The New Architectural Digest

I had the pleasure of attending a lunch at the Condé Nast Building today for an exclusive preview of the new Architectural Digest.  Margaret Russell walked a small group of us through the new features that debut in the March 2011 issue.  I can tell you without a doubt that you are going to love it!  The magazine hasn't changed so much that long time subscribers will be unhappy but it has been freshened up enough to now appeal to a broader audience.  I was especially excited to see the Fifth Avenue apartment of eccentric fashion iconDaphne Guinness by Daniel Romualdez and the Paris home of Pierre Passebon, antiquaire and partner of Jacques Grange.  There is also a gorgeous Mississippi home designed by Richard Keith Langham and the cover shot of room designed by Michael Smith could not look more chic.  I hope the March issue of Architectural Digest finds its way to your mailbox or local newsstand soon!

July in Provence

I am swooning over the photos of Marion Cotillard in the July 2010 issue of Vogue! Mario Testino shot the stunning French star and Oscar winner in La Bastide de Marie in the South of France and both Marion and Provence look stunning! Makes me want to book a trip immediately. To see more, check out the behind the scenes video online or pick up the new issue of Vogue! C'est magnifique!

Photos by Mario Testino

Gone to the Dogs

Seems like Harper's Bazaar has decided to shoot their cover stars every month in fabulous homes. I'm certainly not complaining. It's better than a boring backdrop and in the case of the June 2010 issue with Katherine Heigl, they added some pretty pooches too! I hope my issue comes today!

Photos by Alexi Lubomirski

Weekend Reading

Someone recently asked me why I don't subscribe to magazines. My answer is that there is nothing worse than seeing a magazine on the newsstand before your subscription copy has arrived. That's why I have two copies of every Domino ever published. And before anyone asks, no you can't have any of them. The point of my story is that I was super excited to find the June 2010 issue of ELLE DECOR on the newsstand last night! My love of this magazine is not a secret but I have to say that this issue is really one of the best in a long time. It's meatier and full of fun articles including the "Top 5 Designers to Watch" and I can't give away the whole list but I can tell you that my dear friend Grant K. Gibson was among them! So exciting and well deserved!

The other fun feature is J. Crew creative director Jenna Lyons "12 Things she can't live without." I won't give away all of her answers but like me, she hasn't met a sequin or sparkle that she hasn't liked and I'm beyond jealous that she also owns a 1969 Mercedes 280SE! Could she get any more perfect?! Love her and ELLE DECOR this month! Bon Weekend!

Lady of the Manor

I read fashion magazines for the fashions of course but what I really love is when they are shot at fabulous locations. I assume the manor home that plays backdrop to Gwyneth Paltrow in the May 2010 issue of Harper's Bazaar is in England but unfortunately it wasn't credited. It's a bit hard to focus on the clothes when the interiors are this stunning! Enjoy!

Photos by Alexi Lubomirski

Another one bites the dust...

Word just came today that Hachette will cease publishing Metropolitan Home magazine after the December 2009 issue. The good news is that this means that they are focusing their resources on Elle Decor. The bad news is that many people will be losing their jobs right before the holidays. I just saw Donna Warner and her editors while I was in High Point so clearly they didn't know this was coming. It's so frustrating because it feels like there is nothing left when I go to the newsstand. Clearly everyone loves home design and is clamoring for content so why can't the publishers make their shelter magazines work?! We already told them that we would be willing to pay more per issue and for subscriptions since advertising is down but seems no one was listening. It's really a shame. I hope for all our sakes that Elle Decor and House Beautiful can survive!

A Perfect Backdrop

If you were paying attention, you might have noticed that Jane Krakowski was photographed in Steven Gambrel's home for the a cover feature in the September 2009 issue of Town and Country magazine. It was a perfect backdrop for the gorgeous gowns. The home was also used for a holiday party feature of Alexandra and Theodora Richards for the December 2008 issue of Allure magazine. Maybe they were still cleaning up the carpet from that soiree when they shot Jane since it seems to be missing in her photos. As I mentioned yesterday, it is a great place to entertain! Bon Weekend!

