The Rural Voice, 1993-01, Page 35Home Decorating
Looking ahead to spring redecorating
Season's Greetings to all! It certain-
ly is a busy time with so much to take
care of in such a short time ... then it's
all over. The letdown certainly comes
for me when it is time to strip the house
of all the extra Christmas Decorations.
Inevitably there will be a few people
that are dissatisfied with the way the
living room looks and will, in fact, do
something about it. Most of us can't
afford to do everything we would like
to do. I personally have found that the
lack of financing has severely cramped
my style on more than a few occasions!
A reader writes:
Dear Kendra;
You mentioned about anyone that
would like some help with Home
Decorating to feel free to write.
I would like to redecorate my living
room in the spring. The way it is now,
it has gold carpet, with specks of brown
and beige. The wallpaper is beige
background with darker beige design.
The windows have white sheers, tie
backs and a valance in brown velvet.
Doors and woodwork are medium dark
varnish. The sofa and chair have a
beige background with brownish rust
flowers and greenish leaves. The room
is small, 10 x 12 or 14.
The wallpaper has been on for 14
years and is still pretty good but the
seams are letting go. I was wondering
if I stripped it and it has been put on
painted dry wall, would it damage the
dry wall any? I would like to just paint
the walls. The ceiling is white tile.
Could I just paint it off-white and
border instead of wallpapering again?
I hope I haven't made this too diffi-
cult to understand so hope to see in
"The Rural Voice" your suggestions in
the next issue or so.
Yours truly, Mrs. Freida Walter
Dear Freida:
Thank you very much for your letter.
When your room is the size it is I
think what the main priority will be is
to give it a "less busy", "more open"
and blended effect. This will make the
room seem larger. There should not be
any damage to your dry wall if it was
primed, painted and sized before the
wallpaper was applied. If the paper is
dry strippable it will leave a fine layer
of paper behind on the wall. This too
will have to be removed and the walls
washed down well before applying the
new coat of paint.
It is wise not to apply latex over al-
kyd paints so if you can remember what
was under the wallpaper it would be
wise to go with the same type. I prefer
a velvet finish in a living room because
it gives a softer
more mellow
effect. If your
budget allows I
would change the
carpet at this time
as well. Bring
home lots of
paint chips and
carpet samples,
as that is the
place to select the
colour.
It doesn't
matter how well
they go together
in the store it
always looks
different at home in your lighting, with
your sofa, pictures, and bordering floor-
ing. I would suggest a warm off-white
for the walls and for the carpet. I would
paint the tile also if it is discoloured.
Now for the border. If you can find
a border with your colours that will be
great. If not, you could consider doing
a stenciled border. This can be done in
your exact colours and pattern that suits
your sofa and chair. If you are having
this done, the cost is about the same as
a border ... $5 per foot. Bordering can
give the room a softer look as well be-
cause the paint need not be applied very
dark. If your drapery is tied from the
center of your window, and you want to
brighten up the room, unhook the
drapery from the center and push the
fullness back to about one-third on each
side and tie back at this point. In time,
when your budget allows, change your
drapery and furniture. You are all set
to change your colour scheme at this
point as your walls are neutral as well
as your carpet.
I hope this will help you with your
plans.
'Til next month!0 Kendra
Kendra Krauter is a qualified interior
decorator who lives near Ethel, ON.
HANOVER TOURS
AGRICULTURE TOURS
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
Your Hosts for this tour will be RALPH & INEZ McLEAN, the founders of
HANOVER HOLIDAY TOURS!!!
Ralph & Inez invite you to join them on February 14, 1993 and travel with them for
26 days. Flying to Cairns, Australia, you will be able to enjoy attractions like the
KURANDA RAIL TOUR and a GLASS BOTTOM BOAT tour of the GREAT
BARRIER REEF! There are numerous farm visits planned and two nights of
accommodation will be on farms. One night in Australia and one night in New
Zealand. Your airline flights and most of your meals are included in the one price!
AN AGRICULTURAL TOUR OF FLORIDA
Your hosts for this tour will be STAN & DORIS PAQUETTE, former
OMAF representative'for Huron County!!
Join Stan and Doris when they leave on January 22, 1993 and travel south to the
sunny state of FLORIDA for 16 Days. Combining some of the attractions of Florida
and the special interest farm visits will be a great mid -winter getaway from the snow
and cold of Canada!! St. Petersburg Beach, Sebring and Orlando will be the main
stops in Florida.
To receive a brochure or for more information, please call
your local travel agent or
HANOVER HOLIDAYS
1-800-265-5530
JANUARY 1993 31