The Rural Voice, 2004-08, Page 42e
at
n
Home Decorating
Old colong house becomes super clubhouse
Patti
Robertson
operates
Classic
Interiors in
Wingham.
By Patti Robertson
Along about this time of the
summer, when I was a kid the
boredom would set in, and how
vividly I remember Mom shooing us
out from underfoot to set up a
"clubhouse" of some son to amuse
ourselves.
A clubhouse meant anything from
a corner of one's verandah or even
underneath it...or my all-time
favourites a card table covered with
quilts or a cardboard box or two with
tea towels for curtains and little
stools for furniture! We thought we
were inhabiting The Ritz, our
imagination was so rich!
So you can imagine my bemuse-
ment at viewing the latest and greatest
of children's clubhouses being offered
up by California Designers — a
modest starting price of $75,000 and
up!...Gee! I know some, folks who
would give their eye teeth to even
own a home in this price bracket!
One of the more modest "club-
houses" the team had designed for
three little darlings was a meager
$235,000. It was in the form of a
Pirate's Ship which was fully
furnished and boasted a fully
functioning galley and crew's
quarters for sleepovers along with a
full jungle gym and both a plank as in
"walk the plank" and a tire swing that
extended over the "kids only pool".
Wow! It left nothing to the
imagination and you truly pondering
on the starving kids in the world!
So, being slightly miffed and
wondering just how out of touch I
was with today's requirement to
appease kids, you can imagine how
delighted I was when, while on my
annual summer consultation at
Doreen and Bill Taylor's outside of
Belgrave, they invited me to their
grandchildren's (five girls and two
boys to date) "clubhouse".
Bill and Doreen spruced up the
old colony house 10'x12' (that's
where the new baby chicks are
kept until they are ready to join the
rest of the fowl society — you see —
you can teach a "city girl" new
tricks!)
Upon arrival you are greeted with
a set of welcoming wind chimes and
a patio that was recreated from
Auntie Marion's old paving stones.
Opening the door, you are amazed by
the ingenuity of this charming setting.
The floor is carpeted in a russet tone,
salvaged from a previous job and the
walls are gaily adorned with animal
posters, travel pennants, ornaments,
florals, verses and prose of blessing
and good cheer to stimulate and
empower the young mind.
There is a play stove and sink with
real dishes, teacups, spice rack etc.
Apparently many a meal has been
served within this abode!
If you want to play school there is
a desk and double -seater bench from
Doreen's childhood schoolhouse,
along with the required chalkboard,
chalk, books and notepads etc. or
even better you can play "Post
Office"! There are no less than two
mailboxes (one from Uncle Murray's
house) for both incoming and
outgoing mail. As Poppa and Nana T.
tell me if they are remiss in picking
up the mail or answering letters in a
timely fashion they certainly hear
about their tardiness.
Everyone contributes something.
In one corner sits Uncle Glen's
childhood toy box brimming with
surprises and little granddaughter
Taarna, at three, has become the
"clubhouse" housekeeper.
I've now been invited to the
clubhouse twice and this last time
was so memorable as Poppa and
Nana T. reminisced about "when we
were kids" sitting around on all
accumulated furnishings from here
and there for the grandkids. It was
great fun!
Doreen tells me that her main wish
was to have a grandchild who would
want to stay longer at her home and
not be wanting to go home with
Mom and Dad. Doreen's eyes
positively gleam as she recounts how
many times all her grandchildren hide
on their moms and dads, hoping
they'll be left to play at Poppa and
Nana T's, so through true love and
involvement Doreen's wish has been
granted!
As for me, I was invited to
become an official clubhouse
member. I got to autograph and date
the clubhouse wall! But best of all,
my faith in imagination and
simplicity has been fully restored and
infused when I was allowed the
privilege of being in this magical
childhood space!
Price tag...priceless!O
PATTI ROBERTSON'S
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...
AUGUST 2004 39