Featherstone Flamingos: The Iconic Pink Lawn Ornament

Featherstone Flamingos are a classic lawn ornament that has been popular for decades. These pink plastic birds can be seen in yards across the country, adding a touch of whimsy to any outdoor space. In this blog post, we'll explore the history of Featherstone Flamingos and share some tips for incorporating them into your own lawn decor.

History of Featherstone Flamingos

Don Featherstone, a sculptor and artist, designed the first Featherstone Flamingos in 1957. He was working for Union Products, a plastic manufacturing company, and was tasked with creating a new product line for the company. Featherstone's wife, Nancy, had recently taken a trip to Florida and brought back pictures of flamingos, which inspired Featherstone's design.

The first Featherstone Flamingos were made of molded plastic and had metal legs. They quickly became popular and have remained so ever since. Featherstone continued to design other lawn ornaments for Union Products, but it was the flamingos that became his most famous creation.

In 1996, Featherstone was awarded the Ig Nobel Prize in Art for his work on the Featherstone Flamingos. The Ig Nobel Prizes are a parody of the Nobel Prizes and are awarded for research that makes people laugh and then think. Featherstone's award recognized his contribution to "the preservation of the delicate ecology of the lawn."

In 2015, Featherstone passed away at the age of 79. However, his iconic creation lives on, and Featherstone Flamingos remain a beloved symbol of kitschy Americana.

Incorporating Featherstone Flamingos into Your Lawn Decor

If you're looking to add a touch of whimsy to your lawn decor, Featherstone Flamingos are a great choice. Here are a few tips for incorporating them into your outdoor space:

1. Choose a Flock Size: Decide how many flamingos you want to display. A pair is a classic choice, but you can also create a larger flock for a more dramatic effect.
2. Placement: Think about where you want to place the flamingos. They look great on a manicured lawn or in a garden bed, but you can also get creative and place them in unexpected locations, like on your front porch or in a tree.
3. Accessorize: Consider adding accessories to your flamingos to give them even more personality. You can add hats, sunglasses, or even a string of fairy lights.
4. Year-Round Display: While Featherstone Flamingos are often associated with summertime, there's no reason you can't display them year-round. Dress them up for the holidays by adding a Santa hat or a string of lights.

A pair of flamingos is available at the online vintage shop Duckwells. Always adding new inventory so sign up for the newsletter to learn what's new!