Thursday, November 11, 2010

Virtual Newstands

A little over a year ago the first virtual home decor magazine hit the web.

We all instantly fell in love with Lonny.

Positives: 
-Fills the void that Domino left in my heart.
-Effortless style in the products they spotlight.
-Easy to navigate website
-Ability to purchase print copies

Negative:
-Would love to see more budget friendly design.


Next came Nesting Newbies:

Positives: 
-Colorful layouts
-Yummy food stories

Negatives:
-Wish there was more home design

A couple short months later a Southern Belle came into play and we all got to enjoy Southern Flourish:

Positives: 
-Good mix of fashion, entertaining, food and design stories
-Love the layouts on the website and in the magazine

Negatives:
-I'm not a Southerner so I feel left out. They need a NY contributor that loves Southern style. (wink, wink)

The blog world was a buzz all summer waiting for the reveal of Rue:

Positives: 
-Love how active they are on twitter/facebook and all of the little sneak peeks we get before an issue comes out.
-Freebie templates & videos

Negatives:
The interiors they showcase are not my favorite design style, but I can still appreciate it. 



Down Under is now being represented with the latest new online magazine called Ivy & Piper



Positives:
-Love the name
-Love the layouts & features
-Big fan of Australian style so it's nice to see it showcased virtually. I have a hard time finding international design magazines near me.

Negatives:
-Too short! I'm greedy I want more.
-Would like to see more Australian interiors.

The new year will bring a new online magazine into the scene. High Gloss has 6 ladies behind the scenes holding court and promises to provide us with a guide for a well-lived life.

Positives:
-Many of my favorite ladies collaborating.
-Hello orange and pink website! 

Negatives:
-None yet we'll have to wait till Jan 2011

What are your thoughts on all of the magazines.

Are you loving all of the new online options available? Do you think there are now too many popping up? Do you have a favorite?

I would love to see an online magazine that provides more tips for how to build a room and gives the readers DIY projects & tips. Sort of like all of the different Better Home & Garden special publications. It would also be great to see more spreads on readers/bloggers homes. I love how Non Pareil magazine works. They reach out to contributors for story ideas that need to stick with that issues theme. Each story needs to have a DIY option and a printable template. Contributors email the editors and pitch a story, style the story, photograph it and send it in. I really think this set up could work for a home decor magazine as well.

Labels:

23 Comments:

Blogger Janell @ House of Fifty said...

Girl, you need to start a magazine yourself or get involved with one of these. You have great ideas and love your breakdown of each magazines pros and cons!
I think this is the direction of the future for magazines, such great potential.

Janell

November 11, 2010 at 8:50 AM  
Blogger Christina Elaine said...

Great analysis of the online magazine world thanks for introducing me to new ones too....
xxx
CEO

November 11, 2010 at 9:22 AM  
Blogger Carissa @ the Fabulous Design File said...

Two more to check out... adoremagazine.com (Australian) and covetgarden.com(Canadian)... both are fabulous!

November 11, 2010 at 9:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am a little surprised by the fact that the new Australian mags have featured so much recycled content. I've already seen everything and most of the images are not original.Their layouts are also too similar to Lonny's.

November 11, 2010 at 9:26 AM  
Blogger Laurie from Laurie Jones Home said...

I really loved your breakdown of the online magazines. I know this is the trend and I do ready Lonny and Rue and I like to think I can stay with the trends but to me there is nothing like my House Beautiful and Elle Decor that come every month!

November 11, 2010 at 9:49 AM  
Blogger High-Heeled Foot in the door said...

Janell,

We need to chat. I think we both need to do a DIY magazine together!

Ceo,

Happy to introduce you to some new ones.

Carissa,

Thank you for those additions! I knew they were more, but I couldn't figure out how to find them. I will check them out!

Anon,
I agree it was a little sad to see a bunch of reused images, but I think they are going to do good things. I think that b/c I love Lonny I loved their layouts. We shall see what they do.

Laurie,
Totally agree. Online magazines will never replace my shelter mags, but it's still fun to go through and get lots of inspiration.

November 11, 2010 at 10:03 AM  
Blogger alison giese Interiors said...

I agree with Janell - a design DIY ezine has YOU written ALL over it! People trust your figure-it-out skills, and would flock to anything you'd put out, I'm sure of it!

