The Estate of Things

I agree with Sarah’s comment from the Sunday Reading post - that the magazine world would be remiss not to engage bloggers as the same community. I’m really interested to see how the glossy medium continues to adapt to the threat of the internet. As advertising dollars continue to decrease, will these publications find new innovative ways to monetize so they can continue to carry the expense of publication and distribution?  We physically love to hold and smell and thumb through the pages of a great shelter magazine. How will we satisfy this tangible allure as we tread deeper into digital publication?

I had some conversation with Robert from Downtown about the collapse of many of our favorite magazines. He had some interesting points about why he particularly thought it was a travesty, pointing out that photography is never accurately presented on the computer screen, thus images of interiors are never presented in their true state, mis-conveying perhaps the beauty of the room’s colors. I found this to be quite interesting and valid. We discussed the Australians and Canadians and our mutual appreciation for their contributions to the racks. As a result of this conversation, he mentioned a News Stand that I should check out where I could find these publications and more.

So, before leaving West Hollywood, we stopped in at Sherwood Magazines and bantered some more with the guys running this little shop. I don’t think I caught the shop owner’s name but he was so very friendly and savvy, maybe a genius. I felt so happy for him, for jumping on an opportunity to satisfy a need that he saw in the community. Sure, there are newstands everywhere, or you can go peruse Barnes & Noble for your best bet at a great collection of magazines…. but this man is personally piecing together a collection of magazines that are specifically relevant to the art and design industries. For as long as there are magazines in print, his shop is sure to be a gem in the West Hollywood hood.

While eating Cheerios this Sunday morning I was perusing through Elle Decor and realized…

In the past two months design bloggers have been turning up in shelter magazines quite frequently. Who’s been popping up?

The designs of one of my favorite bloggers, Erika McPherson Powell from Urban Grace, was featured in the February issue of Southern Living.  Urban Grace Interiors will also hit the glossy pages of Coastal Living next month with a feature of some of Erika’s kitchen designs. Erika tells me that the feature was intended for Cottage Living but the magazine folded (tear) before the story ran.

After picking up Elle Decor’s February issue just yesterday I discovered Jamie Meares’ store Furbish Studio is listed as What’s Hot in shopping. In that same issue Meg from Pigtown Design was quoted in the Baltimore feature.  Coincidentally, I just visited Meg’s blog for the first time last week after she left us a little comment here.  Thanks for the heads up on Milkshake Meg, I’m curious.

I recently read that Better Homes and Gardens has contacted Lauren of Pure Style Home and wants to drop in for a photo shoot. Her home is slated to appear in the December 2010 issue.

The mother/daughter team from good bones, great pieces designed Lauren’s first apartment together. That apartment was featured in this month’s Traditional Home.

***Update***thanks to the readers, I need to add the following bloggers in the press

John and Sherry from Young House Love write a column for DIY magazine (an extension of BHG) called He Said She Said, their most recent entry came out in the January issue.

Thats all I have heard in the pipeline for now, am I missing someone? Please let me know, I’d like to post about it.

A new magazine Flea Market Style will hit newstands February 23, 2010.  Most major retailers will carry it including Barnes & Noble, Target, Walgreens, Walmart, Borders and CVS to name a few. I’m a little curious… since I’m crazy about magazines and all.
 

I’d like to read it right before hitting the flea market or the antique fair, its like training before the big game to get you pumped up.

Liberty of London will be coming stateside on March 14, 2010 to a Target near you. The collection will not be limited to clothing, home and garden goods will be included.  Those of you that can’t get enough of Liberty’s florals will certainly be drooling.

Thanks to the blog Apartment #412 I discovered that Rita Konig (former Domino staffer) writes a regular column called Inside Out for the New York Times T Magazine.

Perhaps I’m behind…but I’m not any longer. In fact, I’m almost totally caught up because I spent a chunk of time today going through all of Ms. Konig’s posts.

Here are a few topics covered,

Rita’s sofa redo

The completion of a bachelor’s study

Tabletop vignettes

The book Downtown Chic has been on my book radar for several months now.

The Novogratz family has also been on the radar because of this gem of a summer house in South Egremont, Massachussets which has been featured in numerous places including New England Home.

The Novogratz duo (+7) popped back in to my mind again when I was viewing the fantastic selection of design books at The Paris Market in Savannah.

image via Fine Things and Big Dreams

And it seemed to be really following me around after I read Lauren’s nice little review of the book at Pure Style Home.

I thumbed through the book and read the first two pages at The Paris Market last Thursday. After reading the first few sentences I knew I needed it. The gist, two people meet in North Carolina while the girl is in college, they move to Manhattan so boy can be stock broker and girl can pursue acting and fast forward…they marry, have seven children and begin flipping house–big houses.  By the way if you’re reading this Cortney & Robert–I’d love to have a copy!

