Motmot and Garden Bleu in Parkhurst
Put a spring in out step, bring a smile on your face, add joy to your home, and massage the budget … visit Motmot in Parkhurst. It’s one of those places you visit to buy a gift and come out with a quirky little “present for self” – as I did when I went in to see their new renovations. Walls were removed, shelves repositioned and chandeliers and baskets were rehung .. all to open the space up. But Motmot’s space will never be airy and open .. there are just way too many exciting quirky objet d’art and items of whimsy. Go down the rabbit hole .. you’ll find LOTS of rabbits, plus occasional looking glasses, some vintage treasures and even a few mad hatters.

What’s in a name?
George left corporate life in 2012 to start Motmot … the name is serendipitous. George said he needed find a name which “had a ring” to it and where the domain name was still free … so serendipitous is no exaggeration. But a Motmot is also a colourful exotic bird (belonging to the same family as kingfishers, bee-eaters and rollers). And colour, glorious colour, abounds in Motmot. We did chuckle though when I told George that the urban dictionary gives the meaning of “motmot” as “to have sex in a very cute way” as in: “they’re motmoting upstairs”. But I digress. Ten years ago, George joined up with Garden Bleu which sells all manner of things for patios and gardens: wrought-iron furniture, baskets, planters, fountains, painted ceramics – from the chic to the delightfully mischievous. All adding to the playful charm and eclectic style of this most special of shops.


A picture speaks a thousand words




You can find them just off 4th Ave at 44 11th St, Parkhurst and their instagram handles are @garden_bleu_parkhurst and @motmotparkhurst