The Rural Voice, 2000-10, Page 45Home Decorating
Add Canadian autumn colours to your decor
'By Patti Robertson
It's Autumn once again ... and did
you know that ours, Quebec, New
England and only a few remote areas
in Asia are the only locations to offer
such a lavish display of fall colour?
The intensity of flaming red through
russet hues, sunny yellows through
burnished gold tones and the vibrant
orange family in all its guises always
makes me think of exotic oriental
settings. Individually and in the
multitude of combinations these hues
are spectacular imaged in front of a
true blue sky, or the stormy blue/grey
skies of a fall storm or are a real
knockout in front of a dull grey
overcast sky. Thinking of these colour
combos makes one realize the many
possibilities of setting a fall theme
within and without one's home to
"welcome" this once -a -year "Fall
Spectacular" colour show!
First take note that these colours
are highly charged and power -packed.
A little goes a long way! Having said
that, let me give you a sampling of
tips and tricks to create a fall infusion
within your own home.
To add fall charm to your living
areas try adding a few fall -coloured
toss cushions, featuring needlepoint,
or a tapestry featuring acorn leaves or
a pretty mini print, (you can make
your own pillow slip covers to use
year after year over your everyday
cushions). Start by removing all
colours that do not work with your fall
colour scheme and then away you go
adding cushions, baskets of gourds
and acorns, or crocks brimming with
oats and wheat. Make small but
striking clusters of Indian corn, dried
leaves and burlap bows to adorn a
lampshade or the corners of your wall
art. Make interesting fall coasters for
under your "mulled cider" from
pressed leaves sandwiched between
clear mactac. For the "piece de
resistance" fashion a large swag for
above your fireplace or wall unit by
starting with a base of corn stalks and
then embellishing with silk grape
leaves, bunches of artificial grapes
and silk sunflowers. One of these
swags would be wonderful positioned
above your entrance from room to
room or on the exterior entrance.
Small gourds can be carved to
accommodate candle tapers to adorn
one's dining table and an interesting
floral vase can be created by
hollowing out a small pumpkin. (I
always line my pumpkin with a small
plastic margarine container and floral
oasis.) Morals such as fall aster,
sedum, mums,
dahlias in
combination
with coleus and
dusty miller are
spectacular and
long lasting. But
don't forget to
add texture with
the addition of
wheat, oats, cat-
tails, and try
adding dill
flowerheads.
lavender, lemon
balm and •
rosemary for a
bountiful and
exotic twist. Talking about pumpkin
shells, what a unique serving bowl for
soups or stews for a festive fall touch
to your table. Last year I made
pumpkin lanterns for my verandah.
These lasted from early October
through Halloween with minimal
wilting. I simply choose an array of
pumpkins, hollowed out from the
bottom, then used my electric drill
with various bit sizes to create a
pattern to suit and then inserted a
Christmas bulb into each! This idea
would be fantastic to line an entire
walkway for the fall season.
Last year I was asked to bring a
dessert to our annual "Thanksgiving
Festivities" at Mike and Sherry's in
Desboro. I made my Chocolate
Mousse Souffle (yummy!) which I
like to serve with a drizzle of sour
cream, cinnamon and maple dressing.
So once the goodies were ready I set
about creating a showstopper
presentation. I selected a Targe heavy
wooden tray on which the souffle was
centered. To the top right hand corner,
I placed the dressing in a quaint
miniature crock with a wooden
serving spoon and then [ filled all the
remaining areas with flowerettes of
alyssum, white and purple fall asters,
sedum and dusty miller. Amongst the
miniature profusion I added small
green plums, concord grapes and dates
— very bountiful and showy.
If your guest rooms are going to be
occupied for Thanksgiving try adding
fall touches in these rooms as well.
Try comucopias filled with guest
soaps, samplers of hand cream,
conditioners and shampoo, or what
about a great selection of chocolates
and candies. Add a fall toss cushion
and an afghan to the bed to add an
instant welcoming touch.
And don't forget the bathroom.
Add a pretty little hurricane lantern
filled with a spicy scented oil to your
vanity. Surround it with small gourds,
pressed leaves and bunches of
artificial grapes. Weave grapevine
around your vanity mirror and tuck in
small clusters of acorns and
flowerettes.
What a wonderful opportunity to
immerse ourselves in all the
magnificent decorative creativity these
spectacular colourations afford to
one's abode. Have a terrific and
bountiful Thanksgiving!O
Patti Robertson operates Classic
Interiors in Wingham.
PATTI ROBERTSON'S
G 1
nferiors
Unique Residential and
Commercial Interiors
135 Victoria St., WINGHAM
357-2872
• Custom-made Window
Fashions, Bedspreads
& Accessories
• Fine Domestic &
Imported Fabrics
• Select Wallcouerings
• Furnishings, Lighting
& Artwork to suit
any interior...
OCTOBER 2000 41