Hi my name is Sherry Petersik, and I have a white ceramic animal problem. Well, this one’s actually made of white resin. Guess which creature stole my heart this time? Here’s a hint.
Now I’m just putting words here so you don’t see the picture below before you venture a guess. Assuming you want to play along. Come on, what animal is it?
More words.
More words.
More words.
More words.
Ok, now I’ll explain how it all went down. I couldn’t resist requesting demanding that John drive me over to TJ Maxx after I received this email from a reader named Nina:
I thought of you guys when I saw this white resin ram’s (?) head at the Broad Street TJ Maxx today. I took a quick pic in the TJX dressing room, which is attached. I bought one but there was still another one there as of an hour ago. It was $30. No other similar animals, but they did have some nice looking white faux coral. – Nina
Oh and this picture was attached:
Let me tell you, it’s totally dangerous to have shopping spies sending ceramic animal details your way. You guys know they’re my kryptonite. Sometimes I can weakly walk away, but this time I just couldn’t resist. We were at TJ Maxx less than five hours later (we made it in right before they closed up shop around 7:30). And miracle of all miracles, no one else had snatched up that remaining ram.
It’s miiiiiiine. All miiiiiiiiine. I couldn’t be more excited. I know it’s weird, but I’m ok with weird. Actually, I love weird. Seriously, I ran out to the car with the biggest smile (Clara was sleeping so I popped in while John stayed in the car with her). Hubs knew I had “secured” Señior Ram from the moment I skipped out the door grinning like I won the lottery. And as for the price, I thought 30 bucks was great compared to this nearly identical ram from Williams Sonoma Home who rings in at a whopping $245! Holla. Oh and how funny is that picture of Rammo on the extra wide plank floors in our bedroom above? Doesn’t it look like he’s hanging on the wall of a cabin or something? Here’s an angle that’s a bit less wall-like:
On second thought, that kinda looks like a wall too. How about this angle:
Yes, that’s Burger stretching in the background. He moseyed out of bed, enjoyed a leisurely stretch, and then approached the newest member of the faux animal gang to check things out.
After some oddly placed sniffs Burger accepted Rammo as his long lost brother walked away to check under Clara’s kitchen chair for scraps. Gotta love that warm chihuahua welcome. I wonder where Ramsy will end up living. Is it weird that I want him over our bed? He’s not big enough to live there alone, but perhaps among a few other smaller white ceramic animal heads in a grouping somewhat similar to this from Ballard Designs?
I know I’m strange, but you can’t help who what you love. I’m fully aware that sleeping under a ceramic ram head might be your idea of h-e-double-hockey-sticks. But it’s totally my idea of a good time.
Update: And now, due to popular demand. The photo of Burger stretching rotated 90 degrees so it looks like he’s scaling the wall. Who doesn’t enjoy a little zero gravity yoga?
Psst- We announced this week’s giveaway winners. Click here to see if you’re one of them!
liz @ bontempsbeignet says
I definitely giggle-snorted @ Burger streching the first time but the 90 degree flip is hilarious.
karen @ our slo house says
Hi again,
I’m not sure if I should be enabling you but have you checked out what’s new at Anthropologie lately??!
Here’s a link, if you’re curious. (Hint: Mr. Ram’s baby cousin)
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=073763&catId=HOME-NEW&pushId=HOME-NEW&popId=HOME&navAction=top&navCount=42&color=010&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&subCategoryId=HOME-NEW-HARDWARE
YoungHouseLove says
Dangerous info! Dangerous.
xo,
s
Donita says
I love the elephant…..you really should!!! ;-)
Ashley says
You could have a whole jungle keeping watch above your sleeping heads. Although Big Rammo would be king instead of a lion.
Kim @ girlevolving says
Our cat stretches exactly like that!
Rebecca says
Awesome! I never paid much attention to ceramic animals till I started reading your blog–now I notice them everywhere and now I have a growing menagerie of my own.
Zgallerie has an impressive collection of animal heads on their website right now–deer, horse (kinda reminded me of The Godfather), moose, and my personal favorite–the rhino:
http://www.zgallerie.com/p-9621-rhino-head-wall-plaque-12.aspx
I immediately thought of you when I first saw them!
YoungHouseLove says
Love it. So much.
xo,
s
Lisa W. says
I definitely thought you’d have a post today featuring these! http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=073768&catId=HOME-HARDWARE&pushId=HOME-HARDWARE&popId=HOME&navAction=top&navCount=54&color=013&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=HOME-HARDWARE-HOOKS
YoungHouseLove says
You guys are seriously tempting me today. Uh oh.
xo,
s
Cindy says
You’re weird. lol At first I guessed it was an elephant, but then almost immediately changed my mind to a cobra. Tricky! Thank goodness it was a ram. Burger “climbing the wall” is awesome. xo
Christine says
I like weird Sherry :) and Rammo too, of course.
Sarah C. says
Oh thank goodness its a ram head. With the texture I was heading down the tapeworm or long-footed bird road – neither of which would have been all that flattering in a home as nice as yours!
