Versatile cordless drill is a must-have tool

By Matt Fox

Matt Fox and Shari Hiller created"Room by Room," the first show to airon HGTV. For more information,visit www.mattandshari.com.If the drill you are considering purchasing doesn't come with two batteries (which, thankfully, most do now), think twice. It is almost a necessity to have two batteries. Most of the chargers have a fast charge or a slow charge, and even though the fast charge may sometimes come in handy, opt for slow charging if you have two batteries. The battery on fast charge can generate a lot of heat, which can damage the battery. If you really need a fast charge, look for models that have "smart charge." These chargers have temperature sensors that protect the battery from overheating.When I purchased my first cordless drill the choices were slim, and as far as power was concerned, the highest voltage available was 9.6 volts. In cordless drill terms, higher voltage means more torque or power for the drill.When purchasing a cordless drill the battery is a big concern. When I purchased my first cordless drill it had a nickel-cadmium (NiCad) battery (and charger, of course), and only one came with the drill. It held a charge for only a short time, and since I only had one battery, I often had to wait for the battery to charge or I pulled out my electric drill and found the nearest plug.Then do your price checking and see what you can afford based on the type of drill you want and need. The cordless drill is by far the one tool I wouldn't be without, and there should be one in your tool bucket, too.The handle of my first drill was a pistol type grip, with the handle located behind the motor forming the shape of a six-shooter. Newer models have a T-handle, with the handle below the motor and a battery compartment at the bottom of the handle. With the battery centered under the weight of the motor, the T-handle is well balanced and easier to control. I use both types, first because I'm frugal and hate getting rid of tools, but also because the pistol grip handle can fit into areas the T-handle can't because of the battery pack.By far the must-have tool for any home improvement junkie is the cordless drill. This is the tool of the hour when trying to install shelves, drapery rods, valances -- almost anything that needs a screw driven or a hole drilled. The cordless drill is all about having power at your finger tips, and it's the first tool you should purchase that isn't a hand tool.Speed is important, too, and cheaper models usually only have one speed. Higher-end models have two fixed speeds (in the 300 rpm to 800 rpm range), and a simple trigger on the top or side of the drill lets you select low or high speed. Low speed is for driving screws, high speed for drilling holes. A variable speed drill, which can go from zero rpm to top-end speed with the press of the trigger, comes in handy if you are doing a lot of fancy carpentry.Now, with the new nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, your cordless drill will run longer and is even smaller, making the battery pack on the drill handle smaller, as well. The batteries are also easier to dispose of. The old NiCad batteries contained cadmium, which is toxic and should not be thrown away (all batteries should be recycled). It should be easy to find a drill with NiMH batteries as most manufacturers make this type of drill and battery.As with any tool purchase, you need to take it out for a test drive. Visit a local home center store or hardware store and look over all the models -- actually lifting and testing the drill. Some stores offer demos and classes on tools, so take advantage of those to really test the drill before purchasing. If you are near a job site where there are contractors working, ask them what type of drill they prefer. If they are like me, they have tried them all, from small cordless drills to the big muscle types.If you're like me and do a lot of carpentry-type work, a 9.6- to a 12-volt drill is the better choice. These drills usually have more power, variable speeds and a clutch, and the T-handle shape. The price for a drill in this range will be about $60 to $140.Nowadays, drills range from about 6 volts, which is perfect for smaller home improvement projects, to an impressive 18 volts, which is enough power to use on big jobs, from installing cabinets to framing out a house.The major difference between an electric drill (one you plug in) and a cordless drill -- besides the obvious cord running out the back -- is that a cordless drill has a clutch. The clutch is located behind the chuck, which is where the screwdriver and drill bits are placed. The clutch disengages the drive shaft of the drill. When a pre-set resistance is selected, a clicking sound will occur when the resistance is met. The motor is still turning, but the screwdriver bit isn't. What this does is stop the cordless drill from stripping a screw or overdriving it once it is snug. The number of clutch settings varies by drill, with higher-end models having as many as 24. Most clutches also have a drill setting, which allows the motor to drive the drill bit at full power.The trade-off, of course, is how heavy the drill will become with a bigger battery. My first drill was 9.6 volts and weighed about 3 pounds. Newer, 18-volt models can weigh up to 10 pounds, and that is a lot of heft to haul around if you are installing simple bookcases. So balance the power (volts) you will require with the types of jobs (house building or decor projects) you will be performing.MATTANDSHARI.COM

Matt Fox and Shari Hiller created"Room by Room," the first show to airon HGTV. For more information,visit www.mattandshari.com.

Transform Your Room For Less

Sometimes making dramatic changes to the look of a room by re-decorating can be expensive. However, one way to easily transform or update your d�cor on a budget is to change the drapes or curtains. You will be surprised at the dramatic difference new drapes can make to freshen up your home. Creativity and knowing where to go for the best quality and price can also make this an easy and inexpensive project.

