We had a lot of pets in my family—dogs, cats, hamsters, ferrets, even a cockatoo named Baby. This, by the way, is not Baby. Nor is it a bird we're giving away. At least not today. I do think it's pretty, though—the flashy crest, the snowy plumage—like Baby, only without all the chatter.
Photography by Michael Blackwell
I had the cockatoos set on chinoiserie bases to give them the feel of being on a strong pedestal, like a Corinthian column. And I didn't want to ruin them by drilling into the porcelain, so I had a professional wire them through a tube attached to the base. I chose black shades lined in gold leaf to reflect onto the birds, accentuating their definition. Very Hollywood Regency, I thought, perfect for a credenza or gorgeous old bureau.
Photography by Brendan Paul
Now here's the best part: While the cockatoos I found may have been vintage, our friends at The Well Appointed House, a fantastic source for furniture, lighting and accessories, have a few cockatoos of their own, one of which they're giving away!
I love the birdie! *crossing my fingers.*
Posted by: Vanessa | July 08, 2010 at 07:14 PM
This bird is calling my name and needs to fly home to nest with me!
Posted by: Cacky T | July 08, 2010 at 04:41 PM
what a fun blog! thanks for the recommendation!
Posted by: t | July 07, 2010 at 01:58 PM
well appointed indeed.
pick me
xok
Posted by: kathy from ct | July 07, 2010 at 07:11 AM
Fingers crossed the Cockatoo will find a new home with me.
Posted by: Laura | July 06, 2010 at 02:35 PM
Love those lamps! Perfect for my Lilliputian cottage on Lake Michigan!
Posted by: Mrs. | July 05, 2010 at 11:03 PM
Love the birds and the blog. Hope I win!! H\
Posted by: Ann Cameron | July 05, 2010 at 10:03 PM
Love TWAH but now I get to follow you. Thanks for the reminder about Scott's.
Posted by: Simon P. Scott | July 05, 2010 at 09:15 PM
Great Giveaway! Wish me luck!
Loretta
Posted by: Loretta Fontaine | July 05, 2010 at 03:25 PM
Cool - what a great giveaway! I already follow the Well Appointed House, so please count me in!
- Danielle
other-option AT hotmail DOT com
Posted by: Danielle | July 04, 2010 at 07:26 PM
I am now a follower and so hope I win the bird. However, the blog goodness is prize enough.xoxo
Posted by: Dianne | July 04, 2010 at 11:54 AM
TWAH seems like a fun blog, and this is a great giveaway!
Posted by: The Zhush @ thezhush.blogspot.com | July 04, 2010 at 09:29 AM
Love them! Happy fourth! xoxo
Posted by: Jenny | July 04, 2010 at 08:58 AM
I love cockatiels both living and decorative ones. Thanks for the giveaway.
Meera
Posted by: Meera Kanekal | July 03, 2010 at 11:26 PM
I think those lamps would look fab in my house! Come and check my dining room progress I need your thoughts...Pretty please with a cherry on top!
Cynthia
Posted by: Design Love | July 03, 2010 at 09:32 PM
This is great fun -- love the bird. Good luck to everyone. Thanks Eddie and the Well Appointed House for this giveaway opportunity. Have a great weekend all -- Happy 4th of July!
Posted by: Anne | July 03, 2010 at 04:53 PM
The lamps you made are just gorgeous! I love cockatoos, and I have some in my collection of California Pottery birds. They are so colorful and beautiful - but those white ones are truly stunning!
Posted by: HeidiAnn | July 03, 2010 at 04:33 PM
I was a parakeet girl, myself, growing up, but I think these little guys are gorgeous! And I love how you thought outside the box and turned them into lamps ~ really really a creative idea. What fun to find The Well Appointed House, as well! Crossing my fingers.......Thanks for sharing!
xx Suzanne
Posted by: Privet and Holly | July 03, 2010 at 12:24 PM
What about that cute 4th of July dog sitting in front of the ice cream soda? Is he coming back this year?
Posted by: Jacks | July 03, 2010 at 11:12 AM
OK, here's what I really admire -- I might see the cockatoos and think, "How amazing these would look as lamps!", but you see them, get them and make it happen in such a way that is beyond the original vision - stunning!
Posted by: Kitty Wooten | July 03, 2010 at 10:16 AM
OK, so I realize that after 65 comments on this subject, you probably don't need an other one; you already know how fab those lamps are, right?!!
