Extract from The Scotsman Magazine July 22nd 2000
Photographs, Paul Graham
Sheep and Cheerful
TAKE a few steps in the front door and you can't miss the first one, right there in the hall. Turn into the living room and there's another, peering around the door. Two sheep seem to have lost their way and strayed into an Edinburgh flat - life-sized white plaster sheep, that is.
"I was at Edinburgh College of Art, at a degree show with a friend who has a gallery, and he spotted this flock of sheep," lighting designer Mike Stoane explains.
"There were nine in all, and I thought, they were so cool. I knew I wanted some for the flat because I've always liked sheep."
"I also like the idea of living this obviously urban life - where you can hear the cars outside - but having these nice and peaceful sheep roaming around indoors."
Mike and his wife Jo concede they did feel bad about breaking up the flock, but they do try to place the occasional bowl of grass below one, just so the pair feel more at home.
And they coordinate perfectly with the all-white walls and distinct lack of clutter in the West End flat.
The minimalism was a conscious decision but, says Jo, it also helps when you've got a toddler, Anna, scooting around on her bike. Simply, there's less to destroy - even though the sheep's ears look a bit delicate.
