| Your love for horses doesn't need stop at the barn. | | | | to bring a space together. |
| Horse people enjoy having decorative horse elements | | | | Equestrians love art, and art that includes the horse is |
| in the home. Whether you are a lifelong equestrian, an | | | | always a favorite. Some equestrian artists have stood |
| admirer of horse sport, or someone who loves the | | | | out through the years, with George Stubbs being |
| equestrian look, having equestrian style in your home | | | | immensely popular during England's sporting days. His |
| adds character and tradition. How you bring equestrian | | | | works are traditional, beautiful, and have color |
| elements together can make the difference in telling a | | | | schemes that are easy with which to work. |
| story or having your items overlooked. | | | | Reproductions of his paintings are available on the |
| Equestrian style was popularized when Ralph Lauren | | | | internet. |
| hit the fashion world by storm. He made both nautical | | | | No equestrian space would be complete without horse |
| and equestrian styles livable for mainstream people. It | | | | tack, the equipment leather goods used in riding and |
| became possible and affordable to have the sporting | | | | training horses. Whether you choose stainless steel |
| lifestyle look. And while many people took up stirrup | | | | stirrups or bits, old horseshoes, or leather strap goods, |
| pants and hacking jackets, decorating with equestrian | | | | these pieces strategically placed are key elements to |
| style has been around for hundreds of years. Look no | | | | bring your space to life. A favorite of ours is a silver |
| further than the English countryside. Whether you have | | | | mint julep cup used to hold pens or flowers. Stirrups |
| acquired equestrian pieces from the barn, or you are | | | | make good bookends. Harness brasses can be |
| just starting out, giving your home or space an | | | | framed or mounted cleverly over light plates. Snaffle |
| equestrian estate feel is not difficult. As with any | | | | bits can serve as window panel tie backs. Equestrian |
| design, the key is to start with a plan that includes | | | | books are another design element that is readily |
| well-thought-out furniture placement and a good color | | | | available and brings authenticity to your space. These |
| scheme. Traditional furniture works best when | | | | books are available as novels, training books, or picture |
| designing an equestrian style space. Dark, substantial | | | | books. |
| wood furniture with good quality upholstery or leather | | | | To add softness and comfort to your space, yet still |
| gives mind to the English countryside, where most | | | | maintain style, consider adding needlepoint or horse |
| equestrian trends originated. Steeped in custom and | | | | themed equestrian pillows. Throw pillows come in |
| tradition, equestrian elements have changed little | | | | many styles and colors. Look for traditional fabrics and |
| through the centuries. Garner ideas from books and | | | | authentic embellishments like fox hunt buttons, harness |
| magazines, or search the internet for ideas. | | | | brasses, or other pieces of horse equipment. |
| Once furniture placement has been established, anchor | | | | Bringing equestrian style to your home or space adds |
| the space with a good rug. Vintage rugs protected fine | | | | character. Horses have had a close relationship with |
| wood floors from muddy hunting boots, numerous | | | | man for most of human history. Only since the |
| hounds, and country parties. These rugs were | | | | invention of the automobile have we been so |
| handmade and vegetable dyed. Today's production | | | | distanced from him. Bring equestrian style to your |
| rugs lack some of the character of the older rugs, but | | | | home by using these design ideas, and bring horses |
| can still lend the style and are always a smart choice | | | | into your decor. |