A movefor ReformReform has re-formed. After one...

A move

for Reform

Reform has re-formed. After one year on La Brea Avenue, the 20th century furnishing gallery’s partners -- New York transplant Gerard O’Brien and Angeleno Joshua Kritzer -- have parted amicably.

Kritzer kept the property at 442 N. La Brea ([323] 937-5254) and has reopened as Rewire, a vintage lighting boutique. O’Brien retained the name and relocated as Reform Gallery at 816 N. La Cienega Blvd. ([310] 854-1033).

For the new space, O’Brien and architect Greg Pilon created a lofty feeling with exposed brick and beams as well as a leafy patio stocked with Architectural Pottery planters (from $350) and outdoor furniture. Inside there are dozens of decorative objects, including 1960s Italian corroso glass (from $500) and Los Angeles designer La Gardo Tackett’s ceramics (from $40).

“The designs of Californians like Paul Tuttle, Maurice Martine, Greta Grossman, Van Keppel & Green and Luther Conover are a strong influence on the aesthetic of the space,” says O’Brien, though Reform will also stock other mid-century pieces from around the world. Among them: a large collection of works by Paul McCobb, including the complete mahogany, leather and brass dining set with six chairs ($9,000) and a matching sideboard ($7,200) shown here.

-- David A. Keeps

Inspiration

on Aisle 14

When she isn’t hosting the Un-Cabaret at the Hollywood comedy spot M Bar or recording National Public Radio commentaries, performance art princess Beth Lapides can often be found strolling the aisles of Home Depot, stashing paint chips and other free samples in her purse.

With ink and acrylic pigments, Lapides transforms color charts and bits of cork tile, linoleum and carpet into wry, handwritten, Jenny Holzer-style observations about politics, spirituality and life in the Hollywood dream factory.

“Home improvement materials are optimistic by nature, and so am I,” says Lapides, who prefers small-scale artworks, like the one at right ($1,200), in her two-bedroom L.A. apartment. “They’re more easily scattered around the house, not looming over the sofa.”

This Saturday, Lapides has her first gallery exhibition, “Does a Paint Chip Envy a Wall?” at Ghetto Gloss (2380 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, [323] 912-0008). The show also features the whimsical work of “Bubbles the artist,” the nom de brush of Allee Willis, songwriter of the theme for TV’s “Friends.”

Of the two-woman show, Lapides says: “People have so little free time these days, so this is really convenient, like a double feature.”

-- David A. Keeps

Hues you can use

Need help unlocking the mystery of your jumbled keys? A few colorful twists are on the market.

The Groovy line from Jet Keys covers those plain, industrial-looking Schlage and Kwikset keys in dozens of designs, such as hearts, rainbows, camouflage, jungle prints, American flags, team logos, the Playboy bunny and even characters from “The Simpsons.” Prices start at $2.50.

Another way to make your key ring lighter and brighter is by eliminating the need for a flashlight. KeyLights ($3.99), which come in four colors, have a light-emitting diode built into the plastic casing around the key’s base. To distinguish the key to your castle, add a fluorescent plastic cap shaped like a house ($1.49 for a set of two).

For keyless security, Master Lock’s Sphero combination lock ($6.99) comes in four metallic colors and has a dome-shaped dial with extra-large numbers.

All products are available at Baller True Value Hardware in Silver Lake (2505 Hyperion Ave., [323] 665-4149) and other retailers.

-- Ana Cantu

The rake’s

progress

The lowly rake has inspired few grand attempts to improve it. Like the hammer, you pick one size for a certain task and another for something else.

A new rake offered by Seeds of Change makes a daring attempt to revise this simple tool. The Expandable Rake opens to 24 inches but with a quick pull of a lever telescopes in to a mere 7 inches.

Ha! you say. Another garden tool gimmick, more worthy of infomercials than real work? Wrong, mulch breath.

The Expandable Rake works surprisingly well. At full bloom, it works as well as any wide rake I have used. Collapsed to its tightest size, it not only gets into tough spots, but the sturdy tines let you use it almost as a hoe, scraping up weeds and stubborn, baked soil with ease.

Made of steel and plated in rust-proof zinc -- and priced at $16 -- it’s a worthy addition to any garden shed.

Order online at www.seedsofchange.com/gardencenter or by calling (888) 762-7333.

-- Chris Erskine