Now here's a design philosophy that I can get on board with.  How refreshing to read this from an editor of a major shelter magazine! 

"[I]n the real world, outside the design-magazine bubble, I prefer to avoid saying that the light fixture someone has just purchased is now a bit overexposed or that this style rug should stay and that one must go because it's currently out of favor with the decorating gods.  Because truly, none of that really matters if you love it."

"While there are certainly always new products and trends that capture our attention, we try to bring you the ones we think will endure beyond a turn in the calendar year or a fickle heart, because we firmly believe in the value of design that lasts.  More important, the real key to having a home you think is beautiful is surrounding yourself with whatever speaks to you, regardless of what the latest big thing may be."

- Karen Carroll, editor of Southern Accents (July/August 2009 issue)

I couldn't agree more!  While we all want to stay current, that shouldn't come at the expense of your comfort or style.  In my view, the most important design feature of a home is that the owners love and feel comfortable in their space. 

Of course, it just figures that Southern Accents would be the latest victim of this economy; Time, Inc. announced earlier this month that it would shutter Southern Accents magazine.  SouthernAccents.com will remain online, however, so at least that is some small consolation. 

Consider this my vote to have Karen Carroll or Dominique Browning - someone a little more in touch with reality! - replace Paige Rense at Architectural Digest.  Thanks to Heather of Habitually Chic for letting us know that might be in the works.  I've got my fingers crossed!  

I love the feature articles in fashion magazines that show you how to take one piece of clothing and transform it into several different looks.  I'm all about versatility, and I love pieces - clothing or furniture - that serve multiple purposes or that are appropriate for a variety of settings.  So welcome to my version of those articles ... we'll call it "one chair, three ways!"   So check out this chair - Laura Kirar for McGuire Barrel Lounge Chair.     

It's attractive, isn't it?  Well, I'm clearly not the only one who thinks so because I have been seeing this chair everywhere.  First, I spotted it in the Architectural Digest Greenroom at the 81st Annual Academy Awards.  Here, the chair gives off an "updated retro," sophisticated yet almost groovy vibe as designer Stephen Shadley channeled "a chic 1970s pad atrop the Hollywood Hills."  

Next, I spotted it in "Summer Loving," a feature article about the Long Island home of Veronica and Jamie Beard, in the June 2009 issue of Elle Decor.  Now - while this house still celebrates the seventies - it does so in an entirely different way ... and the chair (in the lower right corner) is Palm Beach all the way!  Can you believe how different it looks, lacquered white and with brightly patterned cushions?     

Finally, I spotted the chair in the season finale of Ugly Betty (love that show!).   Unfortunately, I can't find a still shot, so you are going to have to use your imagination.  Picture it - the swanky NYC apartment of Wilhemina Slater, co-editor-in-chief of Mode magazine.  The apartment is sleek and fashionable, bold and fearless.  From the looks of it, you know better than to mess with its owner!  The chair is lacquered black with red cushions.  Think black patent Manolo Blahnik stilettos with red lipstick, and you've got the vibe.

So there you have it - one chair, three entirely different ways ... yet utterly fantastic in each setting!  Now that's the mark of fabulous design ...    

Photos from McGuire Furniture, Architectural Digest and Elle Decor

As part of my tear sheet organizing project, I'm making my way through some back issues.  A few of the Architectural Digests - including the February 2009 issue - hadn't even gotten the first look.  So imagine what I'm thinking as I read this letter from the editor: 

"So you think you can decorate?  You probably can't.  Think you have great taste?  You probably don't.  Think you have style?  Think again.  So what is this rant about?  Two things.  One, let the decorator do it.  Let the architect do it.  They have created hundreds, perhaps thousands, of rooms.  How many have you done?  Don't delude yourself.  They can do it better." 

"Now I'm going to seem to contradict myself.  It may be true that you want to do your own home your way, regardless of what anyone may think and regardless of whether it's 'good design.'  Well, you're right, too.  My other point?  Do it the way that's comfortable for you." 

"Now, how to resolve these seemingly conflicting viewpoints?  It's fairly simple.  Some people really care about a beautifully designed residence.  Others don't.  Perhaps you're not particularly visual and are convinced you pay no attention to your surroundings.  Wrong.  You do.  Even if you're not consciously aware of it, you're affected by colors, scale and lighting, by furniture and whatever is on your walls.  So maybe you don't 'have taste' or even have 'bad taste.'  So what?  It's not a character flaw." 

