Eat on Art

Artist Fred Van Ormer hand-paints cotton tablecloths and place mats with Matisse-like floral patterns in bright California colors. Amazingly, they’re machine-washable.

Place mats from $35, tablecloths from $150 at Windows, Pasadena.

Go Creuset

Soon it will be Memorial Day, as good an excuse as any to get a new apron for the barbecues you may be hosting. These vegetable-patterned models are from the cookware company Le Creuset.

Available at Bristol Farms, South Pasadena, and Cookin’ Stuff, Torrance.

Finds

Supreme Lidders

You’re bringing things to the barbecue in covered bowls. Might as well get some that won’t embarrass you. These Rubbermaid bowls have cool-looking blue lids (well, pretty darn cool-looking for microwaveable goods).

Available at the Container Store in Costa Mesa and department stores.

The Herbecue

Here’s a new way to add flavor to your barbecue: Dip fresh herbs in oil and place them between the two mesh grates. Then barbecue on top of them.

Charcoal Companion Herb Grill available at Bristol Kitchens, South Pasadena, and barbecue and patio stores.

Cookbook Watch

The Turks, like the French, address food with a thoughtful sensuality. It’s shocking that there’s so little in English on their important cuisine, but Ghillie Basan’s “Classic Turkish Cooking� (St. Martin’s, $29.95) can go a long way toward correcting the situation. Besides the best known dishes, it has some rare ones, such as cheese-stuffed grape leaves, chicken in tahineh and rose petal jam. Full of gorgeous color photographs by Jonathan Basan.