The total impact of your drapes, curtains, and window coverings can be very enriching and add the perfect finishing touch to your d�cor. Doing it for less will enrich your bank account too ! For more information on window coverings or to use free design tools and decorating tips, go to http://www.factorydirectdrapes.comFactory Direct Drapes.comMany times, a valance with your existing window treatments will highlight the drape or curtain and �top� it off adding a perfect frame to your view. If you have mixed types of window coverings in a room, valances on all of the windows also provides continuity to really bring the room together.Begin by deciding if you will use the existing hardware (rods) or would you like to replace them with something more modern. Oftentimes, you can use the same rods in a different way to alter their appearance. For example, you can take a stationary rod/pole (non traversing) with curtains on it and simply add designer ring clips. This will allow you to use a classic pinch pleated drape on the rod and save money to put towards other drapes. Adding a second rod behind your existing hardware will permit the use of a sheer drape or curtain as an economic way to change your window treatments. Or, purchase cost effective standard heavy duty traverse rods in a neutral off-white color that blends in nicely with practically all styles of furnishings. In many cases, the rod can be covered with a new valance leaving you the perfect reason to keep your existing rods.Choosing a drape or curtain style to suit your environment should be exciting. With the number of options available to the consumer, it is easy to get carried away with trendy brick-a-brack window treatments that can leave your windows over dressed and your pocket book empty. Pick classic styles such as pinch pleated or tab top drapes and add a stunning valance to define the style of a room. If you want to create a more formal look, include a pinch pleated sheer that can be opened and closed to create an airy look as well as adding privacy. Finish with simple tie backs in the same fabric as the drapes to hold the drapes or curtains back away from the window.Bridgette BodineThe most important way to save money on home improvement projects is to buy directly from the manufacturer. Often, their websites offer free tools and ideas to help you pick the perfect options. Purchasing directly from the factory ensures you are getting wholesale prices without costly mark-ups. You can receive the highest quality by purchasing American made products.Bridgette@factorydirectdrapes.com

Bridgette@factorydirectdrapes.com

The Elegance of Vertical Blinds

Vertical Blinds are the most stylish and decoration for the home. These days� vertical blinds are considered to be the necessity for the home d�cor or the office decor. We have different kinds and styles of blinds available in the market like wooden blinds, aluminum blinds, roller blinds, vertical blinds, roman blinds and so on. But the most famous among them is the vertical blinds. Previously these were made up of metals and the wood.

They are very strong and durable. The best thing of the vertical window blinds is that we can use them as a replacement of the curtains. They are cheap, inexpensive and we can use them to avoid sun light. Sun light damages our furniture, fades the color of the cloth as well as the furniture. So, they are made to blind lights and the people who hate dust can easily clean the dust from that. Cane blinds is also used to d�cor home but generally they are made up of bamboos and the stick so it is very difficult to clean and also these are not completely avoid the sun light especially who are looking to blinds light.But now vertical blinds are made up of paper and the designs which are created by using different- different materials and the look is very classy and very rich in shape. We can easily clean and wash them out and its reusable and comparatively in fact very low in cost. Designs are very unique. Paper are comes under different � different style, sheets and the colors.Suppose if you have a window but which is not at all used so wood blinds are the best option for them. Because wood is easily available and they can be repainted and designed. They are the best for blinds (avoiding) the sunlight. And they can be used in an attractive way to keep sun out and looks good too. Basically these blinds are made up of canvas, wood, metal, and synthetic fibre. And always look for the vertical blind in which valance is included. And do not buy or make a deal without that. Various kinds of valances are available in the market so you can choose as per your standards.

These are available in the form of single valances and the double valances with rounded corners, edges with fancy materials. In short we can say that without a valance the use of vertical blind is total blind.

..On the grapevine

AT LONDON FASHION WEEK

ISSA won the award for best Fashion Week front row.PARTY of the week was Alice Temperley and Selfridge's fusion event for London Fashion Week. The bash saw Courtney Love perform and Trinny Woodall arrive with Guns 'n' Roses star Slash. How random is that!LADY Gaga and Cyndi Lauper will tomorrow announce a partnership with MAC Viva Glam to talk about HIV/Aids and be interviewed live by Sharon Osbourne. See it at www.facebook.com/ MACcosmetics. Buy a Viva Glam Cybdi or Gaga lipstick to help women and girls living with, or affected by HIV/AIDS.THIS week's Warehouse Utility event was a welcome escape from the fashion crowd. Jason Gardiner took along has-been TV star Holly Valance, Mica Paris tried on a rail of clothes and Zoe Salmon told me she wanted to replace Nadine Roberts as the Irish member of Girls Aloud. Zoe, I think Nadine would have a word to say about that!

LADY Gaga and Cyndi Lauper will tomorrow announce a partnership with MAC Viva Glam to talk about HIV/Aids and be interviewed live by Sharon Osbourne. See it at www.facebook.com/ MACcosmetics. Buy a Viva Glam Cybdi or Gaga lipstick to help women and girls living with, or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Rory's chance to dance

RORY Bremner will be hoping to make a good impression on the judging panel in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

A BBC spokesman refused to comment on the show's line-up, which will be unveiled next week. This year's show will definitely see one new face, with Zoe Ball taking over from Claudia Winkleman as the host of BBC2's Strictly Come Dancing spin-off.Winkleman, 39, had hosted the show - with behind-the-scenes interviews and gossip - since it began in 2004.The funnyman is one of the celebrities lined up for the hit BBC1 ballroom show which starts next week.Other stars rumoured to be appearing include former Neighbours stars Jason Donovan and Holly Valance, ex-MP Edwina Currie and One Show host Alex Jones.Jones will be able to get a few tips from fellow One Show host Matt Baker, who was runner-up last year behind eventual winner Kara Tointon.

Winkleman, 39, had hosted the show - with behind-the-scenes interviews and gossip - since it began in 2004.

Creating A Unique Window Valance

Windows come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes offer a beautiful view. When it is important to let in the most light and not obstruct that perfect view, a window valance can be just the right touch. Window valances come in many different styles and can be used alone or with other window treatments such as drapes, sheers, blinds, or shutters. There are no-sew options as well as the carefully crafted sewn valances that have a real professional touch.

