Journal

Life on the Farm with Callie Coles

Callie Coles caught our eye for her picturesque life in the English countryside with snaps that feel straight out of a fantastical storybook: from a pony wandering through the living room (yes, really!) to chickens perching on the kitchen table during teatime. A writer, avid equestrian, and mom of three young boys, she has a relaxed approach to both navigating life on the farm and getting dressed, mixing nostalgic Fairisle and stripes, florals and paisleys with a laid back ease.

Surrounded by pups, ponies, and chickens, we photographed Callie in pieces from our Fall collections with her family at home—and chatted with her about her love of horses, life on the farm, and what goes into her writing process.

Where did your love of horses come from?

As far back as I can remember, my family have always been horse people. My mother rides, both my grandparents rode as children, and my grandfather (a huge influence in my life) served in the Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch. His parents were very good riders, too—his mother was a Grade A showjumper and his father was a Master huntsman. I sat up on ponies very young, but I started to ride properly when I was about seven.

What do you love most about riding?

Everything, really. My horse. The freedom, the flying sensation, the affinity with a wild animal. There’s nothing else like it.

Callie wears the Dana Cashmere Sweater and Benedicte Jean

From left: Callie wears the Dana Cashmere Sweater and Selena Dress; Dana Cashmere Sweater, Benedicte Jean, and Odette Ballet Flat

As a mom to three boys in a home with dogs, horses, and chickens, what does a typical day look like for you?

We get up early, and I get the children ready for the day while my husband, Toby, goes out for an run and feeds the animals, gets the horses in, and walks the dogs. We’ll all have breakfast together. I’ll go for a run with my dog, Mulberry, do Pilates, and take an ice bath. When I’m wrapped up warm and have a coffee in my hand, I sit down and write for as long as possible. Then school runs, riding, dog walking, putting the animals to bed, supper with the children, bath time and bedtime. Toby and I then sit down by the fire, and talk or read or watch a film. We’re in bed before 10 PM.

Favorite Fall activity at home? With family?

Riding on the moor—the colors are ever-changing and the weather severe and mercurial. You can watch the shift in weather roll in. It’s stunning.

How would you describe your style?

Classical and old fashioned. I try to buy well made clothes that will last forever. Granny always said, 'Buy cheap, buy twice!' I don’t mind spending on something that I’ll wear hundreds of times. I’m fairly relaxed and laid back, and I’m happiest in jeans. I think I was a cowboy in my last life or maybe the next…

You are working on writing a book series—congratulations! Can you tell us a little about that process?

I try to write most days and it’s taken me a couple of years but I have got two books almost finished out of a trilogy, Spinning Silks Saga. The trilogy explores the tensile relationships that man has with animals, nature, family, lovers, and foes. It’s been a process—writing with the children rampaging around me but I manage to get my head down and we are getting there.