Yesterday I sat down with a steeping cup of hot tea to soak up Steven Gambrel’s latest project in Virginia Hunt Country – a brilliant barn make-over featured in this month’s Southern Living.  Truth be told, I’ve been anxiously awaiting this issue since I found out about it in December.  It pairs one of my favorite designers with my passion for all things equine.  

There was no horsing around when it came to style.  Gambrel pulled out all the stops with punches of unexpected color in surprising places.  The accent hues are vibrant pink and cobalt blue.  Why this unusual combination?  They are the barn’s trademark colors during its racing days.  Gambrel anchored the rest of the space in honeyed browns, flax neutrals, and his signature delicious symmetry.  This earthy elegance juxtaposed with suspenseful color puts a whole new spin on equestrian chic.

My favorite design aspect in the space is the rustic framed collection of 250 photographs of jockeys and family working with their horses from the past three generations.  The wall is 80 feet wide.  Gambrel clearly knows the power of drama.

Go  grab a copy of this month’s Southern Living!  Or check out part of the article on their website here.