Dulany Noble says she picked up some items over the years - from collectibles and antique shops, local saddleries and horse-show vendors. Some of the fox figurines on the dining room mantel were gifts, and some she bought.
Many of the new items arrived as gifts, among them a horseshoe wine rack in the kitchen and the hunt-scene runner in the foyer.
In the dining room, there's a faded print of a scene in which a man, arriving at a field before the hunt, is oblivious to the gender of those behind him. The caption: "Thank heaven, no ladies."
"When I find something funny or clever, I can't resist," Noble said.
how to get the look
"You cannot buy everything new. I would say half of it has to be old - old prints, old trophies," says author Vicky Moon. "If you go out and buy it all new, it's going to look like a showroom and not a home."
Here are a few of her tips for achieving an equestrian look:
* An equestrian-themed brass door knocker is a cue on the doorstep to what's inside.
* Go for tartans, toiles, solids and tweeds. Scarlets and hunter greens are the basic classic colors. Leather, like the saddle and bridle, and deep-hued woods add to the look.
* Include china and other dishware, pillows and lamps depicting horses, foxes and hounds. Needlepoint enhances the Old World look: Old needlepoint is great, but if you have time, stitch your own.
* Old trophies and bowls, china and figurines can take center stage, become collections or make for interesting knick-knacks.
* Use your imagination: A row of tack hooks can be a stylish kitchen or coat rack. You'd be amazed at what can be turned into a lamp.
resources
* The area's tack shops are great places to find horse-themed goods, from glassware to stable hooks that can be used in the home.
* Shop at flea markets, which are magnets for old horse photos and prints, metal and china figurines and such. Mine antiques and collectible shops for plates, other china, needlework, lamps, desktop accessories and prints.
* Seek out fine equestrian art - framed paintings, originals by area artists, etc. - in the area's shops.
* Peruse fabric stores for a variety of textures and colors, toiles and equestrian-scene print materials.
* Go online: For starters, try horsecountrylife.com, backinthesaddle.com, equestrianoutfitter.com, virginiaequestrian.com.
* Go to horse shows. They draw vendors, and many of them have handmade and unusual items. Coming up: the Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs in Cockeysville on Sept. 27.