The Swag: A swag also looks like it sounds. A swag valance can be short or extend to the floor where it can even be pooled. The swag is held up by two decorative brackets. The width of the fabric is folded accordion style and then draped across the brackets. On wider windows, it may be necessary to support the centre of the swag with a hidden pin or bracket so that it doesn�t swoop too much. Here sheer or very light weight fabrics work well and even some heavier fabrics.How to Make the Most of the WindowPleated Valance: A formally shaped valance is best made of heavier fabrics that can be formed and will hold their shape. Lighter weight fabrics may work if they are lined with a stiff enough lining. A pleated or scalloped valance needs to be carefully cut and lined so that when it is pleated and folded the underside fabric shows in equal increments. This style is probably best left to the professional decorator or experienced seamstress. The pleated valance can be hung using a frame made of 2x4� board and L-brackets to that a shelf is created at the top of the window. The fabric can then be stapled to the board once it is shaped, then hung onto the brackets.Window valances can be made by anyone with any amount of decorating experience. Some styles require little or no sewing. The important consideration is what type of design is going on in the rest of the room. Remember, window treatments should accent the room and not serve as the focal point.Window valances can be formal or casual. They can be crafted of rich, heavy tapestry fabrics or light, airy cotton. They can be shaped and formed to have a stiff shaped look or be free flowing and informal. The following are some of the more commonly used window valance treatments and how they are made.Placement of the window valance is almost as important as how it is made and what type of material is used. If windows are short, then the valance can be hung high enough that the bottom just covers the top of the window.Balloon Valance: The balloon valance looks like its name. It normally has a gathered ruffle atop the rod and then the doubled up fabric is pinched in increments so that the areas between the pinches balloon out. Often the puffy areas can be stuffed with tissue paper or even old newspapers if the fabric is thick enough to hide the print. Lighter weight cottons are best for this window treatment. Patterns and stripes, as well as solids, work well to.To bring down the height of an extremely tall window the valance can be hung lower or made longer. In general, a valance should not hang more than one-third of the way down the window for the best aesthetics. Two-story windows can be cut in half by the window valance making it a part of the d�cor of the room on the lower half. By dividing the room�s windows in this manner then the ceiling will not seem so high.

Window valances can be made by anyone with any amount of decorating experience. Some styles require little or no sewing. The important consideration is what type of design is going on in the rest of the room. Remember, window treatments should accent the room and not serve as the focal point.

Cabinets

1. Poggenpohl has introduced colors not usually seen in a kitchen. They are deliberately neither loud nor shrill, yet consciously reflect the current trend toward more color, the company says. The names of these new colors are derived from the mineral colors on which they are based: Cubanite, a beige tone; Oxide, a light blue; Fluorite, a modest green; and Curite, a fresh coppery orange. Poggenpohl. Circle 78

9. Merillat recently introduced Chiffon, the first painted white finish available in its Classic line. Chiffon is described as having a creamy white tone and a comforting and inviting color infused with a hint of warmth. The option is one of more than 100,000 SKUs introduced to the Classic product line. Offerings include new finishes, a new door style and product enhancements. Merillat. Circle 8611. SieMatic recently announced the addition of 15 new wood veneers to its selection of surface options for the S2-H, SL 505, and SE 4004 kitchen collections. The veneers feature new colors and wood species that include different shades of oak, cherry and walnut in addition to teak, rosewood, pine, wenge, and a black fineline multilaminar wood veneer. SieMatic. Circle 886. Element Designs' Green Series aluminum frame cabinet doors are made with at least 70 percent post-industrial recycled aluminum. They are available in two frame styles and a variety of insert options (Serengeti insert shown here). The doors can be used with both framed and frameless cabinetry. All products are manufactured to order with a two-week lead time and no minimum order quantities. Element Designs. Circle 838. QualityCabinets recently added to its finish options with the introduction of Cinnamon, which provides a reddish finish and reflects the latest in sophisticated style and design. It's also available with a Licorice glaze, adding to its depth and richness. Available in Quality Cabinets' WoodStar Series, Cinnamon is offered on the Seacrest and Harborview door styles in birch. QualityCabinets. Circle 8510. St. Charles Cabinetry announces the production launch of a frameless, full-overlay line of steel case work, available in brushed stainless steel and 23 colors of powder-coated cold-rolled steel. The product line utilizes soft-close hinges and tight seamless joints to create a sleek and contemporary appeal. Wall cabinets have integrated interior lighting and under-cabinet lighting, as well as adjustable shelves in tempered glass with integral stainless steel edges. St. Charles Cabinetry. Circle 872. Canyon Creek Cabinet Co. recently introduced four new door styles: Aberdeen, Emerson, Monterey and Ridgecrest. Taking inspiration from four of their bestselling raised-panel doors, the company has increased the stiles and rails to 3 in. It has also added 11 new mouldings and light valances, including various sized bull-nose, beaded, round and square options as well as corner ogees and filler and panel mouldings. Canyon Creek Cabinet Co. Circle 793. Minimal design characterizes the look of Calibra, a contemporary slab door style from Armstrong Cabinet Products in solid Plantation Hardwood. Slightly radiused edges on all four sides of the doors and drawers combined with full overlay cabinetry styling make simple doors elegant. Calibra is available in five contemporary finishes, including Espresso, Honey, Mocha, Chestnut and Bordeaux. A wide variety of hardware and convenient accessories is available. Armstrong Cabinet Products. Circle 807. Rutt HandCrafted Cabinetry announces the introduction of seven finishes that compose its new Furniture Collection. The finishes are specific to the wood within the finish name. These finishes have a romantic charm and are vintage in their appearance. The finishes in this collection include: Estate Cherry, Montana Pine, Plantation Maple, Treasured Maple, Low Country Cherry, Ski Lodge Pine, and Bozeman Brown which is placed on poplar wood. Rutt Custom Cabinetry. Circle 845. The Hidden Kitchen is part of Allmilmo's "DesignArt" line and combines book-matched and veneered teak wood with contoured black lacquer finishes. Its closing mechanism, built on a curved (retractable) track, allows for complete concealment of the kitchen's cabinets and appliances, creating a seamless and contiguous wood surface. The kitchen concept explores philosophies connected with concealment and contiguity in design and living. Allmilmo USA Corp. Circle 8212. Wellborn Cabinet has added a new Heirloom Technique to its wide array of finish options. Available on all stained finishes with glazes, the Heirloom Technique creates a distressed finish by adding small dents, wormholes and dry brushing. Done by hand, Heirloom is a random effect that offers an antique look and brings out unique character within each product. Wellborn Cabinet. Circle 89Use the reader service card for more information on these products. You can also request more information NOW using our online reader service: www.qualifiedremodeler.com/einquiry

