It looks like I’m not the only one with a penchant for white ceramic animals. I just cracked open my new copy of Thom Filicia Style (I highly recommend it by the way- so inspiring!) and noticed a bit of a theme. Dude, the guy has a white ceramic eagle console table base! And a giant white faux gazelle head mounted on the wall! And another giant ceramic eagle for a desk accessory. And a ornery little ceramic bull on a coffee table.
It was a revelation. Thom loves ceramic animals too. In fact, I spotted at least 14 different varieties (!) throughout the gorgeously designed pages of his book. That’s gotta be a record or something. And of course we can’t forget the famous Nate Berkus ceramic rhino (possibly this $3480 version right here) that pops up in his portfolio all the time. You know, the one that inspired my recent Valentine’s Day rhino from zgallerie (for just a bit less)?
We picked up this handsome pooch for just $29 at HomeGoods last March (around $436 cheaper than this almost identical version from Perch). It was love at first sight.
And two years ago we snagged this white iron bull for $25 at a flea market in North Carolina. He even gets festive Christmas ornament earrings every December. If that’s not love I don’t know what is.
Maybe we should start a Facebook group. Or host a ceramic animal meet and greet. Oh my goodness, how weird would that be? At least we don’t have names for them. So what about you guys? Is there anything that you love to collect? From milk glass to Disney paraphernalia, we wanna know what you happily hoard.
Click here for another ceramic animal that really gets my heart pumping. Too bad he’s $525.
Rachel says
I love how whimsical that white rhino is, and the white dog is lovely. So looking forward to having a real porch one day.
Alina says
I have to say, I think “Friends” ruined my chances to like this kind of decor: big, white dog, anyone? LOL
YoungHouseLove says
Ha, Alina! Totally know what you’re talking about. I could see how Joey’s giant dog could be a turn off to the trend in general. It didn’t help that his whole apartment was like ’90s modern either. Hey, but at least it was on wheels and big enough to ride on.
-John
srabee says
i have to admit that aside from the ornaments on that bull *yuck*, i love your ceramic animals more than any of thom’s. the ones in your home are done just to my liking! i think your collection is nice and not over the top.
Monica says
Hey guys!
There’s an animal missing!! Where’s your lovely squirrel? It’s so cute! I love it! My favourite for sure…
Rachel says
My office at work is bursting at the seams with Disney (it’s bound to happen when you work for the mouse), but all the peices are unique (from Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris, Italy, Germany, etc). At home, I collect vintage Pyrex and vintage christmas ornaments.
YoungHouseLove says
Monica,
It’s true there are a few more animals living it up in Casa Petersik (a squirrel and a horse and a concrete grayhound). It’s so sweet that you actually missed our squirrel though, he is a cutie!
xo,
Sherry
Meredith says
My problem is that I end up UNHAPPILY collecting things. My family loves to give me both giraffe themed and iris themed items. While I love having a few of each of those items due to sentimental value, I also don’t really want an entire giraffe themed house–which is the direction that I’m quickly headed!
Lauren says
I love all those ceramic animals. And, those christmas earrings are a hoot! I collect pigs- all kinds..from piggy banks to stuffed animals and clothing. It’s my collecting obsession and I love it!
Kyle says
I’m not sure we collect anything specific, just whatever fits into our decor. My wife does have her eye on a white ceramic elephant (or camel, she’s not sure) from West Elm for our new bedroom though.
Millie says
As a complete foodie nerd, I have absolutely fallen in love with collecting old school cookbooks. I have a bunch that I’ve found at garage sales, straight from the 50’s and 60’s. Not only are they ridiculously charming, but they’re really fun to read too!
Monica says
Sherry,
In fact, I liked the squirrel so much when I first saw it posted in here, that I looked for one here in Spain. Unfortunately, I wasn’t very lucky…
Love your blog! Keep up the good work!
Monica
Lori says
Anything I collect has to be useful. But I do love your ceramic animals – not too over the top like the designers’ versions. I collect siver napkin rings, the older the better and I love it if they have initials or names on them.
Lori says
Oh! I forgot to add that I got my “H” print in the mail from you. Now I just need to find a frame that will work…probably a black frame that has a white mat. Thanks!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lori,
So glad you got your magazine monogram! Feel free to send us pics when it’s all framed and hung…
xo,
Sherry
Melissa says
I don’t think there is anything I really collect. I use to be big into collecting things but then I would get tired of it and have this whole collection of stuff I didn’t want anymore. I’m more into just getting pieces I love now. I’m sure if I went around I have several pieces of certain things that could be considered collecting but I don’t go in search of collecting any certain items. Just off the bat I can see several birds in my decor so there you go. haha!
I love the ceramic white animals, looks very slick. I have this one bird I love, but I don’t love the color of it. I was thinking of painting it white.
Audrey says
have you seen this pretty little guy? too bad he’s $100 more than I’d like to spend on something like this!
http://jonathanadler.com/shop/product.php?productid=16719&cat=462&page=1
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Audrey,
How did you manage to find my favorite Jonathan Adler animal??!! He makes a bunch of them (we just saw the $395 horse this weekend) but that giraffe gets me every time. Unfortunately he’s a wee bit over our $25 spending limit when it comes to our collection. Oh well, maybe a used one will find me on craigslist or ebay someday…
xo,
Sherry
Katie says
I collect giraffe items. I aim for small and quirky for the most part. My latest purchase is this adorable set — http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=870070&navAction=jump&search=true&parentid=SEARCH_RESULTS.
