Between the sheets

Sutherland House Hotel and Restaurant, Southwold, Suffolk

The deal Overnight stays from pounds 140.While you're there Just hop out the front door and you're in the middle of bustling Southwold. Head to the beach for miles of golden sand, with colourful beach huts. Walk a little further to buy freshly-caught seafood on the harbour, then head back for a pub lunch on the green, followed by window shopping in boutique clothing stores, art galleries and antiques shops.ANNABEL KERMANOn the menu Sutherland House calls itself a "restaurant with rooms", and the dinner experience is not to be missed. The menu uses fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. My other half voted the pork presented three ways as one of the best dishes he had eaten, and the lemon curd souffl to die for. All cooked by a head chef aged just 23. Breakfast had to be the full English (again, beautifully cooked and presented, although our tummies were filled to bursting from dinner).Set menu dinners from pounds 19 for two courses, plus wine. Details: www.sutherlandhouse. co.uk or call 01502 724544.

ANNABEL KERMAN

Green for go at sale

A PARENTS group raised cash to help their bid to go green.

The event at Paddock Junior and Infant School raised money for the group's first project, called Paddock Goes Green.GREEN SCENE: At the Paddock bring and buy sale are Debbie Jessett with Ben Blake-Smith, Ruby Blake-Smith, Chaise Simon and Frankie Whitwam (JH050610Cpaddock-01)CAPTION(S):Newly-formed Paddock Parents Group staged a bring and buy sale at the weekend.This aim is to buy outdoor equipment for children to grow vegetables, get back to nature and play in all weathers.

GREEN SCENE: At the Paddock bring and buy sale are Debbie Jessett with Ben Blake-Smith, Ruby Blake-Smith, Chaise Simon and Frankie Whitwam (JH050610Cpaddock-01)

Rooftop garden in OKC provides fertile ground for community growth

The line between the indoors and the outdoors has become a little more blurred, thanks to a new space atop an Automobile Alley building.

"As we continue to see city projects and as people have more interest in being connected with the outdoors and with landscaping, and as land prices start to be more expensive, we're maximizing all of the opportunities associated with properties and projects," Boss said. "It provides a great amenity to people.""What's happening in Automobile Alley and the town is that we have a community that is building and growing," Mason said. "A vibrant community has a lot of facets, and one part of it is green spaces."A recently completed rooftop patio and garden, the brainchild of Steve Mason of Mason Realty and Cardinal Engineering, brings green space to the area and a sense of community to those who frequent it. That's just what Mason ordered."Next summer, we'll be growing tomatoes," Mason said.The rooftop patio and garden is atop the building that Rawhide occupies at 1007 N. Broadway. The area has benches, chaise lounges and other furniture, along with a bar area. Landscaping is a prominent piece of the design, with Mexican sedum, ice plants and feather grass, and part of the area is garden space, complete with irrigation.Mason said the rooftop garden provides a different feel than the Oklahoma City Museum of Art rooftop space because of the elevation. Because it's higher, the museum patio provides a vista view, he said, while his area is closer to street level, so people feel immersed in the city.Mason said the space is mostly for people who work in his buildings - there's Wi-Fi available for laptop productivity while catching some rays - and he anticipates nonprofit organizations using the rooftop for events.The architect for the project was the Office of James Burnett in Houston, which also works with Mason on Project 180. Jereck Boss, principal, said he was excited to be a part of something new and unique to Oklahoma City. The clean lines of the architecture were designed to blend with the landscaping, he said, and the space invites camaraderie."Right now, there's a nice breeze out there around 9 at night," he said. "In another month, it will be beautiful out there."

"Right now, there's a nice breeze out there around 9 at night," he said. "In another month, it will be beautiful out there."

Words for wordsmiths

WHEN I TAUGHT J-SCHOOL, a fresh semester also meant creating a fresh syllabus and lectures and lab exercises. To do that, I'd set aside several hours a day to study the writing in the various media. From that study, I'd draw actual examples - examples that were specific and concrete, reflected practice rather than theory and applied readily to what the students might see and imitate.