Use the reader service card for more information on these products. You can also request more information NOW using our online reader service: www.qualifiedremodeler.com/einquiry

Lace Curtains, Valances, Tiers and Panels � Charming Window Coverings To Mix and Match

THE COMPONENT PARTS OF THE ANATOMY OF A LACE CURTAIN

You may want a more formal treatment as shown here. It consists of a Swag Pair with a Valance in between and a full length Panel underneath. As another option, in a narrower window, you could eliminate the in between Valance and just use the Swag Pair or a One Piece Swag. If you use two Panels you could tie them back to each side for a totally different style. Also, a Priscilla look could be created by using a second Panel underneath the first Panel and tying them back to opposite sides.Hopefully with this new knowledge you will really enjoy creating your very own professional looking d�cor by stretching your imagination. The above pictures of window treatments are just a start. You can probably think of many additional attractive ways to arrive at your own person choices of Lace Curtains. In fact, you could even vary the treatments by purchasing lace yardage and sewing your own version of a window treatment. Best of luck with your newly discovered design freedom.The simplest design would be to use a Lace Valance and a Lace Tier together as shown here. This picture uses a Macrame Ring Lace, however, any Lace Valances and Tiers can be used for the same effect. This design is shown on tension rods inside the window casing. The treatment also can be used where both Valance and Tier are mounted on rods that are attached to the wall outside of the window frame. Another attractive style would be to mount the Valance on an outside mount rod and the Tier on a tension rod inside the jamb. In yet a different version you could mount the Valance on an outside mount rod and use a full length Lace Panel or pair of Panels on a rod under the Valance rod. One of these options may be just what you want but, hold on, we are just getting started.There is another design, shown here, that uses a little of all of the above ideas but is more informal and could be used in a den, dinette or kitchen area. Please notice that this picture also shows one window treatment used over two separate windows which creates the impression of enlarging the spaciousness of your room.THE MANY NOT SO MYSTERIOUS WAYS TO CREATE WINDOW COVERING BEAUTY IN YOUR HOMEAs you can see, Lace Curtains can be highly personalized to create the very look that makes your home warm and inviting We are not finished yet. Let's think even more outside of the box. What if you have a curved top window. That's easy. Just find a solid metal rod and bend it to the same contour as your window frame and use the same designs we just discussed. How about another idea. If you have two corner windows you have the option of treating them as one window or two windows. You can mount separate curtains on each window or as in the picture above you can make the two windows look like one giving the effect of a much larger window.USE YOUR IMAGINATION TO CREATE YOUR VERY OWN LOOK

Hopefully with this new knowledge you will really enjoy creating your very own professional looking d�cor by stretching your imagination. The above pictures of window treatments are just a start. You can probably think of many additional attractive ways to arrive at your own person choices of Lace Curtains. In fact, you could even vary the treatments by purchasing lace yardage and sewing your own version of a window treatment. Best of luck with your newly discovered design freedom.

'I never talk to anybody'

Tanya Gold asks Sir Ben Kingsley about his upbringing, his new film, and drawing a line between reality and acting

