Sunday, November 17, 2002
Decorating ideasfor the tween years
At a certain age, kids no longer want bedrooms decorated with cartoon characters or toys, but they aren't quite ready for a totally grown-up look, either. That's where Brewster Wallcovering Co.'s new line for "tween" consumers comes in. The line's wallpaper and matching borders enable girls from 8 to 14 to decorate their rooms with whimsy and color.
The Whizz Kids collection features purples, pinks and aquas decorated with bright hearts, stars and flowers. The Can You Imagine? series by International Wallcovering takes its inspiration from tie-dye fashions.
Jack & amp; Jill, also by International, features a "groovy girls" border that alternates drawings of six different young girls striking different poses and dressed in various styles.
To find a nearby retailer, call (800) 366-1700 or visit www.brewsterwallcovering.com on the Web.
Gaskets for sockets,switches keep air out
If your home is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, read on. Air passing through walls -- whether they are insulated or not -- can cost you big bucks.
To slow that air flow, all you have to have are gaskets for plugs and switches. The gaskets are quite inexpensive and usually are available in packs of 12 or so.
Installation is easy; a screwdriver is the only tool you will need. Make sure to turn the power off before you begin. Then, remove the cover plate, place the gasket over the switch or plug, and replace the cover. How about that? A home improvement that you can accomplish in less than a minute.
Tips to get new useout of old items
If you want to try restoring tired tables, lamps or other furnishings, here are suggestions from Deerfield Designs in Ellicott City, Md.:
ULook for an item that's unique with interesting lines or an unusual shape.
UFind a piece that can be used for something other than its original function, such as turning a 1930s radio cabinet into a bar.
ULook for an item in reasonably good condition built of good quality materials.
Mantis SprayPartnerwill keep you rolling
If you're tired of lugging around a two-gallon garden sprayer or being weighed down by a heavy backpack sprayer, try the Mantis SprayPartner. The Mantis SprayPartner rolls around your yard and garden on big, wide tires. The molded polyethylene tank holds up to 12 gallons, which is plenty to handle most spraying jobs with one fill.
Plus, you can say goodbye to hand pumping. Just turn on the motor, point and spray. Whether you're spraying high into a tree to control tent caterpillars or misting your crops with an organic foliar fertilizer, the Mantis SprayPartner makes it easier.
Price is $369. Order by calling (800) 366-6268 or visit www.mantisgardentools.com on the Web.
HomeClick offerssome royal deals
If you're shopping for home furnishings and home-improvement products, visit HomeClick -- www.homeclick.com on the Web -- an online retailer of brand-name bath, hardware, kitchen, lighting and outdoor and tableware products. Whether you're looking into deals on high-end outdoor grills, a crystal chandelier or Lenox china, HomeClick offers a large selection of luxury items.
You also find HomeClick features the unusual as well as the usual. For example, for the woman who has everything, HomeClick offers state-of-the-art bidets and high-tech "washlets."
There's even a throne-type toilet that has a high-back seat with a gothic-arch top and full armrests to give the toilet a majestic appearance. Its royal price is $4,200.
For more information, call (800) 643-9990.
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