Real LI

If you only think of using red and gold as a major decorating element during the holidays, you have another thing coming. Designer Karen Lyons was able to deliver for homeowner Anne Tozzo by going with a red that leaned toward rust. She chose a wallpaper that incorporated the red and the gold for a formal look that has interest. The way she pulled it together was to add additional red and gold accents to the room ---- in the candles, the runner, the upholstery of the chairs and even the rug.

When asked the trick to getting the color right, she first suggested not being afraid of bold colors. Yeah, but that's not enough to give the average homeowner enough courage to let go of the whites and cream colors. Queried further, she added that staying in the same tonal family will help -- think muted colors together, metallic colors together. But, the best thing to do is to live with the colors. Get some samples and view them at varying times of the day. A color that is spectacular in the bright sunlight of early morning may be way too dark and tunnel-creating by the evening. Or, if you're not ready to make that big color commitment, think accent. Look to your pillows, artwork, candles or other pieces to pull the color into the room in subtle ways that make you smile instead of cringe.

Newsday photo / Daniel Goodrich

This bank-owned ranch in Dix Hills is on the market for $349,900. Annual taxes are $10,626. The house was built in 1963. There are three bedrooms and one bathroom. The property is a third of an acre. The house is in the Commack school district. Listing agent: Todd Yovino, Island Advantage Realty, Huntington, 631-351-6000.

First the rapper tries to evict his ex-girlfriend and their son. Now comes word that the house, in Dix Hills, has burned to the ground in a "suspicious" fire. Read the complete coverage, see more photos of the house he owned and read about the ongoing saga.

The attorney for Shaniqua Tompkins says that 50 Cent has asked his ex to pay $4,500 a month rent to continue living in his Dix Hills home. His 10-year-old son also lives in the house. Paul Katsandonis tells RealLI that she and their son have until May 1 to live in the house, but "if we give him one month's rent, he will allow them to stay until the end of the school year," Katsandonis says. He adds that the message from 50 Cent is clear: "Be like your dad. Get rich or starve trying." Tompkins filed suit against Curtis Jackson -- 50 Cent's real name -- today in Supreme Court in Manhattan claiming "breach of contract," alleging that the rapper had promised to put all or part of the house in her name. He bought the house in January 2007 for $1.4 million. See photos of the house here.

50 Cent's Dix Hills house

Here are some from the original listing for the house, which 50 Cent bought in 2007.

50 Cent's ex and their 10-year-old son have to be out of the rapper’s Dix Hills house by April 30, says his Manhattan attorney Brett Kimmel. In the meantime, Shaniqua Tompkins has filed suit in Supreme Court in Manhattan alleging “breach of contract.”

Tompkins says that 50 Cent promised to put all or part of the house in her name. Instead, the 5,200-square-foot house is in his name — Curtis Jackson. He bought the house in January 2007 for $1.4 million. Taxes are $16,815 a year. “It’s a very big home,” says Paul Catsandonis, Tompkins’ attorney. And, he adds, 50 Cent “was planning to live in that house ... as a family.”

The home is located on an acre and has six bedrooms and five bathrooms, as well as a three-car heated garage with a dumbwaiter to the kitchen. The house, built in 2002, also has a pool. The previous owner, builder Robert Defeo, built the house for himself and his family.

Once Tompkins and son are out of the house, it is unclear what 50 Cent will do with the property, Kimmel says. In the meantime, Catsandonis says, Tompkins plans to appeal the eviction. "I think it's preposterous to view your son as a trespasser -- a minor at that," Catsandonis says.

Read more about the house -- and the fight -- here.

Newsday photo / Thomas A. Ferrara

A lawsuit filed in Manhattan by 50 Cent's ex and the mother of his son alleges that the rapper is trying to evict her from his Dix Hills house, AP reports. Shaniqua Tompkins is accusing 50 Cent of "breach of contract" because he supposedly promised to buy the house for her and their 10-year-old son. The house is now in his name -- Curtis Jackson.

Public records show he bought the 5,000-square-foot house in January 2007 for $1.4 million. Taxes are $16,815 a year. "It's a very big home," says Paul Catsandonis, Tompkins' attorney. The house is located on an acre and has six bedrooms and five bathrooms, as well as a three-car heated garage with a dumbwaiter to the kitchen. The house, built in 2002, also has a pool. The previous owner, builder Robert Defeo, built the house for himself and his family.

Someone close to the deal says that 50 Cent wanted to buy the house so that his son would be in a good school district, Half Hollow Hills. He also liked that the property is private, with a steep driveway so that the house is "not at street level." "He actually came to see the house," the source says. "He was very shy ... polite ... humble ... lovely."

But it was clear at the closing last year that there was a problem. Tompkins was at the closing; 50 Cent was not. "It was obvious that she was very upset," says the source. "She wanted the house, or at least half in her name." But the deed only had his. After the closing, Tompkins was seen crying, the source says.

This house in Dix Hills is for sale.

Every bathroom needs a little reading.