Southern Living Magazine Moderns-Up
By Jane T ~ October 11th, 2009. Filed under: Décor.
Southern Living Cover September 1966
When SL magazine made its debut in 1966 I was a kid in California. My mother subscribed to her share of design magazines and I spent hours pouring over the glossy pages looking at the stylishly decorated rooms.
Fast forward to 2009: I was familiar with Southern Living, but had never seen a copy until Miranda, a publicist for the magazine asked if I would be interested in taking a look at the new revamped issue debuting this month. I was a kid all over again waiting for it to arrive.
Southern Living cover October 2009
As I explained to Miranda, I will be offering a unique review as I don’t have any preconceived opinions of what was or what should be. This is my initial reaction to seeing a publication for the first time.
The premise behind the revamp was to keep step with the changing Southern woman, who according to the press release, is busier than ever and headed towards a new modern style of living in the South. Since we at Atticmag focus on home interiors, design and shopping, I concentrated my browsing on those categories. Here are a few features.
Made by Southern Hands is a unique collection of goods made by Southerners that are available online. Busy folks are looking to the internet for gifts and this is a super way to satisfy that need and support local artisans at the same time.
Decorating Step-by-Step. Nothing demonstrates an idea better than a visual. Here, four photos with simple explanations show how to decorate a dining room sideboard.
Inspiration from a Chattanooga Bungalow offered a couple of things I really appreciated. One was the idea of enlarging and framing old letters as art. Big bold, dare we say a new kind of modern art?
Also, being a rug lover, I couldn’t help but notice the in-your-face orange dhurrie sprawled on the porch. But with no mention of it in the article, I headed to the resource page where I found it was a discontinued item. However, there was a notation of a similar style rug available at West Elm. Wow, how great is that? They did the leg work for me! Also, I liked that the homeowner’s favorite antique haunts were listed complete with online web addys so we can all take a peek at where the locals like to browse.
Can You Update My House shows a before and after rendering and sources for the paint, shutters, windows and garage door.
There were a number of busy mom/gal articles and a new recipe feature “Mama’s Way or Your Way” – dishes as mama made them or a simpler version for today’s cook. Healthy Living offered more ways to lighten up your eats and staying fit. Those who live in the South or plan to visit will enjoy the various tips on places to see as well as gardening how-to’s.
I had a good first impression of SL. With the recent demise of so many shelter magazines, it’s nice to see one that appears to be making a concerted effort to adapt to the changing lifestyle of its audience. And for the first time in the SL’s history, there is a female Editor-in-Chief on board. But the real question is, can they continue to churn out equally engaging issues.
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October 11th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
I agree with you that the new issue was great. I have been subscribing to Southern Living continuously since I got married 21 years ago.
There were some beautiful features in this magazine. Enjoyed the Stylish Gifts for Fall article with things that can be purchased regionally. I also loved the bungalow with the enlarged envelope on the wall. Neat!
My hope is that SL will continue to stay southern. I’m 46 which I don’t consider to be old. So many magazines seem to be looking very modern and I personally don’t know anybody of any age who decorates that way. Maybe I’m just out of the loop.
October 11th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
This is what I sent to Southern Living after getting the current issue in the mail (and judging from several message boards/blogs, I’m the only one this disappointed in the changes. That’s ok.) :
“I have been a subscriber to “Southern Living” for many years and have always
been very pleased with each issue. I save most of them and have many pages
turned back for ideas.
I have noticed a few changes to recent issues and am very disappointed.
One new feature that I find ridiculous is the “Love it? Get it!” little captions
on some of the pages. {Note: this feature was in the last month’s issue, I did not see it in the current issue. Not sure if it will become a regular thing.}
Another is the excessive use of exclamation marks, and explanations (some even
numbered) of various ideas as if we, the readers, cannot figure things out for
ourselves. I almost feel like I’m reading a Dr. Suess book.
However, the most annoying to me, are the arrows pointing all over the place.
Again, I can figure out for myself what pictures go with what text, I do not
need juvenile graphics pointing the way for me.
Please, go back to the sophistication that made “Southern Living” stand apart
from other magazines that are dumbing down their pages for readers. I would take
a guess that most of your readers are in my age group, 40’s and above ….. not
teenagers that only understand cell phone texting language.
I would also like to see more diversity in designs. I am noticing that so many
magazines now look more and more like Pottery Barn catalogs, and I hope
“Southern Living” does not continue down that path. We can view only so many
rooms with seagrass rugs over distressed wood floors, “clean lines” type
furniture, white cabinets w/stainless, dark granite and baskets everywhere, etc.
There are so many styles that could be featured, yet most of the ones I’m seeing
from month to month could belong to the same house.
It’s bad enough that each month, your magazine shrinks more and more and has so
few ideas. I hope that the quality does not continue to shrink as well.”
