A proper pedestal bird feeder, with one bird already on the rim.
The Willowmere is a pedestal bird feeder cast in solid iron and finished in a natural rust patina: a wide shallow scalloped dish with a small bird perched on the rim, wings half open, carried on a slender turned column with knops and fluting rising from a round fluted foot. It weighs 5.6 kg, which is the difference between cast iron and the resin and pressed-metal feeders that copy this shape.
At 58cm tall and 30cm across the dish it is a real feeding station rather than an ornament of one. Fill it with seed and the height keeps it clear of cats while the weight keeps it standing in wind. The dish is shallow rather than deep, so it holds water for drinking and a splash just as happily. Built for outdoor life, and the patina is a finish rather than a fault, so weather deepens it instead of wearing it out.
Why we love it
◆It actually works, an open dish at the right height with a clear view all round, which is what brings birds down to feed
◆The perched bird, a small bird cast onto the rim with its wings half open, which draws real ones in
◆The column, turned with knops and fluting the whole way down to a round fluted foot, in the old cast iron manner
◆The finish, deep amber across the dish and the column, russet down in the fluting, and it only improves outdoors
Dimensions & Details
Size
30 x 27 x 58 cm
Dish
about 30 cm across, shallow
Holds
seed, or a shallow depth of water
Weight
5.6 kg net, 6.2 kg packed
Materials
Solid cast iron
Finish
Natural rust patina, hand-finished
Style
French Provincial · garden birds · classical
Suitable for
Open garden, courtyard or terrace. Built to weather.
How to style it
A feeder earns its place by being seen from inside, so site it for your window first and the garden second.
Put it within clear view of a kitchen or living room window
Keep it a metre or two from dense shrubs so birds can see what is coming
Give it a bare branch or a fence rail nearby as a waiting perch
Site it out of the full afternoon sun so seed does not spoil and water stays cool
Pair it with Farmer Barnaby, our hare holding a feed dish
Stylist's TipPut out a shallow layer of seed rather than filling the dish to the rim. It gets eaten before it spoils, and an open dish that is always fresh will hold more species than one left heaped and forgotten.
Care & Keeping
Tip out old seed and wipe the dish between refills, and after wet weather rather than letting it sit damp. If you are using it for water, rinse and refill every few days in the warm months and scrub it with a stiff brush and plain water if it greens up. No detergent, birds drink from it. The patina is a finished surface and needs no sealing. In frost, empty it rather than letting a full dish freeze.
Frequently Asked Questions
What seed suits it?
An open dish like this suits a general wild bird seed mix or sunflower seed. Put out a shallow layer rather than filling it to the rim, so the seed gets eaten before it spoils, and tip out anything left after rain.
Can I put water in it instead?
Yes. The dish is shallow, which is what small birds prefer for drinking and bathing, and at 58cm it sits at the height they like. Empty it before frost.
Can it live outside all year?
Yes. Iron with a natural rust patina is made for open weather, and rain deepens the colour rather than harming it. On pale stone or decking, set a pad underneath so run off does not mark the surface.
What is it made of?
Solid cast iron throughout, dish, column and foot, finished by hand. At 5.6 kg it is many times the weight of the pressed-metal feeders at this price and it will not blow over.
Does it come apart for shipping?
Yes. The carton is 38 x 28 x 14 cm, so a 58cm feeder necessarily arrives as separate parts to stand up on site, which is how a piece this shape has always been packed.
Is there another finish?
Yes, this is also made in the weathered grey version. Same casting, quite different look.
Will mine look exactly like the photos?
Close. The patina is applied by hand, so the depth and spread of the colour varies from piece to piece, and no two come out quite the same.
Because The Willowmere is hand-finished, slight variations in patina, texture, and grain are natural and add to the unique character of each piece. Colour may also vary slightly between screens, all photography is taken in natural light.