A case of mishearing, doubtless, but it's surprising it got past the editors. The writer means "downright destructive."spj.org/rr.aspWhen I first saw the phrasing "one of the only" (an illiterate swap for "one of the few"), I marveled that a professional writer could have written such a thing. But within days, I saw the expression in the media several times. Curious, I conducted a library search and found in one metro daily more than 40 instances of "one of the only" in its news columns - all within the previous month.* I miss not going to the cabin in the summer.* When he got to the top of the stairs, he said he heard glass breaking.Notoriety is not an achievement - the word is negative and pejorative and should not be confused with simply being of note or famous or celebrated. This writer further underlines his confusion by adding "for good reason or bad." One doesn't become "notorious" by being good. Here are some synonyms for "notoriety": disrepute, disgrace, infamy, dishonor, shame, discredit, unsavory reputation, bad name, ill repute, scandal, ignominy, humiliation. Notoriety is a valuable word that has been cheapened through misuse - largely in the media and largely in sportswriting - but careful wordsmiths observe its distinctions.Below is a potpourri of errors gleaned from a recent media watch. Again, I noticed clusters of the same or similar errors across the media. The same day I saw three "sunk" errors (the boat sunk, the market sunk) in the local newspaper, I also saw the error in the latest novel of a fine Swedish writer - surprising because translators are usually competent grammarians.It sinks. It sank. It has sunk. It will have sunk.Empower YourselfE-mail: plarocque@sbcglobal.netTries should be try. The verb agrees with "guys who," not "one."* Some, however, find it darn right destructive.Paula LaRocque is author of "The Book on Writing,""On Words"and "Championship Writing." Her first novel, a mystery titled "Chalk Line," will be published by Marion Street Press in 2011.* They got out of the car and lifted out the walker. It sunk in the snow.* She says she has free reign as creative director.What's going on here? By virtue of that word "not," these reporters are writing or saying the opposite of what they intend. The first guy misses having someone to talk to; he doesn't miss nor having someone to talk to, which would mean he has lots of folks to talk to and is tired of it. Likewise, the second guy misses going to the cabin, and the retired teacher misses seeing her students.* He dressed as quickly as he could, fumbling as if he was drunk.The expression is free rein, which refers to giving a horse his head.* After retirement, she said she missed not seeing the students.* Everyone on his list was someone who had achieved notoriety - for good reason or bad.What's the lesson of all this? If you're a wordsmith, be careful with words. Or at least be careful whom you copy!Visit SPJ's reading room for more articles that will help you on your path to becoming a better journalist.* Andrews says he is one of those guys who tries to account for every dime.Website: www.paulalarocque.com* He says he sometimes misses not having anyone to talk to.The interesting thing was that a specific problem was seldom isolated to one medium - if you saw the error once, you were apt to see it a dozen times. Journalese and the habits of hackery are fast-spreading. So are mistakes. Let one reporter write "an historic" or "irregardless" or "snuck"; let one reporter misspell "just deserts" or "barbecue" or "chaise longue," and suddenly the error isail over the place.Fumbling as if he were drunk. Errors in the subjunctive are everywhere. Use were, not was, in "if" clauses that are contrary to fact (he is not drunk), or in structures expressing desire or supposition: I wish I were going; if it were up to me.The retired teacher example also presents a common (and gaining ground) punctuation error: failure to place a comma both before and after buried attribution. Forget one of those elegant little squiggles, and meaning flies away. For example, without a comma after "she said," the teacher retired and then said something (after retirement, she said she ...). The sentence means, however, that she is now saying something about her past retirement and its effect on her.

Website: www.paulalarocque.com

Sun Worship by Day, Stargaze by Night on The Betsy Hotel Rooftop

Daydream while in your lounge chair, and gaze into the azure hues of the Atlantic while watching ships pass in view on the horizon. Actually, while atop The Betsy hotel in South Beach, it doesn't take much to imagine you're on a ship's deck at sea. The Deck at The Betsy, with its retractable sails and other inventive nautical elements, creates a distinctive impression. An expansive space accessorized with natural wood elements, comfortable chaises, and cozy lounge and seating areas fit for small groups, The Deck is ideal for hotel guests seeking solitude on Ocean Drive, or a perfect setting for private events, small or large.

To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 273230At daybreak, head up to The Deck and find a serenity to practice your yoga. As the day moves on, you may tuck into a shaded corner with the New York Times or a book from your Betsy Room Library. Alternatively you may choose to worship the sun, adding a personalized touch to the hotel's luxury amenities with attendants delivering chilled face towels and cooling cucumber rounds to protect your eyes from the sun. Hotel guests can enjoy light and refreshing cocktails: gently muddled with guava or passion fruit, sweet nectars and flavored vodkas, all come together to add a distinct high note to the delicious beverages, topped off with locally grown herb garnishes. By dusk, discerning visitors can sit back, relax and watch South Beach neon emerge from a private perch above the fray. The Deck is a perfect place to kick off the night with a casually refined ambience transitioning at nightfall into a starry lounge-like setting.The Deck is a perfect retreat for wedding or birthday celebrations, daytime social gatherings, or intimate cocktail receptions under the moonlight, available for private events accommodating from 20 to 200. For more information about events, please contact events@thebetsyhotel.com or visit www.thebetsyhotel.com .The Betsy The Betsy The BetsyThe Betsy-South Beach Dramatically poised alongside its Art Deco neighbors, The Betsy is a distinguished landmark hotel on Ocean Drive. The Betsy's 61 rooms and suites are private, beachside havens where sensory details, imaginative amenities, and inspirational design coalesce to produce an unparalleled experience in South Beach. Elegant, but relaxed tropical interiors and an intimate courtyard pool, maintain an aura that is passionately low-key. The Deck at The Betsy, an expansive rooftop with sweeping views of the Atlantic, offers a Wellness Garden with a range of spa treatments, therapies, and yoga. Specialty cocktails and light fare are offered at the exquisite lobby bar, or one may prefer fine dining at Laurent Tourondel's new take of modern American steakhouse -- BLT Steak. B Bar, designed with a hint of vintage glamour unveils an exclusive and discreet venue catering to Miami nightlife.Documents and/or Photos available for this release:

