Things are in the works for a possible panel discussion to take place here at the Idlewild home office sometime in the next month. The discussion will revolve mostly around simple things one can do to make their home or office more attractive and functional, but the the underlying theme is a much headier one.

With the US economy currently undergoing an "adjustment", Americans have shifted a bit in their spending habits and sensibilities. The topics we're to be discussing revolve around a broad yet subtle tendency towards more a classic aesthetic that I imagine will be creeping over the country in the year to come. Just as the "Paid off mortgage has replaced the new Mercedes as the status symbol of choice" (Talk of the Nation, Feb 5th) traditional themes and conventions will begin to overshadow the ultra modern orgiastic design concepts of the late 90's and early 2000's. That's not to say we will all be in the salon, sitting fireside in our Williamsburg reproduction wing-chairs and sipping port wine with our feet outstretched upon overstuffed and tassled ottomans. There will be a little taste of that in the months to come, though.

Get ready for some old conventions of "decent civilization" to come back. It's going to manifest itself everywhere from the the garden to the living room to the dining room table. I'm even thinking of getting a pre-1940's book of etiquette to bone up on my manners from a traditional standpoint.

YRS
AGL