GH star Sean Kanan (A.J. Quartermaine) spent six months looking for a house, but it was love at first sight when he visited the unpretentious, three-bedroom, 2000-sq.-ft. ranch home he bought two years ago in the tony Beverly Woods district of Los Angeles.

"This is my first house, and I looked at 25 before buying it," says the handsome actor. "Before, I lived in a large apartment, but I always wanted something I could call my own because I like being able to put money and improvements into it."

Sean says he immediately felt at home because he already had a friend in the neighborhood. "Jason Brooks (Peter, DAYS) and his wife live less than a quarter of a mile away," he explains. "And although Jason's in show business, my friends come from all walks of life. I enjoy entertaining at home," he adds. "I'm a great cook and like to hold small dinner parties for about eight people."

"My home is very contemporary with a lot of hardwood floors, art deco and oversized, comfortable furniture," he says. "I did it all myself in about two months."

"I bought a lot of stuff," he reveals. "I see a piece I like, and I buy it. I want my guests to feel welcome."

Like his GH character, Sean comes from an affluent family. The older of two children, he was born in Cleveland and grew up in New Castle, Pa.

"My father is president of a chain of retail jewelry stores," he says. "I'm fortunate to have traveled quite a bit, and my big love is going to museums. My family gave me a good appreciation of art and esthetics, and I like beautiful things."

"I really appreciate nudes in art," he adds, pointing to an oil painting that hangs on a dining room wall."

Sean, who is fiercely protective of his privacy, says one of the first things about the house that attracted him was the fenced-in backyard that offers complete privacy from prying eyes.

It also has another practical plus: space for Maxx, his 3-year-old blue chow. The dog was a gift from an admiring GH fan, but, Sean says, "I lost her phone number. I feel terrible about not saying thanks. I hope she'll read this article and contact me."

There are three entrances to the backyard: off the kitchen, from the TV room, and the bedroom.

"Each one opens onto a raised deck, where I've placed rustic wooden patio furniture," Sean says. "I like to barbecue out there and do it often because I think it's a healthier way to prepare food," he explains. "I'll grill either fish or chicken."

Cooking is just as much fun when it moves inside. Sean's large bright kitchen with its natural wood cabinets is a delightful place to prepare food.

But the actor does doff his chef's hat when his restaurateur girlfriend Athena is around. He defers to her talents and serves as her sous-chef.

A friend custom-made the large dining room table out of distressed wood. "He designed it and stained the wood," Sean describes. "He also found the chairs, which he stained to match the table."

Clothes horse Sean had no trouble filling the house's many spacious closets. "Athena always teases me that I have better taste in clothing and furniture than most straight men should have," he laughs.

What's Sean's favorite room? Given his bedroom eyes, his choice isn't surprising. "Definitely my bedroom," he declares. "And although I keep a TV there, my bedroom isn't meant for watching TV," he purrs. Avid reader Sean likes to lounge on his bed, which is covered with oatmeal-colored Ralph Lauren linens, and immerse himself in a good book. He's also added an antique armoire he found in a local store to complete his bedroom decor.

Sean likes to keep freshly-cut arrangements he orders from florists sprinkled throughout his home. "I like monochromatic arrangements, usually white flowers, or something very vivid, because I believe the sight and scent of flowers stimulate creativity," he explains.

He makes sure to place fresh flowers in his office, a converted bedroom where he keeps his computer. Sean recently co-wrote, produced and starred in Oasis Caf�, a short movie soon to be shown in film festivals, and will appear in an episode of The Nanny as Fran Drescher's boyfriend.

And if his GH bosses consent, he'll have a major role in a film called Plan B, scheduled to begin shooting in June.