To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 273230

'Beachy' Keen

Wireless solution solves San Diego dilemma

A major area of focus for TemeCom in the last four years has been Computer Aided Dispatch Systems for lifeguard and utility operations, resulting in successful installations for the California State Parks, Southern California Municipal Water District and San Diego Port Authority. Their flagship product - the wireless Lifeguard Telecommunications System (LTS) - combines a standards-based VoIP PBX server with wireless infrastructure replacement and their proprietary Lifeguard Dispatch Console to provide a low-maintenance, high-reliability solution in support of Lifeguard Operations.The wireless system is a combination of pointto-multipoint and point-to-point networks. It provides the data stream forTemeCom's LTS with integrated VoIP, video and digital dispatch technology. The major equipment used on the project included the Fluidmesh 2200 Endo; Fluidmesh 2100 Endo; Fluidmesh 1100; FluidThrottle; an IP-based, highdefinition PTZ camera; and the TemeCom LTS.Imperial Beach has six portable and two permanent lifeguard towers covering about one mile of beach. (The city's four full-time and 50 part-time lifeguards made 9^0 rescues in 2009.) Following a bidding and review process, the project was awarded and started in April 2010. The integrator selected for the project was TemeCom Inc., based in Temecula, Calif. TemeCom provides customized products and services focused on telecommunications, dispatch, wireless voice and monitoring applications.The wireless Lifeguard Tower Station at Imperial Beach was successfully activated and put into operation this past summer. This represents a major effort by TemeCom in conjunction with Fluidmesh to demonstrate the reliability, ease of maintenance and flexibility of a wireless infrastructure in an active Lifeguard Dispatch operation; the first of its kind on the West coast.Point to point/multi-point specTemeCom noted that the site lent itself to a wireless solution. "Everything is situated within a onemile stretch of beach with an unobstructed line of sight," TemeCom co-founders Chris Smith and Kirk Williams said. "Making use of the southern California sun, the tower systems are 100 percent solar powered. The wireless system allows Imperial Beach to get rid of their old copper Unes that were tethered to the towers. Now they have the flexibility to move the towers as required without having to trench and lay new cable," they added."Fluidmesh provided the optimum performance over price ratio with their selectable bandwidth option," Chris Smith and Kirk Williams concurred. "We could keep the per tower cost to a minimum by choosing a lower bandwidth for the VoIP communications and at the same time provide the high-speed video link and bridge backhaul where needed."Sandy specificationThe dispatch tower is situated in the middle of the pier and looks back to the beach providing the lifeguards with a birds' eye view of all the swimmers in the water. This new method of dispatch allows them to communicate situations such as swimmers in riptide, riptides moving up and down the coast, stingray attacks and all types of events to perform their jobs effectively.Lifeguards at Imperial Beach in San Diego, Calif., were facing failing analog telephone lines and escalating lease line chaises on their critical tower telecommunications system. In addition, they were hard-pressed to adequately monitor a 50-yard-long section of shoreline after a portable tower was removed from the area during an improvement project in 2009- That section of the beach, although vulnerable to dangerous riptides, draws a large crowd. The 'blind spot' that resulted for lifeguards when the tower was removed presented a safety concern as swimmers could easily go undetected on that stretch of beach and possibly overcome by the currents.

"Fluidmesh provided the optimum performance over price ratio with their selectable bandwidth option," Chris Smith and Kirk Williams concurred. "We could keep the per tower cost to a minimum by choosing a lower bandwidth for the VoIP communications and at the same time provide the high-speed video link and bridge backhaul where needed."

Exciting Home Theater Seating

Shopping for home theater seating furniture can be very exciting and daunting at the same time. Home theater needs functional, comfortable yet clean and elegant decor. Modern furniture and contemporary furniture offers clutter free ideas for family room furniture and home decor.

