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TO COLOR OR NOT, THAT IS THE QUESTION! 
Imagine yourself living in black and white. Perhaps you'd see some shades of gray. But a gray rose? A black apple? A white snowman? OK, that one works, but you get my point. Doesn't sound very appealing does it? However, when it comes to our home, it seems that white paint RULES!
Why? There is a multitude of gorgeous paint colors to choose from. Thousands of shades of blue, alone. Why do we grab the first gallon of white and head to the checkout? Color is not as difficult as people may think. Color can make a room seem warmer, calmer or cooler. Color defines a space. It brings the architecture of the room into focus.
So you agree; but where to start? Go to your closet. Push the black and white clothes aside. What other colors do you see? Perhaps it's a favorite chocolate brown skirt or pale aqua blouse. These are colors that "speak" to you. If your room is decorated, but lacking wall color; try pulling color from the fabric on the couch or area rug, throw pillows or even wall art. Many paint stores can color-match your item. A  few decorating tips:
· Don't be afraid to use a dark, bold color in a small space. Yes, you've always heard that dark colors will close in a space; but not true. A dramatic color can give the room impact and importance!
· If you prefer neutrals for living areas, experiment on a bolder color for the hallway or entry. The "burst" of color can enliven a neutral area.
· Make sure your colors coordinate from other rooms where seen. For instance, standing in the den and looking through the hall into the dining room; you would not want to see pastel blue to vibrant orange to shell pink. As lovely as these colors may be in their respective areas, they scream at each other when viewed as a whole.
So go ahead, take the plunge and don't be afraid to color your spaces!

choose from; slate, stone and cork patterns are becoming more and more popular as consumers demand more variety and choices. Wood looks lend warmth and elegance to a room. And depending on your style, you can have a look that's rustic and hand-crafted, or sleek and smooth; stone in an array of colors, from beige to gray, blue, or terracotta; or slate in bronze or gray. And no matter what your choice, laminate has excellent durability and easy maintenance, so it won't require a lot of time and energy to keep clean. So who says opposites don't attract? In the case of laminate, they get along just fine. For more information on Mannington laminate floors, call 1-800-482-9527 or go to www.mannington.com to find a retailer near you.

(MS)-Today's laminate flooring proves the age-old theory that opposites attract, by marrying realistic beauty and superior durability in one product. Years ago, when laminate was first introduced, it performed well, but didn't look enough like real wood or stone to win the hearts of consumers. Over the past couple of years, however, manufacturers like Mannington Mills have developed incredible new technology that makes laminate flooring nearly impossible to distinguish from real wood, slate, or stone. A new collection of laminate from Mannington, called Revolutions, was one of the first on the market with 3-D texture, natural grout lines and beveled plank edges. Laminate can be used in any room of your home. Mannington's award-winning designers have created laminate floors to coordinate with items you already have, like furniture and cabinetry. It comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, from light ash to deep mahogany, and everything in between. And there are other looks besides wood to