Posted by
Elana Safronsky, Managing Editor
Friday, May 14, 2010 1:00 PM EDT
Magazines cannot die. I will not listen to the naysayers who forecast doom and gloom for the magazine world. I still LOVE leafing through a fresh stack of interior gorgeousness, and I'm online all day long (could have found most of it on the mag's website.) I can't imagine that I'm the only one, so I thought it high time to share with you my list of monthly (or bimonthly) publications -- save for one, which is in fact, only available online -- that have me blocking the isles of books stores, poring over the latest this or that.
And please...don't be mad at me for the lack of Canadian on my list. I like these magazines the most. I'm sorry.
Southern Living
You know, whenever I get an idea that I'd like to share with you, I scour the internet to find visual reference that can help explain what I mean. You know where I find myself much of the time? Southern Living. Is it weird? Eastern Ontario is nothing at all like the American South, but something about that magazine's thorough, ceaseless flow of great decorating ideas has me totally relating. I also love the way the vibe is a perfect mix of staunch, unapologetic American romance, and contemporary, accessible design. Though, I must admit, (they may strike me mute where I sit), their covers could be less cluttered and reflect more of that contemporary touch I was talking about.
World of Interiors
Published in the UK, World of Interiors is a design periodical. If design can ever be approached in that chiefly British, academic style, then World of Interiors is it. What may come as a surprise to you, however, is that it -- my favourite of the decor publications -- is actually not at all pretentious. The editors, writers and photographers who put together each wondrous issue are the real deal, with whom, god help you, if you ever get to talking design, you should never, ever argue. It is in the pages of this magazine that I saw the exquisite New York townhome of Julianne Moore, stepped inside Madresfield Court, which was rumoured to be the inspiration for Brideshead Revisited, and saw the most bizarrely elegant '30s-inspired mobile home. Yes, it is expensive, but sooooooooooo worth it!
House Beautiful
Lovely, Sunny and tickles my credit card. Not that hard to do as a decor magazine, but House Beautiful has recently become one of my faves. They put together a lot of cute 'guides', such as the one about different wood types in furniture making, in the April issue, and I really enjoy the photography -- it's no-fuss, simplicity, that doesn't overstyle or overstuff with accessories.
Veranda
Oldie but goody. Though they publish sporadically, and much of the time you're not really sure if you're looking at an exquisitely produced hotel booklet, or a decor magazine, Veranda still sucks me in. The target demo I am sure is somewhat older than myself, but I like the gracious, by-gone grandeur of their interiors, that can really only be found in AD (which I rarely pick up.) Much of the time, I am shamed to admit, it's that vibrant violet they like to use on their cover that gets me every time. Just a colour. That's how simple I am.
Lonny
Here is where I eat my words. This 'magazine', which looks eerily like a real magazine lying on your computer screen, is entirely virtual. Much of the staff from Condé Nast's youthful but deceased Domino magazine were rumoured to have banned together to launch Lonny, and it shows -- in a good way. I loved Domino... Well, Lonny -- London and New York combined -- by its very nature, vows to be accessible to all. Not limited by physical pages and by extension, rigid advertising directives, the magazine has a breezy, practical approach to hands-on style, and is FREE. So far there's only been four issues, but they really mean it when they say they're not limited by paper -- those four issues will keep you busy for weeks...
What are some of your fave decor magazines?