Northern Light
Posted by: Natasha | July 03, 2010 at 09:46 AM
We are excited to be partnering with you on this giveaway and we here at The Well Appointed House love your blog! I love seeing birds in decorating and my last dining room had hand painted Gracie wallpaper filled with beautiful birds. Cockatoos are one of my favorites and I love what you did with the lamp. You have such a creative spirit when it comes to design!
Posted by: Melissa Hawks | July 03, 2010 at 07:02 AM
Just signed onto The Well Appointed House blog -- very nice!
I have a cockatoo named Conrad...as in Conrad Birdie...get it?!
Celia Canning
Posted by: Celia Canning | July 02, 2010 at 08:48 PM
Love you, love your designs and LOVE this giveaway!
Posted by: Melissa Bell | July 02, 2010 at 08:40 PM
I'm following, woo hoo!! LOVE the lamps!
Posted by: Carrie L. | July 02, 2010 at 08:04 PM
The Well Appointed House is a great site with loads of ideas and possibly a bird that won't bite me!
Posted by: lindapmiller60@gmail.com | July 02, 2010 at 03:03 PM
Adore your blog and the Well Appointed House site. Thanks for the chance to win the bird!
Posted by: Julie | July 02, 2010 at 01:58 PM
Lovely blog site. I love the retail store. Thank you for the giveaway.
Posted by: Terri Haight | July 02, 2010 at 10:21 AM
Done and done!
Now I'm off to scour the house for things to turn into lamps. At 10:30 at night. Awesome!
Posted by: Page | July 02, 2010 at 01:26 AM
Eddie, I love the lamps....so cool!
Cindy
Posted by: Design Love | July 01, 2010 at 08:06 PM
Love these and the Well Appointed House site.
Posted by: Carrie | July 01, 2010 at 06:01 PM
Love the cockatoo and a new blog to follow!
Posted by: Kenton | July 01, 2010 at 04:08 PM
Those lamps are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Nicole Stansell | July 01, 2010 at 03:28 PM
Yay...I am a follower! I had no idea that The Well Appointed House had a blog. I am going to add them to my blog roll! xx
Posted by: EAS | July 01, 2010 at 03:19 PM
Oh, thanks for the introduction to this great site. Also, any chance you know/would be willing to share the fabric pattern in your last image. So pretty!
And, I am now following.
Posted by: Susie | July 01, 2010 at 03:18 PM
love this! my first thought was, eew tacky birds, and you made it into a lamp i would admire and buy. i love seeing how the professionals re-envision! i'll never view thrift store statuary the same.
Posted by: jen fitch | July 01, 2010 at 02:53 PM
Thank you for steering my towards The Well Appointed House. Can't wait to take a deeper look at the blog.
Posted by: Robyn | July 01, 2010 at 02:17 PM
i love it all, and have enthusiastically checked "yes"! thanks for the fun scoop and opportunity!
Posted by: mrs. jones | July 01, 2010 at 12:18 PM
i'm a follower of the well-appointed house! that birdie would be a wonderful addition to my all white ceramic collection! inspired by none other than fab you of course!
Posted by: Kate (Southern Belle Simple) | July 01, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Love the cockatoo and the lamps you've had made. Love the Well Appointed House site as well. Thanks for letting us know about them.
Posted by: Debra Severance | July 01, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Once got a sweet peck from a beautiful cockatoo! These are beauties...despite not being able to peck :)
Posted by: Mindi | July 01, 2010 at 11:30 AM
Just signed on to follow The Well Appointed House. Gotta love those cockatoos and especially the "no squawking."
Posted by: Shevon | July 01, 2010 at 11:13 AM
ohh eddie I love this giveaway. I have been looking for a cockatoo for a while now and I have just the place to put it. Thanks!
Posted by: TWA | July 01, 2010 at 10:51 AM
your lamps are amazing! love the idea!
Posted by: jessimarie33 | July 01, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Following and hoping to win.
Posted by: Marie | July 01, 2010 at 10:44 AM
i love what you did to the cockatoo... such a cute piece!
Posted by: alison@ semi-fab lane | July 01, 2010 at 10:44 AM
The Well Appointed House is awesome, and I definitely look forward to receiving their feed. This bird is gorgeous. Love it!
Posted by: Jennae @ Green Your Decor | July 01, 2010 at 08:53 AM
Love your blog as well as The Well Appointed House. Thank you!
Posted by: Eileen | July 01, 2010 at 07:54 AM
I am in love with those lamps placed on the bold yellow console...perfection!
Posted by: Lisa | July 01, 2010 at 07:39 AM
Thanks for introducing me to The Well Appointed House. Just started following.
Love the new lamp!
