BARGAINS : LIGHTING THE WAY TO SAVINGS.

Byline: Trisha King & Deborah Newmark

Whether you're buying lamps for your first apartment, or you're tired of the bedroom lamps in avocado green you've had since the 1970s, you'll find fabulous discounts at Chatsworth Lighting Center's recently opened factory outlet.

For example, a pair of table lamps in a distressed wood finish, that would retail for well over $500 each in specialty boutiques, are priced at $140 each in the outlet. Hanging pendant lamps that sell for more than $200 in discount stores, are priced at $80.

Chatsworth Lighting Center has been selling various types of lighting to designers, high-end furniture stores, and upscale resorts and hotels for more than 20 years. This outlet store is a genuine factory outlet - the factory is on the premises - and is filled with overruns, samples and canceled orders.

Everything in the store is priced below wholesale. For instance, a client placed a large order for lamps in a terra cotta-type finish. When the order was completed, the client decided that the color wasn't quite right, so new ones had to be made. Now, outlet shoppers can buy the first production of lamps at a price of $45 each ($100 to $125 retail) and receive a matching lamp free.

Styles run from contemporary to neoclassical and are beautifully finished with the average price for a table lamp running about $45. Almost all lamps have three-way switches, up to 150 watts, and because some styles are made for hotels, many have the switches at the base. Also, if a lamp is supposed to come with a shade, it's included in the price.

In addition to table lamps, you'll also find floor lamps and wall sconces. Plus, scattered among the lamps are decorator items such as vases, candle holders and urns at discounted prices. New items are added to the inventory weekly.

Chatsworth Lighting Center is at 9631 De Soto Ave. (at Superior Street), Chatsworth; [phone]. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday). Cash, Mastercard and Visa are accepted (no checks). All sales are final; no returns or exchanges.

Inside info

Be prepared for the next earthquake by having your house bolted to the foundation by Highcastle Construction. For more than 19 years, owner Michael Goldberg has been bolting houses built prior to 1960 at 30 percent less than the competition. For example, his price ranges from $2,000 to $3,000, depending on the size of the house (elsewhere, cost averages $5,000). Estimates are free. He also guarantees that there is no damage to your house during this process. You only pay after your house passes inspection. To schedule an appointment, call Highcastle Construction at [phone] or [phone]. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Evenings and Saturdays are available by special appointment.

If you have an old American guitar, such as Gibson, Fender, Martin, Gretsch or Rickenbacker, you can take it to Norman's Rare Guitars and either trade or sell it for top dollar. Also, Norman's sister store, just around the corner, Guitar Town, sells new guitars with a large selection under $500 (these prices are 30 percent to 35 percent off retail). Norman's Rare Guitars is at 19300 Vanowen St., Reseda; [phone]. Guitar Town is at 6751 Tampa Ave., Reseda; [phone]. Hours for both stores are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.