Seating is a tricky facet of the decor of each and every single space, be it seating, home office desk chairs, or bedroom chaise lounge. It is required to provide comfort, style, and complement the surrounding decor. Modern restaurant seating complements the ambience and mood of the dining experience, just as it does with dining room chairs in the comfort of your home. Spacify offers an elegant collection of modern dining room chairs, home theater seating furniture, metal bar and metal counter stools, chaise lounge chairs, arm chairs, office desk chairs, and more.Home theater seating and home entertainment center are two important furniture components for any family room. We recommend leather sofas for durability and chaise lounge chair for relaxation. Lounge chairs for home theater seating can also be used as an accent piece in the family room. If you want to be daring, choose the lounge chair in bright color. See our complete selection of home theater seating for comfort and modern style.For bar lounges in particular we have bar and counter stools that would woe your senses. Pick from counter stools without back rests to bar stools with leather padding. Explore color options with the Boss line of bar and counter stools. These counter stools are chic and lend style in an instant.Whether you're looking for a bedroom chaise lounge or office furniture chair, home theater seating furniture, bar and counter stools or dining room chairs, you can't run out of options at Spacify.Bar Stools, Chaise Lounge Chairs, leather dining room chair, home theater seating, bar and counter stools from Spacify are available in wide styles, colors and European brands. The office desk chairs can complement any interior and gel with leather sofas as well. Bedroom chaise lounge unifies splendidly with other furniture and could easily steal the glory in the master bedroom. The recliners and chaise lounge chairs are incredibly inviting and you would want to pamper yourself with a bedroom chaise lounge. There are multiple color options in the bedroom chaise lounge section. These suit home theater seating as well.Spacify.com has the best quality home theater seating furniture ( http://www.spacify.com/home-theatre-furniture.htm ) at affordable prices. It will surely beautify your home and will give you the right ambience you have always wanted.

Spacify.com has the best quality home theater seating furniture ( http://www.spacify.com/home-theatre-furniture.htm ) at affordable prices. It will surely beautify your home and will give you the right ambience you have always wanted.

Lounge around in your spare room with this bargain chaise longue

I AM looking for a chaise longue sofa bed in brown or beige to go in my spare bedroom which I tend to use as a computer room/TV room.

The room is a little too small for a sofa bed and I thought a chaise longue would fit better. I am on a quite a tight budget and only want to spend pounds 400 to pounds 500. - Lynne Ralph, by email

ZENA SAYS: The first few 2chaise longues I managed to find cost thousands of pounds but this Evie metal action chaise in natural colours for pounds 299.99 is well within your budget, Lynne. It has a folding bed inside the chaise and a foam mattress and is available from Argos (www.argos.co.uk, 0845 640 1010).

Flawed curiosity

Les Parents Terribles

And top marks to Andrew D. Edwards for his glittering glass-and-marble set, which manages to suggest Trump Tower extravagance in the low-ceilinged bomb shelter of the Trafalgar Studio 2. And a tip to playwrights. If you need stimulation, try coffee.Trafalgar Studio, until 18 DecemberInstalled in their seats in the Empire, they were cowed into silence by the unfamiliar hugeness of the theatre. So the show began. And as the music pealed out and the vibrant scenery glowed beneath the lights, the reformed rioters beside me maintained a watchful reticence. They refused to boo the baddies or join in the singing or greet the Snowman or scream for Silly Billy or call out 'he's-behind-you' when the cow sidled unobserved across the stage. 'Is it finished?'At the interval they crept from their seats and demanded to be taken back to the museum. Where all hell broke loose. The saintly curator endured ten further minutes of mayhem which ended in tears when I broke the news that the panto was only half-finished. No power on earth could have got them back into the theatre. But next day they both chattered about it non-stop and did impersonations of Jack, the Snowman, Silly Billy and Clive Rowe. Great panto. I just didn't realise it at the time.These frenzied absurdities require a certain type of acting, and Frances Barber, who can play the toxic minx as well as anybody, brings all the broody passion, the reckless hysterics and the casual elegance that the role requires. She's like the seven deadly sins dressed by Vivienne Westwood. And, despite her venomous sermonising and her monstrous egoism, she remains very firmly within the bounds of one's sympathy. It's a stunning and constantly hilarious display.they whispered at the end of every scene.A week off the drugs and Cocteau might have mended these shortcomings and given more substance to the cartoon Clytemnestra, whose titanic jealousies are the play's best asset. Director Chris Rolls has produced a highly entertaining version of a script that will never be more than a flawed curiosity.I arrived 30 minutes early for Jack and the Beanstalk at the Hackney Empire, so I took my four-year-old son and one of his terrorist associates to use up a few spare minutes at the nearby Hackney Museum. They raced all over the exhibits screaming and shouting and chanting with such savagery that the curator, using a tactful sequence of glances and smiles, made it plain that the meditative serenity of her realm might benefit from their immediate removal.Clearly the opium available in Paris in 1938 was of the very strongest grade but the play that emerged from Cocteau's narcoodyssey can't meet the same high standards.The structure creaks a lot and the characters don't cohere. George makes sense as a bullied ninny who potters about in his workshop all day. But he has another life as an adulterous sex-athlete who conquers luscious young beauties for fun. These two peas don't belong in the same pod. The motives of the calculating Leo (played with poised detachment by Sylvestra Le Touzel) keep changing in order to generate another scene's worth of action. And the greatest fault is that Frances Barber's Yvonne fades from centre stage, where her agonised furies and salty posturings were such fun to watch, and is made to serve out the play's second half at the fringes of the action.He then breaks the news that he's in love with a typist. She reacts like a cobra touched with a cattle prod. Spitting with anger she denounces the 'lying hussy', and vows never to let an intruder steal away her happiness and leave her to die neglected and unloved.His brain clouded with opium fumes, Jean Cocteau wrote Les Parents Terribles in just one week. It opens like a Greek tragedy crossed with a madcap sitcom. The ageing beauty Yvonne prances around her Bohemian apartment pining and weeping for her son, Michael, who has gone missing. When he turns up safe and sound, she throws herself into ecstasies of relief, leads him to the chaise-longue and showers his face and lips with kisses.And when Clive Rowe, the ever-brilliant dame, flung sweets into the gallery neither of my little hooligans would even raise a paw to catch them.Hackney Empire, until 9 JanuaryThe plot develops when Yvonne's sister, Leo, an icy and methodical realist, steps in and arranges for the new girlfriend to meet all the family, including Michael's put-upon father George, a deluded scientist. The plot twists and writhes at this point and becomes more traditionally farcical. We learn that the girlfriend, Madeleine, has recently extricated herself from an affair with a madcap inventor. This turns out to be George. So a new love-triangle has to bump corners with the first.

