Friday, January 9, 2009

Say It Ain't So Joe, . . .

It can't be! Please say it ain't so, Joe? How can a magazine that's been around so long, and so admired be coming to an end?

Alas it's true. Country Home, after twenty-five years will be publishing it's last issue in March. With the down turn in the economy, and the lack of advertising, they are bidding a fond farewell. They have had a great run and I for one will miss them. But then I knew, when they were no longer going to run the ever so popular segment "Cool Junk" things were not looking good on the horizon.

So what will replace them? Maybe on-line blogs? Possibly. But to me there is something about holding a magazine in your hands, looking at the many beautiful pictures, and reading the inspiring articles. Hopefully someone can figure out how to publish a magazine and make it still profitable. And as to my previous post on Junk Market Style Magazine, hopefully we'll be seeing more magazines like that. I can only hope. And that they'll be there to replace those we're losing. Please????

One suggestion for this demise, made by a friend of mine, is that people are no longer interested in vintage decorating. Whether it be Cottage, Country, Shabby Chic or Victorian. Is it that the youth of today are no longer respectful and appreciative of the things from the past? Possibly so. But that's something I personally want to help change. And why can't you have both? New and old?

In 2009 this is going to be my decorating mission. To teach people you can do both. You can mix new and old, modern and vintage, urban and cottage. Go for it. Mix it up. I refuse to let new items completely replace the old. Dare I say I'm gonna be "green" on this issue. Conscious of reusing rather than replacing. Helping our youth appreciate this style of decorating. Will you join me?

And in the solemn moment . . . and with a moment of silence, I bid ado to Country Home.

Lanette

16 comments:

cherry said...

Lanette I am right there with you. I certainly hope this next generation has not lost the love of the old....there has to be old souls out there! ME, CS, and now CH....what next? Living in a "green state"...Oregon I always think about the impact things have on the enviroment.

Lynn Sinclair said...

Now, I'll cherish my past issues of Country Home all the more.

As far as the demise of vintage decorating, I think you could be right. When the next generation become adults, they'll have their own decorating style -- and you can be guaranteed it will be completely different from our own. Anyways, it's so much easier for them just to drop into Ikea.

Kari from Meadowview Farm said...

Lani:
I have slowly become better at using my computer for ideas --- but I do still love the idea of a magazine arriving in my mailbox. I cherish every issue - keeping past issues organized by month to pull out and revisit every year.

I will do my part to connect vintage and "green". Guess we have a mission here!
Kari

Unknown said...

Hi there-
How sad, at least Country Living will still be out there! Bummer I really like Country Home. I liked your entry, my entire house is vintage, old, green, recyled, some new (like my underwear), and a few cottage elements. I think people are starting to shop second hand stores and flea markets more and more. It's rewarding to see what you can do with some of your "old" stuff. I love your blog too! Krista

decorator to the stars said...

I SORT OF FIGURED SOMETHING WAS UP WHEN THE PAST FEW ISSUES WERE A LITTLE THINNER :) I HAVE MY SUBSCRIPTION UNTIL 2012, SO I GUESS I'LL ADD IT TO MY COUNTRY LIVING SUB. INSTEAD. AS FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION NOT UNDERSTANDING THE "OLDEN DAYS" OF DECORATING :) I HAVE SEVERAL CUSTOMERS IN THEIR 20'S & THEY LOVE THE VINTAGE SHABBY, ETC.DECORATING STYLE. I DON'T THINK THESE STYLES WILL EVER GO AWAY.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lani - When I received my copy in the mail today it just seemed kind of pitiful in size. That's too bad. There were a lot of great contributors to the magazine and I hope they find other means of sharing their creativity with us.
Candy

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

Lanette--I am very sad about the magazine too--I have subscribed like forever and although i love the ideas i find here on blogs, I love magazines! I will vow to keep the old "in" because I love it and I can afford it.

Marge of Emmas Nook and Granny said...

So sad. Now what will I read in the car? I do love my computer and the internet, but you can't beat holding a magazine in your own two hands.

I don't think the problem is people not liking the country/cottage/vintage etc decorating look. In this lousy economy, companies are cutting back and spending less on advertising. No advertising dollars, no magazine. I wonder how many jobs were lost.

paperjunk-lc said...

