Customer Reviews

Architectural Digest (2-year)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

'Architectural Digest' has changed over the years to become fussier and more lifestyle oriented than substantial architecture and design commentary. I still have a subscription, but intend to allow it to lapse when it expires for three primary reasons:

1) The magazine is huge and cumbersome, largely due to the massive quantity of advertisements;
2) The magazine exclusively highlights gazillion dollar homes, that only are a factor for celebrities;
3) Stylistically, the magazine seems stuck in a rut of cluttered end tables and credenzas, overstuffed pillows, and no space on a wall unoccupied by a huge, gold, gilded framed picture from eighteenth century France.

I don't like clutter, and I don't like being ornate to make a house look rich. That's why I no longer think this is a magazine that I really need. For me I will read 'Architecture' for serious architectural commentary, and 'Dwell' for reasonable (and financially attainable) interior design commentary. Thanks, but no thanks.

Architectural Digest is not an "architecture" magazine as many people believe it is. It began as an architecture magazine, but slowly became known for its coverage of building interiors that consumers wanted to see. This is true today, as the cover article is generally the about the interior of a famed actor, politician, designer, or artist's home. These articles are remniscent of a paper version of MTV's show "Cribs." While the articles about the interiors dominate, an accompanying photograph of the exterior tags along when appropriate. The articles discuss the ideas, sources, materials and inspiration behind the designs pictured. Each magazine generally has about one dozen such articles plus features.
The magazine caters to the needs of interior designers and those who can, or wish they could hire them. The magazine does not promote or favor either traditional or modern design.
AD (as it calls itself) is full of advertisements. Some people may find this irritating, but for a designer, decorator, or client searching for inspiration or sources this information is equally valuable as the articles and features. Ads are just as telling of where the industry is going and where it has been as any picture or text.
If you subscribe, do it because you know and want what AD is. It is expensive, thick, and very useful if you are interested with the cutting edge of interior design. Do not get it to learn more about architecture or for the quality or readability of its text. Pictures and advertisements are the game with AD.If you are still unsure, pick up one at the newsstand and check it out before you buy 12 issues - most issues are like the others and "special" issues are frequent but not really that different from the norm.

I used to love Architectural Digest. I got to admire and be inspired by incredible homes, and I couldn't wait to get my issue every month.

However, lately, I have seen less Architecture than Interior Design, and more ads than ever. I've even let my subscription lapse. Every now and again, I'll pick it up on the magazine rack, but only if the issue is architecture heavy, or covers a particularly interesting project in depth.

Architectural Digest used to be the pinnacle in the field, but now it is just a mixed bag.

In summary, this magazine portrays houses that you can't possibly ever hope to own in an "airbrushed" presentation that can't possibly match real life; it is "house pornography". It is exciting to read and puts plenty of ideas into your head.

You have to determine whether repeated exposure to this type of media will enhance your life or make you miserable. Hey, if you have a spare million dollars and need someone to tell you what is fashionable or in good taste--this is for you!

People complain about the ads--I complain about the articles. People get in the way. I note that none of the owners of these showpiece homes have children--most are living alternative lifestyles. Actually, the house becomes the product of the relationship instead of children. It is a fascinating cultural phenomenon and this magazine is the leading journal of the movement.

AD has lost its edge over the years as it has become more focused on life style rather than interior design (witness the extensive sections dedicated to world hotels and properties for sale, or look at the breezy, non-substantive "Letters to the Editor" to get an idea that AD is not taken seriously by designers).

Still, AD usually presents one designer, or two, whose work is inspiring, and it's Special Editions ("before and after," or "designers' own homes") usually make up for some disappointing months.

I love this magazine. Some reviewers have stated that they disliked some of the interiors. That's fine and fun! I show my husband some of the things (he's a graphic designer) and we have a great time laughing at some of the designs. Other times it's absolutely great. The latest issue (Aug. 2004) is one of the best and the theme is Exotic Homes Around The World, and they are all fantastic.

Of course I wish I could afford a lovely home such one of these in the magazine (maybe one day?) but in the meantime I can look at these homes and dream and also get great design ideas. This magazine is wonderful and relaxing to look at and read.

Once upon a time, what you saw in AD was what you might one day be able to do yourself. It was about tasteful, even higher end, but it was obtainable. Now it's about the houses and interiors that even the more successful of us out there will never be able to attain. Please quit touring the houses of the celebrities, the rich and famous, and instead go back to the days of those who were once like the rest of us. In short, go back to when the stuff we saw in AD gave us ideas for our own dream houses. Now you are the tasteful "home" equivalent of People Magazine...

It should be called "Digest for Decorators with Unlimited Budgets." Once a year there is an "architecture" issue, and there might be one article in other issues with architecture as the subject. If you really want something about architecture, you cannot go wrong with Architectural RECORD.

I am often amazed by how much money is spent on these homes and how little creativity is involved. I have been a subscriber [a gift from my family] for many many years and the magazine never changes. Every so often there will be something great, but there is much more beige wall to wall than anything else. Tasteful, safe and unimaginative. But of course they have high end advertisers to please. Long ago I stopped using the magazine for ideas.

I have had a subscription to this magazine for about three years and I have really enjoyed it. Although most of the time I mainly look at the pictures I have found that when I do read the articles they are quite informative. They offer sections such as: historic architecture (usuallly famed homes or architects are featured), Designers at Large (the design world favorite sources), celebrity and designers homes, and Estates for Sale (estates around the world for sale for high prices.) Like I mentioned in the title to this review there are quite a few advertisments but they are all for well known companies and most of them are very well done and interesting. (What magazine dosen't have thousands of advertisements =). This magazine proves to be quite the resouce for anyone interested in interior design and it usually has the most up to date designs and designers reviewed in it.