Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Living/Dining Room



This is the living room and the dining room space.
It's a large room with a high ceiling.
Some of the photos show the room from above 
since the hayloft looks down over the room. 
The hayloft used to stretch all the way to the end of the building,  but when they converted the barn, they cut the loft back so the living room would have a cathedral ceiling.



There is Hallie again....what a ham.


Decorating a room like this is challenging! 
It has been difficult to find the right amount
of furniture and how to configure the groupings.


The Duncan Phyfe sofa is an inherited piece. It was
my husband's great grandmother's and it's very old. I love the architectural lines of it and wouldn't trade it for anything. 
It's not everyone's cup of tea, but we like it anyway. 







The two chairs on either side of this sideboard were French chairs I found at a consignment shop and had recovered. I searched for months and couldn't find a leopard print that I liked. So.... I went on Ebay and bought a real vintage leopard fur coat and my upholsterer used it to cover the tops of the chairs. 


Close up of Geoffrey's Leopard fur.








Lots of natural light!



Photo taken on a gray February day with lots of snow outside.



Looking down from the loft.















Looking toward the living room where the stalls used to be.
 Do you live in a barn?
How did you decorate it? 
Would love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for stopping by today.

38 comments:

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Alison, no, I don't live in a barn, but would love to have one as nice as yours. So pretty. Love the real leopard used on the chairs. So unique.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

My father was an architect and builder. When I was about 13, he took on a job of turning a barn into a house. It was the most beautiful home when it was finished. Ever since that day, I dreamed of converting a barn or old chuch into a home.

I really like your decorating style. I think you hit the nail on the head with your arrangements in that space!

Unknown said...

I guess if I lived there, I couldn't use the phrase "were you raised in a barn?" to my kids when they don't clean up after themselves. ha!

Kelly

Sandy and Joe/rhubarb reign said...

Really lovely! Thanks for your nice note on our post. Hope to see you soon. xo

Sarah said...

Alison, I don't live in a barn, but I could live in yours. What a gorgeous home. The photo of the tall expanse of windows made my heart skip a beat. Your home is beautifully furnished and I can't wait to scroll down through your posts to see more. I popped over from Kim's and I'm your newest follower. Love your style! How clever to use the real leopard for the chairs. ~ Sarah

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

What a lovely home you have; I hope you'll top by the Beach Bungalow sometime and take a tour of mine!

Sue
xo

Donene said...

I am wishing that I lived in a barn! Your ceorating is perfect!! I love it!

Town and Country House said...

Beautifully done--truly. I'm so glad Kim sent me this way. Count me as a new follower!

Salmagundi said...

I love your home/barn. Your attention to detail is amazing! Sally

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Just hopped over from Savvy Southern Style...love your blog and am looking forward to reading more...I am a new follower!

AntiqueChase said...

Not in a barn but on horse property... does that count? LOL.. found you from Kim... so glad.. refreshing change in decorating!! Come see me!!

Little Red Hen said...

Alison!

Stunning!

I kinda, sorta, but, not really live in a barn. I am a horsey freak (and don't even have a horse, boo-who)! When my boys were younger, I got very tired of repainting the walls because when balls bounce off of them the ball leaves a mark. And so on . . .

I opted for another wall treatment. Barn wood! I drove miles away, daily for about a week and hauled the wood from a broken down barn back home. SUCH LUCK! I also found the battens (thinner boards that covers the seams). They were cleaned, scrubbed, painted, and sealed. Then they were nailed to the walls in my living room. Hubby topped them off with a high oak shelf and up lights! I love the wall! If I move, the boards and battens are coming with me!(I wonder if I can have them made into a coffin when I leave this world :))

Your house has inspired me. Being from the Great White North (Minnesota), I cannot get over the "horse snow shoes".

Thank you so much for sharing!

-Tami-

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love your barn and the way you have decorated it. I love the hunt theme and you have certainly collected some fabulous pieces. Everything is wonderful. I can't wait to see more. Hugs, Marty

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Thanks so much for all of your comments! As a new blogger, I am speechless at the kindness and thoughtfulness you have shown to me this evening.
Thank you all so much.

Karen said...

You continue to awe me with your gorgeous home and decorating choices as you reveal each room! I LOVE how you mix fabrics on one chair--yet it all blends so beautifully! Thank you for opening up your home for our inspiration!

At The Picket Fence said...

Hi! I just saw your featured over at Savvy Southern Style and had to come over and tell you how incredibly stunning I think your home is! I am a girl who loves Traditional design and your decor just speaks to my heart. I'm off now to check out more and I'm now your newest follower! :-)
Vanessa

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Alison,I found your lovely blog through Kim. What a gorgeous and unique home you have! I am on my way to check out your archives and I am now a follower.
Hugs,
Sherry

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Just found you through Kim at SSS - what a beautiful home, just stunning! Your furniture, your style... the colors.. the BARN!!! I look forward to learning more about your Polo House - I thought I loved my kitcen - well now I want a do-over. Your island the the accents are perfectly put together-

Debbiedoos said...