So…that’s how I feel about the changes. I hope I’m wrong and that SL does not sacrifice it’s traditional roots just to become another Pottery Barn catalog magazine.
October 11th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
I used to buy Southern Living, but haven’t been buying many mags for some time. The cover posted reminds me of the other mag, Southern Accents, which I recall as a more relaxed magazine.
SL was one of my favs and I thought it was just fine! Why the need to change a good thing? I will have to check it out and compare to some of my old issues. From the images above, I’d say it’s reminding me of something like Country Living.
Love the letter art! What a great idea.
October 11th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
As a Southern girl who has always lived in Birmingham – home of Southern Living – I have been a reader for many years. I saw this issue last week at my hair salon, where I usually read (or the dentist office). I stopped subscribing to SL about 5 years ago, when it seemed to be too much traveling, recipes, gardening, etc for me. Not enough articles on remodeling and decorating.
I like most of the changes made in this new design, but I’m with Southern Lady (above) with the numbers and arrows. I especially like the inclusion of web addresses and/or vendor suggestions and favorites.
I’ll keep reading issues, but can’t say I will start subscribing again. Great review, JaneT.
October 11th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I am a Southerner – so OF COURSE I read Southern Living. That is just “what you do” if you grow up in The South! Personally, I have always felt that Southern Living needs a few more pages dedicated to decorating/home. -But that is because I prefer to look at pretty rooms – rather than cook or garden. That said – You can trust EVERY recipe that you try in Southern Living. They have an excellent test kitchen.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I don’t live in the south, but I love the style in this magazine. I’m also happy to see that Hoyte has found a new home. His article was always my favorite in Cottage Living.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I have read Southern Living for years. I have heard mixed reviews on the latest changes. Actually, I kind of liked the October issue. I like the home decor sections but I also like the recipes and gardening sections as well. I’m glad to see they have a female editor-in-chief. I could be completely wrong, but, I’m guessing that the majority of the readership of SL is probably female.
I also agree with the previous poster that the magazine had been shrinking in recent years. I wish SL well and hope that it will continue to be successful.
Thanks for the post.
Christi
October 12th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
My daughter and I both love this mag and we were able to update our subscription when Amazon offered it for 5 bucks!! Were we thrilled –I believe that offer has ended, however!
October 12th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Oh my, I LOVE that enlarged letter art work. I need to look into something like that.
If you haven’t already come link up at my Room a month makeover. http://theshadesofpink.blogspot.com/2009/10/room-month-monster-dominoes.html
October 12th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
I used to eagerly anticipate Southern Living magazine. As a matter of fact, when I was first married in the 70’s we referred to it as the Junior Service League how-to manual. Now I flip through it while standing in a check out line and then put it back. The decorating section is the first place I look and for years it has become more and more disappointing. I can remember actually driving to a SL idea house just to see it in person. The last few years I haven’t even wanted to buy the issue featuring these houses. There is a “style” of Southern decorating that the magazine has watered down into a “model home” look. In my humble opinion, if they want to appeal to a Southern audience, then they need to have a different look than the generic magazines that target anyone. I can buy these magazines if I want to see the “model home” look. Why buy Southern living and see a house that could be Anywhere, USA? What I would like to see in order of interest to me: more decorating featuring real Southern homes decorated by real Southern people. Month-by-month gardening; recipes featuring seasonal foods; travel if they must.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
How funny to read that this was a re-vamp of the lovely magazine that is Southern Living…I had just finished reading my October issue a few days ago and threw it in the ‘not-a-keeper’ box with some other magazines that I’m decluttering right into the recycle bin. Over the last few years, I’ve kept some Country Living, tossed others, kept almost all my House Beautiful issues, and only thrown out maybe one Southern Living. I had no idea what was wrong with the issue, I just didn’t care for it, and felt that the writing style was too choppy.
Ah well…………….Sometimes my taste is not the same as that of others. For example, I loved Cottage Living and look what happened to that!
Like someone else already commented, I’ve often wished for just a little more home decorating in my Southern Living, but other than that, it’s a fabulous magazine; Great recipes, interesting travel, wonderful gardening and fabulous photos. They shouldn’t mess with success.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:37 am
I live in the Northeast and have purchased some issues over the years but have recently become a subscriber after my favorite shelter magazine Cottage Living ended. I miss that magazine so much, I really enjoyed the new issue and it reminded me a little of CL. I hope they keep the changes.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Thank you for the insights, I think I would really like to subscribe.
-Angela
October 16th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
I lOVE Southern Living and usually jump right to the recipes. Thanks for coming by earlier. To answer your question, the pot roast does not taste like coffee. I just think something magical happens and all the ingredients just combine nicely and enhance one another.