Comebacks we'd like to see: #24 --House & Garden magazine
Filed under: Extracurriculars
This post is part of our series ranking the top 25 bygone products and trends we'd like to see return.
Before Martha Stewart was even born; when Mid-Century Modern was in the future; before anyone had come up with the moniker "shelter mag," House & Garden magazine had already hit its stride. The magazine was launched in 1901 as an architecture journal, and was transformed into one of the first publications about interior design when the legendary Conde Nast took over a decade later.
While House & Garden would go through several rough spots (notably, being renamed "HG" when Anna Wintour, later to be the famous "Devil" and Vogue editor, was editor-in-chief), even closing down for a few years in the early 1990s, it was still always at the top of the list of venerable magazine titles. But in November 2007, Conde Nast announced abruptly that the December issue would be the magazine's last.
It was a personnel issue that prompted the magazine's closure; its publisher had left a month earlier, abruptly, after having set an awkward direction for advertisers. The declining ad revenue, housing downturn and rudder-less staff meant a turnaround would be slow and expensive; Conde Nast's management didn't have the stomach for it.
The magazine's departure, though, didn't sit well with its loyal readers' stomachs, and they've been clamoring to get the stylish title back (along with its vivid and talented editor, Dominique Browning) since the announcement was made. What will it take to give H&G one more life? We don't know, but we're certainly eager to see it happen.
Which defunct magazines do you miss?
Money Clips
- HILARIOUS: Warren Buffet Plays Axl Rose in New Commercial - Huffington Post
- ON THE PLUS SIDE: Where Home Prices Are Rising - CNNMoney
- FRICTION: Could China Trade War Put Walmart Out of Business? - 24/7 Wall St.
- PROFILE: Opinionated Auto Industry Insider Dies - FORTUNE
- DON'T LAUGH: More Homeowners Turning to Fake Grass - SmartMoney
- HIT HARDEST: States Hurt Most From Rising Gas Prices - CNBC
- GET YOUR MONEY'S WORTH: Best Cars to Buy Used - CBS MoneyWatch


Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-16-2008 @ 1:24PM
LindaV said...
Yes, I subscribed for many yrs, but HG had gotten waayyy too ritzy faabbulous for regular people with normal nice homes and garden fondnesses. Turning pages and feeling rich and dreamy may have been a happy pleasure for some but I eventually closed my blinds.
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7-15-2008 @ 8:29PM
Pam A said...
I miss H & G. I got a postcard saying they were ending it, as I subscribed. I was shocked.
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