Golf Course 10

Is that a diorama in your basement or is that a dinosaur in your casement? That could be the opening line of a Dr. Seuss book, or it could be a silly rhyme you make up while having some family fun.

Here s a terrific home decorating project the whole family can participate in. It s not expensive, it will just take an hour or two, and the results are a standout conversation piece with long-lasting decorating value.

You literally can make a diorama in your basement if you are lucky enough to have one or more of those big window wells in your basement. (First you have to be lucky enough to have a basement.

If you don t have a basement, read the end of this article.)

The big egress window wells are eyesores who wants to look at that much galvanized metal or concrete? But those big window wells are just what you need for this project.

You can make a diorama out of the deep well by lining the curved window well with a decorative scenic liner to make the backdrop and then by customizing the foreground with whatever materials you choose landscape materials like rock or mulch, driftwood, boulders, figurines or sculptures, water features, and artificial or potted real plants. If you have a window well grate covering the opening at the top, you could even hang items

down from the grate using clear fishing line. Think about flying birds, insects, and pterodactyls! Or how about jumping dolphins, whales, or fish! Each person in the family can contribute to the project by adding an item to the scene.

That scenic backdrop serves two purposes it covers up or camouflages the ugly metal or concrete window well, and it provides a gorgeous scene to enjoy.

You can find just what you need to make the backdrop at http://windowwellscenes.com/. Do you want a colorful perennial garden right outside your window? Or maybe you would like a serene waterfall. You might wish you had a mountain or river view. Or perhaps you d like

to live on a golf course. There are beautiful and impressive scenes of a woods, canyon, lake, and countryside. If you re into sunrises, there s a gorgeous one available. Paradise awaits with the dramatic ocean scene with lots of sand and palm trees. Add a miniature beach chair and beach umbrella or a bucket and shovel, and you re there.

Every one of the scenes could make an impressive focal point in your basement. Just make your choice, collect the items you want to add, and you have the makings of a great family decorating project. You will have a great time together!

Oh yes if you don t have a basement or

you don t have window wells, these huge scenic panels make great one-piece wall murals. Since they are waterproof, they can be wiped off if anything splashes on them. Just staple or tack the panels up on the wall. Trim them out with wood molding, and they will look like huge framed art on the wall.

Your family can still have fun adding things to the pictures like plastic bugs. Now where is that hot glue gun?

Mary Lou Johnson is co-owner of Sinergi Enterprises, Inc., a Colorado company. Mary Lou and Ed Starr never cease to be amazed by the visual effect of their Window Well Scenes product–whether in a basement window well or

on a wall. Check out the available scenes at http://windowwellscenes.com/ and decorate BIG.