Customer Reviews

Arts & Crafts Homes (2-year)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Just got the premiere issue of Arts & Crafts Homes, a new magazine from the same folks who make Old House Interiors. Several things recommend it over American Bungalow, which I do also enjoy - better quality printing and sharper photographs; far better typography and better laid-out pages (in fact, generally better art direction than most home magazines, and more sensitivity to the subtleties of type); a wider range of subject material - they are not quite as orthodox as Style 1900 and American Bungalow; and a better article-to-ad ratio. Of course, that last one could simply be a symptom of this being the firsts issue, so I'll have to keep reading to find out if it stays true.

It's definitely worth picking up a copy; the current issue has extensive articles on Chicago bungalows, new work from a California artisans guild (including Debey Zito) and lots (really!) more.

(from http://www.hewnandhammered.com/)

I was enthusiastic about subscribing to Arts & Crafts Homes magazine, as well as another home magazine (Old House Journal) at a reduced price through Amazon. It is clear to me at this point, however, that these prices are a device to get rid of back issues. Both magazines have filled half of my one year subscription with an initial mailing of back issues. I am NOT happy! I would have liked to have known what I was actually buying before purchasing these subscriptions.

I ordered this magazine through Amazon in Sept., expecting my subscription to start in Oct./Nov.with the current Fall issue. On 10-07-09, I received the Fall issue and the two issues preceding it! Since I already had them, I called the number listed here and told them that I thought I was paying for the current issue and the ones following it. I was told the subscription included previous issues and I pointed out the listing does _not_ say that and that I already had them. I was finally told I would be credited for the two and would now get the three to follow the current issue they sent. When I tried to get an email confirming this, the first response said my order would include the previous issues again! A second claimed it was now taken care of but still no direct confirmation that my subscription is supposed to end up to/and including the Summer 2010 issue.

Be aware that Amazon's own magazine help page states that magazines you order are supposed to start with the current issue depending on the company's mailing cycle and when they get your order, _nowhere_ does it state they can send you _back issues_ to satisfy your subscription order. Per Amazon..."Once you've placed an order, it takes one to two weeks for your subscription to be received and scheduled by the publisher. Your subscription is then added to the publisher's next production cycle and shipped via standard mail. For example, if your monthly subscription was ordered and received by the publisher in November, and the December issue has already shipped, your order may be added to the January mailing."

I won't be ordering this magazine again after this subscription runs out. Aside from finding it to be mostly ads and not nearly as comprehensive as American Bungalow (or even Style 1900), the fact that the parent company tried to complete half my order with unsold back issues(that they were apparently trying to unload) and the poor customer service means to me that they are _not_ interested in keeping the business of new customers.

See reviews by Moonheart & Rasmussen. This magazine company sent me 4 issues at same time in orer to fulfill one year subscription. Back issues were sent by company. I have many mag subs thru Amazon & all handled smoothly. Arts & Crafts Homes operates in fraudalent manner. DO NOT ORDER SUBSCRIPTION W/ THIS MAG.

Just got my first copy, was fairly disappointed due to the large amount of advertising and small amount of content about Homes. What was pictured was beautiful. I will give it another chance but at this point would not recommend it for someone like myself who is looking for practical ideas to bring their home into the Arts and Craft style.

I ordered the subscription on August 7th and nothing has been received!...it's now September 19th! What more need I say?!

I don't know why you would have to choose between this and Circa 1900 and American Bungalow. All of them are VERY high quality publications. I get them all. I am simply an addict to Arts & Crafts Homes and Furnishings. It honors true artisans and appreciation for the unique and full of character. Something refreshing in this era of condos and sloppy stucco homes. Arts & Crafts Homes Magazine is beautiful. I was thrilled when it started and I found it in the newstand and every issue has been equally as enchanting.

'Arts & Crafts Homes and the Revival' is a quarterly magazine targeted to readers and DIYers who like/love/adore the Arts & Crafts/Bungalow/Craftsman philosophy and esthetic in architecture and interior design. If you know the terms, you may have your own opinion about this magazine.

If you don't know these terms, do a quick search on 'Arts & Crafts,' 'Bungalow,' 'Craftsman,' William Morris, John Ruskin, Edward Burne-Jones, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Frank Lloyd Wright, and the California architects and brothers Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene; that will give you an idea of the scope of design and the vitality of the esthetic.

I could rave for pages about the A&C/B/C esthetic, but I'm supposed to be writing about the magazine. It's wonderful if you want information or resources to restore or recreate any building, interior, furniture, and/or other objects that fit in the general subset of A&C/B/C. Articles about the restoration or remodeling of a Bungalow/Craftsman-style home usually include extensive resource lists (architect, contractor, cabinetry, windows, wallcoverings, and suppliers of hardware), complete with phone numbers and websites.

I've bought it on newsstands on and off, and splurged for my birthday with a subscription. Regarding order fullfillment, I received the first issue in the time frame on the order confirmation, but the magazine was unpackaged and creased in half, marring the cover and some of the interior pages. More than other magazines, photographs are an important part of "A&CHatR", and it's disappointing to receive a magazine with obvious flaws from shipping. It also was the Summer 2010 issue that I already have. The good thing is that I received the new issue, Fall 2010, the next day, meaning that I won't have shipping problems (just condition ones).

No, I'm not a DIYer yet, but my husband and I are still looking for a house or condo. I'm trying to convince him that A&C/B/C is the way to go--but I promised him Sherlock Holmes' parlour (fireplace, Persian slipper, mail on the fireplace mantel) for his steampunk/Victorian man cave! I always show him photos of furniture and floorplans of remodeled houses, hoping he'll catch my excitement!

I have not received my first issue yet. Hope it will be worth the wait.