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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

For the Love of Elephants

What's It Wednesday #39

I have been a collector of all sorts of things ever since I was a little girl. My childhood collections were stamps, money, and dolls from around the world. As you know, I am still fond of collections, but my absolute favorite of my many collections are my elephants. For a girl like me, there is no such thing as having enough elephants. 



They range in price from a wonderful Big Lot find to "you don't even wanna know". 

My collections consist of African and Indian elephants. You can tell them apart quite easily. The African elephant's ears look similar to the shape of the continent of Africa. The Indian elephant, well, does not look like the country of India. 

So what does one on an elephant shelf? Well an elephant of course.

There are elephants that are hidden in plain view and some that stand out like the bronze elephant on top of the armoire. The tassel that hangs in front has an elephant adorned on it.

I love elephants in print as well so these pillows were perfect.


The elephant buffet lamps were the perfect touch on my great-grandmother's lovely buffet.



Some elephants are hiding out like this one on the top of my great-grandmother's breakfront. You can just see her trunk peering out. She is a elephant planter with beautiful tropical flowers inside. 

I have been fortunate to find several different ebony elephant candle stick holders from Africa. Each one is quite unique.


There is an elephant in every room of the house including the bathroom. This ladder shelf holds my favorite silver box from India along with a super cute white elephant I found at Marshalls. 


What is your favorite animal to collect? 

Paula

xoxoxoxo

Thank you all for participating in our 
"What's It Wednesday" Linky Party! 
If you were featured, don't forget to add our button.

Ivy and Elephants

 Thank you all for all that you do to inspire others! I know I am inspired each and every week by each and every one of you. 

Here are this week's fabulous features.


This is from a wonderful Ballard Estate Sale from Cloches and Lavender

Black transferware never looked so elegant then at Elegant Economies
Fall into this beautiful Lazy Hazy Summer at Creating Wonderful Spaces
These are the cutest transfer tables from Vintage Street Designs.
This is the cutest water can....EVER. Stop by Life on Lake Shore Drive
Stop by Rooted in Thyme to see what she did with this wonderful thrift store find. 
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37 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 21, 2012 at 11:17 PM

    Very impressive collection of elephants. Beautiful...
    Animals I collect?? I guess my Bunnies. I have bunny planters, and stuffed ones from Boyd's . Yes, guess that is the only animal collection I have. Hmmmm..

    Cheers,
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful elephants.
    Gee

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  2. Heirloom treasuresAugust 21, 2012 at 11:37 PM

    Paula,you have such a wonderful collection. Elephants are supposed to be very lucky. My hubby started to collect them years ago but only got a few and then gave them away.
    I really like collecting bunnies and birds at the moment. x

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  3. SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...PernillaAugust 21, 2012 at 11:46 PM

    Wow, what an amazing collection of elephants! A dear friend of mine collects them too :) I don't have a favourite animal. Have a lovely day and thanks so much for hosting! ~Pernilla

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  4. La Vie QuotidienneAugust 21, 2012 at 11:53 PM

    I love all of your elephants...I feel this way about monkeys, but my collection is sadly limited.

    I appreciate the fact that you have retained so many beautiful pieces of inherited furniture in their original condition, everyone now seems to want to paint everything in white. Bravo to you!

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  5. UnknownAugust 21, 2012 at 11:59 PM

    Thank you so much for featuring my water can!!! I am thrilled.

    I love your elephant collection!! Wow, that is amazing. I also am loving the bird cage!! It's gorgeous. I just linked up my bird photo. :)

    Thank you so much for another awesome party. :) HUGS

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  6. Danice GAugust 22, 2012 at 12:03 AM

    Nice elephant collection. I also love to collect African items, including traditional clothing.

