YOUR PLACE.

Byline: Jaime Spangrude

If the words ``outdated'' and ``out-of-order'' come to mind when you describe your home, help is available from the following resources:

MAGICAL MAKEOVERS: Based on The Learning Channel's eponymous home decorating show, ``While You Were Out'' (Meredith Books; $19.95) takes readers on a behind-the-scenes tour of the program, which transforms drab rooms into fab rooms in 48 hours and on a budget of only $1,500. The book features expert design tips, easy how-to projects, cast member trivia and loads of photographs. The beginning of the book discusses the show's premise, how candidates are chosen and how the design team gets started.

CUTTING OUT CLUTTER: Based on HGTV's popular home decorating show of the same name, ``Mission: Organization'' (Meredith Books; $19.95) is the guide to eliminating clutter in the home. The book highlights three steps for clean living: 1) sorting through your belongings and getting rid of those you don't need; 2) storing those belongings; and 3) staying organized. The book shows you how to eliminate clutter room by room, addressing areas such as bathroom linen closets, kitchen countertops and toys in the kids' playrooms. Also featured are 12 before-and-after makeovers from the show and tips from the professional organizers who took part in the projects.

CONCRETE CREATIONS: Award-winning designer Fu-Tung Cheng opens up a world of decorating possibilities in his book ``Concrete at Home'' (The Taunton Press; $32). The book features step-by-step instructions on designing, building and making concrete a permanent fixture in your home. Chapters include examples of walls and floors, water sculptures, mantelpieces, fireplace surrounds, new countertops and more. He includes a list of resources.

HUES TO CHOOSE: Sears introduces a little color into your clothes- washing experience with its Kenmore Elite HE4t washer and dryer. The HE4t King Size Capacity Plus Front Load Washer features a built-in heater to treat stains and a sanitary cycle that promises to eliminate nearly 100 percent of certain bacteria. The stainless steel wash drum can wash up to 23 bath towels in one load and claims to use 64 percent less energy and 69 percent less water than traditional machines. The HE4t Super Capacity Gas Dryer features an auto dry control that senses when the load is dry and automatically shuts off the dryer. The dryer also has a heated dry rack. The washer is $1,499.99, the dryer is $999 and both come in the colors Champagne, Pacific Blue and Sedona. Available at any Sears location, or go to www.sears.com.

SETTING THE TONE: HGTV Network has a new series for homeowners who need help in the color department. ``Get Color!''- hosted by interior designer and color expert Jane Lockhart - is the first design series devoted solely to color concepts. Each episode focuses on how color can change the mood of a space as well as highlight or hide certain elements in a room. Premieres at 8 p.m. March 18 on HGTV.

COMMEMORATING NATURE'S FINEST: The contributions of preservationists John and Juliana Gensley will be celebrated at the 10-year anniversary of Soka University's Botanical Research Center and the John and Juliana Gensley Native Garden. The event will feature a garden exchange and backyard sale, a guided tour of the Native Garden, a native plant sale, a discussion by ethno-botanist Richard Bugbee, live music and more. The affair will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Soka University of America Calabasas, 26800 W. Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. Admission is free. For more information, call [phone].

CAPTION(S):

6 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) no caption (book: ``While You Were Out'')

(2 -- color) no caption (book: ``Mission: Organiztion'')

(3 -- color) no caption (book: ``Concrete at Home'')

(4 -- color) no caption (Kenmore Elite HE4t washer and dryer)

(5 -- 6 -- color) no caption (BEFORE and AFTER of a living room)