Is time in the bathroom merely something to get over and done with for you? And are you having problems convincing your kid to take his shower? Your bathroom can be an oasis - a place of rejuvenation and enjoyment. With these splendid bathroom fixtures and accessories, it could become the favourite place in the whole house for everyone. So, sing to your heart's content.

Choosing Colour For Your Home

• To help you come up with a colour palette, start hy taking note of which colours attract your interest in everyday life (such as on clothes and cosmetics packaging). As well, examine the fumiture and accessories you already have for inspiration.
• A common thought is that pale colours make a room lock bigger and dark colours make it seem stnaller. By keeping your surfaces and furnishings close in tone to each other. You can achieve an enlarging effect, too. Avoid extreme contrasts, like dark wood and white walls, when you want to expand the feeling of space.
• Strong colours can be fun to play with but work best in small doses and as accent coiours (cushions, flowers, paintings). Try just painting one wall in rhe living room a bold colour tor added interest and to make the room feel more cosv. One wall is easier to change later, compared with repainting the whole room. Neutrals are easy to live with and add stability and balance to the room. If you're employing all neutrals, be sure to keep the look interesting by playing with textures.
• Before deciding on a paint colour, examine the chit sample in the light from morning to night, as the colour can vary drastically throughout the day. You want to be sure that you will be happy with the colour in every lighting situation.

Helpful Hints

for singles and couples, cooks and non-cooks alike.

• Start small. Don't get everything you think is needed at the beginning. You grow with the kitchen. You don't know what you need until you start cooking.
• Invest in a set of good wok, pots and pans. They are versatile in uses. Remember to get a wok burner to fit Western cooktops.
• Buy a rice cooker bigger than the amount you cook regularly in case guests visit.
• Have cutlery for six people or more for the same reason.
• A food processor is an extremely handy appliance for its multiple functions.
• Microwave oven: best for reheating, preheating (for Chinese stir-fry) and thawing.
• Conventional grill oven: better to get one with self-cleaning capability.
• Dishwasher: hot water wash and drying method is very hygienic. Also prevents "housemaid" hands.
• Store spice powders in refrigerator, but whole seed spices can be kept at room temperature.
• Have one cutting board for meats and another for vegetables to avoid contamination.
• Protect all surfaces from heat and moisture by using mats and coasters.
• Commercial cleaning solutions remove stains and grease. Constant upkeep is best and makes the task manageable.
• Mowe's personal kitchen mantra' - anything that makes work easy.

- contributed by Singapore Power