Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Popular Horse Decor For Living Room Pizzazz

By John West


Mankind has always been fascinated with the horse. Legends have grown up around them in almost every culture. Famous men like Alexander the Great and Robert E. Lee had horses almost as well-known as they were. Greek and Roman gods had horses, as did the sun, a handsome young man who drives his fiery horses across the sky. It's no wonder that people use horse decor for living room ambiance.

There is seemingly no end to variations on this theme. Ever since the first horseshoe was nailed up over a rustic door, people have found charm in equine art and artifacts. From the priceless porcelain horses of the Tang dynasty to the collectible figurines of today, people from palace to studio apartment love to decorate with horses.

Statues of horses range from collectible figurines to priceless art. You can even turn one into a lamp. People sometimes have a full-size carousel horse prancing behind the couch. Depictions of steeds with flowing manes and tails on lampshades and picture frames take up less room and can be just as eye-catching. Use a heavy cast iron horse for a door stop.

For a traditional look, get a vintage or reproduction hunt print. Actually, artists are still creating original paintings about contemporary subjects, since the sport of foxhunting is still flourishing in America. These scenes of horse and hound are generally matted in red and framed in dark wood - an elegant, country effect. These prints evoke the rich history of England, Ireland, and our own colonial period.

Hunting print scenes are also common on coasters, which look great on end tables throughout the room. Prints and pictures can focus on racehorses, jumpers, or harness horses with an equally fine effect. If you have had winners in any area of the sport, you might be able to display trophies on your mantel. An award might also be a silver tray - perfect for decanter and glasses - or an engraved bowl that you can use for flowers or fruit.

If you're tastes run to western art and accessories, that's another whole world to draw from. Cowboys and the horses that they rode have been popular in America since they first showed up in big hats and tooled boots. (Actually. Boots make a good accent piece, whether they are the tall black ones worn by English riders or a hand-stitched pair from Texas.) People decorate with original paintings and prints of lone cowboys in the mountains or desert, cattle drives and stampedes, or wild horses roaming the range. Artisans use horse motifs on rugs and throws, wastepaper baskets, magazine racks, and other useful items.

Horse gear looks good in an informal setting. Fold a colorful saddle blanket over a couch or chair. Hang a bridle or hackamore on a door, put a silver-trimmed saddle in a corner of the room, and keep your hat and gloves on a table by the exit. These make great conversation pieces, as do portraits of favorite horses or childhood ponies. Riders always have great stories and treasured memories.

The internet is a great place to browse for horse-related things to customize your living room. From wall hooks to chandeliers, you can find pieces to enchant and inspire. Do a broad search or narrow it to your favorite theme.




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