The film is awful, as bad as movies get, and I am hoping he'll roll his eyes, admitting in code how terrible it is, but no, he's quite serious about pretending this schlock was a great experience: 'It's terribly exciting.' I haven't bothered turning on the tape recorder for this, but he points at it and says, 'You can turn it on.' His body language is relaxed but watchful. His accent is from nowhere.He decided to become an actor at 19, after seeing Ian Holm playing Richard III.Could he have played the Ralph Fiennes part - the Nazi - in Schindler's List? 'Yes, because we have to illustrate with all our might how terrible it was, ' he says in a low voice with an actor's stare which is straight out of the Actor's Stare Handbook. 'In a sense I have the Ralph Fiennes part in this [The Prince of Persia] too.' He plays Nizam, a bald cartoon baddie with a polished head.And the acting - better to talk about the acting - how does it impact on your sanity? 'It doesn't frighten me because I'm not addicted to anything, ' he says. 'If I was addicted to a dangerous substance then I'd be dead. I'd lose touch of where the boundary is and I'd be dead. I know I would.'I realise I have been staring at a long crease in his head for 20 minutes now. It runs from the dome of his skull to his eye. How did you get that scar? 'That's a natural crease, ' he says, 'that's not a scar.' So he minds when I ask about his family but when I ask if anyone ever hit him in the head with an axe, he doesn't mind at all.And he goes off on another tangent, naming all the theatres in the north that have closed. Interviewing Ben Kingsley is like driving round a ring road, wondering if you will ever find the high street. But at least he is doing an accent now. He is now a northern casting director in the mid-1960s: 'That was a wonderful audition, Krishna, but we don't know how to cast you.' His father said - he is doing his father's Indian accent now - 'You are going to have to change your name.'It looks like a cake. He comes out to collect me and he doesn't look like he belongs here at all.But that is often the way - until the tape is played, you don't realise how much they hate you. I wait for him to fill the silence.And he jumps up, shakes my hand and closes the door. He deserved the Oscar - it was for Gandhi - just for playing himself.'Nizam tries to change the map of his universe, ' he goes on. 'Adolf Hitler did exactly the same thing.' This is a typical Ben Kingsley sentence: Big Bird is really Stalin.He claims he passed out in the auditorium, because of a sense 'of recognition'. He flunked his RADA audition, where they misheard Krishna Bhanji and called him 'Christine Flange', but he got a break at the Royal Shakespeare Company instead. I ask him how he felt when he realised how good he was at acting. 'Sorry, ' he says, 'I didn't understand the question.' So he doesn't understand the question and he isn't listening. I wonder suddenly if I annoyed him when I told him I admired him - if that was when he decided to clam up. Is there ever a moment when you congratulate yourself? 'Absolutely not.''It feeds your task of getting me down on a few pages, which is important, ' he says eventually. 'There are young actors who are going to leaf through this magazine and go, "Oh, let's see if he is an arsehole or not. Let's just see. Oh yeah, " ' he continues, still playing a young actor wondering if Ben Kingsley is an arsehole, '" I know about that pain. I know about that struggle." ' So this interview is an act of altruism for young actors. It's a masterclass. At least he told me.I'm stuck. So I tell him that another interviewer called him impenetrable. 'You know I never read reviews, don't you?' he says, very conversationally. (Does he think interviews and reviews are the same thing? ) She says you are impenetrable, I repeat. 'I'm sorry, ' he says, 'I'm sort of listening and not listening.' He says it so mildly that I don't realise how cross he is until I play the tape later.So Ben Kingsley, or, as he apparently demands to be called, Sir Ben Kingsley, who are you? I'm sitting in a windowless corridor in the Dorchester Hotel, waiting for him. It's amazingly pink, this corridor.Perhaps it's because misery clings to all his famous roles - Gandhi, Simon Wiesenthal, Otto Frank, the sociopath gangster Don Logan, the accountant Itzhak Stern in Schindler's List. And now he's neither in prison nor a concentration camp, but standing behind an enormous teapot, looking as Home Counties as a John Lewis valance.Ben Kingsley, I know, has two methods in interviews. Sometimes he talks about growing up near Salford in the 1950s. He was called Krishna Bhanji then. His father, the Indian GP, drank and ignored him; his mother, the half-Jewish housewife, accused him of theatricality and ignored him too. He has said, 'I was not taken seriously. Everything I attempted to articulate was diminished, distorted or interrupted.' There was also a racist grandmother who hated her Jewish lover so much that she became an anti-Semite.And now you live in Wasp Central, in Oxfordshire. Where do you feel at home? I ask because I am sure that the gifted half-Indian, quarter-Jewish boy is the key to Sir Ben Kingsley, and I want to know where he has gone. 'What did you call it?' he asks. Wasp Central. He gasps. 'That is a terrible thing to say. It's not Wasp Country. It's Shakespeare Country. That part of the country gave me my craft and my adoration of the English language. I am more Shakespeare country than LA and the social element is minimal because I hardly ever talk to anybody.'So saying he has the Ralph Fiennes part in The Prince of Persia is like saying Tom has the Ralph Fiennes part in Tom and Jerry.We sit down and I am slightly tongue-tied because I think he's a great actor, one of the best. His performance in Schindler's List was astonishing. When I say so Kingsley says 'Gulp', very theatrically. Then he goes into a long spiel about how the premiere of his new film, The Prince of Persia, is taking place all over the world today.Sometimes he talks about this and sometimes he just draws on a glittering robe and gives a magnificent display of luvvieness, which is rather touching because it's brilliantly crafted, but is incredibly irritating nonetheless. When he says, 'Albert Camus said the only way to understand Iago is to play him, ' I realise I am definitely getting the latter. Damn.

And he jumps up, shakes my hand and closes the door. He deserved the Oscar - it was for Gandhi - just for playing himself.

I've got designs on some floral bedlinen

FOR several months I have been searching for floral patterned cotton or polyester sheets and pillowcases, but I have had no luck. Do you know where I may be able to buy some in double size? - Beryl Pearce, Devon

But, for an up-to-theminute look, Ditton Hill's Isabella set offers a modern take on country style with co-ordinated panels of pink, yellow and white floral designs.ZENA SAYS: Floral patterns are very popular at the moment and if you're looking for a more traditional style, try the Vantona English garden valance sheet (below). It's 50 per cent cotton, 50 per cent polyester. The sheet is available in a double size for pounds 22 and the pillowcase is pounds 8 (www.very.co.uk).

Prices start at pounds 25 for a single duvet set, pounds 60 for a single bedspread, and pounds 7.50 for a cushion (www.leekes.co.uk, 0845 050 8240).

These R for us!

BRITISH buyers have really taken to Volvo's stylish, R-Design sports models.

