Showing posts with label Stanford Furniture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stanford Furniture. Show all posts

Monday, December 3, 2012

Post Time: Equestrian Design at High Point

For all our horse lovers out there, we have good news for you from High Point, North Carolina. There is a specter haunting design and the specter is equestrian. We are seeing it in art, fashion and interior design. Cultural motifs ebb and flow, bubbling up from the effluvial  social, economic, political and  media shores. As an undercurrent, trend is a fascinating. It is not a whimsical branding show derived from powerful operators. In a transient world, trends move fast, but are they shallow, enduring, reliable...predictable? Trends are zeitgeist; the spirit of an age or a time or... a reaction.
Equestrian motifs continue to crop up all over the show rooms. The first hint was in fashion, as designers from all over the world were wearing riding boots, leggings and well tailored jackets.


In fact, the fall 2012 collections of Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Burberry lines are all sporting equestrian themes. 

Ralph Lauren's leather, plaid and boot combo hits all the right chords for this look. As I mentioned in my last post, an alfresco breeze is picking up speed as a common denominator. Equestrian style denotes nature, fresh air, power, and discipline. I think we are all longing for those qualities. I know I am!


Burberry Fall 2012

In case you missed my last post, Hermes orange is all over design town fanning the flames of equestrian motifs. 


We ran into Julie Browning Bova at Hickory Chair, who has a stunning equestrian inspired line at Stanford furniture and chatted with her in front of a video camera--hope it hits the cutting room floor. This is my adorable client (left) posing with Julie. I'm camera shy.


Julie was a great person to interview on equestrian revival, if you could call it that. She's the real deal. As a rider, Mother of four riding children and a designer, Julie fuses her life passion with decor. Any time you take a theme and over do, there is a cloying sense of too much. There is a way to employ a classic style. Julie's classic equestrian elements can combine to create a pleasing, balanced and comfortable room.


The English country house look never gets old. But a punchy fresh fabric on a traditional piece keeps it fun. 


This ottoman sports the classic horse bit. Has Gucci ever discontinued their classic loafer? 


What are the elements of great English style? Here is the list: Lanterns, large analogue clocks, horse paintings, leather, nailhead trim, black or dark trim, bits, stirrups, leather, and plaid. Julie's stirrup coffee table is a handsome addition to any room.


This needlepoint rug is not over doing it for me. In fact, it would look terrific layered under this coffee table.


The detail of the harness motif and the different blankets on all the horses makes this one a winner. Add an Hermes orange and brown border and you've hit the trifecta.
French Market Collection


This buggy bench reminds of us kinder gentler times. It would be a wonderful mudroom perch to pull off your wellies.
Van Thiel


Typography is still a mainstay in both art and furniture. We noticed as we shopped the showrooms, a nostalgia for the pre-digital age is permeating the scene.

Ralph Lauren has infinite variations on the equestrian motif. You can take it Brit, Western, or Indian. In his own dining room, an elegant chandelier is balanced against an informal collection of equine photographs and paintings that appear to have grown organically over time. 


There's a wonderful security and sense of continuity in these layered rooms.




The late and incredibly talented Naomi Leff, known for her spectacular retail spaces, notably the Ralph Lauren Rhinelander Mansion renovation, designed this striking iron and glass bit motif door with a curvy art deco flourish.


Our equestrian enthusiasts love, love, love the Dovecote Decor Saddle Chair

Don't forget to visit our online store
for some fun Holiday gift ideas!!


And a big Happy Birthday to my special girl!!


Posing beneath one of our favorite equestrian landmarks















Saturday, November 12, 2011

Fashion and Decor Boldly Collide - Equestrian Style endures


By Liz Morten 
and Christine Storch

This fall, New York City and High Point collide in their adoration of all things equestrian.  Fashion has been head over heels for riding motif boots, pants, dresses and luxurious accessories.  Many of the major interior designers raised the bar for new takes on tradition. 

America's queen, stylishly passed equestrian scarlet fever, into a fashion addicted population. Fashionista, interior designer, Julie Browning Bova (below), merges her passion for equestrian attire and interiors, with her line for Stanford Furniture. Horse lovers, and design hounds, dive into her blog and website, its beautiful. 


You can't discuss equestrian without getting the boot.  This year the tall boot has continued to reign supreme.  Tory Burch and Ralph Lauren cleverly illustrate how a riding boot can become an essential part of any one's wardrobe.  Add an Hermes, Gucci, or J. McLaughlin scarf into the mix and you'll be riding though the holidays looking ridiculously refined.

Clockwise from top--vintage Hermes scarf/  Center-- Tory Burch, right top and bottom--Tory Burch,/ Far left bottom-- Ralph Lauren

Classic interiors, with splashes of equestrian motifs throughout, make the most of deep, rich hues and breathtaking wood accents, in Badgley Mischka's fresh: "Old, Kentucky Home."


The little black dress has entered the equestrian house. Black/Navy walls are "heavy going" to quote the Brits, yet traditional dark barn shades are space expanding while the lacquer sheen creates an oxymoronic limit. Layer this  focal point campaign bar, with cut crystal decanters, and you have visual poetry. 

Plaids, spit and polish, paneling, and lanterns are elements of the equestrian style. Diamond Baratta's sensational entry, above defines the good breeding obtained through combined comfort and elegance. Ralph Lauren, the undisputed master of the hunt, is never spartan with the tartan. 


Beyond the antique horse prints and vintage trunks, the use of brass adds bold character and supports this clean styling of Bagley and Mischka's guest room.  This suptle use of brass is also the linchpin to the coat by O'Halloran below.  



Palladian, Georgian style is synonymous with equestrian tradition. Magnificent millwork and  craftsmanship transport us to the golden days of racing, and the sport of kings. Military precision commands utilitarian brass seams, lanterns and timepieces. We adore this kitchen and challenge you to find us a better one.  

Diamond Baratta design

The delightful blue paint makes us want to get out our biggest hat and head for the track.

Liz's Parents are already there!! 

A. J. Munnings captured the style and decorum of the hunting set. The flattering military cut of the uniform was the foundation of the riding habit. 


Stella McCartney, a fashion force, rides through the fall with her exquisite take on the subject and nails the look effortlessly.


Gucci  pays homage to it's riding heritage with this amazing silk dress.  This bold color is seen, across the board, in fashion and decor.


Well tended bridles and stirrups earn archetypal status as they repeat this ancient call to formation. 



Ralph Lauren's spring introduction, brass stirrup chandelier


The iconic, must have accessory--the Hermes scarf. Wear it or frame it, stuff it and make a pillow, but please do something worthy. 

Dovecote Decor: bespoke equestrian decoupage table lamp


New this market, the saddle chair won over our equestrian client. 



Pair them with Christine's fabulous plaid cape and head to the races!


Hope you enjoyed our new collaboration! 
Best, 
Liz and Christine

Christine Kelley Storch
W by Worth
Winston-Salem
336.283.6021
christinekstorch@gmail.comwww.wbyworth.com
Get your W app for your iphone @
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/w-worth/id401956525?mt=8
Ask for a Login/Password to SHOP W 24/7.

Liz Morten
Dovecote Decor
2820 Thornfield Rd. 
Winston Salem, N.C. 27106
336-705-1316
liz@dovecotedecor.com