Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Tack Room



This is my favorite room in the house, small and cozy. The walls
and ceiling are covered with the original aromatic cedar paneling.







There is a large hide-covered trunk under the table from the early 1800's. There are three in the room. Each is so unique and truly a work of art. The handles on the sides are crudely made from wrought iron, and each has nail head tacks.... another thing I love!
I had my husband's initials put on the back of this red ultrasuede chair before it was reupholstered.


This is a pair of snowshoes for horses that I found in Minnesota this fall. The dealer said they came from Finland originally. Have you ever seen anything like them?

I went on a Mod Podge binge for a while in October and decided to put red plaid paper on this frame. 


Bought this neat horse tack table from my sweet friend Sharon, also an antique dealer,  as she was unloading
it from her car. She thought I was crazy the way I reacted when I saw it, but when you see
something perfect -- you just have to have it, right?



Little trinket collection.


Vintage plaid blankets were used to upholster the two chairs and I found Canadian tartan wool for the sofa. The walls used to have saddle brackets and many hooks for storing the riding accessories. Though the saddle racks are long gone, the hooks are still up high near the ceiling and are in pretty good shape.


Mallets hanging from one of the original tack brackets.

Hallie, my assistant this morning busy chasing camera flashes. :)





Since I grew up on a horse farm, many antiques and horse prints came from my mother and her parents. My grandfather raised harness horses and thoroughbreds, not polo ponies. I started collecting polo memorabilia after we moved in. Polo was very popular here in our small town from the 1930's through the 1960's.


Under the window there is an old wooden saddle rack/stand that I found at a garage sale the week me moved in!

 
The trophy case in the hall.





The trophy case is outside the tack room in the hall and it's filled with items collected from Ebay and antique shops. Some of the framed photos are historical and relate to the history of the barn, and a few photos were passed on to me when we bought the place.


 The property was originally called Evergrove Farm and they built the polo barn and stable here in 1939.


The white horse was the original owner's favorite pony and it is standing right outside the front door. C. 1940
This is an  antique porcupine quill covered box... wish I had more!


Another one of those old hide-covered boxes.

Close up of  the trophy case. The runners at the bottom are for the sliding 
glass doors which had to be opened to take photos!

Thanks for visiting. I am working my way down the hall. 
Come back soon as I will be adding more. 
Have a lovely day! 

21 comments:

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Alison, yum yum. Another cozy perfect room. Oh all those wonderful trophies. I am looking for some like everyone else and it is driving the prices up. I really like the old worn tarnished ones. You have the most wonderful collections. This home belongs in a magazine.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Love this room. So cozy and warm. I adore the tartan plaids you have used, the vintage books and the great table!

Okie Chic said...

All I can say is yummmy!!! I looks so comfy. It looks like it came out of a Ralph Lauren print ad. I love everything about it.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely love this gorgeous room!

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Thanks so much for the kind words!
I know I am getting a little wordy on the history, but it kind of goes with the whole house.
Thanks so much you all!
xox

Catherine Hackney said...

What a wonderful comfy place!

Kelly said...

Love your blog! I just discovered it from your comment on my sister's blog (Savvy Southern Style). Your home is so unique and full of charm and history. It must be a delight to live there. Looking forward to more great eye candy from you!

Karen said...

Gorgeous room! Love how you have preserved the history of the house and culture with such taste. LOVE the wool blanket upholstery! An idea I may steal... My bachelor son is on the ranch (SD) I grew up on, so I am looking for ideas to decorate his house--however it is more of a western vibe than English. But I am inspired by so many of your creative ideas. Am so anxious to see more rooms! Thanks for sharing.

Sarah said...

Alison, this is a delightful room full of warmth. You are certainly clever with upholstery fabrics. Another great idea. I could definitely spend some leisure time reading in this wonderful space. ~ Sarah

Peggy said...

Alison, your home is absolutely an amazing masterpiece. I am in awe of what you have done and the collections you can cherish. I'll be following along to see what you do next. Peggy

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Thanks so much to all of you and to KIM for sending her friends and followers my way this evening. I will be forever and ever grateful!
xoxoxoxoxoxox

Theresa said...

What a lovely Home! It does look so warm and comfortable. I am your newest follower. Come on over to my blog to visit sometime. :)

Beverly said...

Alison your home is beautiful! What a wonderful job you did at staying true to your homes roots.

A Toile Tale said...

Hi! I just found your great post as a referral from Sarah @ Hyacinths for the Soul. I love your style, especially your use of tartan. I did a post a week or so ago about the tartanware I found at the Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta. Here's the link.

http://atoiletale.blogspot.com/2011/02/more-tartan-than-youve-ever-seen.html

Don't you just wish you could do "Supermarket Sweep" in his booth?

Linda @ A Toile Tale

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Your room is just gorgeous!! Your reminds me a lot of a friend's charming home. She loves plaids and decorates with the old horse brasses - uses them as napkin holders. You can see her home in the January 2008 cottage of the month at The Old Painted Cottage.

Becky

Janice said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Found your Blog thru a Pinterest pic - I'm so jealous - your house is beautiful, and you've done a fantastic job with the decor!!

(Tried to Follow, but link not showing up :( will check back.)

Visit me at Equine Groove!

Unknown said...

Your home is absolutely stunning! It reminds me of a hunting lodge that I stayed at one Easter in Scotland.
I'm itching to start riding again looking at your photos :)

Ally xxx

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

I don't know how I missed this post but am so glad I clicked on the picture!!! I adore this room!!!!!!!! YOu have beautiful pieces and antigues. I LOOOOVE the trophy case! Just GORGEOUS!!!! Can I ask, are they faux pieces of pine? I thought so at first but then thought no.... XO, Pinky

lexie may hunter said...

fantastic!

zanetastyle said...

Love the equestrian feel and style of your home, and you are beautifully focused on details! Enjoyed visiting...hugs Z

zanetastyle said...

Love the equestrian feel and style of your home, and you are beautifully focused on details! Enjoyed visiting...hugs Z