YOUR PLACE.

HOME INSPIRATION The Southern California Home and Garden Show returns to the Anaheim Convention Center today through Aug. 28. The weeklong event will feature exhibits on home improvement and gardening, with appearances by popular remodeling personalities, including ``Trading Spaces' '' Carter Oosterhouse and ``The Wall Wizard'' Brian Santos. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Aug. 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays and Aug. 28, noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim. Admission: $10 adults; $8 seniors (60 and older); $4 children 6-12; free for 5 and under. [phone]; www.SouthernCaliforniaHomeShow.com.

- De Kera Johnson

DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME: With a gazillion and one home redecorating shows across the airwaves and cable, it was only a matter of time before TV Guide Channel joined the fray. And of course it's doing it with a TV twist. ``Ready, Set, Change,'' premiering at 8 p.m. Monday, transforms a TV fan's personal space into the style of a favorite TV show, say a '60s suburban ``Bewitched'' living room or a ``Gilligan's Island''-themed back yard. Think ``Monster House'' on TV Land.

- Valerie Kuklenski

BABY, LET'S PLAY HOUSE: Learn simple yet stylish ways to create domestic bliss in Celeste Perron's ``Playing House: A Starter Guide (Harper Collins; $16.95). The manual is packed with eye-opening tips, checklists and ways to enjoy divine living on a budget. This book is a rescue manual for changing your place into a cozy, stress-free retreat of your own.

- De Kera Johnson

EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY: Ever wanted to find a creative way to decorate those small spaces of your home but were not sure of how to start? Karen Hansgen's ``The Nook Book'' (Clarkson Potter/Publishers; $22.50) will guide readers on making the most of small spaces in every room of the house. With 150 photos, Hansgen shows you how to turn dead spaces into enjoyable parts of the home.

- Serena Maria Daniels

SHABBY CHIC: Rachel Ashwell's decorating franchise continues ``Shabby Chic: Sumptuous Settings and Other Lovely Things'' (Regan Books; $34.95). Learn to create memorable baby showers, take a peek at Jennifer Lopez's Pasadena restaurant Madre's - which Ashwell personally decorated in shabby chic style - and find out how using soft, feminine color, white paint and slightly imperfect yet meaningful objects can make your home more cozy.

- Serena Maria Daniels

CAPTION(S):

6 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) CARTER OOSTERHOUSE

(2 -- color) no caption (food on a bed)

(3 -- color) no caption (book: ``Playing House: A Starter Guide'')

(4 -- color) no caption (book: ``Shabby Chic: Sumptuous Settings and Other Lovely Things'')

(5 -- color) no caption (book: ``The Nook Book'')

(6 -- color) The S.S. Minnow was the inspiration for this ``Gilligan's Island'' -inspired bar on ``Ready, Set, Change.''