Posted by: Clare | July 01, 2010 at 03:44 AM
Wonderful Eddie and Jaithan!! I adore Gabrielle's site and this beautiful bird!!
I would love it of course!
I hope you will join my designer giveaway from Pillow Mint.
Karena
Art by Karena
Posted by: Karena | July 01, 2010 at 02:19 AM
Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!! Truly stunning!
Posted by: Alissa | July 01, 2010 at 12:55 AM
Following! What an awesome giveaway!
Posted by: hellolover | July 01, 2010 at 12:49 AM
Love the cockatoo and am already a reader of the Well Appointed House blog. Thanks!
Posted by: Courtney | July 01, 2010 at 12:04 AM
what was your reasoning for bad mouthing martha? she made you.
Posted by: Primo | June 30, 2010 at 11:57 PM
I'm a happy follower of their blog!
Posted by: Melissa | June 30, 2010 at 11:21 PM
Such a clever post. And lovely finds. Of course!
I used to have an Umbrella Cockatoo in college. He did back talk and he DID bite when he felt neglected. Now I just have a dog with a cockatoo hair cut.
Posted by: seleta | June 30, 2010 at 11:08 PM
Mmm, I'm imagining having an afternoon salsa buffet party with this fellow as the centerpiece. He would be so cute sitting next to a big bowl of mango salsa!
Posted by: Erin | June 30, 2010 at 10:37 PM
Oh, baby....I WANT the bird! Seriously....the white would pop against my robins' egg blue bookshelves in my bedroom. Hope he flies home with me!!! xoxo, Elizabeth
Posted by: Pretty Pink Tulips | June 30, 2010 at 09:56 PM
Following.... and LOVING the cockatoo!! Thanks for the giveaway - and for all of the inspiration that you give!
Posted by: Denise | June 30, 2010 at 09:51 PM
I went, I saw, I clicked. Now I want to conquer! That means win!
Posted by: Pamela Gray | June 30, 2010 at 09:10 PM
What a perfect match!!! Thanks to the two of you for getting together on this giveaway!
I am now a follower of Melissa's blog. Your lamp looks sooo good. So glad you shared how they turned out. Hope I win!!! I have THE best spot for a lamp made from the cockatoo.
Posted by: Vickie H. | June 30, 2010 at 09:08 PM
Is subscribe the same as follow? Oh well, glad to know another blog!
Posted by: Kate Hersch | June 30, 2010 at 08:58 PM
OK I clicked on follow and now here is my comment. I hope I win!!
Posted by: Veronica Moran | June 30, 2010 at 08:52 PM
(florida) cracker wanna polly!
well, no, i'm an old brooklyn boy stewing in the gulf coast sun at bradenton, but i've been fond of cockatoos for a long time, and i'd love to adopt this one for my (not so) well appointed house. his name is 'vuvuzela'. love you guys, and especially the gold foil shade you chose to give polly a glow. m
Posted by: michael (aka littlebadwolf) | June 30, 2010 at 08:33 PM
The lamps are wonderful! The black shade really sets it off.
Posted by: Carla | June 30, 2010 at 08:31 PM
I'm following the Well Appointed House blog. Happy to have found your site too!
Posted by: Schmidty | June 30, 2010 at 08:28 PM
Love the bird lamp with the black shade!
Don't forget to enter to win the $100 Gift Certificate to Blydesign.com!
Posted by: Blydesign | June 30, 2010 at 07:55 PM
So fab! But please tell me you also picked up those amazing gold embellished glasses on the right of the photo? xoxo, P
Posted by: Patti Davis | June 30, 2010 at 07:35 PM
Already a follower, I would love to turn this into a lamp!
Posted by: Karla | June 30, 2010 at 07:30 PM
I love those cockatoos! And your blog!! And the Well Appointed House!!! Growing up, my mom loved birds, and we had several as pets- three cockatiels, a lovebird and two finches over the course of 22 years. I would love to add these two lovelies to my ever-evolving house. This pair would always have a place though...
Posted by: Lindsey | June 30, 2010 at 07:21 PM
Thanks for introducing me to The Well Appointed House.
Posted by: BA B | June 30, 2010 at 07:16 PM
Eddie, love the giveaway, but also appreciate all the inspiration I've gotten from your blog. Thanks!:-)
Posted by: AnnVann | June 30, 2010 at 07:09 PM
Oh yes, I'm a follower of The Well Appointed House Blog - and yours too!
Posted by: Gini Lawson | June 30, 2010 at 07:05 PM
Love the cute lil' cockatoo! Pick me!
