Unlikely Sculptures: Found (and Chased-Down) Tumbleweeds on Display

They say trends reappear every 20 years, give or take. So, it seems, do tumbleweeds.

Back in 2010, Julie took note of the sculptural specimens on display at Dosa in Accessories: Tumbleweeds as Decor. (At the time there was an operation, Prairie Tumbleweed Farm, that was catching tumbleweeds as they blew by and shipping them worldwide. Not a joke—though apparently it started as one.)

Fifteen years later, we’re noticing an uptick in tumbleweed sightings. Or perhaps they never went anywhere. (Prairie Tumbleweed Farm is no more, but a slew of online retailers have picked up where it left off, offering dried finds to all—Bloomist, for example.)

Have a look at a few sightings.Above: A whimsical vignette by John Derian: large tumbleweed in an (unused) fireplace. See more in Trend Alert: Designer John Derian’s Faded Flowers; photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista.Above: The hanging tumbleweed in Patricia Larsen’s Mexico place was hard to get. As she writes on Instagram, this one “escaped twice from the back of the truck. I had to chase it down the road and into a ditch.” Read more in Artist Residence: Patricia Larsen Used Salvaged Materials to Reinvent Her Mexican Casa.Above: In Shoring Up—and Unbuttoning—One of the Most Historic Haciendas in Galisteo, New Mexico: another large tumbleweed, also chased down the road by Patricia, atop the fridge. Photograph by Dani Brubaker.Above: At her place in Bend, Oregon, Fan’s collected tumbleweeds make appearances around the house.Above: A tumbleweed by the bedside in Before & After: An Airy Summer Bedroom in a Catskills Farmhouse, Transformed with Paint. Photograph by Sarah Elliott.Above: A side-of-the-road tumbleweed serves as shop decor in 12 Simple Ideas to Steal from a Mainer’s Thoughtful Shop in LA. Photograph by Nicki Sebastian.Above: Spotted at the newly opened Hotel Wren in Twentynine Palms, CA (stay tuned for a full look around next week).

More natural, found, foraged (and free) decor:

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Frequently asked questions

What are some examples of places where tumbleweeds have been found and displayed?

Tumbleweeds have been found and displayed in homes, shops, and hotels, such as in Bend, Oregon; Mexico; New Mexico; Twentynine Palms, CA; and more.

Is it common for tumbleweeds to be used as decor?

While not extremely common, tumbleweeds have been used as decor in various settings, adding a natural, found element to the space.

Where can I find tumbleweeds for decor?

Online retailers like Bloomist offer dried tumbleweeds for decor, following the trend of the Prairie Tumbleweed Farm that used to catch and ship tumbleweeds worldwide.