Thursday, April 9, 2015

Equestrian Style Decorating...


Hello! I've missed you. How are you?

We just returned from Palm Springs and Arizona, where we had a wonderfully warm spring break! It was such a great get-away, spent with family and then some close friends... soaking up the sun and having fun!

I hope you had ~ or are having ~ a great spring break too!

I didn't realize how many equestrian accents we had until I sat down to write this post! I recently brought these paint-by-number vintage horse paintings in to the mantel in our dining room. I have seen these types of paintings at antique shops, flea markets and online at etsy and eBay. I love their simple farm charm.



This antique wood horse silhouette, that I picked up at the Farm Chicks Show, stands on our living room mantel...


We have two of these "Fancy Blue Ribbon" feed sack horse pillows in our living room. 


The iron gate at the front of our property...



There are other little equestrian accents around our home that were here when we moved in (and I'm so glad!), like this horse hook...


And this horse door knocker...


Since our property is set up for horses, people often ask if we plan on having horses...

As a young girl, I was what you'd call "horse crazy!" I remember my 6th grade English teacher telling me I needed to write about something other than horses all the time!  


I was blessed to have a horse of my own growing up. Because of this, I understand the commitment and time involved in keeping a horse.

So for now, I recognize that our hands (and hearts) are full raising three sons, having chickens, cats, a dog and a rabbit. Remember, it's a 'little' farmstead. :)

I think horses would be a 'bit' more than we could handle at this point. 
But yes, I am tempted. My husband... not so much!

For now, we'll count our blessings, enjoy some equestrian style decor, and admire our neighbor's horses. Aren't they pretty?!


Are you a horse person? Do you like equestrian style? 

 I'm so happy you stopped by today!

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22 comments:

  1. DD's CottageApril 9, 2015 at 10:29 AM

    I love the style--I grew up on a 600 acre horse ranch in N. CA so horses are in my blood! Love all your touches!

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    1. Little FarmsteadApril 9, 2015 at 10:38 AM

      I grew up in Northern California too (Walnut Creek)! We did not have acreage so we boarded my horse at a ranch in Alamo. Your childhood ranch sounds wonderful - - what an amazing place to grow up. Thank you so much for sharing! Xo ~julie

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  2. Brenda PruittApril 9, 2015 at 12:03 PM

    I was on a horse one time. I was a teen. When I got off, it stepped on my foot and wouldn't get off. That was my last time to get on a horse!
    Brenda

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    1. Little FarmsteadApril 9, 2015 at 12:16 PM

      Brenda, you know what they say... you gotta get back into the saddle! Ha! :) Your experience sounds similar to my husband's... which is why he's in no hurry to get horses...

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  3. Judy at GoldCountryCottageApril 9, 2015 at 4:13 PM

    I love your beautiful little farmstead. I just saw you on Feathered Nest Friday. I grew up on a ranch in Soquel, CA and rode horses, although I didn't have one of my own. My friends were very generous with their ponies. Seeing your paint-by-number pictures reminds me of the last page in Country Living. They have a photograph of a beautiful horse and then they offer a paint-by-number kit of the same photo for $35. I just ordered their Dec. 2014 kit of a cow and a red barn door. Am anxious to try it as I remember doing those paintings as a young girl..Happy Thursday..Judy

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    1. Little FarmsteadApril 9, 2015 at 7:51 PM

      Thank you for sharing your memories of ranch living as a child! I remember seeing that kit in CL... I'm sure they will turn out beautifully and look so sweet in your home. So glad you stopped by! ~julie

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  4. Angelina at Petite HausApril 9, 2015 at 6:31 PM

    I love all the horse accents... I dream of living in the country, but having horses and such require a lot of work. According to my Grandma, it's okay to have a big hat and no cattle.

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    1. Little FarmsteadApril 9, 2015 at 6:41 PM

      Ok, I love that saying and will be borrowing it! So cute - and true!! :)

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  5. Karen @ Beatrice EuphemieApril 9, 2015 at 9:29 PM

    I love your equestrian decorating - the paint by number are wonderful! I had a pretty little Welsh pony as a girl - chocolate brown with cream dapples and long, wavy cream mane and tail. Oh, I loved that little pony! My two girls had ponies growing up, too. Maybe I will get another one someday.....They do take commitment! Hope your weekend is lovely. - Karen

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    1. Little FarmsteadApril 9, 2015 at 9:46 PM

      So fun! And yes, I think you should get another pony someday! :) I've wondered about getting some minis... some people down the road from us have some and they are too cute for words! Plus, not as much mowing would be needed!

