The Rural Voice, 2002-12, Page 48Home Decorating
Decorating trend makes use of evergdag objects
Patti
Robertson
operates
Classic
Interiors in
Winghann.
By Patti Robertson
Christmas is rapidly approaching
and if you are anything like me. you
enjoy rearranging and changing your
festive decor every few years. This can
be both challenging and expensive so
it's always great to know what's hot
on the scene and what we can work
into our decor without breaking the
bank.
Fortunately one of the latest trends
offers many variations without huge
expense — in fact many odds and
ends may be readily on hand around
your own home. Chrome. pewter. iron,
and tinware in its many forms from
galvanized to pressed, to embossed
and downright rusted is all "very hot".
All decorations from tree ornaments to
wreaths to mantel swags can all be
embellished with the touches of silver
the new trends affords. If you have an
up-to-date contemporary or traditional
interior you'll want to work with the
sleeker. shinier forms of chrome or
brushed pewter. while country and
rustic decors can have fun incorporat-
ing tinware into their festive themes.
These metals work well with all colour
combos. Rich. red and green take on a
cooler vibrancy when chrome is
included to the scheme. whereas
nothing says old fashioned Christmas
more than incorporating galvanized
tinware or some rusted and rugged
pieces into the standard red and green.
If you want your Christmas decor
to have more continental flair, use
interesting pieces of iron or pewter to
create the essence of a European -style
decor. These pieces of texture. shape
and form all work incredibly with
colours ranging from spruce greens
and plumberry-wines. passion purples,
perfect peaches and buff pinks and can
be incredibly smashing and elegant
when mixed with shiny golds.
wheatberry, cornmeal gold and sage
green hues. and I would be remiss not
to mention the tri-colouration of gold,
brass and silver for a real luxurious
mix.
If you are wanting to incorporate
some of these silvery effects into your
festive decor. but do not want the cash
outlay of new ornaments. look around.
You are bound to have some goodies
on hand — galvanized tin pails and
buckets to fill with dogwood and pine
boughs or how about old tinware
cookie cutters to hang on the tree. Sap
buckets, small metal troughs. even tin
cans can be turned into tin -punched
candleholders to add to one's interior
decor. or to line the walkway on
Christmas Eve.
My neighbour Pam has made a
series of tin -punched facades which
hold votive candles and add incredible
interest to her Christmas Village
setting. Do your have silver or chrome
milk or cream pitchers and sugar
bowls? These too can hold florals and
novelties. Remember that tinsel comes
PATTI ROBERTSON'S
yr�N
;�lIISS1L',
Oeriors
Unique Residential and
Commercial Interiors
135 Victoria St., WINGHAM
357-2872
• Custom-made Window
Fashions, Bedspreads
& Accessories
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44 THE RURAL VOICE
in silver. Look for the one with extra
surface texture. For those willing to
take a little extra time there are new
"metal flake" spray paints on the
market that give you a truly metal-like
final finish, so not only can we spray
our old decorations in silver and
pewter colourations, we can coat
anything from seed pods to hydrangea
floral heads, German Stance and
Baby's Breath to embellish our tree,
garlands and arrangements.
If you really decide to go "whole
hog" you can continue this metal
effect and co-ordinate your gift wrap,
either by purchasing metallic silver
papers and tissues or giving your wrap
a dusting of silver sparkle paint. Tie on
silver bows, sprigs of silvered holly,
silvered poinsettias or little silver
Christmas balls and novelties.
Of course there is no need to stop
here. On to the tabletop we're ahead of
the game as most of us will be using
our silverware or stainless steel
cutlery. Add silver placemats,
candleholders and candles, a little
sprinkling of silver metallic stars and
sparkle dust and we've created a
showstopper.
I particularly enjoy getting out old
black and white Christmas
photographs, to add to the festivities.
Displayed in silver and pewter frames
they not only add to the theme but are
great conversational pieces too. (My
personal favourite is one of hubby
Ward at one and half months cuddled
in his Dad's arms as Mom, Dad and
baby Wardie sit under the Christmas
tree in 1947! Wow!)
Do not overlook the dollar and
department stores if you are looking
for cost-effective accessories in this
newest of trends and remember a little
paint in the correct metal colouration
will work wonders and as always your
imagination and ingenuity are always
your best asset in making your
decoration uniquely yours.
So my gentle readers, whatever
colour scheme you choose for your
festive decor I'm sending you my very
best. May all your Christmas lights
shine brightly and may the halls of
your heart be filled with peace and
joy!O