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See the light
If
your fluorescent ceiling light is humming and flickering and
there are
eight generations of dead insects on the upper side of the
lens, read on. There is nothing more energy-efficient or easier
on the eyes than fluorescent lighting. We tend to take it
for granted, because there is such a long interval between
bulb changes. Using a stepladder, remove and wash the lenses
and change all the bulbs. If flickering continues, replace
the ballast unit. They don’t cost much and take about
20 minutes to install. Your kitchen will be brighter,
and your eyes will feel better.
Design a kitchen
Designing a kitchen isn't like following a recipe. It's
more like participating in an Iron Chef competition.
You have plenty of opportunities for creativity, but
they have to fit within parameters such as budget and
the size of the space. Blending dreams with reality
is one of Kitchen.com's strengths. The Web site helps
users determine their needs and preferences. You can
sort through the options and create a budget before
you start shopping for materials or hire a kitchen designer.
The site includes information on kitchen trends, photos
of designer kitchens to spark ideas, specifics on creating
a kitchen that complements a house's architectural style
and tips on choosing materials. Questionnaires help
users work through design issues and the budgeting process.
Garen
Beetles to the rescue
Property owners who notice an explosion of caterpillar
life in trees can take heart.
It's just the normal procession of spring cankerworms
out looking for a good meal. You shouldn't have to do
much of anything to control these caterpillars. They
have so many natural enemies that their numbers are
usually kept in check. Abundant spring foliage, especially
on oaks, attracts the spring cankerworm. More commonly
known as the inchworm, it appears along with the forest
tent caterpillar and the eastern tent caterpillar. One
of the most common caterpillar predators is a ground
beetle referred to as a "searcher." It is
among the largest of the ground beetles. It can surpass
1.5 inches in length. Searchers are known for the iridescent
hues on their wings. The colors can range from a dark
violet to green. The beetles are particularly fond of
caterpillars.
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Sculpture
Adds Depth..
By Rosemary Sadez
Putting
art on walls is a common solution to the
accessorizing aspect of interior design.
Artworks complete our walls, with beauty
and color complementing the rest of the
decor. But if a feeling of motion is desired,
something that adds more than a flat portrait
-- a sculpture -- is the answer. The sculpture's
three-dimensional form adds zest,
movement and liveliness to a room.
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Sculpture has a life of its
own. Like a piece of furniture, it is freestanding.
Its front, sides and back are visible. It
adds dimension within the room. Unlike furniture,
you can't sit on it. A drink cannot be placed
on it. It is not usable. Sculpture has a
purpose of its own; it interacts with the
room and the room's inhabitants. But for
sculpture to emancipate itself from other
ordinary accessories, it needs to have a
special place in the room -- a special backdrop,
a pedestal or table, or a designated place
on the floor where it can breathe and be
admired.
A room that is rather neutral can be transformed
into one of interest with the right sculpture.
The geometry, color and texture of the sculpture
add the missing elements. Often, though,
several pieces that are complementary are
better than one. Sculptures combined with
other accessories are always good.
For example, an abstract, sculptured stone
sitting atop a short pile of books with
a vase holding flowers nearby will complement
each other and the entire room. Another
example: A lamp, a bowl (empty, or with
fruit or potpourri) and the right sculpture
will work wonders for a room. A series of
three or five items is always better that
two or four.
For some reason, odd numbers tend to create
more interest than even ones when working
with accessories. If a space such as a cocktail
table needs more than three items, try this:
three candleholders, a wooden turtle and
a cocktail table book. Those five pieces
or similar ones should do the trick. |
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