Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

Remember Whitney, before she imploded? When she was an unstoppable singing force? Consider this a challenge: read this without the tune cropping up uninvited in your head, like The Annoying Coworker at your company picnic: I decided long ago never to walk in anyone?s shadow If I fail, if I succeed at least I?ll live [...]

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When talking with my neighbors and friends about this column, they are often surprised to hear that the given topic is interior design. I am always a bit taken aback: what does it seem to be about? Of course, that begs the question, what should this column be about? Just a series of how-to tips, [...]

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Little kids are fascinated by things in miniature. Maybe it?s the idea of a world where they?re the big people, maybe it?s the idea of seeing everything all at once, or maybe there?s an instinct to see the small and vulnerable as cute. As adults we might seek larger things; owning a house, buying an [...]

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Flowing water can sound so wonderful, relaxing and energizing at the same time. They also release cleaning negative ions in the air, and can help keep your skin moisturized in dry climates. When the premade indoor fountains are not exactly what you want, too loud, too soft, just the wrong shade, not the right style, [...]

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After an incredibly rainy March, problems with mold are bound to crop up. They can take the form of more allergies, headaches, dizziness, decreased attention span, difficulty in, uh, concentration… Um, where was I? Oh, yeah ? mold. Not only is it bad for you (and worse if you?re immuno-compromised), but it?s terrible for your [...]

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Changing an area rug is one of the fastest ways to change the feel of a room. Slap a white rug where a dark one used to be, and bam! You?ve got an airier-feeling room. Put a dark red one in, and suddenly the room is cozy as all-get-out. Area rugs come in a wide [...]

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Storing wine away is a great but difficult habit. The good news is that these days, it?s not as important as it used to be: most wines are best drunk young, up to about ten years old. Red wines store far better than whites, which must be drunk generally before they hit five. Good news [...]

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If you want a shorthand guide to decoration, movies can be a good place to start. In a few frames, they often have to give a notion or a whole background to a character, just by showing her or his chosen surroundings. A crucifix over the bed can quickly signal an observant Catholic; surround it [...]

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A poorly-designed and unalterable kitchen is a daily nuisance; the only thing worse is when you?re the one to blame? So if you?re designing your kitchen, don?t screw up! OK, OK, screwing up your kitchen design isn?t the worst thing in the world, and it?s one of those things (like child rearing techniques) that can [...]

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