Bits and pieces

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Is it time to fix, repair and generally spruce up the house? Will it take a hero to come and save the day? Well, if you can't find a hero, how about some bits and piece of helpful ideas?Are there messy, peeling ceilings in the house? Sand them down and apply textured wallpaper to them. There are papers that are plain white and have embossed designs such as squares, swirls or other "ceiling correct" patterns that will not only hide imperfections, but also enhance the look.Is there any Lucite in the house? Protect it by an occasional waxing with a good auto paste wax. Apply a thin, even coat with a soft, clean cloth and polish lightly. Remove excess wax first with a dry cotton flannel cloth, then wipe with a damp cloth to help eliminate electrostatic charges, which attract dust particles.Regular maintenance of acrylics is easy. Wash with mild detergent and lukewarm water and then dry with a soft cloth or paper towel. A vinegar-based window cleaner also does the trick, but be sure the window cleaner does not contain ammonia, acetone or benzene as these chemicals will dull and cloud the acrylic.There are also commercial acrylic cleaners that not only make the pieces clean and bright-looking, but also remove small scratches.Living room need a lift? A smashingly decorative chair might be just what it needs. It doesn't have to match the theme of the room -- as a matter of fact, it might be better if it doesn't. It doesn't have to be very big, though the proportion should complement the space. It doesn't even have to be comfortable, since it is going in the living room, a room rarely used. Besides, its main purpose is to liven up the look of the room, not be the lounging chair for the evening. Think of this chair more as a decorative piece.Windows need sprucing up? If there is metal instead of wood around them, and the metal is black or charcoal-gray, try painting the metal white. It's not the easiest thing in the world to paint, but the results will be worth the effort. The windows will have a clean new look and the metal will seem to disappear.Doors looking a little mangy? A paint job and new doorknobs should do the trick. If it is the front door, paint it a bright, welcoming color. That will also make giving directions to your house a new twist: "It's the house with the puce front door." So what color is puce anyway?(Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, an interior designer in Naples, Fla., is author of "Mystery of Color," available at Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Amazon.com.)