Datebook: events, classes, exhibits for the week ahead

We've listed select home and garden events below. Suggest your own via reader comments. Submissions must be fewer than 75 words and must be for one-time events with legitimate value to other readers. No store promotions and no frivolous links, please. L.A. at Home staff will determine which submissions will be made public, but we won't edit the comments.

Dec. 4: Costumed hosts will escort visitors through the Victorian homes at the Heritage Square Museum when they are illuminated for the 15th annual Holiday Lamplight Celebration. Evening tours begin at 4 p.m. and continue until 8:30 p.m. Adults, $20; children 12 and younger, $10. Not suitable for children under 6. 3800 Homer St., Los Angeles. Reservations required: (323) 225-2700, Ext. 223.

Dec. 4: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi and the American Community Gardening Assn. host this educational training seminar based on the association’s curriculum for leadership development. Topics: community organizing, leadership development, grass-roots fundraising, community development, communications and coalition building. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5. University of California Cooperative Extension, 4800 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Los Angeles. $45. (877) 275-2242.

Dec. 5: Unique L.A. Holiday Show will include more than 300 makers of housewares such as the coffee table by Mountain Exotics shown above, artwork, ceramics, books, clothing and jewelry. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6. $10. California Market Center, 110 E. 9th St., downtown Los Angeles.

Dec. 5: Bauer Pottery's annual holiday clearance sale of seconds will feature Bauer's classic ringware and Russel Wright American Modern pieces. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5-6 and 12-13. Bauer Pottery showroom, 3051 Rosslyn St., Los Angeles. (818) 500-0666.

Dec. 5:  The annual Echo Park Holiday Sale and Celebration will feature Zyana Aromatherapy, Frog Dog Organic Salsas and Herbs, stockings filled with home baked dog biscuits, and Peter Shire’s pots, cups, dishes and bowls. Santa will also pose for photos with pets ($10 each or three for $20) to help fund money for Echo Park Animal Alliances. Noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6. Free. Echo Park Pottery, 1850 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles.

Dec. 5: Curator Jill Morganelli leads a series on how to grow fruits and vegetables organically. This week’s installment will focus on winter crops and companion planting, winter diseases, irrigation, soil building, composting and pruning fruit trees. Noon to 3 p.m. $22 to $25. Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Registration: (626) 821-4623.

Dec. 5: Steve Gerischer of Larkspur Garden Design lectures on how to simplify your approach to landscaping. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. $20 to $30. Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants, 10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley. (818) 768-1802.

Dec. 5: Rachel Young demonstrates how to transform natural materials into holiday décor in this wreath-making workshop. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $30 to $35, includes materials. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. (818) 949-4200.

Dec. 5: Descanso Gardens hosts a holiday craft boutique with holiday decor and garden-related gifts. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6. Free with regular admission of $3 to $8. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. (818) 949-4200.

Dec. 6: Los Angeles Modern Auctions hosts an auction of art, sculpture and other designs. Highlights include sculpture by Peter Voulkos, 29 original pieces by George Nakashima, several works by George Nelson and ceramic pieces by Otto Natzler. Noon. 16145 Hart St., Van Nuys. (323) 904-1950.

-- Lisa Boone

Photo caption: Unique Los Angeles exhibitor Mountain Exotics

The Deal: Thos. Moser floor sample sale

We know we recently wrote about the Thos. Moser showroom in Culver City, but its current sample sale, featuring discounts of up to 40%, warrants a second mention.

The Culver City showroom has discounted more than 40 of its handcrafted furnishings for every room in the home, including dining tables and chairs, beds, dressers, sofas, lounge seating and cabinets. Items with a “Take Me Home Today” label will be reduced by 15% to 25% off standard pricing, and bundled samples from the Moserform line (an older collection that is about to be retired) are up to 40% off. Basically the more you buy, the greater the discount.

The rare sale is an effort to clear space for new models that will be arriving for the new year. Rather than ship the current floor stock back to Maine, the showroom decided to keep the items local and minimize their carbon footprint.

