Fun Carpets and Rugs

People are spending more for fun looks especially in kids' room: They want the bed, rugs and such to match.

Glow products are popular these days. Furniture designers are manufacturing chairs with luminescent webbing. Hardware stores carry glow-in-the-dark house numbers and fire extinguishers. Teenagers are sporting day-glo jewelry; and there are even glow-in- the-dark bowling balls. And there is a glow carpet that won't lose its luminescence, because the fibers are treated with an inert mineral called LumiNovathat is woven directly into the carpet's polypropylene fibers. LumiNova is a phosphorescent pigment derived from strontium oxide aluminate. It was patented in the United States in 1995 and has a wide range of uses, including watch and clock dials, safety signs and fishing lures.

The carpet is considered safe for youngsters of all ages. It was developed with children in mind. The polypropylene fiber is stain-resistant and can withstand the patter of little feet.

The glow-in-the-dark carpet comes in five colors --- canvas, seagull (a taupe-gray), domino (black and white), Nile (blue-green) and spitfire (heather). The luminescent designs are in three patterns: Galactic, a celestial motif; Champions, or silhouettes of athletes; and Night Vision, a diamond-shaped geometric pattern.

By day, the glow-in-the-dark designs look white. At night, the white colors glow and the other colors in the carpet appear black. It was envisioned that the carpet would be popular in nurseries, children's rooms and rec rooms.

Rug designs that spur imagination are a natural hit, as are vibrant, fun colors and children's stories.

There are NASCAR rugs that appeals to all ages, and McDonald's is an extremely recognizable name. And all girls' themes such as mermaids and will be available in painted floor cloths and wool hooks.

Juvenile rugs don't have to all be primary colors, since some show sophisticated designs that adults can like, too.