DATE: Sunday, July 20, 1997                 TAG: 9707190060
SECTION: HOME                    PAGE: G1   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: AROUND THE HOUSE

SOURCE: MARY FLACHSENHAAR, CORRESPONDENT

                                            LENGTH:   65 lines

BOUQUET OF FLOWERS IS NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT

IF YOU LOVE flowers but have allergies, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has good news: A bouquet of garden flowers is not likely to trigger an allergy attack in most people.

According to the academy, plants with brightly colored, fragrant flowers are less likely to cause allergies because they have large pollens with a waxy, sticky coating that are primarily carried by insects, not wind. The pollen of weeds, grasses and trees is much smaller and more likely to invade the eyes and nose.

More tips for allergy sufferers come from Research Products Corporation, the maker of Space-Gard air cleaners:

Don't add flowering branches, dried weeds or grasses to arrangements.

Never bring flowers with mold or fungus indoors.

Use air conditioning so you'll be able to keep the windows closed.

Leave gardening shoes outside to keep grass pollens out. SOFA SO UGLY IT'S A WINNER

Is your couch so ugly you're embarrassed to put it out on the curb?

Sounds like you might be sitting on a winner.

The Third Annual Ugly Couch Contest sponsored by Sure Fit, the slipcover manufacturer, runs through Aug. 31. Grand prize is $2,000 and a set of slipcovers.

For every entry, Sure Fit will donate $1 to the American Red Cross.

``Some of our past entries came from victims of natural disasters,'' said company spokesperson Liana Toscanini. ``These people displayed a sense of humor in the face of personal tragedy. We are honoring their spirit with this donation.

To enter, send a 4-by-6-inch color photograph of your ugly couch with a short written explanation as to why it's still in your possession to Ugly Couch Contest, Sure Fit, 58 W. 40th St., 2nd floor, New York, NY 10018. BRING THE BARBECUE IN

Neither snow nor sleet nor rain will keep you from cooking out if you own one of the new ``all seasons barbecues'' from T-Fal. You can simply make the cook-out a cook-in, because the electric grills are designed for indoor and outdoor use.

There is no smoke because the grill plates have ridges that channel fats and juices away from the food and heating element and into a water-filled base. The grills are made of steel with porcelain enamel finish and nonstick grill plates that are dishwasher-safe.

The largest model, the 1,500-watt ``all seasons maxi barbecue'' (model 78971) serves up to eight people and retails for about $130. The ``all seasons barbecue'' (model 78961), at 1,200 watts, serves up to six and sells for about $115, and the 1,200-watt ``all seasons slimline barbecue,'' designed for tabletop use in the smallest kitchens or patios, has a slim profile for easy storage. It serves up to six.

For more information or to locate a retail outlet call T-Fal Corporation's customer service department at (800) 395-8325. ILLUSTRATION: Photos

SURE FIT

If your sofa looks something like this, it could be a winner in Sure

Fit's Third Annual Ugly Couch Contest.

T-FAL CORP.

Electric grills from T-Fal are designed to be used indoors or out.

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