Serve Up A Piece Of History With Stylish ‘Russia Country’ Designs

Some designers are turning their eyes toward Russia for inspiration and a new “Russian Country” style seems to be emerging.

Those wanting to sample the style can start slowly by incorporating Russian folk art into existing decor. One product that will be available this fall throughout the country is Golden Khokhloma (pronounced HO-hlow-mah).

The folk art will be introduced on the HGTV show “Rooms for Improvement.” The Christmas ornaments, vases, spoons, jars and platters are hand-carved from linden and birch wood from Russia’s Semenov region. Each piece is coated with clay primer and linseed oil, then hand-rubbed, hand-painted and covered with layers of lacquer.

For information about the availability of the folk art, call (800) 839-0888.

Niche marketing: The La-Z-Boy Chair Co. is offering a nod to those of us who are vertically challenged.

The recliner-maker is marketing a line of chairs that have been scaled down to accommodate people who are 5 feet 5 inches and shorter. The recliners - part of the Small Comforts series - are narrower, lower and have shorter seat depths.

For free: A variety of brochures are available to redecorators or those with safety and health concerns.

“Decorating With Borders” - mail a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope to Eisenhart Wallcoverings, Dept. PR, PO Box 464, Hanover, PA 17331, or call (800) 726-3267.

For information about ways to reduce potential hazards of window coverings and free retrofit tassels for window cords, call the Window Covering Safety Council at (800) 506-4634.

“Breathing Comfort: What You Need to Know about Respiratory Health” - write Respiratory Brochure, Slant/Fin Corp., Dept. SR, 100 Forest Drive, Greenvale, NY 11548.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo