Happy Hour : Favorite Magazines
Every been in a restaurant when it turns "Happy Hour?" You notice the mood instantly changes as everyone is ready for fun. Whenever I'm having a Bad Hair Day, my cure is always a personal Happy Hour. Of course, I'm hopeless addicted to interiors; so for me, this hour is all about decorating. In this series, we'll look at some quick and happy mood changers for our very own Happy Hour. Each should take about an hour - a mere 60 minutes - to perk up our minds and our rooms. Let's get the party started.
Take into consideration we can only binge-watch TV so long. As we consider nesting in the next weeks, why not take a Happy Hour and "binge-read" some shelter magazines? It's the perfect time to catch up on old issues and check out what's new.
With almost everything online, we really don't need real magazines any more as screen images will do. Gotta say, even with all the virtual stuff (and who could have imagined this 30 years ago?), I still get so excited when a new edition of a magazine arrives in the mailbox. I subscribe to six magazines as that's about all I can read before the next issue arrives. Let's look at my current favorites - the covers pictured are of the current issue out although, I'm expecting April editions any day now!
Veranda. There are some Southern rooms which I can't imagine living in but the magazine has grown more modern and some editorials are pure heaven. Another plus is that the pages are so glossy, the photos so strikingly crisp and the paper so thick to handle, it's a luxe magazine in every way.
veranda.com
Nasturtium wallpaper in a Newport Beach study.
veranda.com
The photo above of the entryway of a Birmingham, AL home. Nothing says spring like blue&white.
House+Home. This is a Canadian magazine. They write about Canadian homes, Canadian cottages by the lake and big Canadian cities. It's my favorite shelter magazine. I even like all the ads for Canadian companies. Canadian design is modern and livable and always fresh.
house & home.com
Don't you love this cabinet color and brass hardware?
Elle Decor is an eclectic magazine with lots of style and decorating ideas.
elledecor.com
A Palm Beach outdoor dining room as pictured in Elle Decor.
House Beautiful is one of the oldest American shelter magazines as it started in 1886. While their issues are sometimes a bit thin in interior editorials, they do span rooms from traditional to cottage to modern. I always learn something by reading House Beautiful.
house beautiful.com
I've enjoyed following designer Eddie Ross renovation of Edgewood Hall in House Beautiful. Here's his pretty laundry room.
house beautiful.com
Stylish ideas are on House Beautiful's website, too. Check out "27 DIY Projects for When you're Stuck at Home."
https://www.housebeautiful.com/home-remodeling/diy-projects/how-to/g1624/diy-solutions-easier-life/
Better Homes & Garden is hit or miss for me. February's cover is a miss. Oh, dear. The photos are sometimes blurry, the paper stock is very thin and the whole magazine seems flimsy. But, sometimes, there's a real hit and it's worth looking at.
bhg.com
The hits include their monthly color story which gives you palette for a whole house.
For more, check out:
https://www.bhg.com/decorating/color/paint/better-homes-and-gardens-paint-colors/
architecturaldigest.com
Architecture Digest February's issue is a must. Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West worked with world-renowned Axel Vervoordt to create an amazing, minimalist interior in their Southern California home. Master bath is pictured above - looking out to a private, lush greenscape. I love AD - you definitely see things you don't see in other shelter magazines.
For more photos of the West house, check out :
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-home
If you've already read all your shelter magazines, take this Happy Hour to explore websites of magazines. There are more photos, videos and special features than you can imagine. Enjoy 60 minutes of eye candy - guaranteed to get your mind off the world beyond your door.
Other shelter magazines to consider : Coastal Living, Country Living, HGTV, Martha Stewart Living, Sunset, This Old House, Traditional Home.
Top Photo : House & Garden was once my favorite magazine. Started in 1901 and ended in 2007. I still miss it!