Is Country living next?? The issue I got this week had the editor resigning and I thought it was one of their weaker issues.

Margo said...

I believe the reason CH and others are going under is due to lack of advertising dollars. Advertisers know they can get more bang for their buck on the internet etc. Follow the money. I think that decorating with the old, is still in vogue with the young folks. My niece is very into mid century modern. And one of the gals on our JB trip was in her 20's. Let's hope so anyway.

Karen said...

I was very interested in this blog entry. I thought I just a renewal for that magazine, but hate to see any business quit in this day. I think it's probably a sign of the day we are in. I personally, am wondering if MORE people will finally starting seeing the value in things that were tossed away and forgotten. We live in such a throw-away society, BUT, my feeling is that this will change. We all like "new" things, something different, and now may be the time for MORE vintage lovers?? Our younger generation does have a lot of people who are into a modern style only (I've never felt comfortable with a lot of it myself), but I totally agree, there are times when the old and new can join in perfect harmony. We've got the "green thing" going for us, reusing, recycling, maybe that will be a push for the junk style junkies! To me it's part of being grateful, being appreciative, and content. Karen

Karen said...

One more thought, I have to agree with "Italian Peasant"s comments, that young people do often love the old stuff. I think maybe there are two camps, the totally modern, and the ones some of us relate to a little more. When we had our sale in November, I was so surprised to see how many of the customers that raving about the stuff were actually young people! I think it goes with the vintage other things, like the tablecloths, the aprons, the simple toys, like you see going on Etsy???? No what I mean? Karen

Jake said...

I'm 29, and I love mixing modern items with vintage. I've been getting books from the library to help with ideas and books like 'Urban Country' are really helpful.

One example of not helpful was at a local high-end Odds & Ends store which is having a moving sale last week. When I described to the clerk/designer my 'style' aka what I like, I was told that wasn't a style. So, I guess other than calling it 'eccentric', maybe giving it a name would help. For now, 'Green' or 'Sustainable', I'm sure will work for some.

I guess the other hindrance is of the financial one. Many people in their twenties are in debt to hilt. As for me, I was fine and have savings, but I lost my job yesterday, as did many other people in my field in the last week, so I don't know how long before I find a job. I'm sure for other families out there that the max payout for unemployment insurance will not cover their mortgage and Cobra payments.

Also, some of the current savings was set aside for HSA copays. Both my spouse and I have chronic health problems, so we meet the max out of pocket early in the year.

Cynthia Holt Ziemian said...

Way to go Lani! Yes, yes, I have been trying to share with my dau and dil, the repurpose,,,purpose! I do hate the magazine go away, too, but I know that people are really, really counting their pennies and nickels...an even great reason to recycle and repurpose!
cynthia

Kim 'The Hillbilly' said...

I am saddened as well that Country Home is ending. I love that magazine, along with Country Living. The state of the economy right now should point people in the direction of decorating with flea market finds, junk treasures from Goodwill, etc. I find more pleasure in taking something discarded and reusing it than buying something new.

Holding a magazine in your hand, and using it as reference months down the line is something I love to do... I hope other magazines do not follow suit.

Kathy said...

Lani, I got my last issue of Country Home the other day and was a little heartsick...it's been around forever (it seems), and has always been so inspiring in style and articles - relating to our homes and lifestyle. The economy is affecting so many different areas of our life (a magazine being a relatively unimportant part of those things) - but nonetheless - one of our simple pleasures...
They sent a note saying that I would be receiving Family Circle in place of Country Home...which isn't even close to CH...so, I emailed them and told them I'd like a refund, or at the very least - the choice of some other magazine. So, we'll see what they say.
Maybe when the economy changes, CH will come back new and fresh and better than before. Hoping so anyway!
A lot of our customers (at fleamarkets/antique shows) are in their 20s and 30s, so I think alot of the appreciation is still there - but money is definitely tighter now. My daughter (in her 20s) loves vintage style clothes, decorating, etc. - but definitely has a simpler style than I do - so, I believe the love of the old/vintage won't die, but may change a bit...

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