At the interval they crept from their seats and demanded to be taken back to the museum. Where all hell broke loose. The saintly curator endured ten further minutes of mayhem which ended in tears when I broke the news that the panto was only half-finished. No power on earth could have got them back into the theatre. But next day they both chattered about it non-stop and did impersonations of Jack, the Snowman, Silly Billy and Clive Rowe. Great panto. I just didn't realise it at the time.

What's your angle on a corner sofa?

I'M thinking of replacing my three-and two-seater sofas with a corner sofa. Is this a good idea? - Rachel Lewis, Manchester

Consider the Cassie righthand facing chaise corner group for pounds 799, reduced from pounds 1,099 (www.harveys.co.uk, 0844 847 2626) or the Lawrence corner sofa for pounds 699 (www.tesco.com, 0800 505 555).ZENA SAYS: The latest look is to have a sofa with chaise but the traditional corner suite is also popular.

Consider the Cassie righthand facing chaise corner group for pounds 799, reduced from pounds 1,099 (www.harveys.co.uk, 0844 847 2626) or the Lawrence corner sofa for pounds 699 (www.tesco.com, 0800 505 555).

History of the Chaise Lounge

A great way to dress up a patio and ensure your guests comfort is a chaise lounge. Chaise lounges are a classic piece of furniture. The have been a part of many cultures across the world for many eras. There is more to the history of the chaise lounge than simply architecture. Even the name chaise lounge is derived from another cultures name for the stylish chair.

Architects of the early 20th century also adored the chaise style and used it in many settings to reflect the straight lines and long floor plans popular in the time. It was an extremely popular show case in many architectural displays. Originally, chaise lounges were not easy, nor economical to construct. The metal hand was actually bent by hand which made the chaise lounge unavailable to the general public. It also had to be shipped in full assembly which provided transportation problems.The name comes from the French Chaise longue which means long-chair. Art movements in France were reflected in the furnishings as well, and the chaise longue was a popular piece in the Rococo period. The rococo style loved asymmetry and contrast in elements that were unbalances. Because of the similarity of the French word longue and the English word lounge, the chaise is most commonly referred to in English as the chaise lounge, though French speakers tend to go with longue.Today, modern machinery and intuitive engineering have allowed the chaise lounge to be constructed and distributed much more economically. They provide superior comfort, especially when strategically placed on a patio. There are so many different options, whether it be cushion chaise lounge, aluminum strap chaise lounge, or plastic resin patio chaise lounge, they all offer distinct advantages and design that will add elegance to any patio.

Today, modern machinery and intuitive engineering have allowed the chaise lounge to be constructed and distributed much more economically. They provide superior comfort, especially when strategically placed on a patio. There are so many different options, whether it be cushion chaise lounge, aluminum strap chaise lounge, or plastic resin patio chaise lounge, they all offer distinct advantages and design that will add elegance to any patio.

Understanding The Real Benefits Of A Chaise Longue

If you can pronounce chaise longue correctly then the chances are you know one or two things about French furniture, and in particular how stunning French furniture looks. There's nothing Scandinavian about it, with barely a straight edge or a ninety degree corner in sight. The French have always been known as an artistic and romantic nation, and nowhere is this more obvious than in their classic furniture.