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  7. Cottage and BroomeAugust 22, 2012 at 1:12 AM

    My mother-in-law used to collect elephants but she only collected the ones with their trucks up. She said they were good luck. Beautiful collection, Laura

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  8. AnonymousAugust 22, 2012 at 2:27 AM

    I can understand why you would collect them as I adore elephants. I think they are incredibly graceful, despite their size, and such intelligent creatures.

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  9. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasAugust 22, 2012 at 2:47 AM

    I feel like I am repeating the comment above me but my MIL collects elephants now for years and she always said that if the trunk was up and pointed toward the door, it is good luck!!

    Thanks so much for hosting!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  10. Scrappy Pink CornerAugust 22, 2012 at 3:52 AM

    This post brought back some nice memories. My mom was a big time collector of elephants. She also collected owls. Because of her health and not being able to stay long on her feet, she has downsized and gotten rid of most of her collections. Thanks for bringing back some nice memories.
    I collect pigs. Love them.
    ANA

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  11. Di@Cottage-WishesAugust 22, 2012 at 7:04 AM

    My mom collected elephants and everyone in the family has one of hers. I like bears! Thanks for sharing, oh yes I love blue birds too, my family had fun with the chirping one and it represents a happiness of memories. Di@Cottage-wishes

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  12. Doll in the Looking GlassAugust 22, 2012 at 7:12 AM

    Paula, you have such a lovely collection of elephants. I only have one -- a gift from a family member's trip to India. I have a small collection of bird items. It is funny -- when you collect something you seem to see that item on all kinds of items everywhere.

    Thanks for hosting the linky party.
    Debra

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  13. AnonymousAugust 22, 2012 at 7:35 AM

    Paula I love your collection of elephants.I once was really into collecting turtles,everywhere we went I bought a little turtle,this gives me a great idea,I must get to thinking about a display case,and get those treasures out,and let 'em be shown for the sweet little beauties they are.

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  14. SusieAugust 22, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    I love your elephant collection. Your decor is nice too. Smiles to you, Susie

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  15. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLRAugust 22, 2012 at 10:03 AM

    Great collection, Paula!! They're all beautiful. My mother had quite a few, as well...(DST). I love to collect lions. There is something so regal about them. Thanks so much for hosting!!

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  16. Curtains in My TreeAugust 22, 2012 at 10:11 AM


    Hi Paula
    My favorite animal to collect is Pug dogs and Louis Vuitton LOL

    mY little pug has died but still love pug pillows

    I always like seeing your collections they are always over the top wonderful

    I played all weekend with buttons and lace and haven't got a new post up to join in but will get a post up tonight

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  17. TrishaAugust 22, 2012 at 10:21 AM

    I love the variety of elephants that you have-very neat. Thanks for the party!

    ~Trisha

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  18. The White Pear TreeAugust 22, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    This explains at least half the name of your blog!

    I love elephants. Beautiful collection. You have integrated it well in your decor without being overbearing, like this one diner we stopped by once. Everything was elephant! from the wallpaper to the taps in the bathroom, to 100's of them on the plate rail around the restaurant...Too much! It made for a great conversation piece though, which you needed to distract you from the lousy food, lol!

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  19. UnknownAugust 22, 2012 at 11:38 AM

    thats an amazzzing collection
    thanks for hosting

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  20. PalomaseaAugust 22, 2012 at 12:09 PM

    A beautiful collection, dear Paula!
    I, too, love elephants for so many reasons...
    Have a beautiful week, sweet friends!
    Blessings,
    - Irina

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  21. Vintage Street DesignsAugust 22, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    Wow...thank you so much for featuring my little transfer tables this week. It's such a compliment! Thanks for hosting such wonderful parties...I'm so glad to be participating again today. ~ Judy

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  22. farmhouse-storyAugust 22, 2012 at 12:43 PM

    such a lovely collection, paula:) they blend beautifully together throughout your gorgeous rooms:) have a great day, and thanks for hosting us:)