I am a new follower of your blog and am redoing my first home as well. Keep up the great posting!
Trisha says
I guess I wasn’t the only one who had a curious mind about Burger’s photo moment. I thought he looked like he was getting ready for a marathon or a duel with the Ram hehe.
Love you guys btw, so inspiring.
Trisha says
P.S. I thought the Ram was an Elephant if you’re keeping some kind of tally.
Minnesotamom says
Laughing out loud at the shot of Burger “climbing” the wall. You guys have a great sense of humor.
Susan @ Retro Restyling says
First thing I thought when I saw Burger stretching was “dog yoga”, then I thought of weird yoga poses which made me think of The Upside Down Show guys doing yoga. You guys having a little one should get familiar with that show. It’s hilarious! But back to the ram’s head… It’s pretty snazzy!!!
Erin says
1) I am so amused that you don’t drive.
2) Not sure about the ram. Burger, though, is an animal I can totally support.
Michelle says
Burger’s doing upward-facing dog! Ha! Love your ram…but the story of just how excited you were to get it is even better!
Lauren says
i just recently saw that ballard designs group and have been dreaming about them ever since. and guess where i would hang them? that’s right, over our bed. if being weird is wrong, then i don’t want to be right.
YoungHouseLove says
Amen sista!
xo,
s
Kristen says
I totally thought it was an elephant trunk as well! Burger looks like he’s a master of dog yoga in that one picture. Nice!
caree says
Few months back when I was Christmas shopping, I spied a white ceramic deer antler at Kohl’s and thought of you guys- and contemplated sending the info your way, but thought that might be a little weird. I shall send them on from now on!
Also, why do Chihuahuas stretch like that? Mine does that constantly. I think it’s breed-specific.
renee says
It has been a red-letter week for hi-larious Burgs photos
Ryan says
Jealous and wishing I could call my local TJ Maxx to see if they have any without sounding like a total weirdo! I was just there on Saturday and totally cleaned them out of anything good (including 2 birds that I spray painted white).
Jessica Woodard says
I saw this post then randomly looked at z gallerie and they have the exact same ram head! And they also have some other animal heads too!
So funny!
jess (Sweet Potato) says
Haha!! I love that picture of Burger stretching! Hilarious!
Jacqueline says
This makes me want to find something to collect in my place. Hummm…any suggestions?
YoungHouseLove says
Bottle caps? I saw an amazing art wall made up of framed bottle caps in grids within a ton of frames. So colorful and fun!
xo,
s
Shelly says
Not that you’re taking votes, but I vote for a massive collection of your little white buddies hanging over Karl! It could look like an awesome art installation if placed properly! I can’t help but think hanging over the bed has to be some sort of feng shui no no…of coures on the other hand what do I know…I think goats can be good fortune Chinese!
:)
Greg says
FWIW, I like your TJ Maxx ram better than the Williams Sonoma ram–even without the price difference. Theirs looks wimpy. I think your ram could kick their ram’s butt.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, ours has been hitting the gym.
xo,
s
JM says
dude Burger is such a rockstar!
Katherine says
I have only one thing to say: hahahahahahaha. This is why I love your blog and you guys. Thanks for keeping it real.
Kelley says
This is a great post. During the first few pics I was trying to place where in your new house did you have horizontal wood paneling. DOH! T’was the floor. Great stretch catch, too. I prefer the scaling-the-wall angle, though. Love this silly-cute post.
Leslie says
When I recently told my husband about all the faux mounted animal heads in the blog world I follow, he was totally surprised. I too am a little surprised by this fad (unlike birds, houndstooth, etc.) I don’t think it is something that fits into my style, so I’m not planning on jumping on board, but I say go for it if you love it! My white ceramic animal crush is on cutesy not-so-real looking ones (I have the West Elm squirrel like yours:)
Have fun finding the perfect place for Ramsy!
Lauren says
The Burger cuteness is too much for me! He certainly is a limber little guy!
Martha says
Your inspiration photo for the ceramic animal “collage” on the wall reminded me on one I’d seen before. Check out what this person did: http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/01/sneak-peek-sam-horine.html See? You’re not the only one:)
YoungHouseLove says
Be still my beating heart.
I’m. In. Love.
xo,
s
Ruth says
Why are their eyes all red?? That picture makes me afraid.
Donita says
I used to have the cow, only it had gray spots on it……I got rid of it…have learned since, that you can take paint off from the white ceramic with either alcohol or nail polish remover. I removed paint from a set of white ceramic salt and pepper shakers. SO if you ever find something you like the design/style of, but it has paint, you can change it easily. :-)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so interesting! Never knew that!
xo,
s
Claire! says
it looks like burger is mid-chataranga!
Krysta says
I have always wanted to hang one of the deer heads from z-gallerie above our bed. I have never heard my bf shoot down an idea so quickly. Some people just don’t know good decorating :)
sarah (sarah learns) says
i guessed that it was a snake! and because of your burger yoga comment, i now am actually picturing my dog down-dogging and up-dogging. he really does do those stretches! i never really thought about it before…
Nesting Newbies says
So cool! Here in Atlanta we have a Ballards Outlet store and they had ones that looked very similar. Love them!
