Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Family Room




Old photo depicting a party table in the 1940's down through the center of the stall area .





This is our family room, formerly part of the 
horse stable part of the barn.

Years ago I found this large hand-painted Austrian armoire (partially seen at left) at a local house sale. The doors on this piece lift off so I could turn them and flip them so the decorative sides are facing out.  The company that made it is still in business making furniture, Voglauer.






My mother is a decorative painter and she has been teaching and painting (in Pennsylvania) for over 40 years. The armoire is the perfect place to display my collection of tole and wooden painted pieces. Most of the grouping was 
painted by her, and others were found at 
various places through the years. 

I covet her painted pieces! I know each one represents many hours spent with brush in hand doing something she loves to do. I especially love the rosemaling pieces, which are more geometric and symmetrical in their designs, a decorative folk art with origins in Norway.




My mother painted the oval fruit box on the left.

The Dutch clogs are her work too, though they were done in the early years and she dislikes them now!

This is a small rosemaling covered trunk... from my mom. :)

The gold pitcher was painted by my dad! The little box is from...... you're not going to believe it, TJMaxx!



When you're raised in Pennsylvania,  you see a lot of this style of artwork. The Pennsylvania Dutch brought it (or something similar) to the area so decorative painted pieces are much a part of the state's history. They mix in well with the early primitive furnishings. Do you collect toleware?








Does anyone know what this slide top box 
was used for? It has six compartments inside. Another
Ebay find. The details remind me of a croquet set.
Please comment if you have an idea!


Antique spool chest from my parents.

Side view if spool chest.





Close-up of French Aubousson cartoon, a chair seat design.







We like to collect Scottish Highland painted scenes. 
One of my most favorite sets is this old set I found from 
a UK seller on Ebay. Their red velvet frames have long lost their color fabric's texture, but none of their charm. I thought the highland scenes were reverse painted on glass, but as it turns out, they are painted on porcelain.



Another objet d' art from my mom.


Sweet little painting with old tattered red velvet frame.



Love this lamp I found in Highpoint. The shade is a landscape painting.

Thanks for stopping by today. 
Feel free to make comments or ask questions. 
Always happy to share sources.
Take care!

24 comments:

AntiqueChase said...

The spool cabinet is DIVINE... I'm sorry I need to wipe the drool I just left all over my computer... WOW

I have tole, but nothing as beautiful as yours... LOVE your lamps.

I'm hosting a giveaway for a vintage kitchen scale... come enter!!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Alison, such beautiful painting by your mom. I love the look of tole and have two old paper mache trays, but no real tole pieces. They are quite costly around here at the antique shops.

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

So nice to have your mom teaching and blessing you with paintings! Love tole, but don't have much luck finding pieces I can afford. Lovely home, thanks so much for sharing!

Babs said...

Beautiful tole paintings! But the things I'm drooling over are the little Scottish Highlands paintings. Lovely home Alison.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Beautiful room...I especially love the Scottish paintings and the spool cabinet!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Your mother is very talented! - Great blend of accents in your home. I love the old photo of the polo barn .

Stephanie said...

Just discovered your blog - you have beautiful furnishings!

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Thanks to all of you for your sweet posts. I am still baffled about the slide top box. If anyone knows anything.... let me know!
A little mystery to solve.
:)
THANKS!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I love everything about this room. I love the tole paintings, the linen and nail head sofa, the landscape shade...everything!

Yes, I do have a collection of tole trays. I have 3 red ones, a couple of green onces, a few black and one pink one.

michiganhome said...

Hi Alison! Beautiful family room. So great to be able to see the history of your home in that old photograph! Do you think the horses were still in their stalls while the guests ate?? Also, is that you in the photo in the armoire? :)
Cheers,
- Michiganhome

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Response to Michigan Home!~
Couldn't find an email address for you so I have to answer this way!
The photo is of my two children, both now in high school!
I don't think the horses were in the stalls, but according to the owners, the caretakers kept the barn and stalls so spotless and clean that they were able to host these parties in the barn/stall area! They had bands play in the loft I've been told too. What a fun place it must have been in its "heyday". (Or should I say hayday?)

pangeajewels said...

That old photo is priceless! I would love to see what the floor looked like that day!

Kelley Purkey Vacheron said...

Alison - I always knew your home would be beautiful but I'm just blown away !

Sue said...

Your pieces are just lovely Alison, especially the ones from your mom. Growing up in WS and MN I saw a lot of rosemaling, but I don't own any. I do collect tole trays though, and have about 10 or so in my collection. They are hard to find these days, I think lots of people collect them!
Your home is so charming.
Sue

Kathy said...

I love the drop leaf table with the scarf on it, your prints and lamps and your entire home.

As for the little mystery box, you could slide the lid open and take a picture and post it, maybe it will hold a clue.

Becca Bertotti said...

Alison, your home is incredible. This room is so inviting ... I love the armoire, your mother's artwork, and the several antiques you've included. I love that not only does your home have such a great history, but most of your pieces inside do as well! Thanks for sharing ... and thanks for your visit to see my "eggsellent" eggs! lol I'm your newest follower now, too! Becca

allhorsestuff said...

Alison Darling!!!
I had to say that because your bubling personality is infectious!

Thanks for stopping by my "Horsey" place and signing upo to "Follow/Lead/Share"..I too will be frequenting here!!
I about fainted when I DISCOVERED YOUR LOVE OF ANTIQUES,HORSES, AND EQUESTRIAN!!! AND you live in a popostable...Sigh and Awe!

Do you know Carmela Sundquist? She was my BESTEST girlfriend from HS. She is bubby and artisic and accomplished, like you. You remind me of her...even your beautiful blond hair.

B back soon~ off to work I go~
KK

allhorsestuff said...

ooops,
sometimes I forget to look what my finger actually typed and PROOF~ sorry

The Old Painted Cottage said...

Alison, thank you for posting more pictures of your home for us to swoon over. That old photo is magnificent. I love the old history that pours through your home. It must be a magical place to reside in. I just want to curl up in one of your chairs and dream the day away..

oxox
Jennifer

Divine Theatre said...

Your mother is very talented! You must take after her!

Sarah said...

Alison, it is so much fun to see more of your home. I smiled when I saw the photo of the table set in the horse barn. Did you ever see the Martha Stewart article where she hosted Thanksgiving in her horse barn? I gave my copy to a friend who raises horses. I told her we should do the same. LOL
Actually I visited a horse farm in Lexington, KT once and the horse barn was gorgeous with brick floor and cherry wood stalls. It was amazing! ~ Sarah

lvroftiques said...

Alison your home is absolutely wonderful! Your mom was a very talented painter. I'm overwhelmed by it all....so many beautiful details! The paintings.....just the whole "feel" is inspiring! I'm so glad to have found your blog via Sherry's. Vanna

Lori said...

Alison
Mom does fabulous work! Having visited Pennsylvania years back, Mom's are some of the best pieces I've seen. About the box, could it have held spices or tobacco? Wonderful post! Lori

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Alison another gorgeous room, I LOVE every detail!! I don't know how I missed this post. Your mom is a fabulous artist, I loved all the pieces you have of hers! Martina