Even though it’s an increasingly digital world, buying a subscription to a print magazine in the home decor and lifestyle category offers benefits that I want to share today.
And there is more like a colorful party that our friends gave, what Mercedes served and what I wore. It’s time for my favorite things with Annie and Cindy.
Home Decor And Lifestyle Print Magazines, Why Subscribe?
We have a lot of digital content through our Apple One Family Plan Digital Subscription and their Apple News + channel. Like these photos from a recent Coastal Living digital magazine (that I also get in print).
BY STEPHANIE HUNT
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALI HARPER
STYLING BY GINNY BRANCH
But last weekend, while sitting by the pool and completely unwinding, I was reminded why the print versions can still be a satisfying choice.
Tangible Inspiration You Can Hold
There’s something special about flipping through a beautifully designed paper magazine. The tactile experience of glossy pages bring inspiration to life in a way digital versions often can’t replicate.
Curated, High-Quality Content
Home decor and lifestyle magazines often feature content that’s been thoughtfully edited and professionally produced—expert tips, seasonal trends, real home tours, and timeless design ideas.
A Screen-Free Escape
In a world dominated by screens, a physical magazine provides a welcome break. It’s an opportunity to slow down, sip a beverage, and enjoy some unplugged “me time” while gathering ideas for your home, entertaining, or wardrobe. It’s one of those little luxuries that feels like self-care.
Recommended Titles to Consider:
Bear in mind that some print magazines now only come out quarterly or 10 times a year. And when you subscribe, it may be automatically renewed on your credit card (so you will need to cancel through the website or customer service, if necessary).
- Coastal Living
- House Beautiful
- Southern Living
- Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles
- Food & Wine
- Architectural Digest
- Traditional Home
A home decor and lifestyle print magazine subscription can be a monthly dose of inspiration delivered right to your door. And you can take it with you to the beach, your porch or even on an airplane.
Do you have a print subscription that feels like a little luxury?
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Our Friends’ Colorful And Delicious Dinner Party
Mercedes and Mark invited us over to celebrate Howard’s and our good mutual friend, Tony’s birthdays.
The Menu
To start, they served White Linen Cocktails with gin, cucumber and elderflower liqueur and a lovely charcuterie board.
Then Mercedes served a Baby Gem Salad With Crispy Halloumi. So delicious!
“To make the crumbs, grate the sturdy cheese on the large holes of a box grater, then sizzle the strands in an oiled skillet. Here, pistachios and whole spices, like fennel or coriander seeds, are also added for a boost of flavor and even more textures.”
For the main course, we had a truly decadent Spicy Shrimp with Andouille Sausage on Grits that our son, Tommy (who loves this dish) said it was the best he had ever had!
Mercedes’ Colorful Whimsical Table Setting
The salad plates have a hand-painted feel and Mercedes said she got them at World Market! The drinking glasses were featured on one of my Sunday Faves and she bought them. She figured out how to order them from Target as when I tried to do it kept saying sold out. But she ordered several sets of three and it worked!
Comfortable Linen Outfit
This is from the outfit that I featured in a collage last week.
Hydrating Nars lipstick (Mercedes borrowed mine and is wearing it in the above photo–then she ordered it 🙂 • linen shirt and matching pants • $15 Loft tank top • espadrille sandals I bought a 6.5 in these and normally wear a 7
Summer Wedding Attire
I wore this Nicoblue dress Friday night for our son’s wedding welcome party with these comfortable sandals and a woven leather convertible purse from Quince. More details about the small Catholic service and dinner to come.
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Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
I much prefer a print magazine. I love those big glossy pages that I can go back to look at often. I love to take a coffee out on the front porch and flip through a magazine. I also keep a small stack on my coffee table, not just for myself but for company. I, also, prefer a book, instead of reading on my IPad . I tried that but didn’t much like it. Yes, they are cheaper but I need the tactile feel of an actual book.
Leo is so cute!