But there are also modern, contemporary designs too, with clean, sleek lines, simple designs, and a whole range of fabrics and complementary details that provide a modern twist on a classic design.But at the same time a chaise longue has a visual appeal that a simple straight forward chair or settee just doesn't have. Perhaps it's the lack of symmetry, the sweeping lines or just the fact that it is so, French.But for a room that's tipping the hat (or beret) towards French inspired design, a chaise longue is one of the best ways of completing the puzzle. You may have purchased French mirrors, chairs, chandeliers, armoires and so forth, and whilst all of these represent a beautiful and elegant look, it is often the chaise longue which turns a look or a style into a truly identifiable theme.But be warned, because many people have purchased a chaise longue for appearances, only to discover just how temptingly comfortable and convenient it is, spending far longer than they intended reclined in luxury reading a favourite book rather than doing the ironing or vacuuming.Take the step from elegant design to classic, romantic French inspired design simply by adding a chaise longue. Of course, the chaise longue itself provides opportunities for additional touches such as small scatter cushions. But one of the things that surprises a great many people when looking at chaise lounges is the fact that today there is such a wide selection.It's hard to imagine a chandelier being anything other than decadent classical elegance, and the same is true for the chaise longue. But whether you're looking for a piece of furniture to lift or complete a classical, French inspired room such a an exquisitely romantic bedroom, or you're looking for an item of furniture for a more modern, contemporary room in order to make a bold statement of class, style and strikingly good looks, then the chaise longue is well worth a look.One the one hand it is a supremely useful and comfortable chair, allowing you to stretch out, lie down, sit up or slouch in any way you like or stretching out in the sun and reading your favourite book, perhaps with a cool Martini to hand.It's easy to have a visual image of a chaise longue all white and gold and swirly, and such a truly beautiful piece of furniture is guaranteed to complement any classically decorated room.But anyway, getting back to the French furniture theme, if you're looking at adding to or completing a French inspired room, whether a living room, bedroom, study or conservatory, a chaise longue is one of the pieces of furniture which seems to span two categories of furniture in one go.

But be warned, because many people have purchased a chaise longue for appearances, only to discover just how temptingly comfortable and convenient it is, spending far longer than they intended reclined in luxury reading a favourite book rather than doing the ironing or vacuuming.

Save or splurge?

Leopard chaise pounds 249.99 (www.argos.co.uk, 0845 640 2020)

Hamish door stop pounds 8 (www.matalan.co.uk, 0845 330 3330)Nickel finish stag head (H80cm)TOTAL pounds 3,119.50Leopard-print animal sofa from pounds 2,100 (www.rume.co.uk, 01273 777810)Red admiral wool cushion (58x42cm)Deer head wall sticker pounds 19 (www.johnlewis.com, 0845 604 9049)pounds 92.50 (www.janconstantine.com, 01270 821194)pounds 25 (www.marksandspencer.com, 0845 603 1603)pounds 75 (www.habitat.co.uk, 0844 499 1111)Red sheepskin rug (65x94cm)Zebra console table pounds 175 (www.jollygoodideas.co.uk, 01925 756555)Rabbit and lettuce cushion (45x45cm)Fab & Funky zebra print console pounds 120 (www.notonthehighstreet.com, 0845 259 1359)TOTAL pounds 538.98 Animal print fleece throw and slipper set, pounds 23.50 (www.qvcuk.com, 0800 504030)Moooi Rabbit lamp pounds 275 (www.occa-home.co.uk, 0844 879 4258)pounds 28.99 (www.dunelm-mill.com, 0845 165 6565)pounds 29.50 (www.marksandspencer.co.uk, 0845 603 1603)pounds 60 (www.rume.co.uk, 01273 777810)Butterfly stamp cushion (45x45cm)Grey snow cat throw (150x 200cm), pounds 80 (www.debenhams. com, 0844 561 6161 Red sheepskin rug (57x95cm)Campbell Scottie dog doorstep pounds 23 (www.stylishlife.co.uk, 01269 822288)Black dog lamp by Ben de Lisi pounds 35 (www.debenhams.com, 0844 561 6161)pounds 239 (www.ivorypearlinteriors.com, 020 7701 2330)

