Volume 2, Number 4 April 2004
Monthly Quote
"A good home must be made, not bought."
-Joyce Maynard (1953- ), "Domestic Affairs," Columnist and Author

Tip of the Month
Are you looking to do your spring cleaning before the beautiful weather gets too difficult to resist? You can make this annual job easier by following these tips before you clean:
Get organized. Making a list of the rooms in your home that you want to tackle, as well as the tasks to be accomplished within each room, will make the entire job easier. Also, make sure you clean each room fully before moving on to the next on your list.
Take stock. Make sure you have every cleaner, rag and mop you will need before you start cleaning to ensure an easy job with no snags.
Be comfortable. Wear old, comfortable clothes that you will not mind getting soiled. Cleaning itself is a dirty job!
Disconnect. Get rid of any distractions by turning off the television and unplugging the phone. Instead, try listening to some fun, energizing music.
Prepare. Put together a bucket of supplies you can carry from room to room, such as paper towels, furniture polish, an all-purpose glass and surface cleaner and rags. Also, bring a couple of garbage bags along with you. You can use one to carry garbage you find along the way and one to fill with items for charity.
Set the mood. Open the windows wide and let the sun shine in and the fresh air fill your home! The musty smells of winter will disperse and you will protect yourself from inhaling cleaning fumes and dust.
Interior Colors: What to Use
and What to Expect in 2004

Synopsis: The first thing people notice when they enter a room is the color. What does 2004 hold in store for the home in terms of color selection?


According to a recent article in Realty Times, color choices are changing in 2004. Color Marketing Group (www.ColorMarketing.org) President Jay de Sibour surmises, "Colors are becoming clear and pure, and are driven by a need for more white, lights and translucents." This new trend is based on an increased level of confidence in color and an explosion in the pent-up desire for strong, bold colors in the home.

The following colors will be seen more in durable home goods, according to CMG:

Hockney Blue - "Escape to the tropics with this soothing and tranquil blue-green."
Soho Green - "A fusion of bronze and gold creates this 21st-century neutral, elemental and enduring."
Coppertunity - "An opportunity for copper fresh from the mine to move into the home. It is optimistic and happy, flattering to skin tones."
Knew Blue - "Who knew this blue would be new? Familiar and calm, the tranquil effect of aquatic blue on environmental greens."
Good Earth - "Freshly tilled, an enriched new brown with Victorian roots, Mission influences and lodge appeal."

When looking at home fashion, CMG predicts the following colors will show dominance:

Coral Bells - "A relaxing stroll through the garden - can you smell the coral bells?"
Cu (Copper) - "It's elementary. A precious metal with healing powers, shiny new or corroded over time."
Naughty But Nice - "Don't blush if YOU know Victoria's little secret. A traditional twist on innocence and peace."
Glassy - "Glass tints this transparent green - reflective, fresh and innocent."
Hope Blue - "Heaven-sent, our hope for the future."
Hyper Green - "Technology puts this virtually real green into overdrive."

Finally, with fashion in general, CMG is making the following color predictions:

Vanilla - "Create your own sundae with this go-with-everything color."
Hortensia - "This casual blue dresses up and goes to work."
Phthalo Green - "Good luck! This scarab green will protect you."
Bijou Red - "Ooh la la! At the Moulin Rouge, rubies are a girl's best friend."
Giraffe - "Stick your neck out and go for this Serengeti brown, inspired by copper, arts and crafts, and African block prints."
Nougat - "Sticky sweet and so delicious. It's blush with undertones of copper."

With all of these brand-new, exciting ideas, how can you help but incorporate them into your home?