In memory of my grand-aunt, whose style made me want to become an Interior Decorator. |
My Grand-Aunt had a very unique style. Not many people liked it, but not many people told her they didn't like it, either. If they did, she would say, 'It's what I like'. Her living room was filled with warm colours. It had a mixed palette of orange and blue, with rich mahogany furniture. The dining room table and chairs were mahogany wood, and the fabric on the chairs was auburn, a warm, orange shade. Grand-Aunt's kitchen was painted in a bright, sunny yellow paint. There were windows all around. The windows were glass panels, that you could open and close, on one side of the kitchen. On the other side, was just glass with white casing. Her curtains in the kitchen were soft yellow, with tiny pink flowers on them, which she made herself. She loved floral patterns. The kitchen cabinets had a rich brown, mahogany wood all around, with red edging. It was such a bright and airy kitchen, I even enjoyed washing the dishes. My Grand-Aunt was the wife of the Mayor of Kingston and St. Andrew, in the eighties. She was invited to many events that a mayor and his wife, would have to attend. Grand-Aunt usually had her clothes by a dressmaker. Her dresses were very stylish, and always to knee-length. She would wear pearl necklaces or that antique looking silver. She always had to wear a watch. They usually were not working, but she always asked me to get them from her bedroom for her. I loved going in her bedroom. It was usually off limits, so whenever the opportunity presented itself, I gladly offered. The watches were dainty, bevelled shape gold slim-band watches, with rhinestones around the face. I remember asking her why she wore them if they didn't have the right time, and she simply replied, 'I wear it for fashion.' One thing I especially have to talk about, was her collections of ceramic figurines. She had an étagère, and filled it with those figurines. Some were small and some were big. She had ceramic birds, ceramic eggs, and even Royal Doulton ladies. I absolutely loved them. I told myself that when I grew up, I was going to start my own collection. I started a collection of decorating magazines and unique decorative, ceramic switch plates; something else I saw around her house. Sad to say, Grand-Aunt has passed away now, from breast cancer. Her husband, the once mayor of Kingston and St. Andrew, has also passed away from prostate cancer. This is my memory of living with her, throughout my teenage years. The house is now sold, and all the things I remember, and used to hold dear in my heart, which are like treasures to me, are now gone. In Loving Memory of my Sweet Grand-Aunt. |