TOTAL pounds 3,119.50

HOUSE OF DOLLS

Block, Francesca Lia

HOUSE OF DOLLS. Il by Barbara McClintock. ISBN 978-0-06113094-6. New York: Harper, 2010. 80 pp. $15.99. From my first glance at the gorgeously dressed, fairy-like characters depicted on the cover, I couldn't wait to enter the House of Dolls - to admire the tiny chandelier and the green velvet chaise, and become a part of the magical world of Wildflower, Rockstar, and Miss Selene, the inhabitants of the exquisite Victorian house. The slim, pocket-size book from the team of renowned author Francesca Lia Block and beloved illustrator Barbara McClintock is much more than just a doll story, although it does have all the elements that will delight children who adore pretend play - beautiful wardrobes, miniature furniture, and the intriguing possibilities of dolls who come to life when no one is looking. It is also a tragic but ultimately redemptive story of Madison Blackberry, the wealthy, spoiled, and neglected child who is the owner of the lovely dolls and their equally lovely home. Instead of being a source of comfort, the dollhouse only heightens Madison's loneliness and sense of abandonment, and she takes out her frustration on the dolls in devastating ways. Eventually, Madison's grandmother recognizes the child's feelings; through her tender care, Madison's pain is eased and she restores the dolls and gives them back a comfortable life. This haunting and thought-provoking book is one I would have loved as a child and one I treasure as an adult. Ages 9-12. (April Bedford)

Shop these streets: three cities, three streets, and three distinct styles for your home

Retro cool in San Diego

2 | Form Function At Santa Fe's go-to lighting source, don't miss the Japanese-paper sconces from Jacqueline Mallegni--who makes her ethereal lights using rattan and willow from Abiquiu--or the tapers in saturated shades like pumpkin and seafoam. Suite A101; formplusfunction.com or 505/820-7872.5 | Santa Fe by Design New Mexico designers hold their own on this showroom's A-list of international kitchen-and-bath fittings names. We're fans of a local blacksmith's hand-forged iron door hardware and curvy vessel sinks by Stone Forest. Closed Sat-Sun; Suite D101; santafe bydesign.com--KATIE ARNOLD5 | Klassik The midcentury couches and club chairs at this vintage furniture and accessories shop look trim but feel solid. Many have been reupholstered in deep reds and earth tones, and are so comfy you'll wish you'd brought a book. 989 W. Kalmia St.; klassikdesign.com or 619/640-6995. -KATRINA BROWN HUNTBoho chic in DenverSTAY The El Rey is Santa Fe's hipster-vintage motel of choice, cozy casita-style rooms, heated pool, and all (for more details, see "50 Under $150," page 89).Denver boho chicEAT There's not a red-checkered tablecloth in sight at airy Bencotto, run by transplants from Milan and Modena. Choose from eight sauces (such as spicy pancetta) and homemade pastas. $$; 750 W. Fir St.; 619/450-4786.Search beyond the Sputnikera lamps and refurbed vinyl sofas for tinted martini glasses and tribal wooden beads. As of April, the store was to move down the street (from #66) to a bigger space. 24 Broadway; leealexdecor.comCeramic vase ($44) from Mixture (mixturehome.com).Soule Studios ceramic cafe bowls ($40 each) from Santa Fe Modern (santafemodern.com).Santa Fe cowboy modEames rocker ($475) from Boomerang for Modern.4 | Subtext Gallery The gallery-plus-store's aesthetic runs from pop surrealist to lowbrow, but is always affordable. In a mix of photography, illustration, and graphic design, the sweet spot is limited-edition silk-screen prints ($40-$100). Open by appointment; 2479 Kettner Blvd.; subtextgallery.com or 619/546-8800.Wide planks set off furniture pieces like an armchair made from Plexiglas and driftwood (surprisingly comfortable). Black-and-white horses gallop by on the walls, compliments of local photographer Tony Stromberg. Closed Sat-Sun; Suite A105; santafemodern.com or 505/ 992-0505.Bamboo, wool, and silk yarns (from $6) from Fancy Tiger Crafts (303/733-3855).while you are thereFor kitsch-free Southwest style, look to the Pacheco Park complex3 | Fancy Tiger Crafts The DIY knitting, felting, and crocheting capital of Denver lures craftkids in thick-framed glasses with Japanese pink-robot-print fabrics, silk and bamboo yarn, and clumps of multicolor wool. 1 S. Broadway; fancytiger.com or 303/733-3855. The same crowd hits Meininger Art Supply (499 Broadway; 303/698-3838) to scour racks of colored pencils, markers, and papers.For accessible modem design, walk down Kettner in Little ItalySan Diego retro coolEAT At the Chocolate Maven, around the corner, refuel on a grilled chicken sandwich, and save room for a chocolate buttercream cupcake. $$; 821 W. San Mateo Rd.; 505/ 984-1980.2 | Decade Alongside clothing aimed at the Etsy girl--colorful scarves, flowery dresses--you'll find the quirky likes of ceramic bird-adorned drawer pulls and canvas wall hangings. An old tomcat, Stella the Fella, struts around like he owns the place. 56 S. Broadway; decade-gifts.com1 | Lee Alex DecorGeorge Nelson clock ($545) from Boomerang for Modern (boomerang formodern.com).Solar lanterns by Allsop Home & Garden ($23 each) from T-Trove Asian Decor (303/722-0949).Firebird MonoRail pendant lamp (from $290) by Tech Lighting from Form Function (formplusfunction.com).1930s Double Saddle Navajo blanket ($4,200) from Victoria Price (505/982-8632).4 | Four What happens when four artists, designers, and antiques dealers join forces? An eclectic mix of old and new, from 100-year-old Persian rugs to sleek leather handbags from Colombia. Coolest find: a super-soft felt throw of churro wool made in the high desert north of town. Suite C202; 505/995-8411.Cowboy mod in Santa Fe3 | Santa Fe ModernSTAY There's not much nearby, but downtown favorites like the Teatro (from $189$; hotelteatro.com) and the Oxford (from $220; theoxford hotel.com) are just a 15-minute drive away.Design book ($50) from Mixture.ANDREA GOMEZ ROMERO (5)Lama Li handmade papers (form $6) from Meininger Art Supply (303/698-3838).--JESS CHAMBERLAIN2 | Architectural Salvage The gently musty aroma in this 5,000-squarefoot treasure trove will quicken the pulse of any This Old House fan. Piles of drawer pulls and house numbers beckon, though you can also take home entire doors or windows--or maybe just some soda-pop signs from the 1950s. 2401 Kettner Blvd.; architecturalsalvagesd.comSTAY Porto Vista welcomes pets and holds yoga classes on the roof. But the boutique hotel also embraces a kind of '60s Bond-girl lifestyle, with black-and-white photo murals to illustrate. From $99; portovistasd.comCan't get there? Order these1 | Mixture A sunny loft space offering large-scale contemporary furniture--such as a curved sectional with a chaise that looks like a cushioned slide, or a Moooi lamp, its shade atop a lifesize black horse. Can't fit that into your carry-on? Choose from books, colorful tea towels, and tableware. Closed Mon; 2210 Kettner Blvd., mixturehome.com3 | Boomerang for Modern set in tight spaces, the couches, tables, and chairs by the likes of Charles and Ray Eames are displayed on a scale that makes it easy to imagine them at home. Closed Sun; 2475 Kettner Blvd.; boomerang formodern.com or 613/239-2040.For that vintage-meets-handmade look, head to South BroadwayEAT El Diablo, a spacious family place with a huge square bar in the center and) funky red lamps, supplements a surprisingly wide taco selection with chocolate-drizzled churros. $; 101 Broadway; 303/954-0324.4 | T-Trove Asian Decor The exterior may look like a warehouse, but the chi inside this showroom is fantastic. Check out the desk devoted to calligraphy, including how-to books and brushes. Closed Sun; 189 S. Broadway; t-trove.com or 303/722. -0949.--STEVE KNOPPER