CAPTION(S):SPORTY STYLE: Volvo S60 R-designThe UK is expected to be one of the largest markets for the latest runners in the R-Design stakes - the new S60 and V60 models.Features include uprated suspension and springs plus a Corner Traction Control system as well as a Dynamic Stability and Traction Control system.Inside, the driver and front passenger sit in sports seats with cushions designed to give closer side support than before. The special leather/ textile upholstery is available trimmed in off-black and ceramic light, or in an all-black variant, both with contrasting stitching.Special, five-spoke 18-inch Diamond cut alloy wheels are fitted.On the outside, the cars have a redesigned front valance while a distinctive diffuser houses twin exhaust tailpipes.They account for up to 60 per cent of sales of some model lines, and 25 per cent of the Swedish company's overall sales in the UK.

SPORTY STYLE: Volvo S60 R-design

art and science of funny OR DIE, the

"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend. " - Carleton Young as Maxwell Scott in John Ford's The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

It all began when two Saturday Night Live alums- Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, who were also responsible for such comedy hits as Anchorman and Talladega Nights - shot a funny little video with McKay's daughter and decided to throw it up online. "The Landlord" went viral, and thus, Funny or Die was born.Ah, yes, the celebrities. While Funny or Die has generated plenty of viral video hits that don't feature Hollywood stars - such as "Uncle Jay Explains the News" and the "High-Five" montages from Almost Twins, a comedy duo featuring Jack Packard and Jake Szymanski, who is also a full-time Funny or Die creative - by far the most popular videos on Funny or Die are those featuring celebrities, such as Jewel, Paris Hilton, Marion Cotillard, and Zach Galifianakis, whose Between Two Ferns interview series pulls in ?-listers such as Bradley Cooper and Ben Stiller and has become the site's top-viewed regular series."Obviously, making great content and working with celebrities is smack dab in the middle of the Hollywood expertise," says Galbraith. "But the frugal DNA is definitely a very Silicon Valley thing in that, when in doubt, we underspend."Indeed, after "The Landlord" and its followup, "Good Cop, Baby Cop," became internet sensations in 2007, many pundits figured it was just a vanity project for Ferrell and McKay and gave it little chance of lasting, much less growing. But Kvamme quickly signed on other investment partners including DAG Ventures and Tenaya Capital. In the past 2 years, HBO also signed on as an investor; other noninvestor partners include Gary S�nchez Productions, Judd Apatow, and CAA.Of course, there's still plenty of risqu� and notsafe-for-broadcast material on Funny or Die. But as Henchy says, that's part of the appeal. Palmigiano recalls when Cotillard came into the office saying, Tm always playing depressed women. I want to do something fiinny."So what's next, creatively, for Funny or Die? "We want it to become sort of a comedy institution," says Appel, "kind of like Saturday Night Live or UCB." Inline with that, the company not only allows but encourages its talent to branch out; Appel just wrote a pilot called Death Valley that got picked up for 12 episodes on MTVIn fact, the whole Funny or Die ethos goes against Hollywood conventions. "It can be as easy as meeting with someone, talking about ideas they like, and getting it to a place where everyone is excited about liti," says president of production Mike Farah. "Hollywood really can be that easy. I'm proud of the videos, but I'm equally proud of the experience people have working with us."'You're never not working on a video here, " says Eric Appel, another UCB veteran who also wrote for Crank Yankers and Human Giant and who acts as well as writes, directs, and edits. "You shoot your video, then you start editing it. As you're editing it, you're writing the next one. And then you're going into pitch meetings with celebrities. "Whatever the content, working with Funny or Die offers a low-risk, high-reward proposition for celebrities. If a video goes viral, that's great publicity for an actor, and it can cast him or her in a new public light. If it doesn't, then it quietly Eides away. "There's really no such thing as a bomb on the internet," says McKay.The ArtFunny or Die's partnership with CAA is responsible for most of the celebrity connections, and Appel says that almost every day they're either shooting a video with or in pitch meetings with celebrities. The day I was in the Los Angeles office, a Funny or Die crew was shooting "Tall Justice" with Miami Heat basketball star Chris Bosh. Most importantly for the site's continued viability, almost without exception, celebrities do the work gratis. So what's in it for them?Things have obviously changed considerably in the intervening years, but the ethos of thrift and efficiency hasn't. The creative offices recently moved. But rather than renting out upscale digs, Funny or Die is now housed on the first floor of a nondescript office building just off of Hollywood Boulevard, with Gary S�nchez Productions upstairs. The environment is still very much that of a tech startup - about 30 20-somethings in plaid shirts and jeans. And if they're not wearing as many hats as when Palmigiano started, there's nobody in the Hollywood office who does only one thing.Kvamme's son Michael, an aspiring young comedian, can actually take the responsibility for the original idea of a comedy site that would combine user-generated content and celebrity content, but the concept was soon expanded beyond comedy. "We thought we would take the recipe for Funny or Die, pick a vertical, and marry a relevant celebrity," says Galbraith. The team partnered with skateboarder Tony Hawk for Shred or Die and chef Tom Colicchio for Eat, Drink or Die, but neither site achieved sustainability. And after Sequoia Capital's famous "R.I.P. Good Times" memo in 2008, the team decided to keep the focus on the funny."I think it's that they know they can do crazy s - t," says Henchy, who's also an executive producer on HBO's Entourage. "They know they can do stuff they can't do anywhere else. Also, they don't have to fly to New York to be on a talk show, and there's a format that's already set up where you have to sit in a chair and talk to this person."funny or Die quickly staffed up its creative office in a small bungalow in Hollywood. Lauren Palmigiano was the site's first official employee. Like many of the creative staff, she came from the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) comedy troupe. "When we first started, it was me and three other people on the creative staff, making videos, deciding what the front page should look like, what sections of the site should look like," she says. "It was like four of us doing the job of 20 people."Yeah, short of hate language and raw porno," says McKay, "You can do anything you want on the site, and there's a democratic component too, where you can get your videos on the front page if enough people vote on it."The fact is, Funny or Die is as much the brainchild of Sequoia Capital's Mark Kvamme, who put up $17,000 and enlisted the pro bono help of a handful of tech startup veterans to launch the site from a technical standpoint. For the content, Kvamme spoke with a friend at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), who suggested enlisting Gary S�nchez Productions - the company owned by Ferrell, McKay, and Chris Henchy - to help launch a website that would feature both established talent and up-and-coming comics and let viewers vote on whether or not videos are funny or should die."We had one camera and a boom mie, no lights," she continues. "We would just sort of call McKay's friends and ask them if they would do something with us. We'd be like, 'We'll take 2 hours, and we'll get right out of your way.'"Or at least that's how the legend goes. And as legends go, it's a pretty good one, especially if you're of the mind that online video has the promise to be just as big as television or film."So we pitched her the silliest, wackiest ideas," says Palmigiano, "and here's this Oscarwinning actress, in her French accent, saying, ? like ze farts. I like ze boobies.'" The result was the "Forehead Tittaes" video that garnered more than 2 million views and drew attention to workplace sexual harassment.Funny or Die's ability to go from concept to posting quickly is another key to its success. McKay says he was driving in the car when he heard a John McCain campaign ad that compared Barack Obama's celebrity status with Paris Hilton's. "I was like, Oh, checkmate, my friend,' and I got on the phone with [Hilton's] agent, and everything was done in a few days."

