THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605030055
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: AROUND THE HOUSE
SOURCE: BY MARY FLACHSENHAAR, SPECIAL TO HOME & GARDEN
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
YOU'VE HEARD OF a house of cards, but how about a house of cardboard? The chic room pictured here is, believe it or not, mostly cardboard. And the manufacturer of the pieces, Repcon International, claims that the products are so sturdy that not even the Big Bad Wolf can blow them away.
The company, which has been selling about 20 corrugated cardboard kits for two years, says that the products appeal to college students and others who are setting up house temporarily. But, according to company spokesman Kenn R. Davis, many established homeowners choose cardboard when they want to match a piece to a room's decor. After it has been assembled, the cardboard furniture can be painted or covered with fabric or wallpaper.
The kit for the three-piece folding screen pictured here, the most expensive cardboard item in the room, costs about $34. The tissue topper kit, at $3, is the least expensive. The headboard kit, which fits a king, queen or double, retails for $17. (The bed is not cardboard.)
To obtain an illustrated product list, send $3 and a self-addressed stamped business envelope to Repcon International Inc., Dept. NR-02, P.O. Box 1435, Nixa, MO 65714.
Instead of an entire kit, cardboard included, consumers may simply purchase the plans to cut out the pieces themselves. The company can be reached at (417) 725-2450. BUILD A BETTER IRONING BOARD
Irons and ironing boards can be hazardous to your health. Anyone who's ever had an accident while ironing will appreciate the safety features of a new board called StableTable.
The innovative iron rest may look like it's on tilt but it's actually right on target. The iron nestles securely in the rest, reducing the chances of its toppling to the floor, claims the manufacturer, Seymour Housewares Corporation. Tighter, more durable leg construction assures that StableTable will wobble less than traditional boards, adds Seymour.
Another plus is that the board offers 19 percent more usable ironing surface than most boards, making it easier to iron a tablecloth, for instance. Also, a place to hang shirts is tucked under the board.
StableTable retails for about $35 in discount department stores, such as Wal-Mart and Kmart. A HOT PROPERTY
Selling your home? The second annual ``HomeOwner's Companion,'' on sale for about $3 at newsstands, supermarkets, convenience and home improvement stores, gives tips for success:
If you're painting your house before selling, consider yellow. Real estate professionals from coast to coast report that yellow houses outsell any other color.
Spruce up the front door. Replace it or paint it or, at the very least, polish the doorknob and lay down a new doormat.
Keep in mind that most house hunters notice the living room first, then the kitchen and bath.
Make small rooms look larger by putting excess furniture into storage, adding mirrors and using light-colored paint.
Cut the clutter. Have a garage sale before the house goes on the market.
Let there be light. Make dark rooms bigger by opening up curtains and shades. Increase wattage or add lamps.
Clean that closet. Large closets in the master bedroom are a big selling point. If yours isn't large, you can make it look bigger by using a neat storage system and adding a light.
Add finishing touches such as flowers or plants throughout the house and a few cinnamon sticks simmering in a pot on the stove. NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT
Even though it's spring, let there be nothing to sneeze at. Reduce allergens in the home by:
Removing carpeting from damp areas such as basements and bathrooms.
Placing doormats inside and outside entryways to reduce the dirt that's tracked in.
Washing counters, cabinets and floors with equal parts vinegar and water to reduce ants.
Wiping the inside of the refrigerator with vinegar to prevent mildew.
Discarding piles of newspaper, which attract roaches.
Putting zippered, allergen-proof coverings on mattresses, box springs and pillows to prevent dust mites from circulating.
Cleaning the air conditioner and changing the filter, according to the manufacturer's directions. Mold thrives in cooling systems, and pollen gets trapped in filters.
The good advice comes from The Maids International, a maid-service franchise. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
REPCON INTERNATIONAL
Cardboard furniture makes it easy to create a coordinated look with
fabric and paint.
Photo
The StableTable ironing board from Seymour Housewares has a safety
holder for the iron and several other improvements.
by CNB