Aimee says
I love your collection, and have been looking for a particular white ceramic animal with no luck at all. These photos are gorgeous though! Glad to see that we aren’t the only folks who love the look.
BTW, I am back to home and garden blogging again! I hope that you will stop by soon. :)
Blayne says
I love your ceramic animals! I love my betta fish in my living room. I had happened to pick up a vase with a fish on it for my bedroom when I did that room as well, so I was thinking about working a fish into all my rooms. I have two collections – frogs and boxes. I have really pared them down lately though.
Jane @ Beach House says
Rhinos, dogs and elephants are fun but huge ceramic eagles are just scary
Laura says
I am a future veterinarian, which is what I use as my excuse for all of my animal-themed objets d’art.
Ashley says
Camels :)
No worries, I keep away from making a camel shrine. My newest addition…a camel cookie cutter.
Danielle says
How much do I love that you have all of the Domino mags? Lots! Cottage Living went under as well. I simply have no idea what to read anymore for interior mags, other than InStyle Home. Suggestions?
YoungHouseLove says
House Beautiful has been really great lately, and we also like Better Homes & Gardens for some fresh takes on DIY decor. Do It Yourself magazine, Elle Decor, Traditional Home, Coastal Living, and all the other fun shelter magazines are also great to thumb through at Barnes & Noble. John and I love going there for a few hours and reading all the magazines that we couldn’t possibly subscribe to (our mailbox would runneth over). And it’s a great way to discover new magazines that you’ll eventually fall in love with and have to subscribe to (it’s how we discovered Cottage Living many years ago). Hope it helps! Happy hunting…
xo,
Sherry
Kerry says
Sherry, I saw two white ceramic teapots at Home Goods the other day – an elephant and something else – and they made me think of you. They were so cute! I probably should have grabbed one because I’m sure if I go back, they won’t be there anymore.
megan says
The rhino is great! And I will have to check out his book.
Bromeliad says
Love your doggie.
Just saw one in the NYT. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/realestate/22habi.html?emc=eta1
Audrey says
Sherry, I’m hoping to find it at a garage sale or something one day too – or maybe Ikea will come up with a cheep knockoff. :P Here’s hoping!
Diva Style says
Foo dogs…it’s a disease, I tell you…I have like 7 pair. Now. Who knows what tomorrow holds, LOL.
Charlotte says
Sherry you would like this!
http://www.casasugar.com/5034064
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! You know me so well.
xo,
s
Allison says
All those animals are so adorable. :3
Our family collects magnets. Every single place we vacation to or my dad travels on business we manage to pick up a magnet.
Rebecca Bolton says
I have been looking for thie white eagle console table everywhere. Any idea where I can find this? Its amazing.
YoungHouseLove says
We would actually check consignment shops or even eBay. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Elise says
Love the blog! As a fellow chihuahua lover, I couldn’t help but think of you when I found this
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39260383
YoungHouseLove says
That’s totally Burger! Love it. Thanks so much for the link!
xo,
s
Alicia Damron Photography says
I just saw this post (almost a year late) but I collect creamer and sugar sets. I like unusual ones, some fancy, some utilitarian. Also, glass bottles, old and new, I like the ones with raised lettering.
Jessica says
I love your animals! I went looking for some the other day and found a few things at Pier One. They were mainly kitchen items, but they were so cute! I picked up a gravy bowl in the shape of a swan. You can’t tell it’s a gravy bowl, so I think I could easily fill it with something else. They also had a set of squirrel salt and pepper shakers that was super cute.
Tessa says
I thought of this post as soon as I saw these fishies: Another adorable ceranimal! http://www.shopplasticland.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=P01007012&Category_Code=New-Arrivals
YoungHouseLove says
Love it!
xo,
s
Dana L. says
Saw this and thought of you, Miss Sherry. I just thought they were too cute. Little hiding animals, peeking out from your tea… :)
http://www.myowlbarn.com/2011/01/hidden-animal-teacups.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MyOwlBarn+%28My+Owl+Barn%29
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Dana,
So cute! And a little creepy. Haha.
xo,
s
Jamie says
I know this is an old post, but I have tried for the last week to find a suitable animal to spray paint white, and have had no luck! I have been to every local thrift store and resale shop and was even desperate enough to try a hobby store (where I did purchase some cute already white birdies). The problem I’ve had was that the animal isn’t obvious by the shape, or has a bandana so would look awkward one color.
Just thought I’d vent my frustration and general jealousy of your “ceramic” animal collection :-)
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry Jamie! Sometimes it’s hard to find the right guy for your collection, but I bet you’ll come across one when you least expect it!
xo,
s
Tasneem says
You have quite an assortment of ceramic animals!! So cute
Is your collection strictly of animals or are you open to birds or fish?
Just wondering how YOU feel about ceramic bulldogs? Looks like dogs that you have been drooling over are of the tall and slender stature.
I saw the sweetest little ceramic bulldogs the other day…but just didn’t have a place for them (although Im not as much of a fan of bulldogs….the ceramic ones were swoon worthy!!!).
Also saw a fishy and owl.
Again, too bad they just don’t jive with my house at the moment.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah, I love almost every ceramic animal that I meet, and I have a tender spot for the unusual ones (rhino, octopus, etc). Ceramic bulldogs sound adorable.
xo
s
Becky says
I like your use of ceramic animals throughout the house. I’ve always avoided such, but you have done it very tastefully.