I have a love/hate relationship with my laptop: I lose way too much time “researching” things these days, yet I appreciate having info at my fingertips. All that to say that books and magazines really satisfy in ways that digital does not! Do add Traditional Home to your list: I bought many of their quarterlies while doing a veeery long home build and they provided top-notch inspo! Long ago, Metropolitan Home was a favorite (long gone, I believe). They featured a Thayer Coggin transitional sofa (high back and arms, no skirt) repeatedly in 1994-95, we bought it in sage cotton velvet, and it is still the center of our living room 30 years later! Leo is adorable, and I think I see Papa in his little face. Thank you for the two well-reviewed recipes, now saved. You look lovely in your summer gown!
I do miss reading print magazines but I found I really wasn’t looking at them much so I’ve cancelled all for now. Who knows – I may pick one or more back up again. I really got tired of all the pages and pages of advertisements (esp for pharmaceuticals).
Your little grandson is a doll!
What an adorable grandson! He looks like he is ready to take off walking! Those are such fun but challenging years for mothers but great for grandmothers! I’m your size and coloring and find a mid dress is a maxi on me. Your blue print dress is lovely. You even wear my size in shoes! Of course I’m a generation older at 80. But I style love to be comfortable and stylish. Age is just a number and not that relevant to me only health and family make living truly vibrant and fulfilling. I’m very sorry that I can no longer handle anything printed due to an allergy to the ink used. I’m very grateful that digital exists now so that I can continue expanding my world vision.
Would you mind sharing the link to your Apple watch band? Thanks!
here you go… https://go.shopmy.us/p-18936679
Thanks for a nice tribute to print magazines….I agree totally. And I love your blog as well and have used your photos for inspiration in my own home.
I still get about 4 magazine subscriptions in print. I was a bit disappointed in Traditional Home recently, still love the magazine but gone are the thick glossy pages. Only the cover is now. Considering the price of the magazine and that it’s only quarterly not sure why they had to go cheaper. I love picking up Southern Home on occasion but at $15 per issue at the newsstand, no thanks. I would rather fork out $20 for a book like copy of Frederic. I never give any magazines my credit card number these days, they auto-renew and it can be a headache to cancel.
Looks like a nice party. Beautiful table scape!
Linda
Yes…sometimes I am disappointed with Trad Home too.
Hi Mary Ann
I agree about the print magazines! I subscribed to Milieu online and I forget to read it half the time. I do like to have those images online so I can share them on the blog. I wish we could get both and pay for one! Mercedes table is beautiful!! I tried to order those Target glasses in blue and they said sold out as well…they are so good!
Hi Mary Ann,
Print magazines are the only thing I would ever read. The thought of going on line to read is something I would not do.
Leo is super cute. Great pic of you both.
Mercedes is an incredible cook. Beautiful table she created.
Pretty dress you wore to the wedding party.
Mercedes really is amazing!
I enjoy VERANDA and FLOWER magazines.
Mary Ann! What a beautiful post and exactly why everyone loves Classic Casual Home! I agree wholeheartedly about the joys of reading a print home decor magazine!
Mercedes’ dinner party looks so beautiful! And i must try that salad with crispy halloumi!
Love your dress and linen stripe set!! Leo is adorable! Can’t wait to hear more about the ceremony!
Xx
MaryAnn, your Nicoblue dress looks beautiful on you. I am looking for a mother of the groom dress for my son’s May wedding next year. It will be held at the end of May in Atlanta so it will be hot. From reading your posts, we
are about the same age and height. Can I ask what size you are wearing and did you have to have a lot of alterations done to the dress.
Thank you for your time and I always look forward to your posts.
Nancy
I got a petite 8….which is sold out but you could look at their other dresses in petite. So no alterations were needed.
I really like the British House & Garden. https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/
Mary Ann! I love your mention of print magazines and couldn’t agree more. A feast for the eyes. I always put a stack in our guestroom, and everyone always ends up saying they need to resubscribe and dig into magazines again. Happy Summer
I know! I am worried that they might go extinct.
I enjoy the magazine Traditional Home and love feeling the cover of a real book. Such a simple pleasure. AND turning the pages of a newspaper with a pen in hand to work out the Sudoku!
I need to add Trad Home to the list!
I have managed to forget Traditional Home. I’m off to subscribe again. I do love a good shelter magazine.
Oh gosh – they are no longer in print.