THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 21, 1994 TAG: 9408190189
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 53 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY NANCY McWILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Along the Outer Banks, an increasing number of banners ripple and wave in the coastal breeze, a reminder of the constancy of wind by the sea.
The bright, colorful tangles of cloth proclaim patriotism, advertise company logos, attract attention or simply are used as beautiful decorations.
``It defines a building,'' said Didi Tubber, an owner of Greenleaf Gallery in Nags Head. Her gallery flies the flags of the United States, South Korea and Austria, representing her and her husband's native countries and their adopted homeland. ``We get lots of compliments,'' she said. ``And every Korean stops at the gallery because of the flag. We just fly them because they're fun.''
Fun is also a word used frequently to describe decorative flags, found flying at homes and businesses throughout the area.
John Harris, owner of Kitty Hawk Kites, said not so long ago there were only about 12 different designs in decorative flags, and now there are hundreds. Flowers, sports logos, animals, vegetables, patriotic designs and fish are a few of the flags to be found. Top sellers for Kitty Hawk Kites are sunflowers, tulips, hummingbirds, pineapples (the Colonial sign of welcome) and golf. Patriotic flags sell well around national holidays, Harris said.
``Flags add color and character to a house,'' he said. ``They communicate the personality of the people in the house and add movement.''
Emily Ausband, owner of Islander Flags in Kitty Hawk, said there has recently been an explosion of interest in decorator flags waving over homes.
The trend is moving across the nation now. ``They look so good on houses,'' Ausband said. ``Nothing contributes to the look of a house like a pretty flag.
``Originally, the pineapple was the only thing, but people want something different now,'' she said. At her home, she flies a tiger lily flag.
She carries about 60 standard copyrighted designs in her 8-year-old shop, and sews custom designs that people request. ``We cater to nicer flags, the more classic designs, traditional and handsome,'' she explained, ``things that would look nice on a big house.''
Some custom designs that people ask for include the family's coat of arms, the names of cottages, pets and business logos.
A new surge in popularity that has recently sprung up are garden flags, Ausband said. These smaller (12 x 18 inches) flags are placed on stands on the ground. ``There's one for every holiday,'' Ausband said.
At Wright Kite Co. in Kill Devil Hills, owner Larry McCarter has just about gotten out of the flag business because of the competition. He still carries some college sports, flowers and Santa Claus designs, but has cut back on the variety he sells. It's the increase in foreign-made flags at lower prices that has discouraged McCarter.
At the Flag Stand in Duck, owner Phyllis Fisher has 200 different designs of decorative flags. Best sellers are the pineapple, birds, flowers and lighthouses. After 25 years in the flag business, Fisher said there has been a definite increase in the public appeal of flags. ``They make a personal statement,'' she said. The fun for her is in changing the flags daily. ``It's an individual statement of how you feel.'' Fisher predicted that the popularity of flags will continue.
Advice from Harris, Ausband and Fisher will help decorative flags last longer: Take them down at night, when it's raining and during winds above 15 mph. Hand wash and hang to dry before storing. And don't let them wave against jagged surfaces such as bricks. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by Drew C. Wilson
Vacationer Dick Kuhnert, 53, of Landcaster, Pa., looks at decorative
flags for sale at the New world Festival of Arts in Manteo.
by CNB