Country Decor Blog

If you’re a horsey person like me (and I know that many of you out there are), you’ll approve of my tale of equestrian-inspired decor. No, not those silly patterns of bucking broncos and cowboy hats, or those saccharine ode to a love for horses courtesy of tv series like The Saddle Club. I’m talking about true, fundamenta equestrian motifs and how they translate into decorative style. 

I should probably back up a little. I was born with a horse-loving gene. From the time I was old enough to point and smile, my dad recounts that I would always light up whenever I saw an image of a horse. This sensibility has continued - and, if anything, has gotten even stronger. 

This past weekend I was at the Rolex FEI World Cup in Las Vegas. The marketplace was brimming with all things “horsey,” including some ridiculously tacky accessories for the home. But within every marketplace is always a gem, and I was able to dig up some really interesting ideas to take home with me. One of them was to use a traditional bridle rack (these can be bought inexpensively at tack shops like Greenhawk Harness) as a towel hook. They come in all sorts of fun colours, from bright purple to dark green. Better still was the artwork. Canadian Gardening Executive Editor Suzanne Moutis has started a collection of vintage horse postcards for me, and I’ve also decided to start collecting vintage equestrian paint-by-numbers. They’re very fun and retro - the perfect thing to hang in a powder room or small space.

But the best thing I’ve done for myself as far as equestrian decor was to commission a portrait of my Westfalen filly Fleur. I hired the incredibly talented Jenn Pratt to come out and photograph Fleur, and then paint her. The result has just been posted on her website. I am fascinated how a portrait can do two things so beautifully: one, to create something that resonates emotionally, and two, paint something that is an elegant addition to my decor. I think this image takes the equestrian decor motif to a whole new level! Please go to Jenn’s site http://jennprattequineartist.com and check it out!

Fleur at 6 weeks in 2008

A lot of people ask where I disappear to on the weekends. Often I’ll be at work events (like the Interior Design Show next weekend!) or I’ll be squirreled up at home, trying to organize my incredibly messy kitchen. But my real escape on the weekends is to my friend’s farm, Irish Creek Stables, in Cambridge Ont. Liz Lewis and I first met a few years ago when we did a photo shoot at her house. Over the years, we’ve used her house and horse farm as a location multiple times. And for those of you who have read my editor’s letters, you ‘ll also know that I have a number of horses - and I am lucky enough to have Liz look after them for me. Winter at the farm is not easy, but Liz and her daughter Petra make it fun. And if you’re cold? All you need to do is to start mucking out stalls or sweeping, you’ll warm up pretty quickly! 

There is something incredibly special to me about horses. I have loved them since I was a little girl (I even uncovered a report card from nursery school that says my face “lit up every time I saw a picture of a horse.” As much as I love working at a magazine (and I do love it - it is the job of a lifetime for me!), a bit of my heart stays behind with the horses at Irish Creek Stables. When my boyfriend and I began dating a few years ago, he knew that the time I needed to spend with my horses was non-negotiable! Of course, when he comes out here and is able to see it through my eyes (which is why I have posted this photo - so you can see the magic of my horsey winter wonderland)

At Canadian Home & Country magazine, my mandate is to create a perfect balance between the sophistication of city living with the relaxed comfort of country living. I’m so happy to say that I have managed to accomplish it in my own life!

If you have thoughts about how to balance the city with the country, please let me know!