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  6. Amber ~ The French Pressed HomeApril 10, 2015 at 5:53 AM

    I am a total fan of equine decor, too! My favorite piece in my home is a very old English saddle that is sorta falling apart but I think it gives it such character. Your horse paintings remind me of an acrylic paint by number kit I had as a kid. I can still smell those paints! :)

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    1. Little FarmsteadApril 10, 2015 at 11:21 AM

      Hi Amber ~ your saddle sounds amazing! Hope your farmhouse reno is coming along well! Looking forward to seeing pics!

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  7. Burlap LuxeApril 10, 2015 at 11:27 AM

    Oh yes my dear, I was raised with Arabinans, Quarter horses, I had my very own pony before I could barely walk. My Grandfather would hook up the wagon and set me on his lap while being toted around the yard.
    I would saddle up as a young pre-teen on my own and ride off in the country desert above Hollywood hills.
    Then when my family moved to Washington state for business. My parents that is we then made sure we were still connected to the country were riding was still a big part of our lives.

    You fortunate gal to live with this much green parturef beauty, horse, and the love of equestrian farmhouse.
    I so need to stop looking at so many blogs that inspire, my head is spinning with Oh! my! I want to be a horseman/horse women again, a ranch with horse, and do this whole Ralph Lauren ranch feel to my French country home.... Hmmmmm!

    A little pillow ticking, I have 2 of these pillows, add a few grain sack, a wood horse, some plaids, eyelets and laces, as well as leather, and that will help transform me into your kind of equestrian rural rustic beauty so French farmhouse....
    So many inspiring ideas for the comforts of childhood and home living it can just drive you crazy in love with so much creative living.

    Love your entrance, really comforting feeling here.

    Xoxo
    Dore

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    1. Little FarmsteadApril 10, 2015 at 3:45 PM

      What a comforting way of life, Dore, to be "connected to the country" and to have grown up riding! I think it's so special and many of us crave that simple connection these days. I could really see some equestrian accents working so well with your French country style! I know what you mean about looking at so many blogs - it really CAN make your head spin with all of the beauty and possibilities! Yours does that for me! :) Have a wonderful weekend...

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  8. Anne's Attic - DesignApril 10, 2015 at 4:02 PM

    I love all of your horse memorabilia, I grew up on a horse farm so it's in my blood. Have a great day! Jo

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    1. Little FarmsteadApril 11, 2015 at 10:55 AM

      That is so neat, Jo! Wish we could sit and chat about what it was like to grow up on a horse farm! :) Have a great weekend...

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  9. KellyApril 10, 2015 at 5:43 PM

    You have a lot of pretty horse style accessories! Perfect for living on a farm. I think my favorite are the pillows. I don't blame you for wanting to put off having horses. They sound like a lot of work and I'm sure they're not cheap! You've got plenty keeping you busy right now.

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    1. Little FarmsteadApril 11, 2015 at 10:55 AM

      It's true! Thanks for stopping by Kelly. Happy Saturday!

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  10. cynthia lee designsApril 11, 2015 at 6:57 PM

    Love all your horse decor pieces! I used to ride horses when I was a teenager...my aunt and uncle had horses on their farm.
    ~Cindy

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  11. MelanieApril 14, 2015 at 5:58 PM

    My tween daughter is horse-mad! We live in an inner-city suburb in Brisbane, Australia - so as much as she'd love a horse, it's just not possible right now. We have considered moving to the edge of town to get some acreage, but decided that we're better off staying put at the moment. She gets riding lessons weekly, so she gets her horse-fix!
    Her room has lots of equestrian accents (pictures, pillows, figurines) but I must admit to liking that whole Ralph Lauren look - my son loves dogs and we have two mixed breed hunters, so maybe I'll take that look and incorporate little touches here and there!
    Thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. Little FarmsteadApril 15, 2015 at 2:07 PM

      That is so neat that your daughter is able to ride weekly! What a blessing! We visited Brisbane back in 2001 - - beautiful place to raise a family!

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