"Royal Squirrel" letterpress cards (image from Domino Magazine).
Squirrel Key Chain from Kate Spade.
This stuffed squirrel in Domino caused an avalanche of hate mail. (Photo by Roland Bello).
Mercury glass acorns from Wisteria.
"Les Squirrel" design by iomoi.Autumn is in the air and squirrels are in our homes. Really? Well, it seems every magazine editor, fashion designer and art director is jumping on the woodland creature train. I guess it has to do with fall in that acorny, oak leafy kind of way. I am not sure I get it, but one thing that makes this trend forgivable (for me at least) is that my favorite childhood book, Miss Suzy by Miriam Young was about a squirrel, who was coincidentally an interior designer of sorts. I wonder if other designers were inspired by this tale.
20 comments:
When I started to read your post, I thought of Miss Suzy (also my favorite childhood book...along with 'All For Fall' and 'Mog the Forgetful Cat'). I bought a copy on ebay a few years ago and read it to my children at least once a week! I didn't know that they had reissued it...and looking at your link, there is a Miss Suzy's Easter book too. Thanks for the great info!
In my area of Atlanta, which is very much in the city, there has been a serious invasion of real squirrels (my "country" cousins from Charlottesville were shocked by the large population scampering across the yard.) Right now one is sitting in my window watching me type this. So, I see enough of them -- don't need them on stationery too :)
Wow, I have never thought of squirrels as a design element! Style court might appreciate that my dad is doing his very best to significantly reduce the squirrel population of North Georgia--he and his 2 Jack Russells!
I like squirrels. They're cute and furry. But I LOVE the mercury glass acorns. I may have buy them. They are very chic!
I love squirrels! Where I went to undergrad the squirrels were so numerous and forceful that there was a movement to change the mascot to the fighting squirrels.
I don't know... I think of squirrels as being rodents (especially when they get in your attic and chew up your electrical wires!). I LOVE acorn and nut motifs though. I have lots of acorn items (and one of my favorite childhood books was "Miss Hickory" so perhaps I'm more of a nut person!).
I'm medium on squirrels - but adore acorns.
SQUIRREL POST!!! i like squirrels and rats.
more squirrel love, elsewhere.
I like my squirrels best in the yard, swinging from tree branch to tree branch and bulldozing their way through mounds of birdseed.
But I agree w/ Habitually Chic--I LOVE the mercury glass acorns!
I'm not sure I can buy into the squirrel motif. I think we'll look back at ourselves (or our attics) one day and ask what we were thinking. however, for people who live in various regions where squirrels abound, it may make more sense.
cute? yes. staying power? I can't imagine so.
Thanks for the comments. I just returned from Anthropologie and guess what was part of the store display...
This squirrel love cracks me up. I love the sheer absurdity of it--even though I am scared of the real thing. I was trying to find any historical references to this motif, but came up dry. If anyone knows anything please share.
Glad you are a Miss Suzy Fan, TTI. It's a great read! I will need to check out the other books listed here. GF, I was relieved to find Ratatouie (sp?) behind your link.
I will always love owls regardless of how that motif waxes and wanes, but that squirrel stationery is amazing. On the other end of the spectrum, where luxury goods are non-existent, there is a house music venue in Athens called the Secret Squirrel.
I was probably one of the few that didn't send hate mate to Domino. I thought it was actually very clever.
We have alot of squirrels in my town too. I like them actually. But rabies and the plague do come to mind occasionally.
Well obviously I don't have a problem with it considering I just launched an entire boutique with the squirrel idea. Please stop by when you get a chance and see all the great products!
i just discovered your blog, great photos!!!
Thanks Jessica, I will!
Well the poll results have only 9% truly offended by Squirrel designs. 36% think they are cute, while 54% say it depends on the use.
Thanks for participating. I must say I am surprised by the (totally scientific) findings.
: )
Well I too, am not sure of the whole squirrel motif. I do love the mercury glass acorns though, I think they would be a great Christmas Tree theme.
love the squirrel key chain! i have the lobster & sea horse. they are too cute. hope all is well!
My neighbor hates squirrels. A lot of people hate them but I think they are cute.
-Zane of ontario honey
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