The Rural Voice, 2005-03, Page 43Patti
Robertson
operates
Classic
Interiors in
Wingham.
By Patti Robertson
Dear Patti,
1 always read and enjoy your
column. Last month really hit home
to me as we are going to re -do our
bedroom and are in need of a new
bedroom suite. 1 went out shopping
and found my ultimate Wow! It is a
cherry wood bed, custom crafted with
inlaid carvings of roses and lilies and
delicate brass details. Wow! It comes
with a price tag of just under $4,000.
That is just the bed, no dressers or
nightstands. I dream of it nightly and
wish I'd never discovered it as I am
now looking for ways to justifying its
purchase. Am 1 being foolish by
extremely overspending? Help! K.A.
Dear Gentle Reader,
What a true thrill when we
discover what truly makes us say
Wow! Our blood starts rushing. We
get a slight flush, our heart pounds,
we become giggly, dizzy, revved up
and raring to go .., you know
"alive"! So let's look at where
you're at and from this point analyze
if this wow is viable within your
life.
Sounds to me as if you have found
a potential family heirloom, a piece
which will be passed onto future
generations with your name and
history attached to it as the original
owner. Wow, what a providence that
could be for a great-grandson,
daughter or niece.
As far as the price is concerned,
can you outright afford it without
putting your finances in jeopardy or
neglecting obligations you are
already committed to? Or can you see
your way clear to making regular and
reasonable payments towards the
bed's purchase. So many
Home Decorating
Go ahead. Splurge!
craftspeople/companies are most
obliging when propositioned with a
reasonable request. A lot of
companies have financial
programmes and interest-free periods
available for the asking. Be sure their
terms also work for your budget and
be sure not to think interest free
means free — eventually all bills must
be paid and truthfully starting
immediately with a payment schedule
means it'will be honestly yours
quicker.
Consider, even, putting your room
on hold while you bring all the pieces
together and then proceed. Doing the
renovations this way actually works
to one's benefit because it allows you
to be very conscious of every
purchase and the co-ordination of all
elements tends to go with more style
and ease.
As far as being foolish (and I'm
also reading self-conscious due to the
world's plight) if you and your
partner are working, and keeping up
with all your responsibilities, it is not
a sin to reap the benefits of hard
work. There is no justification
needed. You can always make a
commitment to donate to a worthy
cau§e in honour of your good fortune
or better still donate some of
your time to help out canvassing or
on the front line of a raffle or rally,
once again what makes you
say Wow! What makes you feel
alive!
Admittedly this is a considerable
chunk of money, but it also sounds as
if it will be a sound investment and
have a good resale value, similar to
having money in the bank — you've
just decided to sleep on yours rather
than squirreling it away.
As far as your dressers and
nightstands ... who says they have to
match or be of equal value? Perhaps
you'll find a way of updating and
refurbishing your present ones or
other pieces, perhaps it will be
showier to go for a skirted nightstand
you can co-ordinate to your chosen
bed linens, truly creating your own
personalized one -of -a -kind styling.
Remember if you choose to go with
an eclectic mix the trick is to blend,
blend, blend — colourations, textures
and patterns so everything comes
together classically.
So, I have a couple of questions
for you K.A.? Tell me, just how
divine is it going to feel sleeping in
your one -of -a -kind Wow! bed? How
fantastic do you think it is going to be
to cuddle in bed on a stormy night, to
snuggle down reading to yourself or
the kids. to have a yummy brunch
sitting up in bed? 1 bet you're going
to feel on top of the world, capable of
conquering all the doubts that go
along with life. Wow!
What price do you put on a thrill
of a lifetime. that not only will be
yours but go on to service other
generations? Wow! I bet you get the
best sleeps in this bed and that will be
ultimately great for your health, your
spirit and your overall outlook on
life. Wow!O
PATTI ROBERTSON'S
919116
Unique Residential and
Commercial Interiors
135 Victoria St., WINGHAM
357-2872
iferiors
• Custom-made Window
Fashions, Bedspreads
& Accessories
• Fine Domestic &
Imported Fabrics
• Select Wallcoverings
• Furnishings, Lighting
& Artwork to suit
any interior...
MARCH 2005 39