Thos. Moser Los Angeles is located at 8705 Washington Blvd., Culver City. For specific pieces' availability and prices, call (310) 204-5726.

-- Lisa Boone

Photo credit: Thos. Moser

Keeping guests happy: Five temporary room dividers

I recently learned that my parents don't like sleeping on the fold-out couch in the middle of my open floor plan living room when they visit. I can't say this surprised me -- but when my outdoorsy younger sister piped up that a room screen might be a nice touch, I felt truly ashamed.

So this holiday season I'm giving my house guests more privacy. I called upon our archives, design-savvy friends and the Internet to help me come up with workable solutions. Here are the best options I found:

  Super basic: DIY sliding curtain
In 2005, the Los Angeles Times ran a story on  how to create privacy in loft spaces. Megan Boynton, pictured blurrily above, had an almost life-sized portrait of an elephant copied onto a 14-by-9-foot piece of nylon polyester and hung it from a rope made of pipe.

More options after the jump ...

Giving old barns a new modern life indoors

We love these simple reclaimed wood tables from the Old Wood Co. in Asheville, N.C. The small furniture maker, which opened a year and a half ago, produces modern designs using oak and American chestnut lumber taken from condemned barns. “We’re taking material that would be used as firewood or end up in a landfill and we’re making something new and modern with it,” said owner Darren Green.

Each piece, including the museum bench/cocktail table, at left, and the woodie dining table, right, is made to order and can be customized to the desired dimensions. The furnishings also have the one-of-a-kind characteristics of reclaimed lumber: knots and nail and worm holes. Turnaround is six to eight weeks, says Green, who hopes to launch a less expensive line in the spring with certified wood. For pricing, contact (866) 967-9663. 

-- Lisa Boone

Photo credit: The Old Wood Co.

The Deal: B&B Italia upholstered furnishings 25% off through Dec. 5

Sleek contemporary furnishings from B&B Italia, such as the Luis modular sofa above, offer elegance and comfort. And flexibility. The 56 modular elements, in addition to the ottoman and chaise longue, make it possible to create countless sofa combinations.

These furnishings, however, are crazy expensive. The modular system shown above normally retails for -- are you sitting down? -- $27,729. 

B&B Italia's current promotion might help a little: 25% off all upholstered furniture, including sofas, beds and armchairs ordered before Dec. 5. That would bring the Luis sectional down to $20,796.

A little more manageable is the gorgeous Jean arm chair and ottoman, at right, reduced from $5,702 to $4,276.  (Prices vary based on the grade of fabric or any dimension changes.)

B&B Italia Los Angeles is at 8801 Beverly Blvd.; (310) 278-3191 or e-mail info@divafurniture.com. 

 -- Lisa Boone

Photo credit: B&B Italia

Aboriginal art on display at George Smith Hand Made Furniture and Fabrics through Wednesday

As the recession continues, resourceful retailers are finding creative ways to draw in new customers.

In one such inspired move, art dealer Leslie Goldsmith has installed a selection of Aboriginal paintings in the showroom of George Smith Hand Made Furniture and Fabrics.

The works in “From Down Under: The Aboriginal Art Tour,” which were previously at the George Smith store in New York, feature the highly symbolic and boldly graphic composition of lines, dots and strokes. The paintings, which tell of their families, their tribes and their “dreamtime” interpretations, are available for sale, ranging in price from $700 for an unframed piece, to $26,000.

The showroom is at 804 N. La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles.

-- Lisa Boone

Photo credit: George Smith Hand Made Furniture and Fabrics

Open house with woodworker Thomas Moser this weekend at the Culver City showroom

Furniture designer Thomas Moser makes a rare Southern California appearance Saturday at the Thos. Moser showroom in Culver City.

If you haven’t been to the showroom, go. Moser’s handcrafted wood furniture is gorgeous -- and each piece is made to order. On Saturday, visitors will see the master craftsman -- a onetime college professor who changed careers at 36 -- demonstrate how to make a chair (from noon to 2 p.m.) and repair furniture (4 p.m.). 

