Bloggers beautiful abodes.....Alison of The Polohouse!

Hi there. I am so excited to present to you a fellow blogger who has kindly agreed to open up her absolutely stunning home and share her wealth of knowledge with all of us today. I am really loving this new series and learning, seeing and being inspired by all this talent and getting a peek inside all these gorgeous homes! So please say hello to ........

Alison of The Polohouse

Alison lives in Illinois, and is a very talented and  accomplished interior designer. Her home is nothing less than an equestrian inspired masterpiece. I marvel at her amazing  ability to create the most beautiful vignettes and her taste level is just sublime.   I don't say it unless I mean it.......and I absolutely mean it! She has a very classic approach to design which makes her home and those of her clients timeless and elegant. I am a big fan and always get excited when I see she has a new post to share! So if you aren't already familiar with The Polohouse, do absolutely stop over to say hello and become a follower. I promise you, you will be happy you did! On top of her gorgeous blog, I just discovered her Pinterest boards and let me say they are nothing short of breathtaking. Could be a new obsession....oh no! Enough of my talking...lets hear from Alison!

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Hi Tina!

Thanks so much for allowing me 

to share my house with you 

and your enchanted followers today.

 You gave me a lot of great questions to think about.

It's been so much fun coming up with answers for you.

So here we go!

How long have you been in your present home?  

In June it will be eleven years since we moved into this house. 
I do not know where the time has gone. Two kids, two dogs, 
two cats -- too busy! We've made so many wonderful memories here. 
It's a great old casual family-friendly home.

Anything you would care to change if you could?

Yes! There is one really big thing I would love to change.
I would like to spin the house around! Let me explain.

The building once stood on a very rural 20 acre piece of property. 
There was never a farm house,  just the barn/stables building, 
polo field, and pastures.

In the late 1970's, the property was subdivided and this building 
was converted into a single family home. A neighborhood was 
built around the structure and our house ended up facing backwards 
on the street. I really wish I could change that!

If you could only live in two rooms of your house, 
which two would they be? 

Probably the kitchen and the tack room, Tina!
The kitchen is where everyone ends up when we entertain
 --  like any home. The tack room is small and cozy and
I love to sit in here with my morning cup of coffee, 
or when I am chatting on the phone!

The tack room

How would you describe your decorating style?

Traditional English country for this home, though I love so many different styles. I have a decorating business and an antique business that I share with a girlfriend so I am always out shopping and buying things. I try to collect what I love and hope it all works when it comes together in a room. 

Do you have a favorite color scheme? What is it?

I love earth tones. 
Browns, creamy tan shades, greens, and warm reds 
with a touch of dark blue here and there.  

Best two tips you can give to anyone looking 

to tackle the decorating of their own home?

Hmmm... that's a good question! 

1.)  I always try to help clients define a color palette when they begin decorating their home. Once they decide what colors they love, it is important to carry those same colors throughout the main/public spaces in their home. The rooms should flow from one to the next using different versions of those same selected colors. 

2.)  Never be afraid to ask a professional for help. If you are not exactly sure what you are doing, hire a designer or decorator to assist you, even if it is for a few hours here or there.  Believe it or not, it will save you money in the long run. Furnishing a home is a costly endeavor and you don't want to make expensive mistakes. 

How do you like to dress up a cocktail table 
and console in a living room?

Gather up something fresh, something to read, and something collected!

Start with a fresh flowers, potted greens or an orchid,  then add a stack of your favorite coffee table books, and finish it off with something you have collected (old or new)  --  a great accessory piece.

Have a favorite paint color? Do tell!

I love the Benjamin Moore shade called Philadelphia Cream. It's a warm buttery tan neutral. Not too much khaki and 
not too pale, just perfect.

  Philadelphia Cream HC- 30

What are a couple of really simple things you can do in your home to make it feel "homey" and inviting?

Buy antiques and or vintage pieces!

There is such a trend to buy new items (specifically accessories)  from catalogs. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with this, but do so sparingly. If you get too many new pieces, your home might end up looking like  --
a catalog. 

I think it's much more interesting to collect older one-of-a-kind pieces to add to your rooms. If you become a savvy shopper, you can find great deals out there and even better -- you probably won't walk into a friend's home and see the exact same pieces. 

Find pieces that reflect your personality and your interests. That's the best way to make a house not only a home -- but truly yours. :)

Thanks again for inviting me over

to share a little bit of my home today, Tina.

It's been an extreme pleasure!

~ Alison

 

ThePolohouse.blogspot.com


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I didn't exaggerate one iota did I ? Isn't it just magically wonderful!! I love seeing her home and all of the touches she is constantly adding....truly beautiful! I have no doubt that for those of you who don't yet know Alison, that you  will want to head over and I strongly advise it....her blog is a wonderful treat. Click here to visit her.

Thanks as always for stopping in to see what's happening over here and many thanks Alison for sharing your gorgeous home and your superb expertise with us! Wishing everyone a fabulous day!