You just rattled off a few ezines I hadn't even heard of, so thanks for the tip. I'm now debating getting all my other glossies via Zinio - at least the issue would arrive when everyone else's does, and I wouldn't feel so left out!

P.S. - Check my post today when you have a minute - finally decided to "go for it."
Take Care,
alison g.
MLHP

November 11, 2010 at 10:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

so, i broke down last week an purchased that issue of lonny to have in the flesh..totes worth it. i really miss having tangible issues to hold.

and um, ya you should totally do a magazine. full of elephants all over the place

November 11, 2010 at 10:35 AM  
Anonymous Kate {domestikatedlife} said...

I agree with Janell, you need to hop on that online magazine train!

I also just got my first issue of the newcomer Anthology in the mail last night -- it has the pull of some of the online ones, but its nice to be able to have the print copy to read on the subway!

November 11, 2010 at 10:53 AM  
Blogger Lynett said...

wow, I didn't know there were so many of them out there, I must be living under a rock. Honestly, I have to tell you I prefer a good ol' paper magazine. I've always been weird about reading and browsing online, maybe because eyesight is so bad. I am though so excited for highgloss because of all the fabulous ladies involved.

November 11, 2010 at 10:54 AM  
Blogger Katie @ Noodle and Boof said...

Thanks for the rundown! I will have to check out the others!

November 11, 2010 at 11:01 AM  
Blogger Julie said...

I definitely like Lonny the most. It's the chicest and most professional. I do also like Southern Flourish, but I'm also not a Southerner, so I don't always "get it." Cute stuff in it, and I always love mags that are design, restaurants, and lifestyle.

Rue didn't immediately bowl me over, but I'm anxious to see what the new one will be like.

November 11, 2010 at 11:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I miss holding a magazine in my hand with a cup of coffee. Maybe it's just me but I don't like the way things are going. I do think Lonny has the best presentation and share your feelings on the Southern Mag.

November 11, 2010 at 1:15 PM  
Blogger Michaela said...

I LOVE Rue. It was so exciting when it came out over summer. Thank you for introducing me to Ivy & Piper, I just took a look at the magazine and it's great-- love all the colors and whimsical elements it has (:

November 11, 2010 at 1:22 PM  
Blogger Flavia @ Estilo Home said...

I definitely agree you should start a DYI magazine. It would be fabulous!

November 11, 2010 at 5:28 PM  
Blogger Kathysue said...

Love your breakdown on each mag. I agree. I was really into the Aussie mag. Love their design aesthetics, color and pattern galore!!! Maybe it is time for you to take the plunge with all your talent and ideas!!!!???? Hmmmm I hear wheels turning!! Kathysue

November 11, 2010 at 5:37 PM  
Blogger Style-Edition said...

I love them all! I always felt like it was a waste to spend 5h $5+ for each print magazine but it's fun to see the content monthly.
now all i need is an iPad...

November 11, 2010 at 8:46 PM  
Anonymous Jules said...

I loved this, Cam. I agree with everyone else who suggested you put "online mag" on your growing to-do list. :)

November 12, 2010 at 2:31 PM  
Blogger ###### said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

November 13, 2010 at 1:45 AM  
Blogger Megan said...

I love this recap, I learned of a few that I've never heard of before and am excited to check out. I like that there are so many new sources because design is so accessible, but I agree with you too that I would like to see more bloggers homes and affordable design.

November 13, 2010 at 7:15 PM  
Blogger Barbara Matson said...

I love them all as well but still prefer paper! I love to hold and to tear out ideas. Hard to online.

Also I agree with Megan, it would be nice to real homes done buy people with real budgets! A little glimpse into a bloggers home would be fun. As for a diy online mag there is one called DIY Life e-zine

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1pbqg/TheDIYLifeMagazineFa/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F225598%2FThe-DIY-Life-Magazine-Fall-2010

November 13, 2010 at 9:45 PM  
Blogger Samantha said...

Great roundup. There are some new ones for me to check out.

I love the online mag option - can't beat the price!

November 16, 2010 at 9:17 AM  
Blogger Janell @ House of Fifty said...

I remembered this post today and came back to see what people's response was. I hadn't seen your comment to me prior to this...actually my wheels have been spinning the last couple of weeks. We definitely need to talk! Janell

December 5, 2010 at 9:27 PM  

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