The Rural Voice, 2005-09, Page 59Home Decorating
Planning a class reunion in stgle
Patti
Robertson
operates
Classic
Interiors in
Wingham.
By Patti Robertson
Patti: 1 need your design input with
ideas for a reunion happening in a
month and a half. Seven others and
myself will be hosting a homecoming
of our grade 12/13 classmates. There
are still 32 of us (now in our 50s)
able to get together to celebrate our
youth. success and friendship. This is
our WOW! I need advice on
decorating the hall. incorporating our
theme and the circular dinner tables.
Our title is "BACK TO SCHOOL"
and our colours are red. black. and
gold. We do have a fairly healthy
budget. We've hired a caterer. a D. J.
and everyone's favorite teacher from
grade 12 is going to M. C.
- B.K. Owen .Sound
Dear B.K. Isn't this exciting! As soon
as I got your message my mind
started to race with ideas and images
of creating lasting memories.
First. and this information will
work for anyone hosting any type of
party. you.really do need to work on
the floor plan of the party room. It
will be highly advantageous to do a
mock setup, deciding exactly where
the stage and the M.C./D.J. area will
be located. This will be your main
focal point for the entire room.
Next will be the positioning of the
dining tables, the bar area. guest hook
signing area and whatever other areas
you feel should be incorporated.
After a dry run of staging the room
it's time to designate where to
incorporate bits of memorabilia and
decor accessories to set the theme.
Finally when working with any
colour scheme it's always hest to
utilize two-thirds of one colour v; ith
the remaining hues accentuating the
main colouration. In your case I'm
going to suggest using 75 per cent of
the black hue, 15 per cent of the red
and the remaining l() per cent with
the gold.
I'm getting a really strong feeling
of youositioning a large wrought
iron archway immediately inside the
entrance door, which everyone will
pass through upon entering The hall.
This arch can be garlanded with vines
if you wish or draped with some
'fabric.. To either side of the arch
position two large black wrought iron
urns featuring large Boston Ferns. All,
these items can he rented.
Now approximately 10 feet
beyond the entrance arch. position a
large black backdrop upon which
you'll position large red letters
spelling out PROM NIGHT. Around
this display as many photographs as
possible from past Prom Nights.
Incorporate an old tux and a prom
dress. gloves and shoes etc...this
should get everyone buzzing with
stories of "remember w hen"
The bar area will he a great area in
which to incorporate sports teams and
uniforms. cheerleader outfits and
pom poms etc.. d'on't forget to
incorporate the words of an old
school cheer amongst the photos.
On the opposite wall you can
feature memorabilia from the drama
club along with an old costume or
two. the ski club and skis and poles
and maybe photos of students playing
chess and underneath an actual chess
hoard all set up just in case a pair
decide to indulge in a match!
Anyway. you get the idea...use
lots of visual stimulation and texture
to set a fun theme. remembering our
black hue is dominant in all you do.
Next, and most important, you'll
need to tackle the stage area. as it will
be the prime focal point. I'm going to
suggest a wall of black draping.
which can he rented. Onto this
position you theme title BACK TO
SCHOOL in huge letters in red that
are rimmed with a -little gold. You
may want the school insignia etc. Be
careful not to get this area to,
cluttered so it makes a strong stylized
statement.
Now for the table settings. I'm
envisioning circular tables draped t(
the floor with black cloths. set with
black dishes and if possible the
flatware in gold or a combo of silver
and gold. The glasses- will be stylish
if they incorporate a gold rim.
Now tor the centerpieces. These
can he easily made. Start with a
lhy_'() frame painted a glossy red
thuy inexpensive ones from a big box
store) insert a piece of wood painted
black and onto the "chalkboard'
write algebra equations or old sayings
etc. In the center of each blackboard
position a very tall red vase filled
with tropical palm leaves and fronds
and then embellish the arrangement
with one Bird of Paradise floral ...
stunning' Incorpor-ate a clear red
votive candleholder at everyone's
place setting and this should hying
WOW' Raves'
Good Tuck and :oneratulations on
remaining steadtast friends
throughout the years. That's a tough
thing to do with families. jobs. and
the distances we so often live from
ea: h other 1 ou" are truly to he
cununended'.
PATTI ROBERTSON'S
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SEPTEMBER 2005 55