The Rural Voice, 1999-08, Page 45Gardening
divide, cut the clump into three or
four wedges with a sharp knife to cut
the woody roots. It has been
suggested that this could be done
every three or four years. If you are
too busy don't despair, the plant will
continue to flourish with a top
dressing of well rotted manure and a
good soaking during the dry season.
There are side shoots that can be cut
away and used to start new clumps.
Be careful of seedlings as they do not
breed true and you may see a real
washout of colour in your garden
after a few years.
Thanks to better breeding, the
selection of sturdy plants with clear
bright colours is growing making
phlox a wonderful choice for your
garden.0
Rhea Hamilton -Seeger and her
husband raise two children at their
home near Auburn. She is a skilled
cook and gardener.
Get a bit of Disney
history now
Steeped in the history of the Disney
family, Moms Twp.
is offering the
opportunity to
own a memento
of their lives here.
Collector plates,
designed by Don Vair of
Belgrave depict the Moms Twp.
homestead, near Bluevale, which was
once home to Walt Disney's father &
grandparents. Kepple & Mary
(Richardson) Disney and their 11
children lived on the 100 acre farm
until 1877.
This souvenir can be purchased
for just $35. at
Painted Memories on the
Square
56 Court House Square,
Goderich
& at
Stitches by M.J. in Blyth
Home Decorating
• • I -
Tips on decorating with photographs
By Patti Robertson
Permit me, if you will, to put on
an entirely different hat for this
column. As many of my readers
know, my hubby Ward is an
accredited and award-winning
professional photographer with the
Canadian Association of Professional
Photographers.
Ward has
always dabbled
in photography
and is a
commercial
videographer for
the New NX,
but six years ago
he chose to turn
professional
which I totally
supported as
Ward is an
amazing
photographer
wherein his love
and joy of people shines through.
What I did not plan on was becoming
as involved in his choice as I have!
Purely by accident and possibly with
more time on my hands as the girls
were out and on their own, I got
involved. I started attending
photographic school and seminars.
Now I am full fledged
"photographer's assistant". The
minute I take off my designer's cap, I
don my photographic hat ...
sometimes this happens
simultaneously. Needless to say as a
designer I have many tips, tricks and
educated opinions regarding the
process of achieving the perfect
photographic art for one's home.
And of course, I'm about to share
these opinions with you.
Before you consult with a
photographer, spend some time
deciding what type of photographic
art you would prefer. Who will be
included in the session, what setting
would suit your home and lifestyle;
ie casual, formal, environmental,
storytelling, studio location or
mountain top? Most important where
will your image hang and how large
will it need to be to suit the area
selected. The most popular priced
size is the 8" x 10" but take this size
and relate it to the design basics in
your home and this size was never
meant to be hung on our walls. The
image has no impact or presence on a
wall surface. 8" x l0"s are best suited
to desktops and albums, or extremely
narrow, small walls, as an accent
only. Granted, larger images are
more expensive but if you plan your
portrait session in advance to suit
your decor in theme, style and size it
becomes an investment — a family
heirloom which the kids will want
and cherish once we the parents are
no longer in need of it — rendering
the price tag negligible. So with this
in mind consider these guidelines.
An 11" x 14" image will work
well on small walls and hallways,
while a 16" x 20" or 20" x 24" is
ideally suited to medium sized walls.
These image sizes can be expanded
with the appropriate matting and
framing to become a focal point for
over a fireplace or sofa. A 30" x 40"
photograph — not only allows more
visual impact but is a most
impressive feature focal point in any
family room, living room or great
room. In our rear entrance I have a
30" x 40" vertical of Ward and the
girls and me which serves as a great
focal point and conversation piece.
The wall on which itis hung is only
8' x 8' so it has created major impact!
In the dining room, above the
sideboard, I have hung a 24" x 30"
focal portrait study of our family
which was double -matted and framed
to suit the room's decor. In the living
room we have a new 30" x 30" Art
Nouveau style portrait of the girls in
sepia toned colouration on stretched
canvas. This is positioned between
two windows.
Next consider the colour scheme
of your room and the style and theme
you are working with. What will be
the most important consideration to
blend, complement or accentuate
your room's decor? This is an area
where a professional photographer
will spend time assisting you in
achieving the proper attire and
location of your session to suit your
decor, thereby incorporating
AUGUST 1999 41