Weather Vanes to Crow About
Put a boastworthy spin on your home's design, outside or in, with a quaint, farmhouse-style weather vane
I can still remember gazing through the back window of my parent's Lincoln Town Car as my mom drove to and from work each day. It was the late '80s and I was probably five years old — the age when kids seem to notice everything.
My mom had a job doing estimates for a gutter company, and across the field was a tired old barn with some cows roaming around. The barn had a white house next to it with a funny-looking thing on top. I had no idea what the thing was and never asked. Then one day during a kindergarten field trip to an apple orchard, I spied one of these fascinating ornaments once again. Low and behold, this thing had a name: weather vane.
And now, 20-something years later, I'm sitting here nostalgically collecting photos of these metal sculptures I've always found so striking. Although they used to serve a purpose, reading the direction of the wind, they are now more commonly used as architectural decoration.
My mom had a job doing estimates for a gutter company, and across the field was a tired old barn with some cows roaming around. The barn had a white house next to it with a funny-looking thing on top. I had no idea what the thing was and never asked. Then one day during a kindergarten field trip to an apple orchard, I spied one of these fascinating ornaments once again. Low and behold, this thing had a name: weather vane.
And now, 20-something years later, I'm sitting here nostalgically collecting photos of these metal sculptures I've always found so striking. Although they used to serve a purpose, reading the direction of the wind, they are now more commonly used as architectural decoration.
A weather vane is a welcome addition to any home with a farmhouse feel. More often than not, the theme of these ornaments has something to do with a farm as well. Horses, roosters and cows seem to be the most commonly used designs.
This beautiful farmhouse is reminiscent of an old schoolhouse you'd see in the hills. A weather vane always feels at home in a country setting.
The metal sculpture adorning this garage gives this otherwise stark, rural home a feeling of warmth and curiosity.
The weather vane atop this uniquely structured home goes further than I had originally realized when I saved this photo. Notice the way it crowns the house, casually drawing the eye upward.
Here's another example of a home surrounded by grassy fields. A weather vane almost feels essential in this type of setting.
A weather vane nestled over the brim of a house is a fun start to any house tour. I'm a sucker for icebreakers.
A sailboat weather vane is a great addition to this small cottage. It's quick to enhance the beach-house feel and adds visual interest to the otherwise linear facade.
With Easter and Peter Cottontail just around the corner, I couldn't pass up a weather vane topped by a striding white rabbit. When was the last time something made you smile while you were doing laundry?
Farm Animal Weather Vanes
These are fun and colorful twists on the traditional style. They'd look great on the roof of a cottage or bungalow.
Tell us: Do you have a weather vane? Please post a photo below and share details about it.
Browse weathervanes
More:
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Get the Look: Sophisticated Country Style
Tell us: Do you have a weather vane? Please post a photo below and share details about it.
Browse weathervanes
More:
Cockadoodledoo! Roosters in the Kitchen
Get the Look: Sophisticated Country Style
Tip: Check into sources such as Craigslist, eBay and Etsy, along with your local flea market, if you're looking to start a collection yourself.