So what's next, creatively, for Funny or Die? "We want it to become sort of a comedy institution," says Appel, "kind of like Saturday Night Live or UCB." Inline with that, the company not only allows but encourages its talent to branch out; Appel just wrote a pilot called Death Valley that got picked up for 12 episodes on MTV

Ten of the best

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition comprised an eclectic mix of eight women from around the world on a 38-day journey through inhospitable conditions to tire South Pole. In order to keep this multinational team warm, comfortable and happy, an eclectic mix of clothing, kit and food was required. Here is a selection of tire expedition's essential items, from tents and toilet bags to timepieces and tasty meals

Outdoor Research Gorilla42 [pounds sterling]/355 GRAMSTunnel tents are quick and easy to pitch and strike, as the poles can be left in situ and the tent just rolled up around them. Hillebergs are spacious inside and have a good reputation for durability in tough conditions3.50 [pounds sterling]/500 GRAMS(3) SLEEPING MAT(7) WATCHBrief Relief Disposa-John(8) HATDon't forget ...Power Porridge is a mixture of oats, seeds and whole grains. It provides all the goodies (such as vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids and fibre) that are so hard to pack into an expedition diet. Wheat-, nut--and dairy-free with no added salt or fatFlexcell Sunpack solar charger(10) 12V SOLAR PANEL(4) BALACLAVA(9) DINNERThese beanie hats--60 per cent merino, 40 per cent possum fur--are warm and comfortable.They are double layered and long enough to cover ears and the back of the neck. We also also used them to cover our eyes while sleeping to block out the 24-hour daylight45 [pounds sterling]/100 GRAMS7 [pounds sterling]/120 GRAMSThis was the item of equipment that the whole team raved about after the expedition. It has been pared down to the basics but is extremely effective. On most days in Antarctica, we wore just a thermal layer with this windproof over the topMultimat Summit XLA self-contained bag for liquid and solid waste. Double-lined, with a secure zip-lock closure, each bag contains polymers and enzymes that turns faeces into a deodorised gel. The bag can be disposed of in the same way as any waste destined for landfill2.70 [pounds sterling]/63 GRAMSNorth of Denmark SubZero GMT(2) TOILET BAGSHilleberg Keron GT 4 with snow valances(1) TENT800 [pounds sterling]/5.2 KILOGRAMS222 [pounds sterling]/25 GRAMS120 [pounds sterling]/500 GRAMSMontane Featherlite smockFuizion freeze-dried food... to take plenty of moisturiser with you. The air in Antarctica is very dry, and dry skin is more prone to cold injuryAfter a long day hauling sledges, a good sleep is essential. Inflatable mats carry the risk of puncture, so durable solid-foam mats are preferable. Sleep on two of these mats and you'll never know that you're lying on iceNEXT MONTH:30 [pounds sterling]/86 GRAMSWith a removable chin-flap and nose piece, this is an extremely versatile bit of kit that protects the face from exposure. It comes in three sizes for men and women: our Jamaican team member needed a larger size to accommodate her impressive dreadlocksYUKON ARCTIC ULTRA RACEDuring the Antarctic summer, there is 24-hour daylight, and the sun simply circles in the sky. A watch is essential to keep track of the hours and days. The watch we used is tested to -40[degrees]C, keeps track of multiple time zones and has scratch-resistant glassOtter Valley Power PorridgeBeing able to recharge batteries is critical, because losing power to a satellite telephone can mean the end of you r expedition. The Flexcell Sunpack was easy to use, durable and reliable. It uses a universal cigarette lighter connection20 [pounds sterling]/50 GRAMS(6) BREAKFASTChocolate Fish merino-possum beanie(5) WINDPROOF CLOTHING

