A new page in African-American decor

These ordinary people, however, may have accomplished extraordinary things in their lives, such as retired government employee Paul Jones, who owns one of the largest collections of African-American art in the world.

Gwynn wants readers to aspire to greater things, to dream a bit about the possibilities for their own homes.

"I want people to tap into the resources and talents the Lord has given them and to do extraordinary things in their lives," she says. "To be able to do that, you've got to see ordinary people who have done it."

The magazine's very existence helps to open the eyes of publishers, advertisers, and the public at large.

"All homeowners don't necessarily look like the Brady Bunch," Gwynn says. Many advertisers know that 71 percent of whites are homeowners, but don't realize that 47.7 percent of African- Americans are, too.

Misconceptions and ignorance about the black community are often a matter of limited vision.

She looks back to her own childhood in Decatur, Ill., where whites had little exposure to African-American culture and blacks and whites seldom stepped inside each other's homes.

"I think the upbringing I had was great," Gwynn says. "I don't have any problems with it, but there's more to African-Americans than Black History Month and Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I have a dream' speech. I think sometimes we get a jaded sense of who the homeowners are in this country."

Gwynn believes the magazine could raise America's consciousness about black home life much as Bill Cosby's hit comedy series - in which he played a father, husband, and doctor - once did. If the magazine can enhance race relations, all the better.

The magazine's air of sophistication sends a message, and not just to adults. Gwynn talks about an anticipated "trickledown effect" on African-American youngsters, who she expects will naturally be drawn to seeing people of color in such a stylish context.

One of the magazine's goals is to get into local libraries, including school libraries. This requires guarding the ad content.

"I made a commitment early on that we're not going to take liquor or cigarette advertisements or other advertisements that you traditionally see in African-American publications," Gwynn says. "I don't think some of the things our children are seeing are uplifting to us, so I don't want to depend on that.

"That's not to put down what other magazines are doing. It's just that I want the magazine to have a certain feel, to reflect the home and people who live in the home."

With Homes of Color expanding, from 24 pages to 48 and now 68, a limited number of how-to stories, requested by readers, will become part of the mix, and food coverage is under consideration.

Mr. Gwynn, the magazine's vice president and business adviser, would like to see stories about home entertaining.

His wife isn't ruling that out, but is determined to keep a tight editorial focus. She doesn't anticipate fashion layouts or beauty stories. "I don't want to spread out and cloud the vision," she emphasizes. "I want this to be the premier magazine for African-Americans when it comes to the home. Our mission statement is clear, and I'm sticking with it."

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