HG sans TV

I miss House & Garden magazine.  I know it will not come back.  It’s already had one rebirth, which is an amazing feat in itself.  To think that it will rise like a phoenix from the ashes of the ever-shrinking shelter magazine world is pure fantasy.

But still, I yearn for its sophisticated interiors.  Unlike its sister publication (which survived) I could relate to them.  As a young design professional, I looked to HG for inspiration while I sloughed away at the décor of some undistinguished one bedroom on the Upper East Side.  Aside from the features, HG had writing that was witty and ever so snarky;  “The Testy Tastemaker” and  “Gandee at Large.” to name two.

Let's start with the feature called "Parisian Purist," which shows the home of French gallery owner Eric Philippe.  I ripped these pages out of the magazine ages ago to add to my inspiration file (I think the jagged edges give it a certain je ne sais quoi, non?)  Unfortunately, there's no dateline on this article. but with a bit of research, I'd place it around 1990-91.

Above photo:
While New York was shaking off an ersatz English country moment, House & Garden (or HG at that point) boldly published these beautifully austere interiors, which showcase classic French modernism.

The sanded dining table and chairs are by Jean Michel Frank.  The painting is by Christian Bérard, c. 1940.

Above photo:
The 1938 sofa is by René Prou.  The cane and oak tables and terracotta lamp are by Jean Michel Frank.  The drawings are both Bérards.   The plaster gorgon sconces were created by Vladimir Androusov for André Arbus in 1937.

Above photo:
This fabulous vellum and walnut cabinet is by Jean Michel Frank.  Casually placed on top of it are a vase and a lamp, both by Alberto Giacometti.  All date to 1930.

Above photo:
What a great photo: outside looking in.  In the hall you get a glimpse of a 1945 gilded bronze by John Lundqvist, a student of Rodin's.   The director's chair is Hermès.

Clockwise from top left: the gorgon sconce; a portrait of Philippe's daughter; the bronze's head; the Bérard painting.


Eric Philippe opened his gallery near the rue de Rivoli in 1980, and it continues to thrive today.  But 20 years ago,  House & Garden featured his apartment over the shop.  This is Good Design.












"'I am attracted to the pure and the delirious.'" 
           ---- Eric Philippe as quoted in House & Garden

Thanks for reading, everyone!

Oh, I almost forgot...three readers knew the answer to the question on my premiere blog (the one before this one, of course).  It is -- drumroll, please:  Anna Wintour.  Wikipedia has a great synopsis on her short but (ahem) forceful reign at HG, as she renamed the magazine.  Clearly, Vogue proved to be a better fit. Here's Wikipedia's take:

In 1987 Wintour returned to New York to take over House & Garden. Its circulation had long lagged rival Architectural Digest,[44] and Condé Nast hoped she could improve it. Again she made radical changes to staff and look, canceling $2 million worth of photo spreads and articles in her first week.[45] She put so much fashion in photo spreads that it became known as House & Garment, and enough celebrities that it was referred to as Vanity Chair, within the industry. 

Those changes worsened the magazine's problems. When the title was shortened to just HG, many longtime subscribers thought they were getting a new magazine and put it aside for the real thing to arrive.[44] Most of those subscriptions were eventually canceled, and while some fashion advertisers came over, most of the magazine's traditional advertisers pulled out.[46]

House & Garden...HG...clearly suffered an identity crisis.  But it still produced Good Design.

Next post:  In its June, 1993 issue, HG published the work of a young California designer.  The article was titled, "The Everyday Perfectionist."  She had founded her firm just 7 years previously, but was already well on her way to being an icon of style and design.  Do you know who she is?  Stay tuned.