BARGAINS : PICTURE-PERFECT HELP PART OF THE DEAL AT DECOR ART GALLERIES.

Byline: Trisha King & Deborah Newmark

Have you ever purchased a framed print or had a print custom-framed, took it home, placed it in its designated area, then thought, ``Oh no! What was I thinking?'' Well err no more, when it comes to framing, at Decor Art Galleries, which offers expert assistance in selecting prints, matting and frames at prices of 20 percent to 40 percent off retail.

Oversized posters, especially reproductions of vintage Italian and French posters, have become hot sellers in the last year, and you'll find that Decor Art Galleries has quite a selection. A Tattinger's Champagne ad poster (48 by 69 inches - 6 feet tall in its frame) that retails for $1,500 to $1,700 elsewhere is $1,300 here. A Razzia ad poster was $800 ($1,000 to $1,200 retail).

Decor Art Galleries has been coddling its customers since 1994. If you haven't the foggiest notion as to what you really like in art, owner Lynne Crandall and her talented staff will spend as much time as you need to help you discover what you truly like in art. On the other hand, if you already know what you want but can't find it, Crandall will find it for you if it's available.

You can also ``try on,'' ready-framed art. With an approved credit card imprint, you can take a print, poster or oil painting home to see how it goes with your decor. If it doesn't fit in, just return it. If you think it's perfect, the purchase will be charged to your credit card. This service isn't available for custom pieces.

If you've ever dreamed of having a Monet or Picasso, you can come close with Decor Art Galleries' ``canvas transfer.'' You have to see it to appreciate it. A print has its glossy finish removed and is adhered to canvas. Then brush strokes are added to give it the look of an oil painting. The process can also be done with photographs or small prints, in their original size or enlarged. You'll find the prices at Decor Art Galleries are about 50 percent less than at other stores.

In order to make room for new inventory, Decor Art Galleries is currently holding its once-a-year sale on selected framed prints. In various sizes, double or triple matted, customers will find items such as a landscape print with an original price of $150 ($200 or more retail) marked down to $75.

Decor Art Galleries is at 12149 Ventura Blvd. (part of the Vons Shopping Center at Laurel Canyon Boulevard; there's plenty of parking behind the store), Studio City; [phone]. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Mondays are available by appointment only. American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

Inside info

Do-it-yourselfers can save money by purchasing unfinished furniture from Pop's Unfinished Furniture. It carries only solid, real-wood furniture, such as dressers, armoires, beds, computer desks, dinette sets, coffee tables, toy boxes, bookcases and more. A children's round table and two chairs sell for $130 (finished in retail stores $1,200). If you're not skilled with your hands, Pop's can also custom-finish your furniture for an additional charge; you will still save about half the retail price. Pop's Unfinished Furniture is at 8911 Reseda Blvd., Northridge; [phone]. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

For those of you who have access to the Internet, check out the following sites that offer money-saving coupons on everything from grocery-store purchases to restaurants. Happy surfing! http://www.valuepage.com, http://www.valpak.com and http://www.hotcoupons.com.