Cruising with mobile homes.

June 1, 2002

By CINDY McNATT
The Orange County Register

Forget whatever you thought you knew about mobile homes. Author Steve Schaecher, in "Mobile Homes by Famous Architects" (Pomegranate Communications, $17.95.), takes the image of homes on wheels from dissed to high design.

Schaecher, an Indianapolis architect, recalls in the preface, "I was lying in my crib with the sounds of Billy Ray Buffalo's Big Time Buckwheats lulling me to sleep when I first became aware of a gentle, rolling motion. Then I saw the tree which had been outside my window wasn't there anymore."

A who's who of architects is represented in 64 pages and delightfully illustrated by the author. You'll find for instance, Frank O. Gehry "designing" the Guggenheim Cruise-Seum, I.M. Pei offering us the Pyramid du Trailevre, and Target's Michael Grave's Dolphin Doublewide that would never fit in the discount store. No matter. If you don't find "Mobile Homes by Famous Architects" at your local bookstore, call Pomegranate Communications at (800) 227-1428.

Easy art: Stacked and leaning art evoke a relaxed feeling and a modern aesthetic. In fact, many homes have a mantle, ledge or tabletop where a collection of art and photography can be displayed this unique way. But best of all, stacked art is not committed. It can be moved.

Larson-Juhl, a company famous for producing handcrafted picture moldings, makes it easy by designing frames for the art -- or the room. Chief designer Craig Ponzio recommends both.

"A person who collects contemporary art may live in a traditional house. A frame chosen with art and the environment in mind enhances both." Visit http://www.larsonjuhl.com/ for a store near you.

Irish eyes: Waverly designer Pamela Maffei-Toolin says of this year's "Echoes of Ireland" collection: "The design team envisioned nubbly linens and knit textures, the crisp look of tartan, the hospitality of a pub, tapping feet doing the jig, and a mirror image of hill and sky in a lake of natural green," when creating their latest assortment.

With a nod to both town and country, the "Echoes of Ireland 2002 Collection" includes Cashel Paisley, Donegal Rose, Irish Summer, Celtic Clover and Tavern Ticking, among many more fabrics introduced this season.

To see the collection up close and personal, call (800) 423-5881 or visit http://www.waverly.com/ for a store near you.

Way cool: If you haven't shopped for refrigerators lately, you might peek at the Jenn-Air line. It is not enough with stainless steel or cabinetry fronts; built-in; commercial or residential in size; and mix and match possibilities with every feature. Jenn-Air now says if a consumer can dream it, it can be done.

Nicole Miller, for example, shows how fashion goes further than the closet with a lightweight resin front reminiscent of a stained-glass window.

Like Miller, consumers can now create their own original design fronts.

For more information about Jenn-Air products or a store near you, call (800) Jenn-Air or visit http://www.jennair.com/.

Under foot: Shalamar and purveyors of handmade rugs, in cooperation with Kenneth McDonald Design, invite you to check out their new store opening this weekend in the Stonemill Design Center, 2915 Red Hill Ave., Suite C108, Costa Mesa (714) 545-3300.

Arts & Crafts again: The Arts and Crafts show at the Grand Californian Hotel will be held June 14-16. For conference tickets and show information call (949) 494-9499.