If you love all things vintage equestrian and plaid is your favorite color, you are going to want to shop ’til you drop at The Polohouse on Etsy. This particular Etsy Equestrian interview is super exciting to me because I get to show you a vintage equestrian needlepoint I purchased from The Polohouse and have hanging in my home right now. AND Alison, the woman behind the store has roots in the Chicago area, my old stomping ground. Woot woot!
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Tell us about your Etsy shop The Polohouse.
For over ten years my friend Jenn and I shared a booth at a local antique mall on the north shore of Chicago in a little town called Highwood, Illinois. We filled it with items we loved with the hopes that others would love them too.
In 2017, we started an Etsy shop to sell smaller items so when we closed the brick and mortar, we decided to move all of our shop’s inventory online.
Click here to shop The Polohouse or click through any of the photos.
How do you find such unique vintage equestrian items?
We scour local estate sales, flea markets and house sales, but we also travel to neighboring states (during non-Covid times). When we vacation in other states or countries, we shop and ship home from those locations as well!
How did you choose the name?
In 2003, my husband and I purchased a polo barn/clubhouse and stables in Lake Forest that had been converted to a single family home in the early 80’s. We named it the “polohouse” and raised two children, two dogs, and two cats there for 17 years. In August we decided it was time to leave the cold winters of the Midwest and sold the property. It was bittersweet but it was time to pass the torch!
When did you start, and how would you describe your niche?
In 2014, I started a blog to share the journey of decorating the old polo stables and barn house. We have always loved the look of English country style and the rich traditional designs of Ralph Lauren (my muse). We tried to fill the house with these kinds of furnishings and accessories, with an emphasis on equestrian style with lots of tartan and plaids (my favorite “color”!)
Throughout the blogging days many readers contacted me to buy items in our home, so when it came time to start purging with anticipation of a downsized move, it was easy to sell on the Etsy platform and reach equestrian home decor collectors across the country.
What’s the greatest challenge and joy you face in your entrepreneurial life?
Covid has thrown us a curve ball this year! We’ve had more people than ever shopping with us from their homes but pandemic restrictions shut down so many of our sources. We have found it quite challenging to locate treasures this past year but are grateful that our clients have stuck with us! Things are opening up now and we look forward to getting out there and finding more treasures to offer.
What do you do for work (is the Etsy shop your main “gig”)?
My main gig is my interior design business. I decorate homes along the north shore of Chicago and other states as well.
Where do you live and what’s it like there?
The Polohouse is located in a northern suburb of Chicago in a small city called Lake Forest. It is about 35 miles north of the big city and the “greatest polo match” ever played in American history took place there in 1933.
It’s a gorgeous old town filled with great old mansions — originally summer homes along the lake — a getaway destination for the founding families of Chicago back at the turn of the century.
As I mentioned, we sold our home and plan to leave Illinois for greener pastures south of here! COVID has us in a bit of a waiting pattern for now. We plan to move before the fall.
Whom do you regard as a hero or look to for inspiration?
Ralph Lauren is my muse!
I also love “Tartan Scot” Meacham Woods and Barclay Butera. I adore English Country or British Colonial styles but I’m not limited to them.
It’s so easy to find beauty and inspiration in any great design.
How do your friends describe you?
That’s hard to say! Friendly, passionate, loyal?!
Be sure to shop on Etsy The Polohouse and follow Alison’s account on Instagram @polohousestyle,
ALL THE ETSY EQUESTRIANS
In case you missed them, here is a list of more women from the series The Etsy Equestrians. If you have a favorite horse-themed or equestrian-owned Etsy shop, let me know by leaving a comment here or email me at susan@saddleseekshorse.com. I’d love to feature more fellow horse lovers.
#14 Alexa of Alexa’s Equine Creations
#11 Rosanna of Interest Candles
#10 Lindsey of The Preppi Pony Company
#9 Nia of Beautifully Beaded Halters
#6 Kasia of Kasia Bukowska Art
#5 Erin Kate of Silver Oaks Farm
#4 Elaine of Bowdangles Horse Show Bows
#3 Carla of The Frugal Foxhunter
#2 Tracy of The Printable Pony
Leave a Comment: Do you decorate with an equestrian vibe? Which of the items shown here appeal to you the most?
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I'm Susan and this is my horse Knight. We have been a blogging team since 2015 and we're glad you're here. Tally ho!
