In print

New mag: Homes of Color, a magazine that debuted to households in the Washington area in July/August as an insert in The Washington Post, is the newest kid on the home magazine block. Published bi-monthly by Corriece Gwynn, an editor with a publishing firm, it's intended to give a pictorial account of the upscale African-American homeowner and highlight home dÈcor, interior design, architecture, new home construction, gardening and do-it-yourself projects. Though Ms. Gwynn said in a recent Boston Globe story that the magazine would be an insert in other major markets "for six months to a year to build momentum," subscriptions are priced at $22.50 per yearat the Web site www.homesofcolor.net. (301) 352-7697.

Neat finish: Stainless steel may be the rave in appliances but the slick surface can show every smudge and fingerprint that passes by. As a result a new stainless steel twin, called VCM (vinyl-coated metal) is getting some attention. Consumer Reports magazine says the two are comparable in price but the matte brushed-metal look of the VCM, which is a bit darker than the shiny stainless, is easier to maintain - and holds refrigerator magnets to boot (something stainless doesn't do). It's marketed under Whirlpool Satina and Kenmore Ultra-Satin.

By design

Rock-a-by daddy: La-Z-Boy, king of recliners, showed off a new line of comfy chairs at the High Point, N.C., furniture mart this year. The recliner combines the signature La-Z-Boy rocking with a motorized reclining mechanism that gives more chair positions. The hand wand gives the user control over the pitch of the recline and the lift of the footrest through a dual-motor system, much like automatic seat adjustments in luxury cars. Three styles are available along with rolling back massage. They are scheduled to show up in La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries and dealers in December. Information at www.lazyboy.com. Stores at (800) 625-3246.

Fun facts

Clean-up time: Procter & Gamble's Swiffer elves sent along some messy stats just in time for Turkey Day in hopes that everyone will run out and stock up on cleaning supplies before the guests arrive:

• Gravy only accounts for 15 percent of spills. However, one of every two Americans (48 percent) will find cookie crumbs on their floors.

• 67 percent will clean up the mess the day of the event.

• 43 percent say it's OK to eat food that falls on the floor as long as it's picked up within five seconds.

• 29 percent of us clean up alone.

And, my favorite - 39 percent will lose an entire serving from the holiday dinner before it makes it to the table. Must be Uncle Henry sampling the gravy over the stove.

Contact Joy Kraft by phone: 768-8467; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: jkraft@enquirer.com.