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Home Decorating
Creativity makes up for lack of money
Patti
Robertson
operates
Classic
Interiors in
Wingham.
By Patti Robertson
As my youngest daughter, Hail,
bartered with a gal in her 30s over
some very good quality skis and
golfing paraphernalia, I was absent-
mindedly admiring a vintage wrought
iron fence outside of the turn -of -the -
century duplex. I raised my gaze and
was offered an over -the -garden -fence
view of an intriguing "New Orleans"
styled courtyard and garden,
statues et al. "Wow!" I heard myself
exhale.
"Are you the creator?" I asked as I
ventured towards the host of the yard
sale. Blushing, she smiled and
nodded. "Yeah! Go ahead and peek
around if you like".
No further invitation needed, I
wandered through the gate and was
instantly captivated by the garden
atmosphere. Obviously there had
been more flash than cash at work
with...but everything was so artfully
arranged and organized. Doing a 360,
I noticed the bowed kitchen window
had been hand -painted with an array
of tulips and back -dropped with side
panels in eyelet lace. I turned to our
tour guide and commented, "my you
are truly gifted. I'm an interior
designer" I offered her as way of
knowing wherein I speak.
She ventured back with another
blush... "I love decorating and I'm a
single Mom so cash isn't always
available to spend on luxuries,
so I depend upon reinventing stuff
with my creativity in high gear.
Please let me take you on an interior
tour!"
My daughters in tow, we stepped
through the rear kitchen entrance into
a truly unique home. The kitchen's
interior was a combination of regency
rose, Wedgewood blue and pristine
white. The table and chair set was
wooden 1930s all painted crisp fresh
white with a detailing line in
Wedgwood blue, the tulip window
painting was primarily in rose tones
and gave a quaint and stylized effect
to the entire interior. Wainscotting
was fresh white, the chair rail had a
mini -motif of tulips and linear lines
worked onto its surface while the
walls above incorporated a very soft
faux finish of dual -toned regency
rose. The walls sported an abundance
of botanical and floral scenes, and
beautiful china plates, all repeating
the rose, blue and white colour
scheme.
Through an arch we arrived in the
dining/living room combination. To
our left was a large, squared, floor -
to -ceiling bay window irrto which
was tucked a lovely round table and
chair set from the 1920s. At first I
thought there was an interesting
stained glass in the window, but
tilting my head for a better appraisal I
realized our host had actually used a
"stained glass" vinyl shower curtain
to create the effect. "Wow!, kid
you've definitely got talent! You had
me truly fooled for awhile" I giggled.
"Thanks" she beamed. In this area
our talented escort had incorporated
the colourations on regency rose,
mulberry wine and a hint of spruce
green. There was a reupholstered
1930s sofa and chair set, a couple of
accent rockers and an interesting
collection of tables and vintage
lamps. Artwork included various
Victorian prints, and the windows
were covered with romantic lace
panels.
As we turned toward the slightly
curved stairway I spotted a male
mannequin outfitted in 1920s top hat
and tails tucked gallantly into the
corner at the base of the steps. Upon
further inspection we were treated to
the story of her grandparents
marriage, and there by golly, at
the top of the stairway looking down
was a female mannequin in
grandma's bridal finery waiting to
descend to her awaiting lover!
The hallway was also painted in a
gentle version of the Mulberry wine
shade.
At the top landing we came to the
home's bathroom, which was as fine
as any spa. Decked out in dual tones
of rose and fresh white were a
vintage claw -and -ball tub, pedestal
sink and privy. The artwork featured
some of the most gorgeous vintage
pin-up girls from the 1930s and 40s I
have yet to see.
The daughter's bedroom to the
rear of the home was pure fun and
imaginative as it took us on a tour of
"Alice in Wonderland". Hand -painted
details and decoupage cabbage roses
adorned the walls and pristine white
furnishing of 1920s period. Old
artwork from the storybook had been
beautifully matted and framed to
adorn the walls, while the bed and
windows had been draped in a lovely
combo of lace and blue and rose
quilting. A tea party was being
enjoyed by dollies and furry -faced
friend over in one corner. How
charming!
Finally we came to our
homeowner's bed chamber. Walls
were treated to a dusty faux finish in
mulberry wine. The artwork, a
marvelous array of mystical nudes
from the 17th -century period, a large
bedstead that had been faux finished
to the tonal value used on the walls
and then the. filigreed embellishments
rubbed to a soft patina of gold and
bronze. Bed coverings were of
vintage velvet quilts in deep
Victorian colourations and once again
our escort had outdone herself by
turning a couple of velvet quilts into
a most inventive swag and side
panels as a window treatment. It
certainly created one of the more
unique bed chambers I've ever been
in.
My gals and I thanked pur host
most profusely for a most enchanting
tour. We'd been honoured to share
another's truly sacred space.
I do so enjoy "yard sailing". One
never knows what or whom you'll
discover along the way!
Patti's tip: Look around you before
you buy new. What pieces do you
have awaiting your creative
reinvention into "one of a kind"
treasures.0
AUGUST 2006 43