Put a birdcage on it. That’s right — why stop at putting a bird on something when you can hang an entire birdcage?
Better yet: why stop at one when you can hang three?
Sidenote: some readers asked about the brown sheet on the daybed. We still haven’t bought new sheets for that bed; most likely they’ll be navy. For now, please ignore that old tan sheet that’s been on the daybed for years — it’s temporary and definitely not the final look.
Back to the birdcages. I’ve been eager to hang these since we started this room, so it’s exciting to finally reveal the “secret 3D items” we planned to suspend to balance the off-center window. How did we end up with birdcages? It started over a year ago when we found a large white birdcage at a local thrift shop during a book shoot. We were grabbing other props and couldn’t walk away without it — it cost thirty dollars and I was thrilled to bring it home.
Then, last September on the drive back from redoing Granny’s bathroom, we scored a set of thrift-store chairs and also found a second birdcage for ten dollars. It was white when we bought it but later painted red to add a pop of color. For a while we had just those two, but I wanted a group of three for a balanced grouping.
Finding a third one proved trickier than expected. We searched thrift stores, scanned online classifieds, and considered commercial decorative cages, but many options were expensive. When I was almost ready to give up, I found a darker pewter birdcage at a craft store. It was on sale, so I bought it and at first thought I’d spray it white to match the others. Ultimately I decided to keep the darker finish because it ties into the navy curtains and balances the color palette, while painting the thrift-store find bright red gave us a playful mix.
We wanted the installation to be a surprise for Clara, so she didn’t see the painting or the hanging. The cages are all very lightweight, so we used plant hooks rated for far more weight than needed and installed anchors for added security. When Clara woke from her nap and saw them, she was overjoyed. She pointed, lay down on the floor and daybed to stare up, and brought in her stuffed animals to inspect the new ceiling decor. It was a priceless reaction.
Because two of the cages are wicker and especially light, we placed the darker, heavier cage at the end of the grouping, away from directly above the daybed. The white and red wicker cages were set back from the bed and the daybed was pulled away from the wall so that a jumping toddler couldn’t hit her head on them. In practice, they function like mobiles or hanging toys you might find in a child’s room — something delightful to look up at and discover. We love adding visual interest that Clara can enjoy from below, similar to the handmade flower mobiles she already adores.
Overall, the birdcages add pattern, color, and a playful three-dimensional element to the room. They complement the photo frame collage on one wall and the postcard ledges on another, and they help break up flat surfaces with depth and movement. It’s fun to think beyond framed art and introduce layered design pieces that make the room feel dynamic.
A small update: I found thin red ribbon in my leftover holiday supplies and wrapped it around the base of Sir Moose to help balance the patterned lampshade nearby. Someone had suggested painting it, but I chose ribbon because it’s easy to change. I taped it at the back with ordinary scotch tape and it’s still holding in place after a week.
The room is beginning to look finished in places, though there’s still more to do. Progress is steady, and we’re ticking items off the to-do list as we go. Below is the current project list and what’s been completed so far.
paint the roomcut down our old den side table to make a play tablebring in a dresser (we planned to find something secondhand)make and hang curtainsadd a rugpaint the backs of the chairs and the play tablehang postcard ledges and fill them with favorite flashcardsinstall a new light fixturehang a few three-dimensional objects for wall decor- get a new set of sheets for the daybed (likely navy) and add a cushy mattress pad
- refinish or paint the new dresser for Clara
- convert the cluttered closet into a clothes closet and reading nook
- add crown molding to this room and other bedrooms on the same side of the house
- consider painting the ceiling once crown molding is installed and we select a color
- add accessories such as extra pillows and storage bins for toys
We also framed and hung a colorful print that greets you as you enter the room. It ties together the room’s palette and is full of cheerful colors that become more noticeable as you move deeper into the space. It was a thoughtful gift from friends at a book signing, and every time I see it I feel grateful. It’s a simple reminder of how small gestures can mean a lot.
That’s the update on Clara’s big-girl room. We’re enjoying adding whimsical, layered touches that are both decorative and kid-friendly. What did you work on over the weekend? Anyone else hanging bold three-dimensional objects or framing playful prints? Would you try “put a birdcage on it”? Maybe this trend should catch on.