Inside & out : glow from above

Handcrafted of iron and recycled glass, the Drop Lite offers overhead ambient light for use outdoors or inside. At the top is an iron hook that supports the crown and four iron hooks that

connect to the holding piece, where a 3-by-3-inch candle rests. Three nine-inch links are included for hanging, and a companion wall hook is also available. The Drop Lite ($54) is the newest

addition to the HomArt collection by Areo of Laguna Beach. The collection is inspired by the Mission style of architecture. For a dramatic look, Rene Burton, one of three designers and a

co-owner of the store, suggests grouping several of the lights. For more information on the Drop Lite or other pieces in the HomArt collection, call (714) 376-0535 or visit the store at 207

Ocean Ave. Going Home Liz Claiborne, who has been designing women’s clothing for more than 10 years, has come up with a line of home furnishings. The Liz at Home collection is a coordinated

system of bed, bath and accessory products in a casual but luxurious style. Among the accessories or “finishing accents” are window treatments, accent rugs, lamps, ceramic collectibles and

bed and bath linens. All the pieces are organized by group, with accompanying furnishings relating in color, texture and pattern. For instance, if cornflower blue is chosen as the dominant

color, there are floral, dot and stripe patterns, which can be mixed and matched for a custom look. For accents, there are handblown glass candles and toothbrush holders, soap dishes and the

like. In each grouping, all of the comforters are reversible, and the sheets are at least 200-thread count. The fitted ones have deep pockets for mattresses 15 inches thick. Sheets run from

$13 to $60, comforters from $100 to $450. The Liz at Home collection is available in Orange County at Robinsons-May stores and will be this summer at the Broadway. Fearless Design Do you

have a fear of fabrics? Do you panic with picking a color for paint? Do you have expensive tastes and no money? “Interior Design for Idiots: A Self Help Guide to Interior Design” is meant to

help you through the pain of finding the right style for your home. Through humor, author Mark McCauley, a senior designer for Marshall Field’s in Chicago, takes you step by step to a room

with taste and beauty. McCauley says his book (about $6, 168 pages, Great Quotations Publishing) offers enough know-how and tips to “transform even the most decoratively dysfunctional into a

home-grown Picasso.” MORE TO READ