The Rural Voice, 1997-10, Page 49Home Decorating
A nice place to visit
By Patti Robertson
It can be nerve wracking getting
ready for overnight guests, what with
kids, full-time jobs and general
upkeep of the home ... and of course
our goal is to allow our guests a
pleasant stay with as little hassle as
possible. In the course of any year
Ward and I are
hosts to
numerous
overnight
guests and I
have found it is
the little things
along with our
request to
"Please, while
you are here,
make yourself
at home!" that
make the
difference.
Any room
can double
nicely as a
guest room, providing the colour
scheme is inviting, and there has been
an effort to co-ordinate a theme of
comfort. Along with clean sheets and
their own towels, a generous -sized
mirror for grooming, a bedside table
and a good lamp for reading in bed, a
stand on which to place one's
suitcase, and hangers for clothes, an
interesting array of accessories which
complement the room's decor can
add greatly to the overall presentation
and these bits and pieces are great
items on which to rest the eye as one
lies in bed.
Besides the basic necessities I
enjoy providing a selection of up-to-
date magazines, for my company's
enjoyment: Architectural Digest for
my design friends and the avid home
bodies, Racing or Canadian Biker for
the car nuts and a copy of Food for
the gourmets. I also have a well -
stocked booked shelf, with many
classics as well as newer novels.
Probably, the biggest hit with my
guests is the goodie basket I keep in
the corner of the room. A large white
wicker basket holds an abundant
array of sample -sizes shampoos,
conditioners, soaps, hand and body
creams, shaving gels and lotions,
shower caps, toothbrushes, and paste,
nail polish remover and files, Q -tips,
etc. (this is a great use for all the
hotel samples we drag home from our
out-of-town excursions, or any of
these can be inexpensively purchased
at the drug store.)
Often, on the first night, I'll turn
the bedside lamp on for my guests at
dusk to give a cozy welcoming feel. I
also turn one corner down on the bed
and leave either a little box of
chocolates, a rose, or welcoming note
or poem to be found by my guest as
they prepare to tuck in. I also leave at
least one night -light on to provide
safe and easy movement should my
guests need to get up during the
night.
Breakfast is usually a casual
affair, as I let the household awake
as either duty or leisure allows. The
previous evening, before retiring, I
set up an area to serve as a coffee and
juice bar, including a basket of
various herbal and fruit teas and the
tea kettle. Cups, glasses, cream,
sugar, etc. are all at hand. I cover one
end of my kitchen counter with a
fresh white linen cloth to create a
"breakfast bar". I then arrange my
toaster, croissants, bagels, muffins
and a multi -grain bread along with
jams, jellies, cream cheese, etc. A
huge bowl of fresh fruit, a variety of
cheeses and either pre-cooked
bacon, sausages or sliced ham
round out this "Help Yourself"
affair! Using good china and linen
napkins will enhance the appeal. The
whole meal is easily made ahead of
time and allows me a more leisurely
morning in which to enjoy my
company. I don't hover, I allow my
friends to "make themselves at
home"! This method has always
received rave reviews.
Accessing one's guests' needs,
setting up and preparing well ahead
of schedule allows us to enjoy our
company in relative relaxation .. .
and as I said it seems to be the "little
things" that tickle overnight guests
the most!O
Patti Robertson operates Classic
Interiors in Wingham.
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APPLES
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BLYTHE BROOKE
ORCHARDS
Located 1 mile west of Blyth on Cty. Rd. 25
New cold storage, cider and packing
plant facilities to serve you better.
519-523-9338 (Store) 519-523-4383
Working with the gifts of nature
Home Front Acres
Roger & Gail Farrell
9 varieties of apples grown
Also available: cider, pumpkins, squash
Hwy. 21 north of Amberley across from Pine Ryer Cheese
Open 6 days/week 10-6
395-5246
ORCHILL
FARMS & ORCHARDS
Walton, Ont. NOK 1Z0
PH. 519-523-9279
BOYD & MURIEL TAYLOR
QUALITY APPLES FROM OUR COLD STORAGE
ALMOND'S FRUIT STAND
Top Quality Produce
Wide choice of apple varieties,
sweet corn, spanish onions, squash,
pumpkins, baked goods & crafts
Open daily all year
East of Meatord on Hwy. 26 519-538-2281
GOLDSMITH'S
ORCHARD MARKET
"We specialize in apples, corn, cider,
apple pies and apple cider donuts"
Hwy. 26 west of Thornbury
519-599-3246
,•rte
•
, Ill
OCTOBER 1997 45