Hi, I’m Sherry Petersik, and I have a confession: I am completely, delightfully obsessed with white decorative animals. This latest addition isn’t ceramic but white resin, and yes—I’m thrilled. Can you guess which creature captured my attention this time?
(Picture withheld so you can play along if you want.)
Okay, here’s how it went down. A reader named Nina sent me an email that I could not ignore. Her note read:
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
That single message set off immediate action. I couldn’t resist calling John and insisting we drive straight to TJ Maxx. We made it there in under five hours—arriving just before they were closing up around 7:30—and to my relief and delight, the other ram was still on the shelf. No one had claimed it yet.
It’s mine. All mine.
I don’t usually get this excited about a decorative object, but this one hit that sweet spot of quirky and elegant that I love. I admit it: I adore the odd and the unexpected. I dashed out to the car grinning like I’d won the lottery, carrying what I now call Señior Ram. Clara was asleep in the car, so I slipped in quickly while John waited with her. He spotted the grin and knew instantly I’d “secured” the new addition.
Part of the thrill was the price. At $30, this ram felt like a steal. For comparison, nearly identical ram heads from higher-end retailers can cost several times that amount—so finding this look for thirty dollars felt like a small victory. The piece has personality and enough presence to read as a focal point without overpowering a room.
The ram looks surprisingly at home in our space.
I’d been imagining different places for him. Over our bed seems like a fun, slightly eccentric option. He’s not large enough to stand alone as a bold mounted centerpiece, but grouped with a few other smaller white animal heads or objects, he would create an interesting, layered arrangement. I pictured a cozy, cabin-ish vibe or a modern, whimsical touch depending on the grouping and wall choice.
When we brought him inside, Burger—our chihuahua—stretched up, blinked, and ambled over to sniff the newcomer. After a brief inspection, Burger wandered off to search under the kitchen chair for any missed crumbs. His casual approval felt like a warm, tiny welcome. I love how pets can make even inanimate objects feel integrated into family life.
Where the ram will ultimately live is still up for debate. I like the idea of him near the bed, surrounded by other white accents to make a cohesive vignette. I also considered placing him in a more unexpected spot—on a floating shelf, above a console table, or even leaned against a gallery wall as a sculptural element. Whatever spot wins out, he’s already added charm and a story to our home.
I realize this sort of decorative obsession isn’t for everyone. Sleeping beneath or living with a mounted animal head—real or faux—might seem odd to some. But for me, it’s a playful design choice that brings personality and a smile to the room. The little eccentricities are what make a house feel like our home.
Update: For a laugh, the photo of Burger stretching was rotated at one point so it looked like he was scaling the wall. A little whimsical, zero-gravity dog yoga, if you will.
Psst—We announced this week’s giveaway winners. Check the giveaway announcement on our site to see if you’re one of them!