Moser also will give a design talk at 3 p.m., followed by a signing of his book, “Artistry in Wood.”

Like many other showrooms around Los Angeles, Thos. Moser is sponsoring a Thanksgiving food drive to benefit the Los Angeles Mission. In addition, the store will be donating 5% of all sales to the nonprofit this weekend. Limited seating is available for the talk. To reserve a space, call (310) 204-5726 or e-mail lashowroom@thosmoser.com.

-- Lisa Boone

Photo credit: Thos. Moser

Crestline's overlooked antique rows

On the way to Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, most folks drive past Crestline, the rustic mountain town on the shores of Lake Gregory. That's all the better for shoppers with a taste for vintage Americana at reasonably priced stores that don't have websites. 

Crestline boasts two short shopping strips on and around Crest Forest Drive and Lake Drive, and each has a new kid on the block. Remember Me at 23805 Lake Drive is strong on early American and Victorian pieces, including wicker baby carriages, birdhouses and the rosewood settee, above left, $895. For cottage and camping furniture with a 1930s and '40s vibe, Lambs & Ivy Boutique at 23447 Crest Forest has tray tables with an ivy print, above right, $14.95, and McCoy-style cups and plates, $2 each. 

Midcentury modern fans might find Crestline somewhat lacking except for barware and decorative accessories. During a recent visit, I found a few bargains: The 1960s vinyl vanity stool, right, was $14.95 at Gogue Studio's & Trinket Trader, 23832 Lake Drive, and a vintage package of Donald Duck drinking straws, far right, was $4 at Antiques on Springwater, 23948 Springwater Road.

Click here for a Crestiline map. For more shopping information, consult the Crestline/Lake Gregory Chamber of Commerce website and scroll down to "retail stores."

-- David A. Keeps

Photo credits: David A. Keeps / Los Angeles Times

Sculptor-woodworker Alma Allen logs his work at Heath Ceramics; reception tonight

Alma Allen didn't come up with the idea of transforming tree trunks into side tables and stools, but during the past decade, the sculptor and woodworker behind the now-defunct Venice gallery Pearce has certainly refined the concept. His work has found its way into the vocabulary of art collectors and decorators, and his pieces helped to create a look that's been dubbed "rustic modern." Even West Elm has taken notice.

Allen, above, uses a chainsaw and lathe to turn salvaged woods into sleek forms. The interiors firm  Commune Design commissioned the artist, now based in Joshua Tree, to create side tables, above left, for the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs and stools for the Oliver Peoples store in Malibu, above right.

Allen recently teamed with Commune and Heath Ceramics to create a collection of Bauhaus-influenced pottery. The line includes canisters with lids that Allen crafted from solid walnut, right. They are priced $125 to $325. 

Heath Ceramics' L.A. store will be displaying and selling other recent work by Allen. Among the highlights: highly polished ironwood bowls and sculptures in marble and bronze that recall the work of modernist Constantin Brancusi and architectural tables made from slabs of solid wood and metal bases. You can see them after the jump.

From 5 to 8 p.m. today, Heath will host an artist's reception. It is free and open to the public. Allen's pieces will be in the store through the end of the year. 

Atocha record cabinet: A modern solution for old vinyl

Designed by Jennifer Levin Atocha out of necessity -- she could not find a good-looking cabinet to house her vinyl records -- the midcentury-inspired record cabinet will please the most obsessive of music collectors. (Think Daniel Stern's character Shrevie in the Barry Levinson film "Diner.")

Made to order in maple, oak, cherry and walnut, the line includes a variety of configurations that can accommodate plenty of CDs and DVDs too. Each soft-close gliding drawer can hold up to 95 albums.

Look for special deals through Nov. 8 as Atocha Design holds its first sale, reducing everything by 15%. The cabinet shown above, normally $5,500, is now $4,675 -- enough to cover white-glove shipping from the studio in New York to California, about $750. That includes installation in the home and the removal of all packing materials.

-- Lisa Boone

Photo: Atocha Design