Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 18, 1990 TAG: 9006160127
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Short
A recent issue of Better Homes & Gardens focused on frills for already well-feathered nests. It included futons wrapped in floral fabric for Fido ($27 and $34), a screened box with mesh sides ($139) for cats and a "Roman temple" cardboard carton ($19.50) that can be used as a litter box cover or feline hideaway.
The magazine also showed sew-it-yourself decorating ideas such as a be-ruffled and be-ribboned birdcage cover, a canvas floormat for more dignified dining and a window seat on the outside world.
"We discovered items in pet products catalogs and items in decorating catalogs," says Sandra Soria, senior furnishings editor, who wrote the article. "What's really hilarious is after the article appeared, a reader sent in a picture showing her cat drinking milk out of a crystal goblet and eating off a china plate."
There is a $1 billion market for pet products, says Barbara Chisholm, marketing director of Tallmark, Inc., of New Albany, Ind. The company recently began marketing a line of 10 doghouses in chateau, manor house, English Tudor and other styles at prices ranging from $1,500 to $2,990. Tallmark will also execute a pet-sized miniature of the master's home and other custom styles. Among early requests were for a doghouse with stained glass windows and one with central heating and air-conditioning.
by CNB