Deerhounds have become the latest accessory for Fall 2011.

Irish Deerhound. Image: Ralph Lauren

That’s right; the ginormous Dog is one hip Sighthound. 

Maybe Foxcliffe Hickory Wind had something to do with the trend.  You remember Hickory, right?

Best In Show. Image: Westminster Kennel Club

She was crowned the Top Dog at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in February.

The Scottish Deerhound was the first of its breed to be awarded Best In Show.

Today you’ll find the Deerhound lounging around at home…a 56-acrea horse farm in Virginia.

Maybe that’s where Ralph Lauren picked up his inspiration for the Brookfield Collection making its debut this season.

Notice the Scottish Deerhound lounging beside the well-dressed bed from the Brookfield Collection:

Irish Deerhound.  Image: Brookfield by RL

Ralph Lauren has officially made Deerhounds Interior Design Hounds.

Even before Hickory dreamed of winning the Best of Show at Westminster, Ralph Lauren considered the Dog breed worthy of Fashion Hounds.

The pair of Ralph Lauren Fashion Hounds below are from 17 years ago!

As the leader of the pack, Ralph Lauren sets trends each year, but his classic horse & Hound look will never go out of style. (Those Fashion Hounds don’t look so bad considering their age, do they?)

Horses & Hounds have always held a place of honor in the Ralph Lauren design stable.

He pairs them up with tartans, tweeds and paisleys for an instant to-the-manor-born equestrian style.

Horse & Hound Style.  Images IDH & Ralph Lauren

Fashion Hounds & Interior Design Hounds love the look…and where there are horses, you’ll always find Dogs.

Key design elements to create the look:

• Dog, Equestrian & Ancestral Portraits
• Pewter, Silver & Brass Accents
• Vintage & Antique Furniture
• Bridle Leather Accents
• Houndstooth Checks
• Distressed Leather
• Upholstered Walls
• Layers of Texture
• Tartans & Plaids
• Herringbones
• Tweeds
• Paisleys

 Top Dog of Tartans.  Images IDH & RL

In his latest collection, Ralph Lauren has updated the color palette of the classic equestrian look with rich plums & clarets coordinated with woodsy olive, cypress & lichen greens.

 Dog Portrait in Brookfield Étagère.  Image: RL 

While most of us don’t live on a thoroughbred estate, the casually elegant look holds up to today’s busy lifestyles. 

Sturdy fabrics, distressed finishes and layers of patterns are not only Pet friendly; they can hide a multitude of sins.  And comfort & style never go out of fashion. 

  Dog Décor with a Pedigree. Image: Ralph Lauren 

Dog antiques & Canine inspired accessories are perfect to pair up with an old-world, equestrian style décor.

Pedigree is not as important as the look, so if Ralph Lauren is not in your budget you can create the look with flea market finds.

How do you think Ralph Lauren gets all of those antiques for his stores?  (I’ve bumped into several of their buyers at shows!)

 Vintage Inspired Greyhound Statue.  Image: RL

While some fabric can be quite costly, if you’re in love with the look, consider creating a pillow with the material rather than re-upholstering an entire sofa.

Still too costly?  Use the expensive fabric for the face of the pillow and finish the back of the pillow in a less costly fabric.

  Vintage Dog Tapestry.  Image: RL 

Interior Design Hound’s will appreciate the dinnerware designed for the Brookfield Collection.

Bands of Ralph Lauren’s Ashburton Plaid encircle the scalloped rims of the dinnerware along with shimmering metalic accents.

  Ashburton Plaid Dinnerware. Image: Ralph Lauren

 Plaid Dog Collar. Image: Hamish McBeth

While designer Ralph Lauren may change his color direction each year, and his Dogs du jour change with the seasons; you can always count on the designer to have a version of the classic equestrian style in his home collection.

If you’re looking for plaid accessories for your Dog, however, you’ll have to check out Hamish McBeth.  They created the Scottie Dog Highland Bling Dog Collar in the photo above.

Later, I’ve got to let the Dog out,

Are you a fan of the Horse & Hound Equestrian look?  You’ll enjoy watching the Ralph Lauren video featuring the Brookfield Collection.  You can find it here.

UPDATE: Thanks to Brindle Girl for setting me straight on the difference between Irish & Scottish Deerhounds!