Bird motifs
While Hitchcock saw flying menace in his winged protagonists, contemporary style-makers have been taking a much more benign view of late, reinterpreting classic avian motifs to striking decorative effect. Icarus lamp shade by Tord Boontje, $79 (U.S.) through www.gnr8.biz.
Spanish iconoclast Jaime Hayon infused yet more life into the venerable porcelain manufacturer Lladro with his Parrots Party series of lamps, tabletop items, mirrors and coat racks featuring glazed ceramic birds. Vase for Lladro, $1,710 at Ministry of the Interior (www.ministryoftheinterior.net) or through www.lladro.com.
Avian motifs have even trickled down to more accessible price points, such as HomeSense's bird-bearing throw pillows, $34.99 through www.homesense.ca.
British-based designer Ed Carpenter’s charming Pigeon lamps come in a variety of vibrant hues and have a pop-art sensibility. Pigeon Light by Ed Carpenter, $99 (U.S.) through www.gnr8.biz.