Hip patio couture

KARLA Stevens, the costume designer who kept teen idols skimpily outfitted on “The OC,” now is dressing up beachfronts and backyards. At the newly opened Patio Culture, Stevens sells throw pillows and outdoor cushions in fabrics by designers such as Scalamandre, Lulu DK, Joe Ruggiero, Summit and SeaCloth. (Prices start at $45; the two-cushion stacked cube shown here is $300.) The crisp white bungalow boutique also offers vintage loungers and bistro sets, giant lemon yellow Moroccan lanterns and custom mosaic planters and benches (above, starting at $900) by local artisan Frank Bauer, who works with fanciful ceramic tiles of his design. 1612 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, (310) 314-9700; www.patioculture.com.

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FINDS

Around-the-clock cool

Keeping kids on time just got a little easier. For $22, this rockin’ little drum kit puts a little heavy metal on the desk or dresser top of boys or girls. To make a bigger statement, try the generously sized wall clock (background, $24) featuring bold Japanese graphics of blue elephants and red and green apples. Both are at Atmosphere, 1728 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 666-8420.

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MADE IN CALIFORNIA

Light up with the beach

When it came time to decorate their own beach houses, Orange County natives Terri Benson and Joni Loechner weren’t going to settle for lame lamps. Thus the birth of By the Sea Accents, a Laguna Beach studio specializing in modern shades with the Poseidon touch. Designs include a hanging raffia pendant lamp with a starfish-studded drum shade (above, $500 for a 19-inch-diameter model). The Bubble shade -- linen with felt and shell appliques -- is available with a glass column light ($650). The designs are available at Tuvalu, 295 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, (949) 497-3202; for custom orders, www.bytheseaaccents.com.

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OUTSIDE

Best seat in (or out of) the house?

Famed for his light shades and room dividers made from intricately cut flora- and fauna-themed patterns, Dutch designer Tord Boontje is solidifying his reputation with Nest. The molded plastic chair recalls the organic shapes of sculpture by Jean Arp and Henry Moore; the surface seems to blossom with his trademark botanical doodles. The piece is priced at $595 and is available in white, black, fuchsia, orange, green, mahogany, mandarin or silver. Produced for Moroso USA, Nest lands this week at IN-EX, 8800 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 358-0500, www.inexsite.com.

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Reaching the Scout: Submit suggestions to the Home section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; home@latimes.com.