The Rural Voice, 1992-12, Page 48Home Decorating
Sprucing up for Christmas
I just love Christmas ... the lights,
the trees, thc ribbons, bows and
boughs. Especially the joy and love
most of us are more willing to give to
one and all.
With only three more weeks until
Christmas I am sure most of you arc
wildly tearing around trying to get just
thc right gift for all those special
people on your list, and digging out
your favourite Christmas recipes for
the family and friends who will bc
visiting. I thought that we should talk
this month about decorating the
exterior of your house ... mainly the
"Front Door"!!!
Your front door to your home
makes a definite statement about you
no matter what the season. I feel that
the doors to your home should bc a
totally diffcrcnt colour from the trim
of your house ... complementary
colour of coursc.
For a traditional look to your
Christmas decor, start with the increas-
ingly popular garland around windows
and doors. Many years ago when I
first went looking for fresh cedar I was
able only to find it in Toronto. Now it
is available from florist shops and
garden centers in our area. It takes a
lot of work
to make your
own cedar
garland but it
has been
done by the
more
energetic.
Add your
Christmas
lights of your
choice, a few
bows (make
sure they are
weather
resistant), a
wreath or
swag on your
door with matching ribbons, a few
Christmas picks, pine cones etc. and
your house will say "Welcome", and
"Season's Greetings". This year I am
decorating with a blue spruce garland
The Book
Shop
r`
Hicks House
Mitchell
348-8632
Books for
Adults,
Teens,
Children.
Special Orders
Welcome
Greeting Cards
Wrapping Paper
Calendars
Maps
150 Wallace Ave. N.
Listowel
291-2145
114 Queen St. S
Blyth
523-9141
44 THE RURAL VOICE
that I bought (it is imitation!). We
painted the house this summer with a
blue-green trim and rose doors! You
can imagine that the green cedar just
wasn't going to cut it. To this I will
add my white twinkling mini -lights
and my weather resistant rose velvet
bows. I have plans for a couple of
wreaths as well. I hope it looks okay,
I've always had red and green.
If you have a solid front door why
not cover it with a wide foil wrapping
paper that complements the exterior.
Then add a wide ribbon and bow to
look like a large Christmas present.
Don't forget the tag ... Season's
Greetings or Merry Christmas.
If you are into "Country" why not
make a rope wreath with Christmas
ribbon and picks for the front door. If
you wanted to put up some garland
around the front door the rope could be
incorporated into it as well. For the
finishing touches you could add red
and green plaid ribbons and red
decorative apples, for a warm
"Country Welcome".
Maybe "Renaissance" is the style
you are after. Let's start again with
the garland around the door. Take the
sisal rope and spray paint with a shiny,
golden colour. Tie off the ends to
create a tasseled effect. This rope now
can be entwined into the garland and
swagged across the top. If your
"Renaissance" garland is not exposed
to the winter weather you could add
delarobe fruit picks with a hint of
golden spray paint. To decorate the
door we want to create a swag swatch
or wreath. Using the delarobe fruit
picks with some golden cherubs will
make the baroque look you are want-
ing. Decorating your entrance like this
gives a seasonal "Old World" charm.
If I have planted a seed of inspira-
tion in you and you are outside on the
ladder on a cold and miserable day
trying to put up your garland, rope and
lights and you are mumbling about
that dam woman who said you should
do this ... you're not alone, I'll be out
putting up mine too. Season's
Greetings to all. 'Til next year...
Kendra Krauter
Kendra Krauter is a qualified
interior decorator who lives near
Ethel, ON.