Sunday lunch, browsing at Maiire’s

Press, 14 May 1987, Page 16

Sunday lunch, browsing at Maiire’s

“Living Space”

by

PRUDENCE ROTHENBERG

What a joy it is to be taken out for Sunday lunch. It’s a complete relaxation away from the telephone and chores. A dear friend took me to the Elms Hotel in Papanui. This was quite new to me as its unprepossessing facade had not encouraged me to investigate further.

The hotel’s entrance foyer is spacious, and an attractive colour scheme in pink and grey follows through to the house bar and dining room. The menu would suit all tastes. We both enjoyed our meal, which was well presented, the fresh fruit salad being attractively served in ice baskets. The service was excellent. I asked Ron Vanderlem, the food and beverage supervisor to tell me a little about the hotel. He has worked his way in New Zealand hotels from a kitchen hand to his

present position. He was obviously proud of the hotel and pleased to show us around. The Elms has been open for about seven months. The great initial rush is over, Ron explained and now he can enjoy really giving service.

He showed us one of the two well-thought-out and designed paraplegic suites. "If they come alone we give them all the help we can,” he said.

The executive suite includes full kitchen facilities, spa bath and hairdryer. The room leads on to a secluded courtyard furnished with table and chairs.

Guests with children could have dinner in peace knowing that the children were watching a video and staff were keeping an eye On them, Ron told me.

I liked the understated decoration. I shall certainly go back for a meal, maybe dinner next time. Recently I attended the opening of Maiire’s in Wairaki Road, a shop specialising in large pots, terracotta from Italy, Mexico, and New Zealand, with a few, well-done-up antiques, porcelain, and glass. A Staffordshire jug and wash-hand basin caught my eye. The background was black with pink cabbage roses. At the doorway were', some most attractive ' children’s chairs in Mexican wood and seagrass. This is an ideal shop for browsing, as well as buying.

Q On a recent tour to the South Island I read your column on decorating in “The Press.” I was impressed by your helpful and practical advice. Before Christmas two changes occurred in our lifestyle. I retired from work, and we moved into a new house with an almost self-contained flat downstairs. There are two bedrooms, one of which- I would like to convert into a den-cum-office. I think it is important to retain some living space where you can entertain friends or retreat when there is a ladies’ bridge party. The room is sunny and faces north. The carpet is a

sort of irregular pattern of white, and light and dark green. It is in good order and will be retained. The carpet in the hall opening into the den is olive green. The north wall is all window, with a good Venetian blind. I don’t like them much, but will retain it. Furnishings are a small oak desk and chair, and I intend to get a two-seater which can be opened into a double bed for extra guests, and perhaps another small, easy chair. I would like your advice on: colour to paint walls; material for curtains on each side of the blind; material to cover the bed

settee. My interests are fishing, particularly trout, and most other sports. I also enjoy reading. I note that queries can only be answered in your column. I wonder if you could send me a copy of “The Press” as we do not normally receive it up here. I enclose an addressed envelope. D.C.8., Whakatane. A Thank you for your samples and interesting letter. It is a good idea to create a den-cum-office. I am sure you will enjoy many stories about the fish that got away. I have chosen for your curtains an Aztec design by Duncorra fabrics, with an interesting combination of colours — chestnut, olive green, navy blue, salmon, brown and gold. Cover the bed settee in a functional fabric, Vyking, 100 per cent wool in Fjord Chestnut; cushions on the settee — Wilsons, gloaming navy, 3125, Salmon, 3127, and Celedon Green, 3137; walls: Dulux Avalon — a soft green. Decorate the walls with a gallery of photographs, fishing prints, and paintings. This, I think, is preferable to fabric with motifs. Enjoy your room. I will send you a copy of the article when it comes to hand. Q Recently we had a

dividing wall removed between a living room and a lounge, both small rooms with a 9ft stud. They receive only a little sun first thing- in the morning through the living room bay window, and some late afternoon sun through the lounge bay window. The living room was pannelled to a height of 4ft, so we had the panelling removed to match the lounge. The skirtings, doors, and the living room bay window are varnished, while the lounge window is painted white. We cannot decide whether to paint the living room window or varnish the lounge window. We want to leave the skirtings and doors varnished. Bricks from 1 the open fire in the old lounge were used as a floor-to-ceiling backing and hearth for a new log fire. The ceiling is stippled and painted white to, make the room lighter. We have a patterned velvet lounge suite in tonings of fawn, brown, and

soft gold. The carpet is fawn, the drapes brown velvet. We are very pleased with the room, but cannot decide on a wallpaper. We both like the lovely, satin-finish papers and have been looking at some in a fine stripe of cream or white and gold. Would it be better to have a plain paper instead of the shiny one? We would really appreciate your help. L.H.C. Sheffield.

A Thank you for your letter. I am pleased you enjoy your alterations. You have co-ordinated your colours well. The cinnamon brown curtains will show up better against white windows. There is no reason why you should not have the silk-look in your wallpaper. Vision’s new wallpaper book, “Silken Lights 2” has very attractive, self-stripe papers. Keep your paper light, and I suggest either the fine stripe you have chosen or Textra 2386. Good luck.