The Rural Voice, 1993-08, Page 43Home Decorating
Made any good books lately?
BY KENDRA KRAUTER
As I was trying to decide what to
write about in this month's column, I
became increasingly aware that with
the wonderful
weather that we
have been hav-
ing most people
are out -and -a-
bout enjoying it.
The weather
has just been too
nice to be inside
painting and
wallpapering.
Now is a great
time to get
caught up on
your reading. If
you have a pas-
sion for decorat-
ing magazines, like I do, maybe you
would like to start an "Idea Book".
How many times have you looked
through a pile of magazines to find
that article you thought you remem-
bered seeing in the third last issue of
"Country Home" or was it "Canadian
Home". If I want to relax after a long
day I gather a stack of decorating ma-
gazines, a couple of file folders, scis-
sors, and a tall cold glass of iced tea
and head for the shade of my catalpa
tree. It is great to be flipping through
the pages of pictures of things that
some day might be reality. If not for
me ... maybe someone else.
An Idea Book, or Work Book is a
great organizational tool if you are
planning on any decorating project.
A plan certainly helps! It is great to
have the original picture from the
magazine that inspired you in the first
place.
Start your book first by saving
clippings, even if they are all just in a
file folder to start with. This is what
I do, until the spirit moves me to
organize it. That is a great cold -
winter -day -job; unless you are start-
ing a decorating job in the near fu-
ture! Don't put it off; get organized.
Start with a regular school -size three
ring binder, dividers, clear plastic
self-closing page protectors, or man-
ila envelopes with three holes, plain
and lined three ring paper, glue, tape
or staples. Think of this as a refer-
ence book as well. Take measure-
ments of the rooms in your house and
the window sizes. If you are really
energetic you can do floor plans for
each room as well.
Your dividers can be set up with
ideas according to the room or you
can set them up according to furni-
ture, paint colours, window settings,
etc. This can be your scrapbook, so
include fabric and wallpaper samples
as well as information about what
company makes it, the cost per roll or
meter, where you saw it, and how
much you need. If you think of it,
you can include before pictures of
your rooms. These are always inspir-
ational when you are part way through
and things are not going well! They
are really great to have when your
project is completed too. You can sit
down and look at the before pictures
and congratulate yourself. These
pictures are also an asset when you
are out shopping, and will assist sales
people as well if you are trying to
describe the details of your room.
Your Idea Book is a great place to
keep the receipts and warranties for
furniture, wallpaper, flooring etc. that
you purchase. These will be
invaluable later if you need to re-
order items such as fabrics, paint,
tiles, or carpet. This will make your
search much easier.
As well as keeping pictures of
ideas for rooms, drapery settings, and
layouts, I have saved articles with
directions for building window
boxes, wood stains for decks and
fences, florabundance, kitchen
cabinets, and bathroom units that
caught my eye. There are articles on
making twig furniture, and decorating
kids rooms as well as patio trellis and
English gardens. I have a bit of this
and a bit of that, but it is always
interesting to go through. It will soon
be time to go through the next batch
of the latest issues.
If you have any decorating
questions please drop me a note c/o
The Rural Voice, P.O. Box 429,
Blyth, ON NOM 1H0.0
'Til next month,
Kendra
Kendra Krauter is a qualified interior
decorator who lives near Ethel, ON.
DUNDALK
FALL FAIR
&
TRUCK & TRACTOR
PULL
DUNDALK FALL FAIR
Sept. 10, 11, 1993
Friday - Admission $1.00
Exhibit Hall open Friday Evening
• Variety Program
• Crowning of The Fair Queen
Saturday - Admission $3.00
• Exhibits • Livestock Classes
• 4-H Clubs • Farm Races
• Children's Entertainer
Sunday - TRUCK & TRACTOR PULL
12:00 noon Admission $5.00
• Weigh-in — 9 - 11:30 a.m.
- Dundalk Co-op
• Entry Fee $5.00/class
Classes: Antique Tractor,
Stock Tractor, 4 x 4 Stock
Tractor, 4 x 4 Trucks
Food Booth on Grounds
For further information contact
Mary Fowler 923-3051
COMING
COUNTRY CRAFT
FESTIVALS
locations:
DUNDALK ARENA - JULY 10
PALMERSTON ARENA - JULY 17 & 18
CHATSWORTH ARENA - AUGUST 14
Trifif
100 Fine Crafters with
something for everyone
Terific
Show Hours 10:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: $2.00
Lunch available
wrew
1-519-371-4477
MARK THESE DATES
DOWN NOW!
AUGUST 1993 39