So I need you to stop what you are doing and go follow Equestrienne Decor on Instagram, seriously her feed is heavenly. Seriously. It makes my heart go pitter patter.
Ashley is a lifelong equestrian from Maryland who just so happens to have the most amazing style, think elegant, simple, and classic farmhouse but with an equestrian flare. Not only is Ashley an interior designer, but she also created an amazing store online that she has curated to give everyone a chance to own some amazing equestrian pieces for their own home.
I am super excited to have Ashley as a guest blogger this week and to feature 5 of her must have equestrian decor items!
1. ANTIQUE OR VINTAGE TACK
I love placing an old saddle on the back of a chair or sofa, or even up on a shelf or wall. I also love to use old spurs, either English or Western to dress a table top or shelf. Any piece of tack usually does the trick – you can get very fancy or buy an old $20 saddle from a flea market. What’s matters is that the piece speaks to you – there is nothing better than the smell of a leather saddle in a cozy Den! You can also search sites like Etsy to find vintage tack.
2. AN EQUUS CANDLE
One of the EQUUS candles burning in your home will remind you of a picturesque barn. They are made from recycled wine bottles and soy wax, and smell divine. The beautiful paper label with the different Victorian motifs really complete an Equestrian look. My two favorite scents are Apple & Grass and Hay & Molasses. At only $24 Each, they make a great Hostess gift too! You can check out all of the different scents in Ashley’s store.
3. A VINTAGE EQUESTRIAN PHOTO
Every Equestrian space needs an old black & white or 1970/80’s horse photo. It can be a photo of your Grandmother on a pony, your Mom riding in College, or a photo of an iconic Thoroughbred race at the track! My best friend was recently on a business trip to Holland, and sent me a collage of old photos she found at a market. I put them together and framed them. I often wonder the horse’s names and love looking at them everyday! This is another great chance to check out Etsy or another handmade vintage online market.
4. A CUSTOM EQUESTRIAN THEMED PILLOW
An equestrian themed pillow softens any space and is so fun! Whether is a classic Ralph Lauren style or more Bohemian, there is something about an Equestrian pillow that makes me want to sit and enjoy that space. I have a collection of handmade pillows for sale through my Instagram Account, @equestriennedecor, and I also just started selling these gorgeous Farmhouse style pillows on my website. I love to do custom pillows from an old quilt, horse blanket, or scarf as well.
Oh, and guess what?! Ashley is giving away this pillow on IG right now!! So make sure you go follow her page and look for the post featuring this pillow to find out how you can win.
5. A PIECE OF ORIGINAL ARTWORK
There is nothing more beautiful than a painting of a horse. Using an Equestrian themed piece of art in your interiors is the ultimate sophistication. Whether it’s a priceless antique oil painting, or a simple modern watercolor, it ads a layer of uniqueness to your space. There are so many choices out there, so have fun and remember to only choose something that you love! Two of my all time favorite Equine Artists are Julie Ferris and Liz Wiley.
I think Ashley’s last items is one of my favorites, I love getting to create pieces of art for my clients homes. Both my Black Background portraits and Horse & Rider portraits can make an awesome statement piece in any room in your home. I also offer each of my clients a custom wall design consultation so that they can see exactly what their images will look like in their homes complete with framing and choosing the perfect size piece. I love getting to create something specifically for a certain space, and truly do believe that one day my work will turn into a lovely vintage equestrian photo that will be passed down for generations and one day someone will look at the picture in awe and wonder what the story was behind that specific picture and the horse in it.
Thank you so much Ashley for putting together this amazing list of your top 5 Equestrian Decor Items! I absolutely can not wait to incorporate some of these into my own home...