Townsman, 1991-04, Page 32curve but more shallow sills as the
upper brick wall is only two -layer
deep. Upstairs the centre hall opens
onto a balcony over a portico. The
centre halls are solid brick and there
are brick hallways in the basement.
On a clear day, you can see the lake
from the upstairs windows. In the
summer, the ivy goes right around the
balcony and around the windows.
"I loved the windows," said Marilyn.
"I didn't want to ruin them. It is very
difficult to find some window dress-
ing that suits them." The focus of the
restoration was keeping the house the
way it was, not spoiling it, not replac-
ing it with anything modern. Most of
the sills arc original except there arc a
few new ones, some upstairs and one
in back. Some of the sashes have been
replaced.
In her living room, which she deco-
rated herself, she used deep red velvet
on an antique sofa and chair. The win-
dow coverings arc pink moire balloon
curtains like watered silk which can
be lowered. The wallpaper is satin -
striped to match. Dark green plants
provide an accent. Since Marilyn's
ideas to decorate her home were her
own, she could choose her own colour
scheme and the accents complement
the soft pinks, greens, and blues in her
furniture and rug.
Shc liked antiques before anyone
else she kncw appreciated them and
she was able to collect them gradually
when the opportunity arose. Shc has a
cherry drop-leaf table and a cherry
flat -to -wall with the original panes in
it. An antique grain weigh scale which
still works is used for a side table. "I
think Hugh bought it from the Carlow
store," says Marilyn
Marilyn also sanded the cherry ban-
nister in the stairwell, which proceeds
from the circular arch on the main
floor up to the attic, a painstaking job
which took weeks.
The restoration of the house is an on-
going project. Wooden teardrops
which hung along the caves are next
to be rcplaccd.
Since Marilyn likes things both ele-
gant and rustic, the combination is
suitable for a busy farm life. For
example, her table cover is a hand-
woven rag mat, with tones of blue to
match her dishes. Also, there are
30 TOWNSMAN/APRIL-MAY 1991
placemats in complementary colours.
"What pleased me was that these
items were made from my own stuff,
from denim and other fabrics."
"We are recycling," she says with a
laugh, "chair covers made out of chil-
dren's jcans."
The original kitchen in the back was
made into a family room and since the
kitchen had been moved into the
house, Marilyn wanted it left there.
Cupboards were replaced in the early
1980s.
The restoration has taken place in the
middle of family life, through
heartache and happiness. Some work
was done in preparation for a daugh-
ter's wedding in 1981, so that every-
thing would be looking just so. But,
things haven't always run this smooth-
ly. When her mother died, Marilyn
said, she was in the middle of doing
the living room and everything was in
the worst mess, adding to the turmoil.
The house is now a gathering place
for children and grandchildren and
Marilyn fondly recalls the time when
she first came to the house, when she
was too young to do anything but get
married to Hugh. Now, she has spent
almost 35 years caring for and restor-
ing a grand old house.
‘ua:te,c
"We find the keepers"
Antique Do118
LJ
Accessories
Vintage Linens
Qj1ts
Unique Country Finds -�
Hours
Tuesday to Sunday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Heather & James Hunter
R.R. #3 • Holyrood, Ontario • NOG 2B0 • (519) 395-3158
(In the stone house, 3 Sideroads north of Lucknow on Cty. Rd. 1, 1 km east on Con. 6)
We buy Dolls • Singles or Collections