For you diehard fans, this will not come as news, but for most of you, I am sad to report that Country Home magazine has folded.
This was the magazine where I was an editor for many years before I joined the staff at Better Homes and Gardens. I enjoyed my time at Country Home so much and made so many friends, who have all been laid off in this awful economy. I know the parent company of Meredith Corp didn't make this decision lightly and will give the editorial staff support and fair severence, but I still feel sad about the closing of the magazine.
One of my favorite projects I put in the magazine was this idea of taking an old book and making it into a functional clock. It was part of my monthly column called "Fresh Thinking" where I gave an easy eco craft project, my favorite new products and a simple tip you could do to make a difference. The styling and photography at the magazine were the best and it was so much fun working with everyone on shoots.
Here's another gorgeous eco craft project I had so much fun producing. Take old chipped wine glasses, tumblers and creamers and make them into candles. So easy and so nice!
On one fun shoot, I headed upstate in New York to the amazing gardens of master gardening guru Katherine Whiteside. When doing photo shoots at people's homes, sometimes the unexpected "shot" comes out as the best one. Here, we took Katherine's collection of dried ghourds from her garden and placed them on a sunny windowsill.
The rustic country kitchen shot is one of my favorites, because we didn't bring in a truckload of props, but used what was already there. All the fresh, organic ingredients on the table came straight from the garden...and the hanging binoculars scream for some casual birdwatching.
And near my house in Pennsylvania, I had so much fun producing this shoot of stylist Lynn Butler's house. This garden shot remains one of my favorites...all lit up with lanterns for a perfect summer dinner party. It was easily one of the easiest and most fun shoots I did for the magazine.
And then out in Mill Valley, CA, I had the best time producing this shoot of Lily Kanter's gorgeous home. This kitchen is my dream kitchen. The beautiful redwoods outside the window are so amazing.
And I even got to do some daring styling for the magazine. Here, I took books and flipped them inside out, so you saw the white pages as a cohesive color scheme. The magazine took risks and the magazine always produced inspiring, gorgeous photos for our readers.
I'll miss Country Home...and I wish nothing but the best for my former colleagues.
Oh, no! This is terrible! I dearly loved this magazine. :( It was one of my favorites!
Posted by: Dawn | January 12, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Right after I subscribed for a year to Cottage Living, it folded as well.
I just got a great subscription offer from Better Homes & Gardens, but I'm afraid to use it for fear that one week after I subscribe, this magazine will fold as well.
Posted by: DJ | January 12, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Whaaaat? I am a longtime Country Home subscriber and had no idea! In fact, they just "extended" my subscription because of a missed issue... I'm paid up until March of 2011!
Plus, on their website, they're still soliciting subscriptions.
Are you sure they're folding?
Also, what about the comment above re Cottage Living? I just subscribed to that as well, and my first issue was to have been Jan. 2009. Should I give up on ever seeing it? (Or in getting my money back??)
Posted by: Barbara | January 12, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I too will miss this magazine a lot.
I have been a subscriber for years.
Love the pictures and projects you shared in this post and remember them! I Loved the rustic kitchen shot too, so nice to know it is really like that and not staged, I often wonder about that.
also loved the blue on the house and her gardens are just beautiful.
that is an awesome photo, one I would love framed in my home.
thanks for sharing these memories of a wonderful magazine that will be missed .
Kathie
Posted by: kathie | January 12, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Bummer...it was such a great magazine!
Posted by: Victoria | January 12, 2009 at 11:55 AM
NO!!!!! I love this magazine!! This is one of the few I still buy!! I love the photo layouts and the articles soooo much! I hope all the people involved who worked at the magazine are able to go on to bigger and better things - my thoughts and prayers are with them.
Posted by: Sonja | January 12, 2009 at 12:21 PM
How do you melt the candles into the wine glasses?
Posted by: JJ | January 12, 2009 at 12:31 PM
So Sad!
Posted by: Cindy L. | January 12, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Thanks so much for this trip down memory lane. I was saddened to hear about CH's closing, as well as so many other shelter mags that I love. Here's to bigger and better things for all involved.
