YOUR PLACE.

Opening your door to feng shui 

Feng shui for the masses. That's what Gabrielle Alizay hopes to offer in her new book, ``Feng Shui for the Rest of Us'' (The Writers' Collective; $24.95).

By taking a more easygoing approach to the ancient belief system born in China, she shows how you can transform your home into a sanctuary using feng shui - and have a little fun, too.

``I try to demystify things,'' she says. ``Feng shui is this amazing tool, but it's been presented very dogmatically. Most of America missed out.''

For example, Alizay offers the following tips on how using feng shui in the bedroom can spice up your love life.

No used mattresses: ``The mattress is the symbol of love in feng shui,'' she says. So it's important to avoid sleeping on a mattress that's from a failed relationship - whether the mattress is yours, your partner's, or even belongs to a stranger whose listing you found on e-Bay. Just say no, even if it's a bargain, Alizay cautions.

Avoid single imagery: Sleep in a double bed or larger, even if you live alone, she says. ``Fill your home with your goals already manifest in terms of imagery.''

Clear the bedroom of clutter: This creates space for gifts to come. But you don't have to be a neat freak. ``A shirt on the floor is not going to affect your feng shui,'' she says. ``You shouldn't feel like you have to walk on feng shui eggshells.''

Close the bathroom door: Especially if it's part of a bedroom suite. ``This action specifically keeps love and more from 'going down the drain,' '' she says.

If you're a skeptic, be a scientist and experiment with feng shui, she suggests. Then check out the results. ``It's an action-oriented philosophy,'' she says. ``If you're looking to improve your life with it, you have to learn it and do it.''

- Diana McKeon Charkalis

SAMPLE THIS: Avoid mishaps with an innovative wallpaper that you can try before you buy. The free Surestrip-Prepasted sample squares from York Wallcoverings' new Extreme Room Makeovers collection can be dipped in water and applied to the wall for inspection. They're easy to remove and offer an affordable way to determine what will look good on your walls. Sample displays in stores will feature 80 new designs in ``color families,'' making it easy to mix and match. The entire collection is printed on Surestrip, which is more durable and easier to use than regular wallpaper. The wallpaper is also made of natural and synthetic fibers with waterless, smokeless inks, making it environmentally friendly. Suggested retail prices range from $16.99 to $36.99 per single roll. Available at local paint and home improvement stores nationwide. For more information, call [phone], or visit www.yorkwall.com.

- Simone Schramm

CLEAN AND SMART: Never use too much dishwashing detergent again with the new GE Profile Dishwasher with SmartDispense Technology. This is the first machine of its kind to dispense just the right amount of liquid or gel detergent. The amount is determined by water hardness, soil level of dishes and cycle selection. A signal lights when detergent has approximately three to seven washes left, and refills are needed every eight weeks. The washer also has new noise-reduction capabilities with a QuietPower sound package and features energy-saving, easy drying capabilities. There's also a Single Rack Wash, which washes a smaller load of dishes, saving water and energy. The dishwasher comes in stainless steel, white, black or custom panel options. It is available at appliance stores nationwide with a suggested retail price of $1,029 to $1,429. For more information, call [phone], or visit www.ge.com.

- S.S.

SENSIBLE KITCHENS THAT WORK: Homeowners on a budget can get useful ideas on transforming an ordinary kitchen into a fabulous and workable space on a sensible budget with Peter Lemos' Kitchens for the Rest of Us (Taunton Press; $29.95). The book features before-and-after photographs of 20 newly remodeled kitchens. It starts off with the ``Five Essential'' steps to completing the process: Taking Stock, Finding Your Style, Working With Pros, Defining Your Space and Making It Happen. It also offers tips for what to splurge on and what you can save money on without sacrificing quality. Special sections tackle things such as Counter Choices, Storage Strategies and more.

- S.S.

PROTECT YOUR HANDS IN WINTER: Men who love to work outdoors all year round can protect their hands and keep them warm with MidWest Gloves & Gear's ``Lined Leather Palm'' men's winter work gloves. Made with premium-quality suede leather, durable cotton canvas and 100-gram Thinsulate lining, they come in four new color schemes: red on black, blue on gray, green on gold, and tan on dark brown. The suggested retail price for the gloves is $8.99 per pair. They're available at Ace and Do-It-Best hardware stores, from the Do-It-Best link at midwestlove.com, or by calling [phone].

- S.S.

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

(1 -- color) no caption (book: ``Feng Shui for the Rest of Us'')

(2 -- color) no caption (GE Profile Dishwasher with SmartDispense Technology)

(3 -- 5 -- color) no caption (Surestrip-Prepasted wallpaper)(6 -- color) no caption (book: ``Kitchens for the Rest of Us'')

(7 -- color) no caption (MidWest Gloves & Gear's Lined Leather Palm)