YoungHouseLove says
Holy cow. You just blew our mind. Never knew there was a Ballard Outlet. Amazing. So jealous!!!
xo,
s
Sara says
I visited a Ballards outlet once and was so disappointed. They didn’t really have much and everything was still so expensive. =(
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man, too bad. It sounded like so much fun!
xo,
s
Tiffany P says
I love Burger!! He reminds me of my dog (mine is the same size just black)! So everytime I see pictures of him I crack up laughing… good think I am alone at work or people would think I was crazy!
Kendel @ Eating Abroad says
You read my mind with the mountaineering chihuahua.
Holly says
I love that a reader carried that into the dressing room and took a picture for you!
I thought it was an alligator tail at first. I too like white ceramic animals a lot. I get the addiction!
Rachel says
Ha! Love it. Our dog does the exact same stretch. You guys are seriously tempting me to run over to Marshalls tonight.
Sadie says
What a steal! With all your “spies” you’re sure to have a collection for above your bed in no time! TJ Maxx is the absolute best. I once got some Williams Sonoma Home silk pillows for $16.99 each (tag said $88). I was giddy!
jim says
Love love love you guys! Thank you for being bloggers…
Have you thought of expanding your frame arrangements to include more 3D stuff in them like this new aquisition? (Which I completely thought was an elephant as well)
You could even add some white cardboard safari friends to the mix! I was going to give your their link and then I saw that they were a sponsor… :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! We’d love to mix things up with a few asymmetrical arrangements with some fun dimensional items for sure!
xo,
s
Heather says
I just have to tell you that I L O V E your blog. Seriously LOVE it! It’s inspiring, funny and incredibly well written. Keep up the great work!!
Lisa says
I confess that I really don’t see what you see in the ram. However, Burger has brought me around on the idea of a tiny dog. My monster pups are in the 40-pound range and I have always been devoted to dogs of their size, but your Burger is adorable and if he didn’t have my heart before, he has it now that I’ve seen his perky little stretching picture. What a prince.
sky says
guys have you seen these!?!?!
they are over at the decor8 blog. Sherry you will scream when you see them….
http://www.flickr.com/photos/decor8/5410785220/
cute animal wall hooks
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes. They’re dangerous!
xo,
s
Chrissi says
hahaha, this totally made me laugh. mainly the picture angles…too funny! nice moves, burger! love the ram :)
busybodyk says
Burger’s “sun salutation” is sweet! I’m not too crazy about the ram but I love the other ceramic heads.
pam says
feb 2011 anthropologie catalog, page 24. all i’m sayin’.
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/category.jsp?popId=CLOTHES&navAction=jump&id=CLOTHES-CATALOG3#/12
Amanda says
I love that you have secret shoppers out there scoping stuff out for you. But I have to ask – does professing your love of white ceramic animals mean you get a lot of stuff as gifts that you don’t really want/need? I only ask because I made the mistake of telling people I was decorating our kitchen in a French countryside wine/grape theme when we bought our house and now I have a whole closet full of wine and grape themed stuff that would be seriously gauche if I were to put them ALL in our modest little kitchen!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I can see where that could go very wrong! But thankfully so far I’ve only gotten ceramic animals from the hubs (once I mention I love them specifically, so no surprises- yet!).
xo,
s
Randa says
I was wondering something similar the other day… any experience / advice on how to handle being gifted home decor stuff (by family or friends) that isn’t really your style? Not that I want to blow your cover or anything. Just generic advice of course :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oddly enough we don’t get much home decor at all gifted to use by friends and family (probably because people think we have that covered, haha) but whenever we get something we don’t love we thank the person sincerely for the thought, place it out when they come over the next time, move it to the yard sale/goodwill pile a few visits later, and send it off to have a good second life with someone who will appreciate it more. We just think life is too short to fill your house with anything that you don’t love!
xo,
s
Randa says
Those were basically my thoughts too so it’s good to see that they are “John and Sherry approved” :)
Dana @ House*Tweaking says
I’m just dying from this! You are too funny, Sherry. Too funny. I think you should sleep under whatever you want to sleep under…even if it is a herd of ceramic animal heads. I think it’d look great!
Tiffany says
Sherry,
ya know how you hung pics (with clothespins I think) for your wedding? i stole the idea (but used thin sheer ribbon)
and now every time i take a cute pic of my daughters (umm, like 175X a day around here!) i can just print it out and add it to the collection. instant gratification for free.
thanks for the inspiration!
YoungHouseLove says
Love that! So great! Feel free to post pics over on our Facebook page for all to see!
xo,
s
Kim says
Oh my. To each their own! Love the picture of Burger doing “doga”!
Tovah says
I totally think you should hang him over your bed. You first introduced me to cardboard safari. Now two cardboard deer heads hang over my bed. I have a classic one with horns on my husband’s side of the bed and have another deer that I left the horns off of and added a bow to one ear hanging over my side of the bed. I love them and even if they are kind of weird/quirky I love that they make me smile.