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[Oznell]

Discerning  @vsm ,   that embellished panel next to the window took my fancy too!   It's little touches like that, and the recessing of the windows with meticulous paneling in the recesses, the carved fireplace etc., that give such appeal.

I really like your idea of equestrian paintings in such a space, @Kachina624 ,   and either the handsome traditional example you gave, or @alliswell 's  charming whimsy,  would be great!  

[jubilant]

@Oznell  First of all, I love the way they did the additions to the side of this home.  Very attractive. I also like the way the black lamps stand out against the blue walls yet still blend in. The ceiling really adds character to this room. Without it, it just wouldn't be as warm and inviting.  At first, I thought it a bit busy but then I realized it was the table setting that gave me that feeling.  Truely a warm and inviting dining room!

[Oznell]

Great points, @jubilant --  I agree with each of them.

I even like that he didn't bother with an overhead chandelier for the space--  makes it seem even more "old school"  in some quirky way!

[shoptilyadropagain]

The house is beautiful although it and the dining room aren't necessarily my style.  My only suggestion for both (the exterior and the dining room) would be to scale back.  The dining room is a little overdone and is tipping the scale to look like clutter rather than decor.  As much as I love Nature, I think the exterior would look a little better with less shurbs and trees, etc. (however, leave the ivy or whatever that is climbing the front of the house).

[vsm]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@alliswell    That painting is rather unique but perhaps A bit whimsical for a manor house.

I was thinking more in terms of something by A.J. Munning, a prolific painter of British hunting and racing scenes, A great painter of horses.

I think I'd like yours better if the owner has a sense of humor.

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I agree, @Kachina624 .  No one paints horses quite like Munnings.  My brother has collected a number of his paintings over the years on trips to England.  I especially like the ones of Munnings' wives, Florence and Violet, with their horses.  Munnings led quite an interesting life. 

[wilma]

I'm not a fan of ivy on homes, but otherwise, I like the exterior and greenery. I like the architectural details in the dining room. I also like the dining table & chairs, and the burgundy and red tones in the chair cushions and rug. I'd prefer a light neutral wall color and less stuff on the walls. 

[alliswell]

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@vsm wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@alliswell    That painting is rather unique but perhaps A bit whimsical for a manor house.

I was thinking more in terms of something by A.J. Munning, a prolific painter of British hunting and racing scenes, A great painter of horses.

I think I'd like yours better if the owner has a sense of humor.

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I agree, @Kachina624 .  No one paints horses quite like Munning.  My brother has collected a number of his paintings over the years on trips to England.  I especially like the ones of Munning's wives, Florence and Violet, with their horses.  Munning led quite an interesting life. 

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Although, I know I've seen Munning's equestrian paintings I was not really familiar with him or the backstory associated with his paintings.  Thanks to you, @vsm  and @Kachina624 for opening my eyes to A.J. Munning. 

This Munning painting might be better (less whimsical) over the fireplace in @Oznell 's post.  Munning called it, "From my bedroom window, Summer:"

[Kachina624]

@alliswell   @vsm    I always enjoy Munning's painting of hunt scenes of women riding sidesaddle.  As a former rider, it boggles my mind.  How in the world did they stay on those horses over jumps

My mom had a book of early 20th Century British paintings and his took up a good part of it.  As a kid, I used to spend hours studying the painting in that book.  It never occurred to me to ask why she had the book, as these pictures would have been completely contrary to her taste in decor.  She took many art courses in college so maybe it was a textbook.

[alliswell]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@alliswell   @vsm    I always enjoy Munning's painting of hunt scenes of women riding sidesaddle.  As a former rider, it boggles my mind.  How in the world did they stay on those horses over jumps

My mom had a book of early 20th Century British paintings and his took up a good part of it.  As a kid, I used to spend hours studying the painting in that book.  It never occurred to me to ask why she had the book, as these pictures would have been completely contrary to her taste in decor.  She took many art courses in college so maybe it was a textbook.

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@Kachina624   Truly it is mind-boggling.  Writer and horsewoman Rita Mae Brown once stated, "If the world were a logical place, men would ride side saddle."

[vsm]

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@alliswell wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@alliswell   @vsm    I always enjoy Munning's painting of hunt scenes of women riding sidesaddle.  As a former rider, it boggles my mind.  How in the world did they stay on those horses over jumps

My mom had a book of early 20th Century British paintings and his took up a good part of it.  As a kid, I used to spend hours studying the painting in that book.  It never occurred to me to ask why she had the book, as these pictures would have been completely contrary to her taste in decor.  She took many art courses in college so maybe it was a textbook.

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@Kachina624   Truly it is mind-boggling.  Writer and horsewoman Rita Mae Brown once stated, "If the world were a logical place, men would ride side saddle."

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Just fyi, @alliswell and @Kachina624, Munnings' "Winter Morning" (which my brother owns) shows Violet wearing trousers and riding full saddle.  He painted it in the 1920s, and since he lived until 1959, he may well have painted other women riding full saddle.