By design

        Mix 'n' match: The fresh approach to outfitting a dining room is to buy pieces that coordinate but don't match, according to Greg Mononen, product developer for Arhaus Furniture in Blue Ash and Tri-County. The goal is to give your home more personality by creating a room that looks like it has evolved over time, similar to a collection of antiques. He recommends using design details — the leg detail on a table or chair, for instance — to tie a look together.

        Wrought iron curves and hand-carved pedestals or straight legs can give furniture a collective look without being identical. Designers are mixing and contrasting finishes using similar tones instead of sticking to the same finish throughout a room. And watch for stone, marble, porcelain and copper to make their way out of the kitchen and into the dining room as table tops.

        Microwave birthday: Happy 35th birthday to the microwave — to Amana's Radarange anyway. In a recent anniversary study, the company uncovered some interesting stats: More than 95 percent of American households include a microwave oven. Americans use their microwaves an average of 13 times a week. Twenty-six percent of the time is spent reheating leftovers; 23 percent is used to cook individual meals or food items; 13 percent defrosting, 12 percent heating snacks, 12 percent heating beverages, 8 percent cooking meals for the whole family and 6 percent heating cooking ingredients. And 62 percent keep their microwaves on the kitchen counter.

In print

        New home buying tips: Lou “Mr. Fix-It” Manfredini, builder, author and Today Show correspondent, has a booklet of tips to help folks make decisions when touring a new-home development. The free booklet, Home, New Home,tells what materials to look for, how to determine quality construction, when to visit during construction and a checklist for buyers to shop and compare developments. Among his tips is upgrading from insulated to low E glass in windows to help reduce UV rays and increase energy efficiency. The booklet can be accessed through www.beconstructive.com or by sending a postcard with your name and address to Home New Home, c/o Wood Promotion Network, 676 N. St. Clair St., Chicago, IL 60611.

Wise buys

        Crib-to-bed convertible: One of the latest crib-to-bed options comes from Delta Luv (with a heart symbol instead of the letter "u') — the 5-in-1 Crib Collection converts from crib to toddler bed to a full size bed as well as a companion love seat. The clever design includes Quiet Track drop sides and comes in finishes and styles. It's $299-$399 at Sears, Toys R Us stores and some Burlington Coat Factory stores. Room to Grow, at Kenwood Galleria, 8110 Montgomery Road, also carries several convertible designs, $459 and up.

        Move it: Pushing furniture around just got a little easier on the back with EZ Moves, furniture slides invented by professional carpet installers. EZ Moves II ($24.99) slides under the corners or legs of any large pieces to allow sliding across wood, linoleum, tiles, laminate and carpet. EZ Moves Permanent Furniture Slides ($12.99) are 3-inch square slides for permanent placement under heavy furniture. They come in three colors to blend into the decor. At Rug Gallery in Blue Ash; Sherwin-Williams Western Hills; Step by Step Furniture in Groesbeck; Bed, Bath & Beyond stores, and at www.ezmoves.com.

        Contact Joy Kraft by phone: 768-8467; fax: 768-8330; e-mail jkraft@enquirer.com.

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