YOUR PLACE.Byline: Simone Schramm UNCLUTTER YOUR LIFE: We all suffer from the malady malady /mal·a·dy/ (-ah-de) disease. mal·a·dy n. A disease, disorder, or ailment. malady a disease or illness. of clutter in our homes and lives. ``Christopher Lowell's Seven Layers of Organization'' (Clarkson Potter; $19.95) offers a reader-friendly prescription for getting things back in shape. The book, by the Emmy Award-winning host of several Discovery Home network shows, provides breakdown instructions of even the most daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin tasks. Lowell first categorizes the seven layers of organization: Assess & Schedule, Detach de·tach v. 1. To separate or unfasten; disconnect. 2. To remove from association or union with something. & Purge, Reclaim & Update, Sort & Contain, Design & Build, Arrange & Display, and Cease & Maintain. He then breaks down each layer into simple step-by-step tasks that don't take up a lot of time. The book also offers great ways to show off possessions you decide to keep. And the 12-room makeovers are displayed in detail to give an idea of how each project works. The book takes readers from beginning to end in the quest for Verb 1. quest for - go in search of or hunt for; "pursue a hobby" quest after, go after, pursue look for, search, seek - try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of; "The police are searching for clues"; "They are searching for the organization. It teaches clutter hoarders how to emotionally detach from unneeded items and how to decorate with what remains. It may even help you develop a permanent distaste for clutter. After all, throughout your lifetime you will continue to receive junk mail See spam and junk faxes. , unneeded gifts and other items you can live without. Available at www.amazon.com and bookstores nationwide. CURTAIN CALL: Novice sewers with little or no experience can create their own window treatments with McCall's newly launched Learn the Basics pattern line. It's available at McCallpattern.com or HomeDecInASec.com, an interactive Web site that offers detailed sewing instructions as well as a variety of ideas for dressing windows. The new line features three styles: a pleated valance, an easy pleated Roman shade, and an easy drapery panel. Each is versatile and allows for customization to the size of the window and the room where it's located. The line also includes suggestions for decorative trims, linings and fabrics. The instructions are written in a simple step-by-step fashion and feature plenty of tips to put novice sewers at ease. Prices range from $15.95 to $16.25 for patterns. Available by calling (866) 466-3352, visiting the Web sites or at Wal-Mart, Jo-Ann and other local fabric stores. PRIVATE WINDOWS: Turn your window into an artistic masterpiece and protect your privacy at the same time with Light Effects nonadhesive window film by Artscape Inc. The company created this line of window film from customer demand for window film that is subtle and fits just about every decor. The flexible film refracts light and simulates the sparkle and clarity of textured glass. Light Effects window film provides privacy by skewing the view to the inside of your house while letting in enough light to beautify and brighten bright·en tr. & intr.v. bright·ened, bright·en·ing, bright·ens To make or become bright or brighter. bright the room. Styles of light-refracting film include the multicolored First Stained Glass stained glass, in general, windows made of colored glass. To a large extent, the name is a misnomer, for staining is only one of the methods of coloring employed, and the best medieval glass made little use of it. , the bluish-gold Colored Lines, the opaque Texture Twelve and Lines Eleven. All four designs are available in 24-by-36-inch sheets. The Texture Twelve and Lines Eleven designs are also available in 36-by-72-inch sheets. The sheets tile together like wallpaper and can be cut to fit any size window. To apply the film, simply spray your window with water, position the film in the desired area and squeegee out the remaining water. The suggested retail price for the films is $23.97 for a 24-by-36-inch sheet to $49.97 for a 36-by-72-inch sheet. Available at Home Depot The Home Depot (NYSE: HD) is an American retailer of home improvement and construction products and services. Headquartered in Vinings, just outside Atlanta in unincorporated Cobb County, Georgia, Home Depot employs more than 355,000 people and operates 2,164 big-box and ACE Hardware stores nationwide or by visiting www.homedepot.com. For more information on the film, visit www.artscape-inc.com or www.lighteffects.com. CHEMICAL-FREE CLEANING: Eliminate messy mops, bulky buckets and overwhelming chemical cleaners with the Shark's new Ultra Shark Steam Blaster, a compact version of the original Steam Blaster. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 150 chemicals found in the average home cause allergies, birth defects birth defects, abnormalities in physical or mental structure or function that are present at birth. They range from minor to seriously deforming or life-threatening. A major defect of some type occurs in approximately 3% of all births. , cancer and other health conditions. The easily portable Ultra Steam Blaster has a capacity of 1.4 liters and eliminates the need for bacteria-infested mops laden with chemicals and buckets full of dirty water. The multipurpose mul·ti·pur·pose adj. Designed or used for several purposes: a multipurpose room; multipurpose software. multipurpose Adjective Steam Blaster features the double-sided Steam Pocket floor attachment, which uses super-heated steam to lift out and clean ground-in dirt. The steam also dries in seconds, alleviating the need to dry wet floors manually. To use the Steam Blaster, simply add water and start cleaning. The cleaner provides more than 30 minutes of running time, making it easy to tackle large areas. The Steam Blaster works on wood, tile and vinyl floors. The Steam Blaster also includes a concentrator nozzle, deluxe squeegee, large brass and nylon brushes, fabric refresher, a stainless steel stainless steel: see steel. stainless steel Any of a family of alloy steels usually containing 10–30% chromium. The presence of chromium, together with low carbon content, gives remarkable resistance to corrosion and heat. boiler and more. Suggested retail price is $99. Available nationwide at Bed Bath & Beyond, BJ's, Linens 'n Things Linens 'n Things, Inc., headquartered in Clifton, New Jersey, is the second-largest large-format retailers of home textiles, housewares and decorative home accessories in the United States, behind Bed Bath & Beyond. , Kohl's, Target, Lowe's, J.C. Penney and www.fingerhut.com. CAPTION(S): 6 photos Photo: (1 -- color) no caption (curtain) McCallRPatter Company (2 -- color) no caption (book: ``Christopher Lowell's Seven Layers of Organization'') (3 -- 5 -- color) no caption (Light Effects window film) (6 -- color) no caption (Ultra Shark Steam Blaster) |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion