Design Directions - Tabletop: For the birds
Lori Lester -- Home Accents Today, 2/1/2007
What's the latest design trend taking flight? It looks like customers will be flocking to stores is search of tabletop accessories that pay homage to our feathered friends. Perching on classic or contemporary perches and every point in between, these playful pieces soar across the spectrum.

In a rich copper finish, menu and placecard holders from Shastra infuse cool green and blue-hued, bird-inspired table groups with warmth.
Mud Pie's Nesting Collection adds interest to cream and blue ceramic pieces with branch detailing and a central bird and nest motif.

From its Vera Bradley My Home Collection, Andrea by Sadek's newly introduced Peacock pattern revamps the traditional bird motif, while making a cool palette of teal and brown pop by adding yellow ($38 to $80).
Nickel-plated Lovebird napkin rings by Michael Aram offer hosts a subtle alternative for incorporating the new bird trend into entertaining ($44 for set of four).

Mariposa's Twig napkin box and Bird Weight will hold cocktail napkins with style at windy outdoor soirees this spring ($42).
A rimmed bowl from NotNeutral's Season set creates an intriguing visual effect by layering abstract bird, butterfly and plant forms over a vibrant background of spring green ($240, set).

Vietri's Carmela Collection includes brightly painted sparrow and vine dinnerware intermingled with six complementary, solid-colored serving pieces in sage and green.
A whimsical, paint-by-number Bluebird plate from Peggy Karr Glass provides an updated take on a childhood favorite ($54).
In a time-honored blue and white palette, Asian-inspired Swan plates from Global Views use loose brushstrokes and curving forms to create a sense of movement.
Featuring feathers and a brown speckled, egg-like finish, mugs are one of Harvest Goods' most recent additions to its Feather Series ($10 each).

All prices are suggested retail




