Your home is gorgeous! I love the cozy feeling. I found your blog over at Kim's Savvy Southern style. Have a great weekend.

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Your home is beautiful! Came over after I read about you at Kim's!

Tanna said...

Alison, visting via Kim at Savvy Southern Style. Oh, my goodness your home and your blog are simply beautiful! Glad to have found you.

La Vie Quotidienne said...

Hi,

This is just all beautiful...so many lovely objects ~ my favorite, your sofa, and all put together with such taste and elegance. If this is barn living I think I would like it very much indeed.(-:

Unknown said...

I am a new follower. Your home is lovely, and I had to follow a fellow Chicagoan! I live in the burbs too...Northwestern. Glad I found you. Blessings <3 Paula

Honey at 2805 said...

Love your barn home!! It's so beautiful. And, I have happily become your latest follower!

Olive said...

Hi Alison, you have done a splendid decorating job with this room. It not barn like at all not that I dislike barns, in fact I photogragh them all the time. The touch of animal print here and there is thrilling. hugs♥O

Allison Shops said...

What a lovely home. I've enjoyed reading your blog. We seem to have a lot in common, besides our name. I live in a horse community and six years ago, we began building a new "old" home with a stone "barn" garage. I also collect horse things (a zinc butcher shop horse head is one of my favorites), walking sticks (love finding the ones with metal hiking markers), quill and leather boxes. I'm in the process of collecting horse portraits for the laundry room.

I had originally found an island similar to yours for our home, but needed a closed island, so I went English.

Hope you'll come see my Alabama Stone Cottage when you have a few minutes to spare.

Allison
Atticmag

Savannah Granny said...

Alison, Your barn/home is breathtaking. I popped over from Kim's at SSS. I only wish I could live in such a beauty. You are truly blessed to be the conservator of this lovely property. The furnishings and accessories are outstanding as are your photographs. I love what you did with the leopard skin chairs. What a neat solution.
I am your newest follower. Please visit me. I would enjoy your visits. Ginger

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Thanks so much ladies!

It has been so much fun sharing. I am anxious to post more, but bear with me, this is all new and I am still learning the ropes.

I find myself spending lots of time researching and studying all of your blogs for inspiration and ideas!

Thanks again. I appreciate the kind words.

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

Hi, Alison, I'm your newest follower. I came via Savvy Southern Style. Your home is so beautiful. I love everything you've done. I downloaded pictures of your kitchen. I'm keeping a binder of ideas for a kitchen remodel we plan to do in a year or so.The pics will only go in there. We are redoing a small family cottage if you'd like to visit.
http://cottageatthecrossroads.com

Divine Theatre said...

My husband was born in a barn! Seriously! I have spent the last eight years trying to ease it out of him! LOL!
Lovely home! I am glad Kim found you and shared you with us!

~Andie

Anonymous said...

So loved "touring" your site!! Loved the "barn"!!!! Friends had a barn they played polo in, and our kids played baseball in ... but, believe me, it wasn't like this one!!! Gorgeous!! thanks for sharing your dream!!
Pink Hugs,
Dee

Melissa Wagner said...

Your home is gorgeous and your kitchen is to die for! I am enjoying your blog. I found it through Kim @ Savvy Southern Style. I will continue to check back on your blog! Gorgeous!!

Unknown said...

Hi Alison, I'm your newest follower. I found you via Kim from Southern Savvy Style! I love Equestrian style... love your dark wood floors - warm plaids... that photo of your sofa flanked by the palm plants in urns is to die for! Hope you'll stop by and visit my blog sometime too :) I'll be back for sure!

Michelle
New England Style

lvroftiques said...

It's absolutely gorgeous Alison! And reupholstering the chair backs with the leopard coat was brilliant! I'm so inspired! I can't wait to learn more from you.I can already see you're a treasure seeker supreme. *winks* Vanna

Lori said...

Oh Alison, I always have admired the use of books in a home, wonderful! Your photo down the hall is wonderful, and the shot with the window is as wonderful too. What a wonderful home with such rich history! I feel fortunate to have found you, lori

Sheila said...

Can I come live with you?! Your barn looks better than most houses. You are a great designer/decorator....thanks for stopping by beyond the portico, leaving such a sweet comment and becoming a follower. Signed, your newest follower.

Unknown said...

Your home is spectacular and I am loving your blog too! Lots of inspiration here, for sure! I will surely be back.

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