Getting framed

Getting framed
The end of the year approaches, which means another holiday season and another search for unique, personal gifts. The Art & amp; Framing Council offers some suggestions for creating one-of-a-kind, meaningful offerings, with just a little help from your local custom picture framer. Photographs and art can be nice choices, especially family portraits, but framers' abilities don't stop there:
UFor kids, frame mementos of achievements (scouting badges, dance recital shoes and costumes) or souvenirs (concert or sports tickets, program and photograph).
UFor fishing enthusiasts, group lures, flies and a photo; for golfers, assemble golf card, tee, ball and a photo; for the flea-market enthusiast, frame antiques.
UFor collectors, try assembling the best baseball cards, coins or stamps.
"Use your imagination," says framing council executive director Kim Ahern, "because professional framers can frame just about anything."
Rattan's in season
Wicker can call to mind summer cabins by the sea or country kitsch design, but the new rattan collection from Umbra uses modern lines that fit right in with fall. The Duo Tables, sold as a set for $199.99, are two coffee tables that nest together, each with a built-in shelf for storing books or magazines. The tables are available in natural, a warm tone, or espresso, a dark, deep brown. Umbra's rattan collection also includes three mirrors in bold patterns: Bliss ($39.99) is a raised circular mirror measuring 20 inches in diameter on a square sunburst border; Fairest ($29.99) is a 15 1/2-inch circular mirror with a spoked frame; and Ola ($49.99) is a 24-inch elliptical mirror whose woven frame forms a letter "O."
The Umbra rattan collection is available at Linens 'N Things, or call (800) 387-5122 for the retailer nearest you. The pieces can be purchased online at www.umbra.com.
Test a room with a hue
Trying to decide whether cerulean would make your bedroom serene or leave you feeling blue? Or whether deep brown would create a cozy space or a crowded one? Thanks to new software from Glidden, guesswork is removed from the color equation.
With Color@Home II, you take photos of your own rooms, import them into the program and virtually paint and repaint until you find the perfect hue -- without adding layers to your walls.
See how any the company's 648 interior and exterior colors look in or outside your home. Color@Home II sells for $5.97 and is available at Home Depot stores and other retailers that carry Glidden paints.
Power painter's power
Painting is one of the most do-it-yourself-friendly means of home improvement. While 70 percent of a good paint job is in the preparation, having the right applicator can make a difference in the result and effort put forth. In the past that meant selecting the right paint brush or roller cover. That was then, and this is now. Today, there is an assortment of nifty devices designed to make painting far easier. Power painters and power rollers are all the rage in do-it-yourself painting. Theres even a battery-operated cordless power roller that eliminates the hassle of electrical cords. Shutters, patio furniture, fencing and shade structures are just a few of the many objects for which the power painter comes in handy.
Danger of flammables
According to the national fire incident reporting system, a majority of residential fires and fire-related injuries results from improperly stored flammables such as gasoline.
Frequently, it's the vapors and not the liquid that lead to a disastrous fire or explosion. Children are especially vulnerable because of their lack of understanding of the hazards of flammables.
Gasoline, for example, is a motor fuel -- not a cleaning product.
Flammables should not be stored near an ignition source such as a water heater, stove or furnace. Store flammables on a high shelf out of the reach of little ones and in a detached garage or shed, if possible. Use only ul-approved containers for gasoline storage.
And, never store gasoline in a plastic water jug.