My Restoration Hardware vintage wooden carousel horse arrived this week and I am super happy! You may recall from a recent post that I ordered it for my old Victorian design studio.
I found it and fell in love with it while shopping for a client, and of course ordered it, not quite sure where I was going to place it.
Here’s what the carousel horse looks like incase you missed the recent post where it was featured
Source: Restoration Hardware
Baby and Child
The wooden carousel horse is artisan crafted by hand, and no two are exactly the same, so I was anxious to see what it would look like when it arrived.
It was slightly darker than the photo on Restoration Hardware’s site, but that was to be expected. I love the graceful shape and scale of it, and I am very happy I bought it!
I decided to place it in the dining room/conference room vignette of my design studio, and I really like it there. The scale is perfect and it enhances the focal point of this room that is really devoid of any real architectural features to speak of
Here is the carousel horse in a room vignette by Restoration Hardware. This will hopefully give you an idea of the scale of it
Source: Restoration Hardware Baby and Child
(Fortunately the horse wasn’t a little bit further to the left in this picture. Look carefully 
) Ok sorry, couldn’t resist
The darker oak finish works great in the vignette above, but seems a bit too dark for mine. I have been trying to decide whether or not to give it a lighter finish. Maybe paint it white with a bit of distressing and antiquing to really make it look old. Right now it just feels a bit too new and too much of a contrast in my design studio.
Maybe something similar to this…….
Take a look and tell me what you think.
Here it is in my studio
What you are looking at is the main wall as you walk into the dining room vignette of my design studio. It is anchored by a tufted settee with a skirted console table behind it. The horse sits perfectly on top of the console table. On the wall is an arrangement of some of my white plates (still missing a few that I just cannot find time to hang ), and the round dining table with a faux orchid floral and two ginger jars in the foreground. I will share pictures of the finished room very soon.
My faux painter would do an amazing job of “aging” it for me, so I am not that worried about how it will turn out. I just hate to alter it in any way. Maybe it’s the OCD nature in me
So what is your take on this? To paint or not to paint? Feel free to chime in in the comments field below.
I think I will wait until the room is completely finished, and maybe live with it for a couple of weeks after that, before I decide to paint or not to paint.
Decisions, decisions
Hope you all have a great weekend! I will be spending a big part of mine spray painting some lamps and accessories for the studio.
Be Inspired!
Veronica Solomon, Casa Vilora Interiors
VeronicaSolomon.com
Painting is always such a big job. I will have plenty to do this spring.
I feel like painting requires a lot of work, so when I have the option to paint or not – I usually go with the not.
I’d go with not painting, especially if you’re already happy with it not painted. The comment about moving the horse to the left totally made my day….I couldn’t help but look
I think it looks great how it is. I think it sort of reminds me of the Brady Bunch wooden horse. lol
I actually painted our entire living room last time we redecorated and it was a lot of work. Next time, I will pay someone else to do it.
It is beautiful and I can see why you had to buy it. I am in complete agreement with you on the painting and antiquing it a bit. Of course I have no experience but I think it would be beautiful that way.
I love it, it’s so pretty! Honestly, I wouldn’t paint it. I think it has charm the way it is.
Oh, I love it! I like it the way it is without painting.
Maybe just varnish the horse
Pretty baby room.
I’ve always heard if you flip a coin to make a decision, whatever you’re secretly hoping the coin will be when it lands, is the decision you like more. Not sure if that will apply, but just a thought.
I can see how it would be lovely as is, or aged with paint.
Lol. Thanks Rosey! Flipping a coin just may be the solution
I love it! I love the way it looks without painting it in it’s natural form. Beautiful charm!
Thanks Melissa! I am thinking the way it is is a keeper
As for me.. both works out. If I can commit to paint, then I will – If I can’t really finish the paint all through out – I guess, I shouldn’t. Even with natural colors, I’d still would want to paint though hehe
I just finished painting my sons new room we built him. It’s such a job! We will paint on other room as well. It’s worth the effort
Painting is a big job but yes, the results are well worth it
As usual this is another wonderful masterly job. I’m not good with paint but I would say choose to paint. anyway.
Love that horse! Very good choice to get it. LOL I don’t know what YOU were thinking but I it NOT cross MY mind
(Would have been funny if it was moved a big further forward) heheh
I’m currently making two art projects, and painting on it takes a lot of time with application and drying.