Being able to recharge batteries is critical, because losing power to a satellite telephone can mean the end of you r expedition. The Flexcell Sunpack was easy to use, durable and reliable. It uses a universal cigarette lighter connection

Birtley'a Super Six storm on yet again; Day to remember at Schoolboys Championship

Byline: JOHN GIBSON

Tickets cost pounds 10 for the East Stanley show and pounds 350 for a table of 10 in Newcastle. They are available from Vic Kendall on 01207 233 822.Robson had the greater height and reach, but though Ball was the stronger, the Geordie ran out an easy winner.The North Road Gym in Catchgate are raising funds and preparing their squad for a dream journey across the Atlantic to Louisiana in the United States.The Tyneside club's victory parade was headed by the Dickinson brothers Jak and Mark and David Robson who inflicted a first defeat on his opponent.After a good first round when Dickinson scored frequently, Search changed tactics and made it a scrappy affair in the second. The third was more of the same with Search trying to stop Jak from boxing.Then on March 10 a fundraising dinner will be held at the Assembly Rooms in Newcastle, when Newcastle United coaches and former England internationals Peter Beardsley and Steve Stone will be the guest speakers.Mark Dickinson was first up in the Minors Under 38kg section, setting the tone for his brother with a comfortable win over Valance of Tower Hill.First of all 14 North Road members will get some ring work on their home show at the East Stanley Social Club on Wednesday February 23.However, a great last 20 seconds saw Jak clinch the bout by the narrowest of margins showing great character in front of a partisan home crowd.To underline Birtley's dominance David Robson faced and defeated Kirby's M Ball who had been unbeaten and was also the European Kick Boxing champion.It was always going to be trickier for Jak in Class 1 Under 38kg - he was the only opponent to have ever beaten Elliott Search of local club Everton Red Triangle.BIRTLEY enjoyed a magic day at the National Schoolboys Championships in Liverpool with their Super Six storming through to the next round.Liam Cowie completed the rout when he outpointed K Timpson (Vauxhall Motors), while Jon Ruddick received a bye. The next round will be held at Wakefield this weekend.Twelve juniors and five seniors will make up the Catchgate squad to take part in the Governors Games in mid May.It was a special night for Birtley's junior coach Graeme Rutherford who has produced a string of national champions.States trip for Durham stars BOXERS from North West Durham are preparing for a trip of a lifetime.Isaac Milburn was facing a similar task against another home town favourite McMenniman of Rotunda in Class 11 at Under 38kg, but stepped on the gas to nail a marvellous victory.

Tickets cost pounds 10 for the East Stanley show and pounds 350 for a table of 10 in Newcastle. They are available from Vic Kendall on 01207 233 822.

Volkswagen Canada Launches New Jetta GLI

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

Inside, the GLI abounds with sporty details. The flat-bottomed sport steering wheel with controls for stereo, trip computer and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity gives the driver a firm grip. Automatic dual zone climate control and keyless entry and starting lend an air of luxury, while stylish red stitching, and aluminum trim complete the package. An available 8 speaker, 400 watt "Fender" sound system with a trunk mounted subwoofer ensures the highest level of entertainment on even the longest of drives.About Volkswagen Canada:With a starting price of just $27,475, the new Jetta GLI will represent outstanding value in the European sport sedan market when it reaches Dealer showrooms this summer in a choice of five exterior colours.Volkswagen Canada unveiled the all-new Jetta GLI sport sedan today at the Vancouver Autoshow.Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and is Europe's largest automaker.On the outside, the GLI features a uniquely styled fascia, with a honeycomb front grille and integrated fog lights. The profile of the GLI is enhanced by dramatic sill extensions, and the rear of the car is finished off with a GLI-specific rear valance.Visit Volkswagen Canada online at www.Volkswagen.ca .Founded in 1952, Volkswagen Canada is headquartered in Ajax, Ontario. It is the largest volume European automotive nameplate in Canada, and sells the Golf, Golf Wagon, Golf GTI, New Beetle, new Jetta, Eos, Passat, Tiguan, Routan, and Touareg through 134 independent Canadian Dealers. It is the leader in affordable TDI Clean Diesel vehicle sales in Canada, and forms part of Volkswagen Group Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany.The powertrain options feature a choice of either 6 speed manual or automatic direct shift gearboxes. Either will be paired to Volkswagen's award-winning 2.0L TSFI engine, with 200 hp and 207 lb.-ft. of available torque. A fully-independent sport suspension and a choice of either 17" or 18" alloy wheels will ensure sporty handling.As the latest member of a long line of Jettas to wear the badge, the new GLI follows in the tradition of the award-winning Golf GTI by adding sportiness and flair to the solid foundation of the newly-redesigned Jetta.Contacts: Volkswagen Canada Spokesperson: Thomas Tetzlaff 905-428-5858 Thomas.Tetzlaff@VW.ca www.Volkswagen.caTo view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/800vw.jpg .Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to Newsvine

Contacts: Volkswagen Canada Spokesperson: Thomas Tetzlaff 905-428-5858 Thomas.Tetzlaff@VW.ca www.Volkswagen.ca

I want you to put sheet hunt to bed

I HAVE a 4ft wide bed and cannot find a valance or fitted sheet that will fit it... they're either single or double. Do you know where I can get one to fit? - Margaret Ibrahim, by email

The latter would solve both your problems. See www.linencupboard.co.uk or call 01484 716282.For a valance you need to go online. I've found a company that sell three types of valance for a 4ft bed, all at pounds 20 - a box pleat platform, a gathered frilled or a sheet valance.

The latter would solve both your problems. See www.linencupboard.co.uk or call 01484 716282.