Restrospective of Architect Cutter

BOOKS

Architect Kirtland Cutter’s designs can be found in Balboa Island, Long Beach, Palos Verdes and Beverly Hills, among other Southland spots. A retrospective of this influential architect’s career is the focus of Henry C. Matthews’ “Kirtland Cutter: Architect in the Land of Promise” ($60, University of Washington Press, 1998).

Matthews, a longtime architectural professor at Washington State University, spent 14 years researching and writing this 438-page biography, which includes hundreds of photos of Cutter’s homes and buildings. Besides offering a scholarly (sometimes too scholarly; this tome is a bit dry) appraisal of Cutter’s work--which ranged in style from Spanish colonial to Arts and Crafts--the author follows his life from a happy childhood in Ohio to his last days working in Southern California.

Cutter’s most influential designs were raised in Washington (especially Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma), and the book spends much of its time describing his many years in the Great Northwest.

GOING NATIVE

Lorraine Johnson’s “Grow Wild!” ($32.95, Fulcrum Publishing, 1998) is another one of those useful books that knows how to appeal to the avid, but often lazy, gardener. By showing you which great-looking plants and flowers are native to the area, you’ll be able to spend less time caring for them.

As Johnson points out, native varieties need less water and fertilizer to stay healthy. Another good thing about natives, according to Johnson, is that they attract butterflies and birds. Bees are also drawn to them, though, so keep that in mind. As expected, there are many photos and tips on how to keep the greenery flourishing.

THE WEB: Seasoned With Herbal Pointers

Algy’s Herb Page (https://www.algy.com/herb/index.html) is a cool little destination for anyone who wants to learn how to grow and cook with herbs. Beyond that, this site’s “Apothecary” section has info on which herbs may help treat some simple health problems.

Besides giving its own pointers, the Web site allows visitors to post questions, which are then answered by others. A recent posting, under the heading “Calm My Kid!,” begged for any herbal mixtures that could slow down her rambunctious youngster. One suggestion: Have the child drink catnip and lemonbalm tea each night. There are also links to other herby sites.

HOT AND COLD

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Information Bureau’s site (https://www.phcib.org) isn’t flashy, but it is comprehensive. It’s likely any questions you might have about home plumbing, heating and cooling systems can be found here.

There are sections that assist you finding a plumber or contractor (by using your ZIP code in a search) to handle bigger problems that stump the do-it-yourselfer. Product info is also available.

Homeowners may like the “Quick-Fix” area, where small headaches are cured. One tip, for example: If you routinely lose water pressure, check the water heater for leaks. Some you can fix yourself; others might require a contractor.

* To have a book or Web site considered for this column, send information to: Home Design, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Mark Chalon Smith can also be reached by e-mail at mark.smith@ latimes.com.