YOUR PLACE SIT ON IT.

Byline: Barbara DeWitt

La-Z-Boy has been making big, comfy chairs for 75 years. You know, the ones with the handle to prop your feet up and plenty of room, unlike airline seats or those dainty side chairs in the living room where you're supposed to perch on the edge with your knees together.

Unfortunately, recliners are often ugly - the one on TV's ``Frasier'' is a constant reminder of its hideous past - so owners of them rarely had them in view of style-savvy friends.

But the stars of TV's hit sitcom ``Friends'' have changed all that. They recently teamed up to turn those old clunkers into one-of-a-kind works of art and you can bid on them now through May 22 on e-Bay. The project coincides with the season finale of ``Friends'' and all proceeds will benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Each chair is as distinctive as the characters, so choose accordingly. Courteney Cox's ``Monica'' is a modern Eames-inspired chair that's tailored for slim types, Jennifer Aniston's ``Rachel'' recliner is a '40s style inspired by Ralph Lauren, and Lisa Kudrow's ``Phoebe'' chair sports a whimsical caramel and cream argyle design that would mix well with Mission furniture and pop art posters.

The guys' chairs are built for more comfort. Matt LeBlanc's is the ultimate sexy club chair in black, while Matthew Perry's blue velvet media recliner is for guys who need a beverage holder and tray and storage space for drinks and munchies - so they never have to get up during ball games or ``Baywatch.'' David Schwimmer must have stayed too long at the beach because his chair and matching ottoman are clearly inspired by the classic beach ball, a design that will require an equally kooky decor.

If somebody outbids you, the latest styles at La-Z-Boy stores may surprise you. They actually have red leather club styles that look nothing like the brown-and-orange plaid Herculon models we've laughed at for 30 years. And most are electric, so you don't have to have a farmer's arm to pull the foot rest up.

EXOTIC ORCHIDS: Do your orchid plants only last as long as cut flowers? Take the mystery out of feeding cymbidiums and caring for other orchids, at 9 a.m. today at all Armstrong Garden Centers. It's free. If you slept in and are wondering if those brown aerial roots are dead (yes) or why your cattleya orchids aren't getting new blooms (need more direct sun) or have other questions, consult the new book ``The New York Times 1,000 Gardening Questions & Answers'' (Workman; $19.95). It's a compilation of expert answers on all types of plant problems from the newspaper's long-running garden column, and the best way to use it is to look up the name of your plant in the index.

NO SHY VIOLETS HERE: Now that the tulip promenade is over, violets are strutting their stuff at the Montrose African Violet Society's annual flower show and sale today and Sunday at Descanso Gardens. While you're there, take time to smell the roses and learn more about other flowers at the docent-led walking tours that begin at 1:30 p.m. Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for ages 13 to 18 and senior citizens; $1 for ages 5 to 12; free to 5 and under. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Call [phone].

ADOBE'S ALLEY: To raise money for the restoration of the Lankershim Reading Room that is the last remnant of the Isaac Lankershim 1906 ranch that once covered the entire southern half of the Valley, the 60-year-old San Fernando Valley Historical Society is holding a secondhand sale of housewares, appliances and clothing beginning at 8 a.m. today. The sale will be held in the alley of Andres Pico Adobe, 10940 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills (at the intersection of Sepulveda and Brand boulevards). For more information, call [phone] or visit the Society's Web site at www.sfvhs.com.

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(1 -- 2 -- color) ANISTON

(3 -- 4 -- color) SCHWIMMER

(5 -- 6 -- color) LEBLANC