The Rural Voice, 1998-04, Page 62elko
Home Decorating
Heritage home lovingly restored in Walkerton
By Patti Robertson
Have you heard the buzz about
Viewfield Inn, Walkerton? Do you
know, that for a reasonable amount
you can spend one night or many and
be treated regally in one of our area's
most sumptuous bed and breakfast
inns!
Even from the outside one gets
immense pleasure as the eye falls
upon interesting plantings and
statuary so artfully placed amongst
grand old shade trees, surrounding the
immense Victorian facade. Since
being built circa 1865 this noble
home as constangly been referred to
by the kids of the area as "The
Mansion".
Our knock on the door is answered
by the Inn's owner and most gracious
host, Lynn Mullens. Fires have been
lit in the fireplaces and one's senses
are automatically activated with sweet
citrus aromas, soothing classical
music and the wonderful warm and
extravagant use of colours ... and a
marvellous tour begins!
The home was built by Alexander
Shaw and has been lovingly restored
and updated with fine style and
extremely good taste. Colour plays a
large part in the decor. Being warm,
and bold it pays homage to the
"Grand Dame" the home is, right
from the wonderfully deep,
charcoaled sage tones of the high
ceilinged double drawing room
featuring a circa 1600 mantlepiece
from the original owner's ancestral
home in England. Original fringed,
velvet drapery hangs aloft the
archway, and an eclectic mixture of
antiques and traditional furnishings
and accessories make this room a
feast for the eye! You are invited to
sip wine or beverage of your choice
by the crackling fire and listen to
"your kind of music".
The Library
offers a cozy
place to curl up
near this room's
1879 fireplace.
Visitors are
welcome to
select books to
enjoy from the
impressive
collection
which Lynn is
busily
categorizing.
The bookcase
extends to the
ceiling and a
ladder is needed
Guests enjoy
hospitality,
decor
to access the upper shelves.
The Morning Room, in a cheery,
classic yellow and blue combo is a
wonderful room in which to enjoy
one's first cup of the day ... and it
features the home's third fireplace.
Beautiful traditional floral
wallcovering graces the walls of the
dining room which is available for
business meetings, catered with
coffee, refreshments or light
luncheons.
The home's Livery was renovated
in 1957 into a kitchen for the manor.
At present this spacious area is
awaiting Lynn's big plans and
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AND FLOORING AT THE
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Carpet Warehouse
(on the Owen Sound Bypass - 2 miles south of Springmount)
376-0975
Open Wed., Thurs. & Fn. - 10:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m., Sat. - 10:30 a.m - 3:00 p.m.
Evening appointments available for your convenience
58 THE RURAL VOICE
talented touch of decor. In the mean-
time many a wonderful four course
breakfast is being prepared by Lynn
for her guests amidst antique washing
machines, coffee grinders, a gigantic
fireplace, and a view to stimulate
one's senses. Guests are welcome to
wander down in their housecoat
should one desire and "be at home"
while sipping homemade juices, fresh
fruit, yogurts and sweetbreads. Lynn
keeps a journal of guests' preferences
and "allergy alerts" etc.
The entire west wing of the Inn is
devoted to guests' needs ... boasting
four newly renovated guest rooms
with accompanying baths. All rooms
feature queen size beds, top-of-the-
line mattresses, duvets and four
plump pillows per bed, with fresh
towels, fresh flowers and daily maid
service, who could ask for more?
My favourite room was the
Canon's Suite (the most expensive).
This suite affords ultimate privacy
and grandeur along with a luxury
three-piece ensuite and lovely view!
The Joan Creighton Room is bright
and cozy, decked out in a relaxing
blue and white scheme and featuring
many of the previous owner's
treasures and memorabilia while the
Sir John A. MacDonald Room, (Sir
John A. actually slept in this room!)
has a true Canadian flavour with its
rich "Folk Art Red" walls and Ottawa
Valley style furnishings. The
Alexander Room is an extremely
eclectic mixture of furnishings
incorporated into an oriental
flavoured colour combo of black and
rose. It is an extremely spacious room
featuring a canopy bed and many
interesting treasures for one to enjoy.
Lynn encourages her guests to
make this their "home away from
home!" And at this time I have to
pause and pay tribute to hostess Lynn
Mullens whose personal warmth,
charm and grace surpass that of her
home's incredible "living history".
Viewfield Inn is an affordable way
to treat oneself and explore the
glorious past of one of our area's
grandest homes.0
Patti Robertson operates Classic
Interiors in Wingham.