The Rural Voice, 1999-01, Page 43By Patti Robertson
Happy New Year!
Last year at this time I told you
that instead of making personal
resolutions I•was making a household
resolution list ... one for every
month of the year. I just wanted to let
you know that this idea worked
marvelously for
me. I managed
to achieve all
12 goals and
our home is
looking great!
It was fun and
very rewarding.
Maybe this idea
will work for
you.
Now, down
to business. If
we believe
what we're
being told, this
is to be one of
the stormiest
Home Decorating
Decorating up a storm
Make use
of those
slow days
winters ever! Storm days are great
"free time" to work on household
projects that you've been meaning to
get done. I find I get more achieved if
I plan ahead and have assembled at
the ready everything I need to tackle
said job when the opportunity arises.
One year we had a total of six storm
days and I managed to totally spring
houseclean during these days off. I let
the girls know that on the next storm
day we'd be working on their
respective rooms, so this prepared
them for the project as well.
The best plan is to tour your home
early in the New Year, making a list
of what needs to be done and
readying all the supplies it will take
to complete each task.
A day off provides the opportunity
to glue down loose borders and
wallpaper seams throughout the
house, or to touch up painted trim
and windows. Or, if you prefer, to
relax while watching daytime TV you
can easily and enjoyably do so while
you polish your brass or silverware or
catch up on all those little sewing
projects that are sitting in the basket,
waiting so patiently on your
attention. I've often cleaned our
bedroom, or den while catching a
movie (kind of "have it your way
cleaning"). Another gloomy, stormy
day I lined the shelves of our armoire
with a beautiful cabbage rose wall -
covering. This gave me a refreshing
lift despite the storm, and six years
later the job still looks great!
Take the opportunity to change
your bed linens and play with colour
layering and co-ordination. Instead of
pulling the covers up over the
pillows, turn them back to expose
your inner sheets. Plump up your
pillows and stand them up against the
headboard. Add a few toss cushions
to add interest in colour and texture.
Spritz your bed lightly with your
favourite cologne. This is a great time
to play with your decor if you don't
like it you can always put it back.
Wash your knick-knacks in
lukewarm water and a little white
vinegar, using a softer brush (I like an
old soft toothbrush). Dry and
rearrange them for a new look. Dust
down your wall art and rehang each
piece in a different setting. Paint
dated table lamps, wall plaques and
the like which you've acquired or
picked up at yard sales. A facelift
often results in newfound treasures
for our home.
One stormy Monday I started
creating a serving tray out of an old
picture frame. I sanded, painted it,
then used crackle glaze and finished
the day by varathaning the frame.
The next storm day I added the
bottom which I wallpapered and
varathaned, and then added brass
metal corners to each tip. The
finished tray is A great base to hold
candle sticks and bric-a-brac on the
dining table or it serves as a tea tray
when set upon the hassock. Best of
all I made this in "free time",
otherwise it would have been next to
impossible to do with my busy
schedule.
With this gift of found time, I have
laundered and restyled window
fashions, floral arrangements and
even cleaned up cluttered bookcases
and shelves. It's a great boost to
shelving to make colour co-ordinated
bookcovers from wallcovering, to
match the decor of your room.
So many jobs and so little time
with everyone's 90s busy lifestyle!
Always, there is a project waiting for
our attention, soa little free time can
work wonders in achieving "what
needs to be done". The nicest part of
all this is that it's our choice how we
spend our "storm day" time. Enjoy
the warmth and safety of your home
this winter, come what may!O
Patti Robertson operates Classic
Interiors in Win•'Iu,nr.
QUILTERS' LINE
Fine Fabrics,
supplies, patterns.
books and classes
for Quilts and
Teddy Bears
57 Main St.W., Markdale
www.quiltersline.com
519-986-2244
MTI SATELLITE
RECEPTION INC.
at Ferndale
Call for
special
pricing
Canadian Satellite
Systems available
ExpressVu or
StarChoice
519-793-3251
1-800-265-8316
Hwy. #6 at Ferndale
Call for information
JANUARY 1999 39