Did you ever buy a magazine just to look at pictures of beautiful, yet unobtainable, objects . . .
I definitely have a frustrated architect / interior designer living inside of me. That must be why I subscribe to so many decorating magazines. Architectural Digest is really one of the most glamorous and most expensive of all the magazines out there. Unlike other upscale magazines, they don't even try to appeal to a variety of income levels or even a variety of tastes. There is no cold, modern aesthetic here. Instead, you get beautiful spreads of interesting architecture, most of it traditional, and beautiful shots of interiors.
IT'S LIKE PEOPLE MAGAZINE WITHOUT THE GOSSIP
Architectural Digest shows some of the most beautiful homes in the world. Some of them are celebrity homes and you can see how the "money is no object" class lives. Brad Pitt was featured recently and I still have an old issue that featured Michael J. Fox. The accompanying articles have interviews with the celebs give you better insight into their lives than fashion and entertainment mags.
IT ISN'T FOR EVERYONE, BUT IF YOU CONCEDE THAT IMMEDIATELY YOU WILL ENJOY IT MORE.
Architectural Digest is about living vicariously. This magazine doesn't even try to appeal to income levels other than multi-millionaire. The part I like best about this magazine is that the featured projects are timeless. They are not trying to push the latest trendy and stylish blue oven or green glass tile. Magazines I have from several years ago could be republished today. If you are sick of looking at grey granite fireplaces, then this is the magazine to turn to.
If you are looking for practicality - there are ideas in the beautiful rooms that can be adapted to any home. Look at color schemes. Most expensive pieces of furniture have much cheaper copies. Furniture arrangements can also be copied and applied to furniture you already own.
WHAT IS TYPICALLY IN THE MAGAZINE
The best part of the magazine are the 8 or so full spreads covering either architecture or interiors. Although the title of the magazine would lead you to believe that the focus is on architecture, most of the spreads focus more on interior design. Each is accompanied by an article describing the project.
In addition to the pictures, there are always several essays and articles in the magazine. They are generally well-written although the subject matter won't appeal to everyone. There is usually an article called "The Professional" that highlights a particular designer or architect. There are occasionally articles on travel or gourmet matters. There are also articles about "the trade" including design shows, show houses and design houses.
Many of the articles are designed to appeal to architects and interior designers and have a lot of information for the trade. For that reason, they don't always have a broad appeal. Occasionally, there are some written about travel or other general topics.
While the articles are well-written, I usually don't read them. I can't relate to the musings of the featured designer. I buy the magazine for the pictures and occasionally scan an article of interest (sounds a lot like porn, doesn't it?). However, if you are interested in lots of text, there are many, many articles in each magazine.
Here is what is in the April 2003 issue: a detailed spread of 6 hotels from around the world including the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota and the Maison Place Royale in Montreal; detailed spreads of a variety of buildings including a penthouse in Key Biscayne, a modernistic house in Bel-Air, Faith Popcorn's weekend "cabin" on Long Island, a high rise in Chicago, a country-style house in the Midwest, a house in Japan and a house in Palm Beach. Articles include: shopping Boston's Bounties, Antiques Notebook: All That Glitters, The Professionals: Anthony P. Browne, Design Notebook, Before & After, Showrooms, Architecture: Turbulence House. There is also a section called Estates for Sale that show several multi-million properties for sale.
STATS
The magazine is printed on heavy, glossy paper and has a very substantial feel. Mail subscriptions come in a plastic bag so they arrive in pristine condition. The magazine, at about 250 pages is longer than most other magazines I have seen.
ADVERTISING
It is a magazine - there are going to be lots of ads. I personally don't mind the ads - their revenue keeps the magazine affordable for me and they often are nice to look at. Architectural Digest has about the same percentage of ads as any other decorating magazine that I have seen.
OTHER INFORMATION
Subscriptions run about $35 per year. There is one issue published each month. It may seem like a lot but you do get more pictures and articles and pages than the average magazine subscription.
Web site: www.archdigest.com
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
I am recommending this magazine although I realize it is not for everyone. Don't buy it if you are looking for practical ideas for your home. However, Architectural Digest is great for enjoying beautiful photography of stunning homes with timeless style. While this is one of the more expensive decorating magazines, you get a lot for your money in each issue.
MY OTHER MAGAZINE REVIEWS
Elle Decor is sultry.
House & Garden is pretentious.
Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion is artsy.
Home is practical.
Metropolitan Home is modern and spare.
Dwell is intellectual modernism.
Better Homes and Gardens has something for everyone.
Budget Living is tacky.
Nest is artistic and offensive