"Perhaps the theme of this letter is this.  Do what you want to do in your own home.  As I mentioned earlier, a professional decorator can create an interior space that reflects and complements you and may even improve the way you feel and the way you live.  A fine architect or interior designer will almost certainly enrich your life and subtly allow your best self to come forth.  The really interesting idea is how people choose to live.  Some homes are photogenic, perfect to be featured in a magazine.  (This one, for instance.)  Some are not.  Both are cherished by those who live in them."

"And that's the way it should be." 

- Paige Rense, Editor-in-Chief

Meow!  Hiss!  I see a catfight brewing, because it takes a lot of nerve to write that ... even if she does believe it.  I would paraphrase Paige's statement like this - "if you hired a top architect and designer to do your home, great; it must be fabulous ... maybe even fabulous enough for Architectural Digest.  If not, I'm sorry, but it is most certainly atrocious.  But if you are comfortable there (cough, cough, clearing of throat), good for you.  I'm glad not everyone cares about how they live." 

I think her comments are a touch arrogant and more than a bit obnoxious.  Am I being too harsh?  I'd love to hear what you think.  As for me, while I love a beautiful environment, I prefer Coco Chanel's philosophy:  "It's not houses I love; it's the life I live in them."  Now that is a woman with the right attitude.       

My last issue of Domino arrived in the mail today.  I'm trying to decide if I should rip it open with anticipation or savor just knowing that I have one last issue to enjoy.  I hope it's a good one, as opposed to a "we can't stop the ship from sinking but we should at least throw a life preserver" effort.   

 Apparently, I am not the only one mourning the demise of Domino.  I had seen posts on other blogs that I read, but I had no idea that the uproar was broad enough to inspire a piece in The New York Times ... to be reprinted a few days later in the Charlotte Observer.   (By the way, I love the Home & Garden section in The New York Times, and you can view it online for free!  Check it out here.) Anyway, click here for the complete story about Domino.

I'm interested that the cover story is "great style at every age!" given that the typical Domino reader is in her twenties or thirties.  Was it a last ditch effort to broaden their appeal?    I am rather depressed by the idea that -- according to the New York Times article -- the most likely candidate to fill the rest of my subscription is Architectural Digest.  I've already told you about my love-hate relationship with Architectural Digest.  That's the one magazine I am able to resist even a quick thumb-through when it arrives.  I get so many magazines already that I've thought about not renewing my AD subscription when it expires ... but I guess now I will have at least until June/July 2010 (when my Domino subscription should have expired) to make up my mind about that!  

I get my inspiration from just about anywhere - one of my favorite color schemes right now was inspired by a 2007 Christmas card - but shelter magazines (industry-speak for interior design mags) are absolutely invaluable.  I use them not only for inspiration, but also as a tool to discover what styles my clients are drawn to.  Obviously, magazines also help you to refine your eye, stay on top of the trends, discover new products and enjoy the work of other designers.  The only thing I don't like about shelter magazines is that I haven't come up with a good way to organize them!   For an organization nut like me, that is really saying something ... but there is just too much in each magazine that I find valuable.  Anyway, here's a list of my favorites and what I like about them.  Hopefully this will help you to discover a new favorite! 

Metropolitan Home -- The homes featured in this magazine are usually very modern, but I love them!   It might not be a look that is right for you in its entirely, but you'd be surprised at the different modern things that you can successfully incorporate into a not-so-modern decor.  

Elle Decor -- Still modern, but not quite as starkly modern as Metropolitan Home.  To me, the interiors featured in this magazine are much more eclectic.  

Traditional Home -- Don't be surprised that many of the houses in this magazine are not nearly as traditional as the name would imply.  Most of them are more "transitional" than what I consider super-traditional, although you definitely won't find the modern homes featured in Metropolitan Home.   

House Beautiful -- I really love this magazine.  It seems more accessible than some of the others.

Domino -- This magazine focuses on good, accessible design with a youthful, off-beat edge ... at least that's the best way I can think of to describe it.   Definitely high-low mixing at its finest.  I like their new book as well.  

There are lots of ideas and some great photos in there, although if you are a design pro, some of the info will be more than a bit basic.  You can take a virtual "flip" through the book on the Domino website.

Architectural Digest -- Honestly, I have a love-hate relationship with Architectural Digest.  I just don't find most of their articles relevant to what I do on a daily basis ... and frankly the magazine just bores me.  But you can't deny that they feature some stunning homes ... and you can occasionally find some great things flipping through the pages.  A Decorators Walk by F. Schumacher fabric featured in Architectural Digest was the inspiration for my twin boys' nursery!  But that's the only thing out of AD that I've actually used ...    

Anyway, if you haven't read some of these magazines, check them out!