SHIPPING & RETURNS
AUSTRALIA & NZ Australia Post Standard (2-8 business days) free if order is $100 or above (selected metro areas). Check your postcode.
Please refer to our shipping page for more information WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Express Shipping (8-15 business days).
RETURNS We expect you’ll love your purchases. On the off chance you don’t, we’re pleased to offer a refund or exchange.
We offer Returns on full-priced undamaged items within 100 days of purchase.
For more details visit our Returns page
PAYMENT METHODS
afterpay
Pairs Beautifully With
The Willowmere French Provincial Pedestal Bird Feeder, Natural Rust Cast Iron 58cmSale price$111.30Regular price$159.00
100-Day Money Back Guarantee◆Free Replacement If It Arrives Damaged◆Shipped From Sydney◆Delivery Insured Free◆Rated 4.98 by 4,566 Customers◆
100-Day Money Back Guarantee◆Free Replacement If It Arrives Damaged◆Shipped From Sydney◆Delivery Insured Free◆Rated 4.98 by 4,566 Customers◆
100-Day Money Back Guarantee◆Free Replacement If It Arrives Damaged◆Shipped From Sydney◆Delivery Insured Free◆Rated 4.98 by 4,566 Customers◆
100-Day Money Back Guarantee◆Free Replacement If It Arrives Damaged◆Shipped From Sydney◆Delivery Insured Free◆Rated 4.98 by 4,566 Customers◆
Got Questions?
We've got answers
What happens if my piece arrives damaged?
Every order is packed with care and insurance cover, but if anything arrives damaged, send us a photo as soon as possible and we'll arrange a replacement. No need to return the damaged piece.
Will my piece look exactly like the photos?
Very close, but expect small variations. Patina depth, paint distress and metal ageing will differ slightly from unit to unit.
Where do you ship from and how long does delivery take?
All Château Living orders ship from our Bribie Island warehouse in Queensland. Standard delivery is 3-7 business days, with tracking sent to your inbox the moment your order leaves us.
What if it doesn't suit my space when it arrives?
You're covered by our 100-Day Money Back Guarantee. If a piece doesn't suit your space, return it within 100 days of delivery for a full refund. We want every Château piece to feel like it was made for your home.
I was scared to open my parcel due to past experience with buying on line with less than perfect purchases.
This parcel, from the packaging to the presentation has been more than expected.
Thank you very much.
Joneen
My recent purchases look amazing in my garden… my delivery arrived promptly and the communication from Chateau was explanatory as to where and what was happening. I liked the follow up emails … thanks
I am so glad I bought these beautiful Dragonflies! I only have a small front verandah, but I wanted to place them out here. Dragonflies, are my spirit animals.
I bought special hooks to place on the window so I could hang them. I placed them behind my buddha, and I feel they look very decorative and effective.
I lurve the Rocco French Provincial Lidded Canister. It's just gorgeous! My pics are not its final destination or styling. I added these very large hydrangeas so you can see how big it is and how much it can hold. The product is high quality and stands on its own regardless of how you choose to style it. I adore the antique gold finish and will be buying other products. Communication about my purchase and delivery was great, and all products were packed well. Thankfully, I'm in a 2-bedroom apartment; otherwise, I'd need a VIP card.
I love my new products and will be purchasing more. They are particularly nice next to my ginger jars, but I'm testing out places for them before I decide whether I will style them with or without a floral arrangement and where they'll be placed. This is a great quality product and the size I wanted (fairly large). The delivery was prompt; communication was great about what was happening and when, and the products arrived safely and without damage, as they were packaged appropriately. I was so happy, I wrote to the team straight away to say thanks.
I enjoyed reading the Chateau Styling Guide very much. I appreciate the collection of beautiful pieces Lucie has made available to her clients. And I agree with the idea that one should never ‘rush’ to complete a room or your home. It is so satisfying to finally find that one special piece you know will add to the look of your home. Thank you so much for this booklet. It will be a great resource to refer to.