Hot for 2004

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Every year the art of home becomes hotter and hotter. It seems as if everyone is decorating, from movie stars (have you seen Courtney Cox's new home decor show?) to rock stars to your parents to your daughter (even Cosmo Girl magazine features a regular room makeover). Your home is hot property, and everyone is getting in on the act. In fact, more than 50% of us are planning a major renovation or redecorating project this year.

Having a home that you adore is number one on everyone's list for 2004.

So what's hot in home decor?

Colour trends for 2004 will focus on fresh, innocent and elegant shades along with a greater selection of luminous, textured and metallic options (we like options). Colour is heaven sent, with a strong palette of blues. Look for Caribbean-inspired greens and blues, spa themed blues, ice blue and greens to continue with great strength into the new year. Influenced by nature, our blues and soft blue-greens enable us to bring the outdoors in. Greens are more confident this year, and many are blue based - think glass, turquoise and sea-inspired shades of green.

Red is the new neutral. Look for red based oranges and rust reds to appear in many of the top design and decor magazines and the chicest spaces. If red is still a little too daring try bringing a sexy little number home with pink - revved up to be naughty and nice, this blush-inspired shade will do anything but make you blush when you show off your room. Pair it with creams, taupes, browns and grassy greens. If you want to bring some energy into the new year add a little red or pink to your life.

Bread and butter may be staples in the kitchen, but they have also become staples in our decor. Look forward to that same rich, warm and cheery shade of buttery yellow to be spread onto many of our walls this year.

Neutrals remain strong in '04, but next year's hues are warmer and enriched with more colour. Hopefully, this is a sign we are making a resolution to confront our colour phobias. Brushed nickel and stainless steel are still favourite metals, but newcomer copper arrives straight from the mines to refine our homes. Watch for copper married off as an accent to stainless in appliances such as hood fans and bathroom fixtures. Diva note: Copper is wonderfully flattering to skin tones.

To bring a fresh face to an old favourite, traditional decor such as American and French country furniture will be covered in fresh colours such as European orange, pistachio green and watermelon red. These fresh new shades bring new life to the old standbys. Reupholster your old furniture in one of these wonderful coloured toiles, pinstripes or tapestries to give yesterday's furniture a today look.

Modern design will be stronger than ever as we continue to mix and match furniture styles within the same room. Shapes will remain geometric, especially square and rectangular. Look for glassware and vases to make architectural statements, as they will be independent enough to stand alone or grouped three or four together. Coffee tables will move closer to the floor - their hemlines shortened to occupy less visual space.

Exotic textures and materials make themselves at home in '04, on both furnishings and accessory items. Think bamboo trim, palm trees, pineapples, Asian motifs and woven banana leaves. (Look for a new furniture collection from National Geographic). The hottest look this year will be the world traveler. Ethnically chic decor has the style of a seasoned traveler, so mix and match treasures from around the globe for the hottest home fashion this year.

Library rooms in both traditional and modern decor are the must-have accessory for 2004 (just as the monogrammed accessory for apparel fashion). No need to panic if you don't have an existing library space or room to build one. Look into adding bookshelves to an existing dining room - or, add library style to a small unused corner with revolving bookcase tables or mini bookcases. According to the National Association of American Home Builders, 54% of consumers want a den/library. This year there are plenty of affordable options to bring literary style to your home.

Happy New Year everyone - I look forward to yet another outstanding year in home fashion with you.