So I’m hanging out in the kitchen with my Mom and my SIL over Thanksgiving… talking about recipes, etc. Someone says, “I sure miss Southern Living.” I had to agree. The whole publication has gone more Better Home and Gardens. Actually, Better Homes and Gardens isn’t even Better Homes and Gardens anymore. Now it’s BHG. How ‘now.’
The features in this month’s Southern Living pretty much sum up the decline. First of all, on page 52 there is this story, “Southern Beauty Secrets… Smoky Eye Made Easy” followed by mascara tips. Really. Is this why any of us read Southern Living?
The interiors have also descended to the lower ranges of boredom/stultification. Or they leave me scratching my head. In December, they featured this cave, err, kitchen:
I almost got a splinter in my haste to turn the page
One woman featured home decor tips. Here’s one view of her living room:
Two things: 1) Do you need a Christmas tree if you already have a hideous painting in Christmas colors? I say put some lights and balls on that thing. 2) The height of decor ingenuity and freshness is not a purple chair. I can't decide what the focal point is here. There's so much going on all at once. Don't miss the mirrored coffee tables. What is the curious sprocket decorative object?
The homeowner offer her style secret “When you use a strong color, you should pick it up in at least one other place in the room so it doesn’t look random.” You certainly wouldn’t want that to happen.
The other side of the living room. Let's count. #1 purple chair #2 Red armchair #3 Yellow checkered sofa #4 Leopard fabric ottoman #5 Red patterned chair #6 Polks dot pillows #7 brown checkered rug
Oh, Southern Living… come back to us! Come back!
Welcome to the somewhat decorative blog! It's all about cooking, gardening, design and DIY in, out and around our 150+ year old cottage in New Orleans. Since the house always has something going on with it (or falling off of it) I'm blessed with a never-ending supply of Web content to share. Have fun and drop me a line anytime: laurelstreetnola@gmail.com
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
The best part about that post was the caption on the first photo. Oh Nate, you crack me up.
Jesus! Did you really have to go there? My GOD! That kitchen scared the dingle berries out of me! WTF? Are you joshing me? These are really pictures from an old 70/80s issue, right? RIGHT?!!
Excuse me, I must blow my designer brains out.
The December issue had me thinking that I would end my subscription. Seriously.
I was SHOCKED to read that the house with the wood kitchen is in Charlottesville, VA…my city.
I know but my philosophy is “If you haven’t got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me.” Poking fun is what I do. And I laugh at myself plenty!!!
That kitchen???! I seriously had to check her clothes to make sure it wasn’t a photo from 1970. Even then I’m not sure.
I remember the old days when they published grit casserole recipes and articles about the ducks in that Memphis hotel.
sigh
You are so right about Southern Living!
I took it as a sign of the times that they had gone up on advertisements and down on content.
However, who gets Southern Living in order to see rooms decorated from the floor displays at Rooms To Go, and who wants Southern Living recipes with ingredients like non-fat yogurt?…
I couldn’t possibly agree more! Hate hate hate hate the kitchen-cave! I miss the old days of SL.
I agree its becoming such a disappointment. As a northern I always loved getting my Magazine down south, but I let it expire. Hopefully we will see a change back!!
xxx-Gina
Amen, brother. I, too, miss Southern Living. It’s totally worthless, only a couple of entries under the Home section. And smoky eyes, really! Thanks for the giggles, it’s more fun to laugh than get mad.
Well, I’m so glad it wasn’t just me!! I thought EXACTLY the same things on both of those articles. That kitchen, really? I kept thinking, “Ok, so where are the AFTER pictures? It was a shack and now what?” Oh, that it. It’s a shack.
UPDATE from Charlottesville! The house with the hideous kitchen is on the market…for many millions of dollars. I’m going to write about it on Monday. The house is a conundrum.
I loved the kitchen! It is true white-trash heaven…just like going out to a gourmet dinner at Taco Bell!