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  23. Nici @ Posed PerfectionAugust 22, 2012 at 2:01 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting. Loved the fact about the African and Indian elephants. Just shared it with my kids. I love how your collection just fits in perfectly with your decor. Have a lovely week!
    Blessings,
    Nici

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  24. Kathryn Ferguson GriffinAugust 22, 2012 at 3:11 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Love the elephants. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  25. NanaDianaAugust 22, 2012 at 3:55 PM

    Paula- I love elephants, too. You have a wonderful collection of them! I have (had) a beautiful painting of an African elephant. A gorgeous piece. It was in our guest room for several years- When my daughter moved into her new home I gave it to her along with the lamps that had elephants on them. The only thing I kept was a marble elephant that belonged to MyHero's granddad. He got it on one of his world tours- xo Diana

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  26. Judy at GoldCountryCottageAugust 22, 2012 at 3:58 PM

    Hi Paula: Your elephant collection is superb and thank you for hosting again..Happy Wednesday..Judy

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  27. Pinky at Designs by PinkyAugust 22, 2012 at 3:59 PM

    HI Paula, I collect elephants too!!!! I have to elephant garden stools that my FIL brought back from Vietnam!!! They are SO precious to me. I also have a family of elephants from Africa that he also brought back. Many more, maybe soon I will do a post on MY elephants:):) When we get into the new house:):) XO, Pinky

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  28. ReverieAugust 22, 2012 at 5:56 PM

    What a lovely blog! I'm new here and I stay for longer :)
    Beautiful collection of elephants!

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  29. janice15August 22, 2012 at 6:24 PM

    Your elephant collection is indeed very beautiful...I have one gold elephant that I have had for years...I do love them and I have no clue why I don't have more...I did have a stand but it got broke that I got in Mexico...very nice post...have a great afternoon with love Janice.

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  30. Tami Von ZalezAugust 22, 2012 at 6:59 PM

    I've linked in for WIW - I so love your blog header.

    I am in search of a stuffed elephant for a carnival-themed photo shoot.

    thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

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  31. Ramblings of a Southern Girl ~ Rhonda GAugust 22, 2012 at 9:55 PM

    Great collection of elephants! The silver one, displayed with the vintage looking silver pieces is beautiful!

    I'm a bird and rabbit collector! :)

    Thanks for hosting!

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  32. Johanna GehrleinAugust 23, 2012 at 6:00 AM

    Hi Paula and Patti,
    Elephants have been impressive to me since my childhood. I have an elephant sculpture which was a gift to my father once. Its an Indian Elephant, adorned for the thai Surin Feast. Your Elephant collection is as all your collections stunning. Thank you for sharing them and for hosting this interesting event.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  33. must love junkAugust 23, 2012 at 8:35 AM

    What a great collection! I've always loved cats and I used to collect them as a little girl...I wish I would've kept some as my dad brought them back for me on his travels!
    Thanks for hosting :)
    Susan

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  34. ElaineAugust 23, 2012 at 10:00 AM

    Your elephant collection is wonderful! I love that they are displayed all around your house and not all in one place. That silver box is just beautiful! I guess you would have to say I collect birds. I have only been doing it for a year and I have them placed all around, too.

    Thank you so much for featuring my hammock-scape!

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  35. Cindy AdkinsAugust 25, 2012 at 3:27 PM

    I love your blog so much! I don't collect elephants, but I love them. They're such intelligent, sensitive creatures. The real "gentle giants" of the world. As for collections of animals, I collect birds.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  36. Mariah MosleyDecember 14, 2012 at 3:01 PM

    You clearly love elephants! This is pretty much obvious because of your collection of elephant-inspired items, from African elephants to Indian elephants. Did you know that, in real life, you can identify the breed of an elephant through its ears? For example, African elephants have bigger ears than Indian elephants.

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  37. SarahMarch 4, 2014 at 10:30 PM

    Popped over to see your elephants. Fun!

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Thank you so much for your comments! We enjoy hearing from you.