A ranch house in La Canada Flintridge is remodeled with warmth and restraint
Though the finished project may invoke a midcentury vibe, it isn’t a stuffy period piece.

Home & Garden
The Scout: The newest and coolest in home design
Cheerful and stylish home decor magazine Domino folds.
'Michael S. Smith Houses'
Peek inside the White House decorator's portfolio.
 
What if you were decorator in chief?
We ask three designers to reimagine different rooms in the White House.
When you're cold, curl up in front of these fire screens
Warm weather out, cold weather in. To celebrate (?) we offer a look at fireplace covers.
 
The Bart Prince House
It's Spanish meets 'Star Trek' in South Pasadena. (Yes, really).
MAN OF THE HOUSE
Frankly speaking on the college essay
Subject: The most-ultimate college entrance essay ever
 
Rock singer-guitarist Beck is asking $2.345 million for his 1961 Malibu beach home --- a slight price reduction from $2.399 million.
At the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas, more note the rising trend in home cooking and the scaling back of projects.
 
DATEBOOK
Learn about California flora and beneficial insects
The Pasinetti House
Romanian architect Haralamb Georgescu's midcentury Pasinetti house is lovingly renovated.
 
Obama memorabilia displayed in homes
Images of president-elect hold pride of place for his admirers.
Beyond Shepard Fairey: The many, many  faces of Barack Obama
Click through to see how 19 artists have interpreted the presidential image.
 
A Hollywood Hills sanctuary with a hint of India
A boring backyard gets transformed into a dream garden perfect for lounging.
Santa Monica designer Michael S. Smith to decorate Obama's White House living area
Santa Monica designer Michael S. Smith has won the commission to redecorate the White House living quarters for the Obama family.
 
MAN OF THE HOUSE
A burning desire for turkey wings
I'm talking to my buddy Irv about women -- of which I know precious little -- and I confess upfront that I refuse to chase her anymore.
DATEBOOK
Learn about California flora at the Theodore Payne Foundation in Sun Valley
 
HOT PROPERTY
With Malibu sale, Olivia Newton-John can get mellow
The Mediterranean-style house has four bedrooms and includes a pool, spa and guesthouse.
Victory gardens sprout up again
People are borrowing an old wartime concept to lessen the need for mass-produced food, reduce pollution and build a sense of community.
 
HOME LIFE
More Americans stashing money at home
U.S. banks are federally protected, but economic turmoil has some turning to creative hiding places to store their cash.
An Eichler house in Granada Hills gets restored on a budget
Affordable modernity? It's possible if you know where to look.
 
MAN OF THE HOUSE
Date night at the movies
If they ever give an Academy Award to the best moviegoer of the year, I would have to be a nominee. No one enters a packed theater with more flair (or ...
LOST L.A.
Colony in Pacific Palisades nurtured top artists in 1950s, 1960s
A retreat in Pacific Palisades' Rustic Canyon served as a live-work destination for top painters, writers and musicians.
 
HOT PROPERTY
Beverly D'Angelo's Beverly Hills home listed at $2,185,000
The five-bedroom Spanish-style home features a two-story entryway, beamed ceilings, a detached studio, pool and courtyard.
DATEBOOK
Gardening how-tos include growing orchids indoors, and organic fruit trees outside.
 
Bad design trends we hope die in 2009
Toss the heavy brocade curtains and warm up that industrial kitchen. The experts weigh in on the worst in home decorating.
Brock Galerie
Brock Galerie owners Cameron Smith and Tom Kurthy have created a new showroom where major 20th century European designs mix with brawny industrial ...
 
The Scout: What's new in home design
The intrepid David Keeps uncovers the coolest, weirdest and best in home decor.
PLOTTING
Arabian lilac shrub provides year-round color
It's the Arabian lilac's leaves that steal the show.
 
Grieving over a garden: Moving away from your home garden can be difficult
To cope, some people take plants with them, and others do 'drive-bys.'
MAN OF THE HOUSE
A holiday night's dream? Well, mostly
Board games, teenage houseguests, bad movies and one Christmas miracle. It all stacks up to good things in the new year.
 
HOT PROPERTY
Jakob Dylan lists Brentwood Park home at $11 million
The 7-bedroom Spanish estate features two guesthouses, a lap pool and spa on a gated property.
DATEBOOK
How to design a parking strip garden and the 2009 Multicultural Weaving Exposition.
 
NEIGHBORLY ADVICE: COWAN HEIGHTS
A quiet sanctuary in central Orange County
The unincorporated community has woodsy appeal and features luxury homes in large, private lots.
Recycled living:  A bohemian L.A. loft is decorated with flea market finds
In the spirit of adaptive reuse, nearly all the furnishings inside this loft hail from flea markets, thrift shops or alley finds.
 
A  home full of salvage in Silver Lake
“Everything in the house is found,” says owner Al Teman. “The stuff is there for free everywhere. You just have to find it.”
RECYCLED
Film canister uses
Transform rusty old feature film canisters into cocktail trays.
 
Greystone show house 2008
The Greystone design showcase, open through Nov. 16, presents something quite novel: a show house that actually feels like a house, not a collection ...
HOMES OF THE TIMES

Homes of The Times

Our top design profiles, as chosen by readers

Look for the poll at the end of each gallery. Vote to keep ...
 

Advertising Supplement
Home Improvement
Los Angeles Home Improvement Directory
Where to go and what to do for Home Improvement in SoCal.