Photos of Krakowski by John Huba and Richards by Nicolas Moore

20 Years of Elle Decor

I wish the new October 2009 issue of Elle Decor magazine had hit the newsstands before my trip so I could have read it while waiting for take off. Can you believe Elle Decor has been around for 20 years?! This issue celebrates their success and they will also be publishing Style and Substance: The Best of Elle Decor to commemorate this auspicious event. Editor in Chief Margaret Russell left for Paris on Tuesday and we're hoping we run into her at some point so we can congratulate her!

A Beautiful New Year!

As you know, I can't stand seeing a new magazine on the newsstand before it's arrived in my mailbox so I had to buy the new February 2009 issue of House Beautiful when I saw it today. The cover is gorgeous and showcases the new collection of fabrics from Annie Selke for Calico Corners. I was just looking at their site the other day and they have a wonderful selection of affordable fabrics that are perfect for those of us without deep pockets.

There was also another little surprise inside that I had forgotten about! Recently, House Beautiful asked eight bloggers to send them a photo of their living room and I'm very honored that Habitually Chic was among those included. I won't ruin it and tell you who the others are so you're just going to have to go out and buy the magazine. Or if you better willpower than me, you could just wait for it to arrive in your mailbox!

London Calling

There is a beautiful photo in the November 2008 issue of American Vogue and unlike usual spreads, they actually gave credit to the owner, London decorator Veere Grenney. I know he's already been profiled on other sites including one of my favorites, Studio Annetta, but I thought his work was too beautiful not to post again. I love how he incorporates the artwork into each room and on his site he mentions that many of his clients are collectors. Must be nice! He also has a lovely line of fabrics, lighting, rugs and furniture and will be featured in the November 2008 issue of Australian Vogue Living magazine. Enjoy!

Singapore Sling

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I'm sure the bachelor will be surprised to know that his apartment has been featured in the October 2008 issue of Singapore Home & Decor! A big thank you to the magazine for featuring Habitually Chic in their Blogwatch column!

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow!

When James Saavedra of Decor Fellow asked me to be a part of the debut issue of Fellow, his online magazine, I was very flattered and excited to participate and now that I've seen the finished product, I'm completely blown away! It is more professional than a lot of magazines on the newsstand! I know you will also love it! Inside is an amazing interview with Vicente Wolfe, a city guide to Seattle, some inspired styles, a few fabulous floor lamps and oh, my little list of what I need for a "well lived life." James did such an outstanding job that he's going to make everyone in the blog world step up their game! He's truly one amazing fellow!!!

Inside Out

Even though so many New York based national shelter magazines are folding, it seems that there are amazing regional ones that are thriving. One of my new favorites is Florida Inside Out. I was flipping through the old January/February 2008 issue and came across so many beautiful images that I had to share. I especially loved the article about what Miami antiques dealers collect. Enjoy!

The top image and this one above are from Kaisa and Doug Levine's historic 1929 Miami Beach home. The coffee table and console are from Williams Sonoma home. The art is by Karel Appel.

A 1970's pottery lamp and studio pottery sit atop a George Nelson wooden cabinet in Miami Antiques deal Carlos Casteller's home. His shop in Miami is called Art and Antiques but doesn't seem to have a website yet.

I love this juxtaposition of objects in Miami shop owner Michael Contessa. The 1970's sofa is by Milo Baughman and the Raindrop wall sculpture is by Curtis Jere. I think I might have to plan a trip to Miami just to check out his antiques!

A collection of German and French drawings from the 1920's to 50's hangs above a rare Dominique France chair from circa 1928 in the Miami home of Antiques dealer Regina Nuessle.

In the Miami home of Chicago based owners Marlene and David Green, a black wall displays a pair of stylized mirrors with gold leaf frames from Details at Home while the bed below was custom designed by Martial.