Tumbleweed is nature at its most expressive.
Home stylists have long appreciated the sculptural potential of organic objects, from a
commanding vase of flowering branches to delicate reindeer moss, tucked beneath a glass
cloche. Tumbleweed is the latest evolution of this trend, and remarkable in its
versatility — especially in terms of scale.
A small cluster of tumbleweed can add a soft, organic touch to a
shelf display, while a large one can work as a focal point. “I call it ‘art that
isn’t art,’” says Robertson, who was first inspired to use tumbleweed after a visit
to an iconic design boutique in San Miguel de Allende: “The artist Patricia Larsen
has a beautiful shop there, and she had lots of hanging tumbleweed,” Robertson says.
“I’d never seen it like that. It’s nice to have something amorphous and natural.
When I’m doing shoots, that’s what I’m looking for: a natural statement.”
Photo: @PearsonDesignGroup - Pendant by @Owen_mortensenPhoto: David Chow
"You have to find your 'moment' in either something natural or sculptural. Sculptural
tumbleweed is an ideal example. "I was inspired by a visit to san miguel de allende.
The artist Patricia Larsen has a beautiful shop there, and she had lots of hanging
tumbleweed. I'd never seen it like that. It's nice to have something amorphous and
natural. When I'm doing shoots, that's what I'm looking for: a natural statement."
– Hilary Robertson
Photo: Sylvia Tribel
It’s a statement that speaks loudly: of open plains, the Wild West, landscapes that
are at once wholly organic and bone-dry. We’ve found that when bringing tumbleweed
into a space, bigger is better, as it’s at this larger scale — up to roughly 24 inches
in diameter — that it magically transforms into sculpture. Smaller pieces of tumbleweed
can find a home within a vignette, or placed within a bowl as part of a tabletop display.
Tumbleweed, as you might expect, is prickly — you’ll want to wear gloves while handling it.
Once positioned, though, you’ll have a modern, rustic focal point for your space and
a guaranteed conversation starter — no Picasso required.
"Evocative of sweeping prairies and the wild west, tumbleweed brings an element of
rustic surprise indoors."
Photo: Kate Mathis
HOW TO
DECORATE WITH HUMBLE TUMBLEWEED
Story by Diana Keeler
Photo: Sylvia Tribel
Tumbleweed is nature at its most expressive.
Home stylists have long appreciated the sculptural potential of organic objects, from a
commanding vase of flowering branches to delicate reindeer moss, tucked beneath a glass
cloche. Tumbleweed is the latest evolution of this trend, and remarkable in its
versatility — especially in terms of scale.
A small cluster of tumbleweed can add a soft, organic touch to a
shelf display, while a large one can work as a focal point. “I call it ‘art that
isn’t art,’” says Robertson, who was first inspired to use tumbleweed after a visit
to an iconic design boutique in San Miguel de Allende: “The artist Patricia Larsen
has a beautiful shop there, and she had lots of hanging tumbleweed,” Robertson says.
“I’d never seen it like that. It’s nice to have something amorphous and natural.
When I’m doing shoots, that’s what I’m looking for: a natural statement.”
Photo: @PearsonDesignGroup - Pendant by @Owen_mortensenPhoto: David Chow
"You have to find your 'moment' in either something natural or sculptural. Sculptural
tumbleweed is an ideal example. "I was inspired by a visit to san miguel de allende.
The artist Patricia Larsen has a beautiful shop there, and she had lots of hanging
tumbleweed. I'd never seen it like that. It's nice to have something amorphous and
natural. When I'm doing shoots, that's what I'm looking for: a natural statement."
– Hilary Robertson
Photo: Sylvia Tribel
It’s a statement that speaks loudly: of open plains, the Wild West, landscapes that
are at once wholly organic and bone-dry. We’ve found that when bringing tumbleweed
into a space, bigger is better, as it’s at this larger scale — up to roughly 24 inches
in diameter — that it magically transforms into sculpture. Smaller pieces of tumbleweed
can find a home within a vignette, or placed within a bowl as part of a tabletop display.
Tumbleweed, as you might expect, is prickly — you’ll want to wear gloves while handling it.
Once positioned, though, you’ll have a modern, rustic focal point for your space and
a guaranteed conversation starter — no Picasso required.
"Evocative of sweeping prairies and the wild west, tumbleweed brings an element of
rustic surprise indoors."
