ROOMS WITH A VIEW

Would you like your den to overlook a lake? Your bedroom to look out on a lunar landscape?

Environmental Graphics has developed a series of wall murals that--especially when they’ve been placed well and integrated into the room--can dramatically change one’s outlook.

The wall murals extend from floor to ceiling and bring indoors some unexpected views--including a Hawaiian sunset, star-filled night, world map, golf course, forest, cloud-sprinkled sky, baseball game in progress or views of Earth from space. There are 17 designs.

The murals (about $90 each) measure 8 feet, 8 inches by 13 feet, 8 inches, but can be adjusted to fit walls of other sizes. Each mural is composed of eight panels that attach to the wall with cellulose-based paste.

The murals can be washed with a sponge, are easy to remove and don’t damage walls, according to the company. On average, it takes an afternoon to put up a mural. They work best on painted surfaces, but that hasn’t stopped some from experimenting.

“We know of some people who have put them on cinder blocks and someone who put one on a car,” said Steve Madsen, special markets manager for Environmental Graphics, based in Hopkins, Minn.

If a full mural is more than you had in mind, Environmental Graphics also makes pre-pasted Border Posters, sold in four-foot sections. The pattern in the borders (about $25) goes 20 feet without repeating. Among the designs are a musical score, piano keys, flags, aircraft and ships.

The borders and murals can be purchased at the Border Store in Huntington Beach, Barr Lumber in Costa Mesa, Wallpaper Express in Westminster, Home Depot, Glidden Paint and Standard Paint dealerships.

Lead Detector

Are you concerned that some of your dishes or other household items may contain lead? A new product allows you to check quickly for the presence of lead in dishes, crystal, walls and woodwork, toys, furniture and soil. Exposure to lead can result in lead poisoning, a serious health threat, particularly to infants and young children.

Hybrivet Systems Inc. of Framingham, Mass., developed LeadCheck swabs, a simple way to detect lead in the home.

The swabs are self-contained, so there’s no mixing of chemicals, and, because they are vacuum-packed, there’s no expiration date.

To activate, squeeze the swab, then rub it across what you’re testing for about 30 seconds. If a pink color appears, lead is present. After the test, the item should be thoroughly washed with an all-purpose household cleaner. The pink color is nontoxic and non-staining.

LeadCheck swabs (a two-pack is about $5, a four-pack about $10) are available throughout the county at hardware and drugstores and home centers.

Cheers!

A spirited addition to a festive setting: dotted flutes that echo the bubbles from a favorite vintage. The flutes, which have raised gold dots for a little shimmer and sparkle, are made of recycled glass; the dots are hand-painted.

The flutes ($32 plus shipping and handling for a set of four) can be purchased through the Sutter Home catalogue, (800) 967-4663, and at specialty shops.

Even if it isn’t a black-tie event, there’s no reason you can’t use a top hat to dress up the occasion.

A top-hat-shaped cooler made of acrylic not only keeps champagne and other spirits cold, but also is virtually indestructible.

Just fill the hat with ice and add your drink of choice.

The top-hat cooler (about $30 plus shipping and handling) is available from the Sharper Image catalogue, (800) 344-4444.