Get ready to get your flock on, because decorative sheep are having a major moment! First fashioned in 1965 by the French artist François-Xavier Lalanne, decorative sheep have since taken off as a way to add a dose of wit (and, yes, ah cute!) to any space. Haven’t considered a sheep of your own yet? Read on to learn why a decorative sheep is a must-have.
WHY WE LOVE THEM
Not long after Lalanne debuted his sheep at the Salon de la Jeune Peinture in Paris, Yves Saint Laurent had several commissioned for his home library. Also known fans? Valentino (who keeps a flock of Lalanne sheep in his Gstaad, Switzerland home for guests to pose with) and Marc Jacobs. Most recently Louisa Pierce and Emily Ward of the on-fire design firm, Pierce & Ward, divulged their obsession to us (and their Insta followers via this inspo shot), with Louisa confirming that Emily has one in her living room!
HOW TO USE THEM
When it comes to tips for displaying sheep in the home, we tapped Richard Buxbaum of Antiques on Old Plank Road, a Chicago-based antiques and reproduction company whose decorative, Lalanne-inspired sheep have taken the design industry by storm as of late. “We use sheep in our home as accent pieces, no different than placing a piece of sculpture,” says Richard. “Some clients of ours constantly move them around their house and will even place the sheep outside during a party, and of course, they double as stools for extra seating.”
Gotta have one? Shop Antiques on Old Plank Road’s Chairish shop! And be sure to check out their newest outdoor sheep HERE.
Lead photo by OTTO / Michael Moran