YOUR PLACE.

VIVA ITALIA: Come check out the hottest trends in Italian furniture design when the 2006 Tour Abitare Italia hits Los Angeles. The event showcases contemporary design in selected showrooms throughout West Hollywood, 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Participating venues will offer Italian wine and food to guests as they stroll from showroom to showroom along West Hollywood's Beverly Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard and La Brea Boulevard.

Participants include La Murrina, Matteograssi at Jules Seltzer Associates, Minotti, Molteni & C., DADA at In-Ex, Poliform, Scavolini at CHR Designs and Verardo at Cantoni.

For more information, visit www.tourabitareitalia.com.

-- Diana McKeon Charkalis

HAND-KNIT HOMES: Make your house a cozy home with hand-knits that liven up the decor of any room. Suss Cousins' latest book, ``Home Knits: Luxurious Hand-knits for Every Room of the House'' (Potter Craft; $32.50), combines easy home design with a knitting guide. The book is divided into three areas: living room, dining room/kitchen, and bedroom/bath. Each section features knit patterns and step-by-step instructions for knitters of all skill levels. From intricately designed lamp shades for your living room to kimono robes and Swedish canopies for your bed and bath, the book is filled with gorgeous, full-color photographs and detailed tips that are easy for the reader to understand. The book is available at www.sussdesign.com, www.crownpublishers.com and bookstores nationwide.

-- Simone Schramm Trimm

WINTER SAFETY: With winter quickly approaching, the number of accidental deaths and injuries from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning will increase. Since carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless, it is impossible to detect it without a CO alarm. First Alert has introduced a new series of CO alarms that feature electrochemical sensing technology, which conforms to new CO standards. The alarms are designed to work in a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels. The new line of UL-listed alarms ranges from the Model CO400 Battery-Operated CO Alarm to the Model GCO1CN Explosive Gas/CO Plug-In Alarm With Battery Backup. The models are sleek and are about one-third smaller than other alarms, making them aesthetically pleasing to your home decor. The ``smart sensing'' microprocessor technology automatically runs self-check tests to make sure the unit is working properly.

The suggested retail price for the alarms ranges from $24.99 to $62.99. The units are backed by a five-year limited warranty and are available at home centers and hardware stores nationwide. For more information, visit www.firstalert.com.

-- S.S.T.

FABULOUS FOLDS: Create fabulous place settings with smartly folded napkins from David Stark's newest book, ``Napkins With a Twist: Fabulous Folds With Flair for Every Occasion'' (Artisan; $19.95). The book features full-color, photographed steps and detailed directions for 41 folds that can transform an ordinary tabletop into a beautiful showpiece. The book details directions for the Three-Point fold for black-tie affairs to whimsical designs such the Party Hat fold or the Kite fold for children's parties. The book also includes etiquette tips for hosts and guests, directions for setting a formal table, guidelines for men's attire and a recipe for lavender-scented linen water. The book is available at www.amazon.com and bookstores nationwide.

-- S.S.T.

DECK THE HALLS: Still looking for ways to decorate for the holidays but not spend a lot of money? This natural wreath, wrapped with crimson cystalized berries, adds a bit of color and cheer to any door or hung over a fireplace. $16.99 at T.J. Maxx.

CAPTION(S):

6 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) no caption (italian furniture)

(3 -- color) no caption (book: ''Home Knits: Luxurious Hand-knits for Every Room of the House'')

(4 -- color) no caption (book: ''Napkins With a Twist: Fabulous Folds With Flair for Every Occassion'')

(5 -- color) no caption (First Alert's CO alarm)

(6 -- color) no caption (holiday wreath)