So I did some digging about the Novogratz family and Sixx Design because I don’t have the book yet. And I found out that they have been busy moving themselves in a slightly different direction as a result of the housing slump.  Currently, that direction includes signing the whole fam up with Ford Modeling Agency and getting a deal with Bravo to do a reality series called Design Sixx.  I can’t find an exact start date but Bravo’s release statement said it would begin this month.

One of the episodes promises footage of a cab ride with Cortney as she goes in to labor with her seventh child, plus they’re gonna flip houses, occassionally party like rock stars and raise seven children.  La vie boheme.

Also interesting is the NY Times article called, Branding The Family.

*****Update*****: According to the New York Social Diary, the show’s name has changed to 9 x Design and it will air this Spring.

175 antique dealers will be in Raleigh, NC for an Antiques Extravaganza. The event will take place January 15-17, fork out $7.50 for a weekend pass. Visit the event website for more info.

RIP Brittany Murphy, stellar in both Clueless and Girl Interrupted.  Thank you Brittany for vocalizing that portion of Coolio’s song so perfectly.

We had to return from holiday break for a quick note about The Homies.  The Homies is a best blog contest going on over at Apartment Therapy.

It’s pretty simple, click here and if you like us and you think The Estate of Things should be nominated then by all means pop one in the ballot box for us.

Thanks again for reading, Happy Holidays

I’m sure you’re all at the edge of your seat wondering about my apartment hunt. My apologies for my spotty at best posting. There is news. I found one. The only reason I haven’t shared that with you, is because I was trying desperately to hold out for pictures I take myself of the charming elements of the chosen home. Here is a sneak peak - the image that prompted me to visit the place. (They had crap images on the ad).

I had mentioned before that the search was a practice in compromise. And so, in some ways this place isn’t my dream. However, I’m happy with my decision and very much looking forward to moving into my own spot and decorating the shit out of it. (I tried to get keys to the door this weekend, but sometimes bureaucracy slows things down a bit.) Details to come, believe me!!

On a personal note, my life has been moving at an alarming pace. Many fantastic things are happening and I’m trying to swallow it all, meanwhile I keep fighting the bitter aftertaste of the compromises I’ve made to get out here.

In the thick of college when Sarah and I were fully used to being in each other’s face 24/7, several of our close group of friends split up for a WHOLE summer. I was off to New Hampshire to teach art at a sleep-away camp, Joel was off to a fancy internship in Pittsburgh, Parker and Dan were going away to romp around Spain. Sarah was amazed at my ability to say goodbye so casually.

I learned something from her in that experience. Mostly that I suck at dealing with emotions rationally, or in the context of a present moment. I don’t know at the flash of goodbye how relationships will be affected, or what it will be like to miss people. I continue to learn from her that we love each other and are affected deeply by our friendship. I’m so glad that we have this blog together. She’s always supported me despite my fancies - no matter where I’ve run to or for what reason!

Thanks for bearing with me as I turned this Interior Design Blog post into a vomitous emo narrative - with topics that have certainly tread away from the LA Apartment Hunt. I have been asking a lot from a lot of people lately. So, I want this post to be a celebration. Not only that I’ve found an apartment finally! But also a thankful celebration for the tons of support I am receiving as I flip my reality upside down to take strides towards a full life!

My new job is with KCRW, Southern California’s leading NPR affiliate. Its so much more than just a radio station. (a quick FYI - I also write for a music blog, The AudioMuffin, which coupled with the success of TEOT helped me to land this new gig.) I’ve acquired this job with the radio station as an Interactive Producer. I am providing Music content for the site, as well as acting as a Social Networking host. Another big part of the job is supporting the DJs, Producers and PR teams as we transition their slew of blogs onto the Wordpress platform.  I’ve been at the station learning and doing my best to keep afloat and kick some ass. It’s fun and exciting and challenging to be the new girl. I have a lot to learn before I’m fully emersed in my new duties. But, I did just want to take a moment to explain where I’m at and why I’m here, and to give thanks for the friends that helped get me here!

Love,
Betsy

Sarah and I are both pretty excited to have wrangled Alia Teetshorn from Sweetshorn Vintage. She is now a returning guest author here at The Estate of Things, and will regularly be providing us all with her tidbits of thrifty wisdom.

If you aren’t already familiar with her beautiful ETSY shop, please visit now for a peak. Not only is this woman a wizard when it comes to picking out fantastic thrift store finds, she also impresses the crap out of us with her presentation of products.

Alia will be posting as often as she darn well pleases, and may decide to talk to you about thrifting, renovating her own home, cruising ebay, how to find color inspiration….. she may even drop some knowledge on you about her cat and/or renee zellweger. We told her she could tell you whatever she wants.

So, without further ado - a Warm Welcome to Alia. We are so glad to have her here as a regular part of The Estate of Things!