The Rural Voice, 2002-01, Page 35Home Decorating
Storm days perfect for getting things done
By Patti Robertson
Happy New Year! So Here we go
... forward into a brand new year
with all the expectations and
surprises each and every day can
hold. As one of my best
acquaintances always says as a
parting remark, "Have a good one.
It's yours to
create"!
So with this
as a stimulus, I
always have
looked eagerly
to "winter
storm days."
Talk about an
ultimate time to
create and
complete all
those little
nagging tasks
and projects
that are all a
part of the
never-ending
list around our place. Mending and
replacing buttons, polishing shoes,
boots, silverware and brass and the
chandelier, revamping closets and
drawers, washing the semi -sheer
draperies, dusting down the seldom -
seen or used hard -to -reach areas - in
general getting a head start at spring
housecleaning.
When well prepared ahead of
time, with supplies on hand, I've
actually been able to paint and paper
a room on a storm day! The trick of
course is to be prepared. Keep a list
on hand of what you are attempting
to achieve and then have all the
supplies at the ready. Now
admittedly, the weather thus far this
winter has not been conducive to
storm days, but let's face it, sooner or
later we're bound to get one "day
off' because of weather-related
conditions.
Now take last year for example.
Once Old Man Winter made his
debut he blustered constantly all
season long. I got so much achieved I
was amazed. I re-created our
relatively tailored bathroom vanity
into a one -of -a -kind work of art on a
storm day. The vanity is a very pretty
raspberry shade over which I
smooshed a gold metallic glaze and
then decoupaged the front panels
with a Greek revival floral design in
muted hues of mustard, sage, royal
blues, a hint of bittersweet and, of
course, raspberry hues. I added brass
corner covers and new drawer pulls,
gave the entire piece three coats of
varnish and viola! a new showpiece
to grace the bath.
Next I re-created a couple of
accent tables with faux -finished
marbling techniques and a graphic
stencil design. I re-created a couple
of my tired window treatments with
cording and fringe accents and
incorporated a few new toss cushions
and a co-ordinated braiding for good
measure. I updated the family photo
albums and re -framed a few
photographs for accent pieces, and
then started to work on planning the
gardens for spring planting. I got out
graph paper and photos of my
gardens along with spring planting
guides and seed catalogues for
stimulus.
And then, you know what? I was
PATTI ROBERTSON'S
Unique Residential and
Commercial Interiors
135 Victoria SI., WINGHAM
357-2872
• Custom-made Window
Fashions, Bedspreads '
& Accessories
• Fine Domestic &
Imported Fabrics
• Select Wallcouerings
• Furnishings, Lighting
& Artwork to suit
any interior...
done! Last year there were so many
storm days my project and to-do list
got done. Totally!
I had absolutely nothing more to
do! I cuddled up on my living room
sofa with my comfies on, covered
with my favourite chenille throw and
surrounded by my three kitties.
Contentedly reading a good book,
under my swing -arm light that boasts
a full 100 -watt bulb. (The heat given
off by that lamp is very similar to the
heat I experience in Florida.)
Occasionally, I wander into the
kitchen for a tea in my favourite cup
and would just sit and observe all the
beautiful possessions I've come to
acquire. from hard work, consistency,
and the generosity of family and
friends. All the memorabilia of
departed loved ones and our
travelling excursions.
And I now have a completely new
appreciation of storm days. 1 now
look at them as what they are ... time
off and a time out from the hustle and
bustle. Sure it's great to achieve and
succeed but you know if we do not sit
and quietly "check-in" on what's
around our home, how do we truly
ever know where we are at? So I'm
wishing you each at least one winter
storm day where you can "check out"
and appreciate where you're at!
Have a good one ... it's yours to
create!O
Patti Robertson operates Classic.
Interiors in Winghain.
Enjoy the
Country Lifestyle
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