I’ve always enjoyed magazines. I keep them long after their news stand shelf life. I pull some of them out year after year. I tear pictures out of them sometimes and file them away (often never to be located again). I enjoy the easily-absorbed information and inspiration that comes from quick-read magazine articles. I like the quick tips and strong visuals many of them offer. I like turning the pages, thumbing through them and stopping on a whim. I like something I don’t have to read sequentially to enjoy. I like the opportunity to pick them up or toss them aside without feeling as if I’ve missed part of the plot. Naturally, I love design-oriented magazines, from architecture and fashion to interiors, home lifestyles and crafts. Sometimes, I even enjoy pulling a off-topic magazine from the shelf every now and then to step outside my normal inspiration box.
When I began hearing about the trend in publishing to create digital versions of newspapers and magazines that could be enjoyed on digital devices like the Kindle, iPhone or iPad, I was skeptical. After all, many of the appealing aspects of browsing magazines for me come from being able to hold them in my hands. However, I decided to explore some of the online magazine options out there. I’ve particularly enjoyed the ones that are designed to resemble the standard page-turner format, modified for digital media. I’ve found a couple of online publications that have been both inspiring AND enjoyable to read from my computer. I thought I would share my favorites over the next few weeks.
I’ll start with LONNY MAGAZINE. This great read is actually available in print form, but it began as exclusively digital. The publication’s focus is on home decor and lifestyle, and it boasts great photography and styling as well as some pretty cool profiles of great designers and well-designed products. I love how they describe themselves…
“At Lonny, we believe in making design choices that lead to personal happiness. We value individual style and independent thinking, and are convinced that inspired design can be achieved anywhere—from the smallest studio apartment to the grandest estate.”
That’s right up my alley. These spreads from the October/November issue are just a glimpse at the inspirations waiting behind each click of the mouse. I particularly loved the feature on designer, Celerie Kemble.
