Can you give me some ideas for decorating this Thai spirit house?
A friend traveled to Thailand and brought home a spirit house. She had it in her garden and since it is teak it has weathered quite well. She thought that I might want to do something with it. If you look at my HomeTalk profile, I tend to get involved with heavy/oversized projects, so a smaller/craftier project might be a welcome change. Option 1) I might do some minor repairs, oil it up with some exterior oil, and return it to its original condition. Option 2) I might remove the Asian accents and paint it up like a Victorian Lady. I think I would copper foil the shingle styled roof and give it a verdigris patina. For the house itself I am thinking of a tri-color , but unsure on the color combination. Either way, I am not sure how I would display it. Would bird nest in a house that technically isn’t a birdhouse? Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated. John
John....I love the Victorian idea but do you really want to change it? If you have a porch I believe I might do any needed repairs, oil, etc. and make a post for it with a stand and place on the porch, even screened porch. It's truly a great piece for a conversation!
If it was me, I wouldn't change the style. Yes birds may nest in it. Birds nest pretty much anywhere.
If you like the idea of a Victorian lady why not make that another project? Start from scratch using this one as a guide.
I love it as is. Just repair and use it in your garden somehow or attach to a fence post.
About Thai spirit house. Very colorful photos.
https://www.theblondtravels.com/thai-spirit-houses/
Lots of images and worth.
https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&hl=en&tbm=shop&q=thai+spirit+house&source=univ&tbo=u&ved=0ahUKEwiw_9qwz__lAhVNR60KHT9NAy0Q1TUIcCgP&biw=1536&bih=740&dpr=1.25
Another option, perhaps while you are deciding what to do with it permanently, would be to decorate it in the style of a holiday 'gingerbread house'.
IMO I would remove the three sharp pointed projections on the roof, as I think they detract from the continuity of the softer curves in the rest of the structure.
Use battery operated (or plug in) fairy lights, and striped red and white ribbons. I see gumdrops stuck into the crenellations along the dragon spines.
If there is an elementary school nearby to where you live, maybe you could take it there to display in an area such as the library.
You're welcome.
'Just thought I'd toss in a little seasonal creativity into the pot of ideas; to be mulled over, rather like cider.
I love this house and think you have a great project on your hands. You can definitely display a birdhouse inside - especially when it's such a great piece of art.