LA Times Home & Garden Roundup 09.19.09Los Angeles

Is it state of the economy or the environment that's given us a new way of looking at things? We don't know about you but we've noticed that lately we're less about the new and more about the re-purposed, the re-thought, the re-thrifted. This week's Los Angeles Times reflects our new perspective: a dry garden that sings with colour and birds; a trompe l'oeil garage door; a source for vintage subways tiles; and, a fire-resistant home that's also green. Links to these articles on the Los Angeles Times website, after the jump...

The Dry Garden: A visit with Susan Gottlieb and a landscape that sings with color, scent and birds: Quick, what images come to mind when you think of a desert garden? If cacti, succulents and dry grasses pop into your head, Susan Gottlieb's garden will upend you with its colourful profusion of poppies, lilacs, irises and fuschia.

Drive-By Design: A garage library? Well, sort of ...: Not your average garage door, this one's been painted to look like a library. I love books," says owner Lee Dembart. "They're my passion."

A fire-resistant Malibu retreat that's also green: Last week we teased you about this home; now the pictures have finally been posted. 700 feet of a green home that'll hang tough during fire season...

Lusting after vintage subway tile: Lusting after coloured vintage subway tile? Get on the waiting list at Olde Goode things. No patience for that? Pratt and Larson makes a tile that's similar in feel.

[images: Francine Orr / LAT; Barbara Thornburg / LAT; Ken Hively / LAT; Ringo H.W. Chiu]