Solar lanterns by Allsop Home & Garden ($23 each) from T-Trove Asian Decor (303/722-0949).

Patio Chair and Chaise Sling Repair and Sling Replacement

Slings on patio chairs, recliners, chaises and ottomans can all wear out over time due to sun damage and hard use. Some of the best-made patio furniture needs slings replaced about every eight to ten years. Since it is so much cheaper to replace the slings than to purchase new patio furniture, sling replacement and sling repair is a necessary procedure. Even replacing the slings on one patio chair can be a daunting job requiring a lot of muscle and force to get the slings tight enough on the chair.

Replacement slings should be made from durable, quality fabrics that can withstand outdoor elements. The last thing you want is someone falling through the sling on your patio chair. The best slings are made from high strength vinyl coated polyester that is UV protected. Fabric styles and colors can be matched to high-end patio furniture manufacturers names like Brown Jordan, Winston, Homecrest, Woodard, Telescope, Mallin, Lyon Shaw, Innova, Meadowcraft, Medallion, Molla, Carter Grandle, Crown Leisure, Superior, and Tropitone, giving your patio furniture a new look and a new life for 2010.

If you are replacing slings, it is likely you are doing an entire set of patio furniture. If this is the case, you can choose brand new colors in solids, stripes, floral or other patterns for your patio chair slings, recliner slings, or ottoman slings. Your pool, patio, or lawn furniture can be completely recovered for much less than it would cost to replace with similar quality patio furniture. If you don�t want to try to tackle this job yourself, look for a company that provides complete restoration, repair, or refurbishing of patio, pool, lawn, porch, and deck furniture. Companies like this can usually also refinish wrought iron parts that have rusted or corroded, or need to be recoated. These companies will pick up your old patio furniture, re-strap, re-lace and repair it so that it looks new, and return it back to your country club, back yard or outdoor area. Sling repair costs for a single chair can run between $100 and $150 depending on what needs to be repaired or replaced. This is very inexpensive compared to replacing a Brown Jordan patio chair that retails for around $600.