HOME DESIGN : A SPECIAL ISSUE OF ORANGE COUNTY LIFE : Wanna Do the Job Yourself? Take a Class

Tired of all the oddball pieces in your living room never looking quite right? Want to design a new bathroom or tile a kitchen cabinet? Longing for that polished, decorator look?

Then try some of these classes and be your own decorator:

Coastline Community College Community Services

(714) 546-7600.

A two-part design series. Classes are $22 individually or $35 for the series. Both classes meet at Fountain Valley High School, 17816 Bushard St., Fountain Valley.

Interior Design for the Home Decorator: How to select window, wall and floor treatments, Oct. 10, 6:30 p.m.

How to Make Your Home Yours: Learn to customize your living areas to suit your tastes and save money, Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m.

Get the Most out of Your Decorating Dollar: Learn how to create the looks you want and where to find bargains, Sept. 23, 9 a.m. to noon, Newport Beach Center, 3101 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar, $20 fee.

Quilting Bee: Learn to make patchwork and applique quilts, Sept. 25 to Nov. 13, 9 a.m. to noon, Huntington Beach Center, 20661 Farnsworth Lane, Huntington Beach, $43 fee.

Cypress College Community Services

9200 Valley View St., Cypress

(714) 826-2220.

Introduction to Interior Design: Learn basic principles and how to plan residential interiors, Oct. 4 to Dec. 19, credit class offered on cable television, call for dates, times and fees in your area.

Adult Education Division--North Orange County

Community College District

(714) 995-2238

Term begins Sept. 11. Call for dates and times. $2 fee.

Interior Design for the Consumer or Potential Professional: Take the guesswork out of home decorating, 11 weeks, evenings, Yorba Linda Adult Education Center, 4175 Fairmont Blvd., (714) 779-8279, and Trident Adult Education Center, 1800 W. Ball Road, Anaheim.

Creative Kitchens and Baths: Learn how to design a layout, tips about lighting, cabinetry, storage, appliances, finish treatments and professional resources, 11 weeks, evenings, Wilshire Adult Education Center, 315 E. Wilshire Ave., Fullerton.

Decorative Sewing for the Home: Learn how to sew valances, cafe curtains and other window treatments, Sept. 23 and 30, 9 a.m., Yorba Linda Adult Education Center, 4175 Fairmont Blvd. Each class $2.

Rancho Santiago College

(714) 667-3000

Fall semester begins Aug. 21

Designing Your Home: Learn how to solve decorating problems, credit/non-credit class offered days and evenings at both the Santa Ana (17th and Bristol streets) and Orange (8045 E. Chapman Ave.) campuses, call for class dates and times, $20 fee.

Irvine Valley College Community Education

5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine

(714) 559-3333

Ceramic Tile Series: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, $135 for series.

Introduction to Ceramic Tile: Learn how to set and cut tile and choose grout, Sept. 9, $25 fee for each class.

Installing Your Own Custom Ceramic Tile Floor: Sept. 16, 23 and 30, $75 fee for three classes.

Creating Your Own Custom Ceramic Countertops: Oct. 4 and Oct. 7, $50 fee for two classes.

Wallpapering: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon. $49 for series.

Wallpapering Introduction: Learn about type of wallpaper, equipment needed, how to cut, Oct. 21, $25 fee.

Hanging Your Own Wallpaper: Learn how to plumb a wall, measure a room, determine quantity and hand paper, Oct. 28, $30 fee.

Stenciling Workshop: Learn how to stencil walls and furniture, Sept. 9, 9 a.m. to noon, $40 fee.

Advanced Stenciling Workshop: Learn how to cut your own stencils, Dec. 9, 9 a.m. to noon. Call for fee.

Saddleback College

28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo

(714) 582-4900

Fall semester begins Aug. 28.

Interior Design--Learn about color, design elements and design principles, days and evenings, 3 units, $5 per unit.

Space Planning and Design--Learn the aesthetic design of residential and non-residential spaces, Tuesday and Thursday, noon, 3 units, $5 per unit.

We R Fabrics

25782 Obrero Drive, Mission Viejo

(714) 770-4662

Classes are $15, except for upholstery, which is $95. Tentative dates: Roman Shades, Sept. 12, 9 to 11 a.m.; Upholstery, nine-week class, Friday, Sept. 22, 9 a.m. to noon; Pinch Pleat Drapes, Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to noon; Pillows, Oct. 5, 4 to 6 p.m.; Fabric Painting and Stenciling, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to noon; Balloon Shades, Oct. 26, 4 to 6 p.m.; Cornice Boxes, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to noon; Laminated Shades, Oct. 10, 9 to 11 a.m.; Valances, Oct. 3, 9 to 11 a.m.; Swags and Jabots, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to noon.