The Rural Voice, 2001-11, Page 28Home Decorating
September 11 makes home and family seem more important
By Patti Robertson
This month, I fully intended to tell
my readers all about the latest
renovation at our home, which started
in mid-May and slowly wound down
around Labour Day — the time
schedule, the trials, the tribulations,
planning and patience by all
involved. And now that the,majority
of the work is behind us, just how
great it is not to have to be up and
dressed every morn at the crack of
dawn!
As part of the prep work I had
pored over plans and idea books both
historical and contemporary to
incorporate features that would add
the appropriate aesthetics to integrate
a new kitchen into our storey -and -a -
half, 60 -year-old home, as well as,
the correct facade proportions to
complement the exterior integrity of
our home with the addition of a new
side entrance. This also led to
installing slate tile floors throughout
the main level of our home.
I can proudly say I achieved
gourmet chef status while cooking
outside on the barbecue over the 11
weeks of being ostracized from the
kitchen (no mean feat when you
consider Ward and I are 90 per cent
vegetarian!). I successfully adapted
and developed several new recipes
with rarely a repeat in the menu, and
managed to entertain in the midst of
the hub -bub on three separate
occasions. On rainy days I had the
shelter of the patio umbrella and
meals were eaten almost every day at
the patio table as we literally had no
main floor to our home. On the few
bad days, the new side entrance was
now enclosed enough to set up TV
tables and chairs, so we did not go
without. We were extremely lucky in
that our daughters are out and in their
own homes so there was only Ward,
myself, and the contractors!
Truthfully, I do not know how
anyone renovates. No matter how
much one plans, prepares and is
patient, renovating is very disrupting
to one's schedule and daily routine.
BUT! ... no matter what took
place at my home or yours over the
past while, all pales by comparison
26 THE RURAL VOICE
when we look at the horrendous
events that changed the North
American lifestyle on September 11.
When one takes it all into
consideration what does it really
matter that I was somewhat thrown
out of stride while renos were taking
place, or that Aunt Martha bought all
new leather
furniture or that
neighbour Barb
smooched her
bedroom walls.
or that Helen
bought a rare
antique vase, or
the latest colour
are coming out
of the red hues.
All of these
amenities are
simply
accoutrements to
our already, ver
passable
lifestyles. While listening to the
continuous news reports I am most
sorrowful over the loss of our
innocence. Our beautiful paradise,
clean, fresh, docile country, province,
county, town – that's all I've known
for my whole life! We've been
privileged to travel hither and yon
without the slightest concerns, and
yes, many of us have had the
privilege of renovating, revamping,
redecorating and purchasing all those
liutic extras from the "money halls of
fame" which kceps our economy
booming! So, as I said, this all pales
by comparison.
Ward and I were so extremely
fortunate to be working with a
dynamite team of young,
hardworking and dedicated
professional tradesmen. Each and
every one stood by their quotes. Each
was there when we needed their
attention and they saw the job
completed very near the estimated
time and on our targeted budget.
Architect John Rutledge of
Goderich assisted with the final plans
for the side entrance, ensuring that
the addition would match.the shape,
form and style of our home so as to
blend and complement with the
existing home.
Harvey Kikkert of Whitechurch
Construction and his able-bodied
crew were next to arrive as they
undertook 80 per cent of the
renovation. I cannot sing enough
praises for Harve. Even on the hottest
day, while removing old, disgusting
insulation Harve still was smiling and
chipper when he left for the day. The
sincerity and the constant twinkle in
his eye combined with his attention to
detail made for a truly amazing
personality to do business with.
Ian Hackett, owner of Dungannon
Custom Builders was in charge of the
kitchen. Ian rose to the challenges my
designer's mind created, as well as
those presented by our older home's
idiosyncrasies. (You know, crooked
walls and floors etc.) Ian was very
easy going and on top of all detailing
so that certainly was a bonus to the
project.
And far from least on the list is
Larry Appleby, Appleby
Construction of Wingham. Larry
undertook the job of ripping out
all the old flooring of the ground
floor of our home, installing fibrerock
to stabilize our old floors and then
completing the job with slate tiles
throughout. Larry was constantly on
top of the project, noting when
registers should be relocated and trim
and detailing replaced. Larry has a
most positive, professional attitude
... again a treasure to work with.
All these tradespeople with
beautiful young families are right
here in our own neighbourhood
which became even smaller and more
precious on September I I.
So seriously, ask me today if the
traces of plaster dust that will settle
throughout our home over the next
year really matter at all. Of course
not! It's simply a little inconvenience
in paradise.
Let's all appreciate one another
more as we pray that all remains as
we've come to take for granted.
Bright blessings and light hearts to.
you and yours!O
Patti Robertson operates Classic
Interiors in Wingham.