Great to go away, good to come home

Press, 11 September 1986, Page 16

Great to go away, good to come home

However enjoyable a holiday may be there is something special about returning home. Kind friends had filled my house with flowers on my return from Hawaii. My lawn had been cut, even the garden was weeded. I found it a great advantage being able to leave for my holiday with Air New Zealand from Christchurch. The flight was excellent, if a little turbulent in parts. My aircraft seat felt that many, many passengers had sat before me. It was not particularly comfortable. The crew looked after us very well. They were very busy all the time we were in the air. Being a good traveller, I enjoyed our meals which were well up to standard. Arriving outside our hotel in Waikiki, feeling the heavenly warmth, hearing the sound of the sea, and smelling the perfume of the tropical flowers I had to pinch myself. We were on holiday for a whole two weeks. Now I impatiently wait for my films to be developed.

by

PRUDENCE ROTHENBERG

Q We are about to move into an old house. While we cannot afford any major expense, I feel it is possible to “update” the kitchen without too much cost The house lends itself to the “country” style. At present the kitchen is in shades of yellow and brown. I like blue and white, and have seen a country-style, blue wallpaper with small white flowers and thought tie-back curtains in a reverse print would be suitable. The main problem are the cupboards and the flooring. It is not suitable to strip the paint, so what colours would you suggest for repainting? Our kitchen table has pink chairs. We have a collection of blue and white china for the walls. We would appreciate any suggestions. Puzzled — South Shore. AYour ideas for your kitchen are excellent. You

do have a problem with one of your bench tops covered in yellow vinyl. Could you perhaps tile that area with blue tiles? Before you decide on a blue and white paper with reverse curtains, look at Cookie Jar, VSI 9723 which has a white background with blue. Your blue plates would show up so much better. I note from your sketch plan that you also have a glass cupboard to house your willow pattern dinner set. The curtains could be the reverse in blue. There is a pretty border with this paper called Coconut Crisp, number CJI 1281. Pink and blue flowers flow along on a white background. Paint the bottom cupboards Resene Burma grey, which is, believe it or not, a matching blue. If Resene Oyster Pink matches your chairs this is the colour I would suggest for your top cupboards. There is a white vinyl with thin blue lines forming a check. If this is not to your liking, an offwhite or pale blue would be suitable. Enjoy your blue, white, and pink kitchen. Qwe are about to change the colour scheme of our main bedroom and would appreciate your suggestions. Enclosed Is a plan of the bedroom, which is on the north-east corner of our CS-Uear-old home. The room has a 2.9 m stud and all the woodwork has

been painted. The carpet, which we will retain, is a plain, dark mushroom colour. The focal point of the bedroom is the waterbed, which has rich chestnut brown arm caps. We recently purchased a duvet from one of the Martex collections, which has a junior navy blue background with small white spots. Bunches of flowers of varying shades of dusky pink with green leaves dominate this duvet. Our pillows have the same pattern, being edged with white frills. The other furniture of the bedroom, bedhead, duchesse, tallboy and bedside cabinet "are all medium brown. We would like to introducce other colours into the room to complement the blues and pinks of the duvet It is intended to paint the piaster walls, ceilings and woodwork. There is enough blue, so we are thinking of introducing some shades of pink, to enhance the duvet flowers. It is our intention to replace the drapes and we welcome suggestions. Velvet or similar materials appeal. This is rather restrictive, but we await your comments. Better bedroom, Ashburton.

A.Thank you for your plan. As you say, you know the colours you want and do not really require my advice. Soft, rose pink walls, white ceiling (to go with the spots on your duvet) would be attractive. I imagine the caps on your waterbed frame are dralon. If so, I would not suggest velvet for your curtains. For the walls, Dulux Powder Puff, and your curtains, Anthony Fraser, Napoleon Old Rose. This fabric will drape well, and has a slight sheen. Enjoy your room.