Posted by: Rachel | January 12, 2009 at 01:50 PM
I too loved this magazine. Thanks for sharing the photo memories. I also got a renewal form just last week in the mail...
Posted by: mel24 | January 12, 2009 at 02:02 PM
Oh no, I'm so sad to hear this - I dearly loved this magazine!! No more Country Home, no more Cottage Living, what next??
Posted by: beki | January 12, 2009 at 02:39 PM
I live in Des Moines, so we are losing a fabulous magazine and wonderful employees as well. Very sad!
Posted by: Chris P | January 12, 2009 at 08:10 PM
How sad :(
Posted by: Kat | January 12, 2009 at 10:08 PM
it's very sad!!!! I loved CH and looked forward to it coming every month!!
Posted by: berton | January 13, 2009 at 12:44 AM
I have been devastated all day hearing this news. I am a long time reader/subscriber and had heard nothing! Nothing on their website either.
Country Home is my all time favorite magazine - it has been for years and years... I will miss it sooooo much :(
I remembered every one of those beautiful projects and photos Danny! Thank you for all your talent!
Meg
wild child
www.megibug.blogspot.com
Posted by: Megan Walker | January 13, 2009 at 04:06 AM
I find it very sad Country Home will no longer be published. It was one of my favorite magazines. I looked forward each month to seeing the latest issue. Maybe one day it will be published again.
Posted by: Mary | January 13, 2009 at 05:38 PM
I use to love Country Home Magazine. But along with Country Living Magazine it to quit putting the old antiques and ideas in it. They would showcase actual homes that had been made over with what the family had. This would give the readers ideas and also showcase there antiques and would really let the readers know whast was out there. I would see the magazine and fall in love with a antique or stlye and would have to have it. So off the antique malls I would go or to the flea market, yard sales, estate/tag sales. I did what ever it took to find that special item. I quit buying these 2 magazines years ago due to there drastic changes in stlye and most of them now are only advertisements. I am surprised that they didn't go out of business years ago.
Posted by: Delores Somers | January 13, 2009 at 06:10 PM
are you kidding me?!?! i didn't know about this. it is my most favorite magazine, EVER!!! i am like barbara, just renewed and no idea about this.
boo-hoo!!!!!
danny, i know you are in the know about a lot of things, are you 100% positive about this one?!?!?!
please tell me it is an early april fool's joke.
Posted by: gina | January 14, 2009 at 03:49 PM
My new year's resolution is try one new healthy, happy idea a month. Whether it is trying a new eco friendly product for the house, or an interesting food or fruit that I've never tried before. Or reading something I wouldn't normally pick up. Nothing crazy or over the top. Just simple stuff to broaden my view of things.
Posted by: claire's mom | January 14, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Gina,
Alas, the news was confirmed (via recorded message) when I called their "Customer Service" number.
I have filed a complaint w/the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov)as Country Home has not acknowledged my e-mails and only as of today have they stopped soliciting new subscriptions on their website (if you click on "subscribe" you are led to Traditional Home instead). They don't seem to have a high regard for their customers, to say the least. It was a good magazine while it lasted ... let's hope something as good or better will come along.
Posted by: Barbara | January 14, 2009 at 07:14 PM
thanx for confirming barbara.
i am very bummed b/c like i said above it was my most favorite magazine.
:(
Posted by: gina | January 14, 2009 at 09:49 PM
Mine too! Hopefully my next favorite (the British edition of Country Living... pricey but gorgeous) will stay in business for many years to come.
Posted by: Barbara | January 14, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Thanks for letting us know about Country Home. I, like most of your readers, am shocked by the closing. As a longtime subscriber, I had no idea.
Posted by: cori | January 15, 2009 at 07:20 PM
I gasped when I read this in the paper. I "discovered" the British version over the holidays and loved it as well. So much for getting attached.
When it returns, it will have new life. Soon...hopefully!
Posted by: NJ | January 16, 2009 at 01:41 AM
Danny,
Thanks for a wonderful post. Working with you was the very best. I'll miss Country Home but I'm so grateful for the relationships I made while there.
Cheers to better things to come.
PS. Did I ever show you my cork trick?
Posted by: dd | January 16, 2009 at 01:10 PM