Charming Horse Decor For Living Room Eclat

By John West


Horses and humans have a special bond. Myths, legends, and folk tales have horses in them more often than not. The gods had winged Pegasus and fiery teams to drag the sun across the sky. Famous people have had famous horses: think of Alexander the Great's Bucephalus, George Washington's white charger, Robert E. Lee's Traveler (still on display in Lexington VA). Horse decor for living room, den, and foyer is grandfathered in for us all.

From the first person to tack a horseshoe over the door - open end up to hold the luck - to the most exotic picture of a unicorn, you have an enormous selection. The ancient Chinese and Egyptians immortalized horses in sculpture, pottery, and murals. Ancient reliefs showed Greek and Roman gods driving horses across the sky and flying them to heroic heights. Middle Age knights, brave cavalry soldiers, and American Indians rode warhorses into epic battles. Every little girl wants a pony. All of this human ardor for horses has been translated into art objects you can use to decorate your home.

Statues of horses are effective table-top ornaments, free-standing or made into lamps. Carousel horses can prance behind a couch or over a fireplace. Spirited steeds with flowing mane and tail catch the eye on lamp shades, mirror and picture frames, or sofa pillows. A specially-designed flat casting in iron, with or without paint, makes a great door stop.

A traditional way to bring a horsey flavor to a room is with hunting prints. These are scenes from the sport of foxhunting. They usually depict horses, riders, and hounds racing across country, leaping stone walls, and perhaps coming a cropper at a creek. They are often framed in dark wood and matted with red, which picks up the 'pink' coats of the hunt staff. These prints are just as popular today as they were in the 18th century.

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.

Of course, cowboys and Indians are just as thrilling and evocative of history, adventure, and romance. Authentic western art and artifacts are extremely valuable, but affordable prints and reproductions create the same effect in a room setting. Real things are effective, too. A pair of boots against the wall, or gloves and a whip on a table, let the world know you are part of the wild, wild West. Pictures of free-running horses, lonesome cowboys, or wild stampedes call to the cowboy in us all.

Western horsemen have always brought their outdoors world inside. A glossy saddle in the corner of the room, a bridle hanging on the wall, a saddlebag draped over a chair all make great conversation pieces. Horsey people love to share stories of their own or other's exploits. Since everyone likes horses, things that make us think of them intrigue and enchant.

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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