Equestrian Glam

For someone who lives in an actual farmhouse, my style has never quite lined up with the trend of “modern farmhouse.” Of course, my renovation spanned almost a decade of styles so you can see bits and pieces of all types of popular finishes blended together. When planning out our mudroom, which was an addition and new construction to our footprint, I envisioned a darker moodier space than the rest of the previously finished first floor. I pulled the original built-in from our dining room from the barn as a center piece and planned the benches and lockers around black paint and the leftover tongue and groove from the bonus room.

I had this sort of idea that it was going to be a more “equestrian” mud room look than “farmhouse.”

And why? What’s the biggest difference between the two?

For starters the “modern farmhouse” look became about white and bright, clean and modern.

While an “equestrian” look would be more heritage, darker, moody.

Modern farmhouse would feature soft and comforting art.

Or something from the aisle at a craft store.

While the equestrian equivalent would be messy, more original, more of a family heirloom “found in the back of a storage closet.”

Or something a bit otherworldly and dreamy…

The typical modern farmhouse bathroom has classics like white subway tile and vanities with painted finishes.

While one could say my bathroom, that I never put a name to the style, leans towards “equestrian.” The rough rock sinks, live edge shelf, and stained vanity are all bolder and darker.

The bathroom at Prohibition Kitchen in St. Augustine had a similar rusticity with that industrial saloon vibe.

However, there is really no better example of the equestrian vibe then Stud Cider in Tennessee. One of my favorite parts of our recent spring break trip to Gatlinberg Tennessee was walking the downtown strip and seeing the decor of all the up and coming establishments. The Stud Cider building not only embraces equestrian, it could be in a design dictionary under “Equestrian-Glam.”

When you walk in you are greeted by dark woods with grain, very rich, old money look. The flag and the eagle remind you of a certain pride in this country, in the freedom associated with America. There is no illusion of a modern farmhouse or a beach feel, this is a look like a ranch with a history and a family legacy. That’s the equestrian part.

The tasting bar feels like a design from an old western tavern but the gold accents, the sparkle- that’s the glam part.

Sparkly chandelier- glam. / Tin ceiling- glam.

Black paint choice on the tin- equestrian. / Herringbone wallpaper- equestrian.

Oil landscapes and paintings of horses- equestrian. / Ornate gold frames- glam.

The clapboard exterior and old fashion font are all giving an equestrian heritage vibe, while the sleek modern windows and fold open doors are very glam!

Together it is the perfect mix of a practical and “built to last” aesthetic with some light-hearted touches of luxury.

So if you’ve found yourself drawn more to dark, rich and moody over white, bright and modern, maybe you’re more equestrian than farmhouse. And if you’re drawn to those traditional finishes with a bit of unexpected sparkle- you might be equestrian glam. Or maybe you like an eclectic mix of a lot of styles and your exact design aesthetic has no appropriate term yet.

I’m still working out what I would call any of these, but in the end it doesn’t matter. It’s okay to ignore labels and design rules and have a little fun. Taking changes is how we ultimately get some of the best designs!