbath.
That’s good…love the rectangle basin. We’ve sold several faux bois planters, but never have seen a birdbath like that one. Great find!!!
marcie
Greattt find, well worth the slamming on of car brakes, lol !
Of course it’s always necessary 🙂
starrydeborah
That is fantastic! At that price I admire your restraint at not buying both!!! lol
woohoo- what a great find!! Seriously only $49- that is NUTS. I cant wait to see it in all its glory sitting pretty in your garden!!
Well, that is quite a find. And I need a Jaithan– that’s not what my husband would have said under similar circumstances!
Sunday was a good day to find treasures. I’m so happy you found your’s – after spending a few hours helping others find theirs at the Chelsea Flea Market. (I love my Berry bowl set….just in time for a Kentucky Derby Brunch! ) – Wendy
OK, I’m dying for the birdbath. It’s fabulous!
Hi Eddie, Amazing birdbath!!….Just so charming!….I am thoroughly enjoying your lovely blog!…. Am continually & utterly inspired!….Wishing you a wonderful week!….Your friend, Heidi XO
Oh yes! It is fabulous! Well spotted and such a great bargain.
You know, I can see it as a really cool sink in a guest bath as well..
Happy restoring.
x Charlotta
as i scrolled down and came to the base of the birdbath i found myself gasping.
MAJOR SCORE!
xo
debra
You scored–anything faux bois is usually way up there and really hard to find. Congratulations!!
Hi Eddie & Jaithan. I can just picture this coming down!! How great a score and it will be so fabulous, it is indeed unique!
Karena
Art by Karena
What a fun silhouette! I love it. Can’t wait to see a picture of it in your backyard.
Best,
Amy Meier
OHHH Babies!! Love it, yeah you did GOOD! When the stars align great sales happen! Decor shop here had a tent sale last wk., needless to say I went cuckoo for coco puffs! I’m talking garage sale/thrift store prices! Some really great “stuff”. I did good too, still loving on my good deals. Can’t wait to see your faux bois baby in your landscape!
I just want to illustrate your lovely find with lots of lovely birdies descending for the most well deserved bath time.
Is the word out, have they started to flock there?
It is so you.
pve
I can’t believe you found something at Joan’s junk shop – she’s a Pound Ridge institution but I’ve never dared to poke around. You’ve changed my mind… And I thought Avant Garden was the only place in town!
~ The Buzz
Oh;
Love faux bois! I am currently finishing some faux bois shelves for the living room. So good to see your post, lucky find!
Been so long since I have commented or followed your travels! Happy mid week to you & J.
L.
Looks like after all your searching you found a gem! Hate to admit that I am a tad jealous, since I am looking for one right now. But am not going to settle for one that looks like everyone else’s either. I plan on being patient.
it is rocking my world…
such a lovely find at an unbelievable price – lucky you!! We needed a water basin for the birds in our yard but ordinary, non-descript birdbaths cost 200. I was appalled. So we purchased a larged glazed terra cotta saucer out of the surplus pile at the nursery and placed it on an upside-down terra cotta pot under the trees. The birds seem to love it. I’d love to find something as gorgeous as yours, one day, perhaps.
I love a diamond in the rough! Can’t wait to see what you do with your new-found treasure. Happy Spring! *Amy
I love it! I really love it! It is so sweet, I cannot wait to see what you do with it. If I were a bird I would def come bath in that lovely little basin!
Well you did it again…finding something fabulous! I can’t wait to see your majic!
A ‘birdie’ told me you are coming to ATL, any chance of a gathering?
xx
absolutely fabulous Eddie. I know you will make it a real work of art and I look forward to seeing how you use it. I do love your 1940’s inspiration.
xo, Jen
Please share the location of this fabulous “junk” shop? 🙂 I’m ready to hop in the car right now.
– Kate
A Score Indeed!
Yay! that was a total score!
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at SCAD:)
I love that it’s an unusually shaped basin – that makes it so unique! And the faux-bois will look great in your garden.
I would love to see a tutorial on how to fix the broken part – I would have just left it broken because I’m not sure how I’d fix it!
Either way – its fabulous and will make a great addition! Enjoy watching the birds play in it. I know the birdies in our backyard love ours, especially the blue jays.
Very cool birdbath, Eddie! Hope you & Jaithan are having a fun spring. Can’t wait to hear more about your house shopping. Toodles, you 2!
OMG I love it. For $49.00 are you kidding me? I love the base of it and the moss concept. Since you did the post on the tea cart – I’ve been looking for a brass one but here in LA they are very overpriced. I was at the Long Beach Flea Market and found a chipped wood bamboo one for $20.00 – it was a little wobbly what else is new but the price was right and it made it home for the party that night. Didn’t have time to paint it but did use it for drinks thanks to you!
oohhh.. adorable!! What a great peice! Once you get it set up, you must post a final pic, particularly getting a moss bed. I need to learn how to do this. There are bits our property that I want to create a moss bed, but I have no clue what to do.
Adore your blog!
S
good choice! i, too, usually choose the simpler design, but i couldn’t have passed up the whimsical and unique one. can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Gorgeous! So unique!
I once saw something I really wanted at Brimfield. I ask how much and they replied, “49”. I handed him a %50 and said “keep the change’. LOL It was $4,900. Didn’t buy it.
haha loved this post!!! it’s going to be so beautiful!!! now i want one!!
xoxo
Nothing like the superb visual quality of a conversation piece and funtional one at that. I think it is perfecet for many outdoor designs.
This is a great find…look forward to seeing it filled and in situ. Happy May Day, xv.
Ah Eddie, it was definitely meant to be! The possibilities are endless with that beautiful bird bath! My bird bath sits outside of my door between my bedroom and the Pacific ocean. It is a constant source of meditative quiet for me as I watch all of the lovely birds stop by for a visit. I am sure that you and Jaithan will get many moments of pleasure out of yours!
Hugs,
Debra
Eddie, Wonderful find and very unusual. I would love to pictures of the bird bath in your garden.
oh wow…is there any way you can tell me how to repair faux bois? my furniture cracked over the winter though i wrapped it and i am sick about it!