THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 13, 1994 TAG: 9411110108
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G4 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: AROUND THE HOUSE
SOURCE: MARY FLACHSENHAAR
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
IF YOU'RE GETTING your house ready for holiday entertaining, you might want to create a new look by first rearranging furniture. Before making a floor plan, review the following decorating principles, outlined in the current issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine.
Decide on the room's function, listing activities that you and your family would like to do there.
Find a focal point. If your room doesn't have a natural one, such as windows with a great view, a bookcase wall or a fireplace, substitute a large or bold piece of furniture or an accessory. Or group small elements into a focal point.
Float furnishings. Avoid a lineup of furniture around the room's periphery. Instead, pull pieces away from the walls, gathering them into close-knit groupings that are conducive to conversation.
Direct traffic, making sure that its flow is funneled around, not through, conversation groupings.
Balance big and little pieces. Combine furnishings of different sizes. Avoid placing all the tall and weighty pieces on the same side of the room. Use them to balance architectural features. For example, a large bookcase on one side of the room could echo the height of a tall window on the other side.
Try a fresh angle. Because a diagonal is the longest line through any room, a grouping placed at an angle can open up space, creating an illusion of width.
Think convenience. Put a spot for drinks or books close to every seating piece. SHEDDING LIGHT ON NIGHT OWLS
A new gadget called the NiteOwl is the perfect gift for the bed partner who can't sleep with the light on to give to the bed partner who loves to read at night.
The lightweight cordless book light with a slim bookmark design projects a narrow, glare-free beam on the book held by the reader, allowing the sleeper to snooze on in heavenly peace. The bulb lights up automatically when the retractable gooseneck is extended. Just 8 1/2 inches long, the NiteOwl is also a sensible accessory for bus, train or plane travel.
The device, which retails for about $25, features a removable battery pack powered by two AA batteries. An A/C adapter upgrade kit, which allows the unit to be plugged into an electrical outlet, can be purchased for an additional $15.
NiteOwl can be purchased at Baker's Fine Jewelry, 760 W. 22nd St., Norfolk; through The Sharper Image catalog; or by calling the manufacturer, Lumatec Industries, at (800) 776-7945. EASING AGONY OF ALLERGIES
Closing the house up tight for the long winter ahead could mean trouble for those who suffer from allergies. The effect of indoor allergens such as mold, dust mites and pet dander becomes more intense without the flow of fresh air.
These tips for taking care of the bedroom, where more time is spent than in any other room, should reduce the number of allergens there.
Put several layers of cheesecloth over heating vents to filter out large dust particles.
Use washable curtains or shades instead of venetian blinds, which are terrible dust catchers.
Wash bed linens in hot water (130 degrees) weekly to kill the microscopic dust mites that live on the sheets. Encase mattresses and pillows in airtight covers.
Keep dogs and cats out of the bedroom.
Move houseplants to another part of the house. Use clay pots instead of wicker baskets, which encourage mold growth. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The NiteOwl book light is designed for reading in bed.
by CNB