Lava Lamps Still Oozing With Charm

Fri., July 21, 2000

By Kandis Carper kandisc@spokesman.com

An American phenomenon, the lava lamp, is celebrating its 35 anniversary.

Since 1965 the lava lamp has oozed its way into the hearts of Americans. Thirty-five years later these psychedelic lamps are still made in Chicago by Haggerty Enterprises. The company has sold more lamps in the ‘90s than in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s combined. It appears that this cross-generational icon will live on.

The company has made a limited number of motion lamps standing over 4 feet tall and holding 10 gallons of secret formula. These lamps are available for $3,500. For more information, call (877) 528-2735.

* Tres Chic: Want to be on the cutting edge of decorating? It’s easy to be a trend-setter these days. Euro Flea, Retro Rustic and Salvage Chic are examples of a combination of nostalgia and the desire to recycle.

These decorating trends are built around reclaimed furniture and other household items. They are featured in these three books: “Flea Market Decorating” (Better Homes and Gardens, $35), “Flea Market Makeovers: 25 Projects for Fabulous Home Furnishing” by B.J. Berti and Pam Krauss (Random House, $30) and “Flea Market Style: Decorating With a Creative Edge,” by Emelie Tolley and Chris Mead (Random House Value, $30).

* Speaking of furnishings: Most of us have home furnishings on our minds. Industry analyst Britt Beemer, who compiles a monthly Furniture Buying Index, says that in a typical month, 80 percent of consumers interviewed can name a specific furniture item they intend to buy.

* Bright ideas for appliances: New trends have colored our preferences in “white goods.” More than 33 percent of refrigerators purchased in April were in shades of almond, black, biscuit or stainless steel, according to data collected jointly by the NPD Group Inc. and GfK AG.

Refrigerators, along with washers and dryers, are known in the industry as “white” goods. The most popular nonwhite color for new refrigerators was almond, which accounted for 14 percent of sales. Black trailed close behind with 13 percent, and biscuit accounted for 7.5 percent of sales.

* To help you recall: America’s post offices will soon have a new poster to accompany the FBI’s “Most Wanted” list of dangerous criminals. The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced it will put up posters of safety recalls to alert you to the most dangerous products. Commission Chairwoman Ann Brown said the posters will allow people to recognize hazardous products around the house.

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