Holiday
Jewel tones such as plum, red, green, silver (with lime green), and gold popular decorating colours.
Comfort and Joy
BY VICKI GILHULA
Winter 2009 |
At holiday time, Lynn Boeswald unpacks treasures collected over many years, and selects her favourite decorations. And whether she plans a traditional theme or something new and bold, she hangs her crochet Christmas ornaments in a special place where she can enjoy them every day of the season. The crochet ornaments were made by her mother. "Some are at least 25 years old," she says. Boeswald's mother died a few years ago, and now the handmade keepsakes have a deeper meaning for the owner of Apple Cart Collectables. Boeswald is in the business of decorating. She knows what's in and what's out; what works and what doesn't. The things we love such as awkward ornaments made by the kids in kindergarten, a collection of snow globes, stockings purchased at Santa's Village in 1969, an antique perfume bottle, or cherished chipped nativity figurines can be used to create beautiful Christmas displays. Family heirlooms and mementos are always appropriate, says Boeswald. "Take out your children's baby shoes or great-grandmother's picture. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are about family...Who knows one of the kids may ask questions about family history..." Apple Cart Collectables has built a steady clientale since it opened 18 years ago. After 16 years in a 600-square-foot location on Ontario St., Boeswald moved to her present location at 280 Larch St. in September 2008. The shop is located in a charming older home and decorated beautifully from top to bottom during the holiday season. With more space, Boeswald is able to offer additional services such as special event planning and new products. In addition to fresh floral arrangements and gift baskets, Apple Cart has decor ideas, gift items, accessories and, new this year, handsome handbags. People looking for made-in-Sudbury gifts will enjoy the selection of pottery, stained glass, paintings, jewelry and teddy bears made by local artists and artisans. Boeswald has been preparing for the busy Yuletide season since last January when she attended the huge gift shows for retailers. Jewel tones such as plum, red, green, silver (with lime green), and gold will be popular decorating colours this holiday, she says. Boeswald advises people to sort through their boxes of decorations, select the ones they love, then pick a theme and colour scheme before decorating. Less is more is her guide. In addition to the living and entertaining spaces, she enjoys decorating bathrooms and kitchens, as well as bedrooms in holiday themes. "When you wake, it's Christmas in the room." While the decorator uses artificial trees, when it gets closer to Dec. 25, she sticks real cedar branches into the displays to get that "Christmas smell." She also decorates with sprigs of herbs such as rosemary because of their inviting fragrances.
