Duck! Don’t worry—nothing is being hurled at you. We’re simply sharing our latest thrift store find.

It turns out our new bird is actually a goose. We haven’t decided where he’ll live or what color he’ll become (yes, that was a flight pun), but we knew we had to bring him home. Admittedly, my wife has a soft spot for faux animals, yet this old-school wooden bird called out to me this time. Sherry didn’t need much convincing; she already enjoys mixing quirky pieces into our decor. A pink goose might be cute in the style of HGTV’s Antonio, though pink isn’t really my thing. I’d vote for lime, navy, or a bold glossy plum—Sherry mentioned the plum idea earlier, which could be striking. Whatever color we choose, he’ll add personality and charm to a room.

We found our goose during a thrifting trip on Richmond’s northside. Our mission was to hunt for nightstands or maybe a dresser, but sometimes the best outings are the ones that bring home unexpected treasures. In addition to the goose, we picked up a silver quatrefoil tray that reminded us of a mirror we bought a few weeks ago. The tray is lightweight and unbreakable, which makes it practical for everyday use while still feeling decorative.

We haven’t yet picked the perfect spot for either piece, but Sherry likes to style trays on top of stacked hardcover books, dressers, console tables, and nightstands to corral lip gloss, hair ties, jewelry, or keys. The fact that the tray isn’t ceramic appealed to her—particularly because we’re focused on making the house more kid-friendly. We’ve already moved many of our ceramic animals up onto high shelves in the built-ins to keep them safe from little hands. The goal is to have a home that can comfortably host extended family without us worrying about every curious toddler’s reach. Of course, anything can be misused, so the goose will still be kept out of reach of very young children, but it should be perfectly at home on a console table, dresser, or shelf where it can be appreciated without being fragile.

The total for both finds was under $12—hard to beat for a bit of art and a touch of organization. For locals curious where we shopped, the goose came from Pass It On in the Lakeside Towne Shops, and the dish was from Consignment Connection, also on Lakeside Avenue. Thrifting like this is a great way to add character to your home without spending a lot, and it encourages creativity when deciding how to display pieces.

So now you know the backstory in case you spot a small flock of wooden birds appearing in the background of our photos. Adding a wooden goose to a home full of white ceramic animals feels like a natural extension of our growing collection and keeps things visually interesting. The menagerie keeps evolving, and we love how these little finds can change the energy of a room.

Psst—who doesn’t love a touch of organization? Check out this week’s BabyCenter post for Sherry’s system on storing outgrown baby clothes, blankets, the Boppie, and maternity items you won’t need for a while.