Posted by: Leila | June 30, 2010 at 06:28 PM
Okay, please explain this: "I had the cockatoos set on chinoiserie bases...". WHO did this part??? Shandell's?
Anyway, the lamp you show looks fabulous, but would love more details.
Many thanks for your inspiring and always cheerful blog.
Posted by: Barbara Jane | June 30, 2010 at 05:42 PM
The lamps are fabulous!! I now follow Well Appointed House
Posted by: patti | June 30, 2010 at 05:34 PM
Love this and I love the well appointed house. I have now added you to my google reader -- don't know why you weren't there before!
Posted by: Whitney L. | June 30, 2010 at 05:04 PM
Love the lamps that you made and that you preserved the figurines in the process!
Following! :)
Posted by: Lydia Bryant | June 30, 2010 at 04:59 PM
I am now following, although I am not entirely sure what that means. I am entirely sure I love the cockatoo, though! Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by: thissideofgaudy | June 30, 2010 at 04:54 PM
Eddie -
Love this little cockatoo. Yes, if I won it, I'd definitely make it into a lamp. I think it would go nicely with the 1930's vibe of my home. I've been reading your blog since it's inception but have never left a comment. Today I thought I might as well and tell you although very late how much I enjoyed your Halloween special on HGTV last year. It was the only good Halloween thing on last year. I hope you have something planned for this year. Come July, I always start thinking about Halloween.
Please check out my blog...
www.modvintagelife.com
Posted by: Nita Stacy | June 30, 2010 at 04:10 PM
I'm following The Well Appointed House!
attemptingcreative at hotmail dot com
Posted by: Kimberly @ Attempting Creative | June 30, 2010 at 04:05 PM
I am a follower now! Great giveaway!! Hope you are having a fabulous week Dear Eddie!!
Posted by: sasha | June 30, 2010 at 03:34 PM
This bird would love to win that!
Flying on over....to enter!
pve
Posted by: pve | June 30, 2010 at 03:16 PM
Eddie, nobody puts Baby in the corner!
Posted by: mary kay andrews | June 30, 2010 at 03:08 PM
Hello! I'm officially following TWAH blog and leaving a "comment" for my cockatoo entry! Cheers.
Posted by: Jeffery Holley | June 30, 2010 at 03:04 PM
i love it! it would look great next to my palm
Posted by: olivia | June 30, 2010 at 03:04 PM
I'm already a follower of The Well Appointed House. Speaking of house, have you seen her new digs? Fancy, fancy. Love the giveaway. Fingers and toes crossed to win.
Posted by: Amanda | June 30, 2010 at 02:58 PM
LOVE the birds, LOVE the lamps, LOVE everything!!!!
Posted by: Nicole | June 30, 2010 at 02:55 PM
What a clever idea, turning it into a lamp! Absolutely love it---and what a great conversation piece!
Posted by: Mary | June 30, 2010 at 02:50 PM
Great use of those gorgeous birds!
Posted by: ArchitectDesign | June 30, 2010 at 02:47 PM
That lamp is stunning! So clever the way you did not drill into the porcelain too. Of course, I now NEED to have a ceramic cockatoo so I am off to become a follower of The Well Appointed House!
Posted by: Colleen | June 30, 2010 at 02:43 PM
Eddie, I´m following The Well Appointed House blog and here I am! Sweet the story about Baby, our childhood is always there... I actually would love to have one of those cockatoos (specially as lighting base).
Love , Olympia
Posted by: Olympia | June 30, 2010 at 02:28 PM
Love this cockatoo!
Posted by: Kimberly Hicks | June 30, 2010 at 02:25 PM
Following, with fingers crossed.
Posted by: David | June 30, 2010 at 02:25 PM
I am a follower of there blog! Love the cockatoo and love the idea of turning it into a lamp!
Posted by: Laura | June 30, 2010 at 02:04 PM
love the lamp idea!
Posted by: Stephanie | June 30, 2010 at 02:02 PM
I love what you did with the birds. I would have never thought of something like that, loving it! Thanks for such wonderful ideas!! Follower of The Well Appointed House.
Posted by: Renee | June 30, 2010 at 02:01 PM
Last summer, the Southern Living Idea House in Dahlonega had a porcelain cockatoo on the kitchen island and it really made a statement! What a fun giveaway!
Posted by: Phillips Phamily Mama | June 30, 2010 at 01:56 PM
Only you could make those birds look wonderful, classy and oh so glamorous! Count me in the give away for that bird!
Posted by: maureen | June 30, 2010 at 01:53 PM