January's Issue

[Lisa S]

I just received January's issue today. It's fantastic! Funny story... my neighbor girl was visiting and told me her dream house would look like a Hobbit House. My husband brought in the mail, my neighbor girl leafed through the Cottages and Bungalow's magazine and said "There's my dream house!". Lo and behold ~ a whole article about a Hobbit House.

[memmey]

Leez,
Don't you like the way the magazine is not so "slick", no $900 chairs. Hey I want $900 chairs and I want $ 1000 slipcovers. I do..... I really do. But I also want to live in a vintage setting that reminds me of the old times when people repurposed and were thrifty. I know they got tired of having to be thrifty and that is why we have evolved into the throw away society that we are. BUT I think we are coming full circle and times will revert back to a simpler time. We have a different perspective. We are coming from the excess looking for the simple.

[Lisa S]

Me too! I enjoyed the cover of this issue with the older stove. Not everything is new and high end. Real Life.

[chyna]

Hold it I just got the one with the Storybook houses in it, there is another one now? I better get moving on getting these issues. :eek:

Did anyone notice that there is a new special issue for CL? Not sure why exactly but that has me so steamed!!!!! Suppose my piddly two year subscription won't bring in as much as just a single issue of the special Cottage Living Re-do issue. :mad:

[drdelo]

After hearing the news about the demise of Cottage Living, I followed the forum threads over to C&B. At Barnes & Noble I found a copy of the December/January 09 issue ("Warm & Cozy Holiday Homes") and have already read through it several times. The focus on renovation and preservation is really inspiring plus all of the tips, resources, and ideas. It also helped to see how long some of the folks spent on their renovation/preservation projects - a good reminder that we don't want to rush through things.

Later today I'm sending in my check for a two-year subscription to C&B. While different from CL, it will definitely meet my needs!

[LindaLK]

Hi Chyna, :)


You aren`t missing anything with the CL remodel issue. I thumbed thru it while waiting for the kids to hurry up and buy what they wanted. It had all of the redos from previous issues in it. So basically, it was a repeat with a different cover.
I thought it was kind of sneaky myself. It made you think it was something special.


Okay, I have to say this because I have been thinking about this a lot. How can a magazine that has so many loyal subscribers close, due to lack of advertisers, and yet.... give away a million dollar beach home??? Inquiring minds want to know.


Hugs,
Linda :)

[CohenCottage]

My hubby just brought in the mail, and we got a little white notice letting us know about CL closing. AND we get the remainder of our subscription from This Old House. We are pleasantly surprised!

[LindaLK]

Hi Cohen, :)


Well that is good, at least CL isn`t just leaving people hanging with out anything. I still will miss not getting my issues at the book store. I use to get it sent to the house, but then found going to the book store was my peaceful get~away. My life in the fast lane. LOL!


Have a good evening.



Hugs,
Linda :)

[chyna]

Thanks for warning me! I think it is suspicious too when just the issue before the last they did that dream home in California, granted that those magazines are thought up and sent to be printed months in advance it still looks bad. As for advertisers, that sounds just as fishy.

I'm also peeved that I've not seen one of those postcards yet, good grief if they move it over to this old house I'll be getting it for the rest of my life!!!:eek:

[LindaLK]

Hi Chyna, :)


You are very welcome. And I see you agree with me on what I had said.


I was just envisioning you on your 100~th birthday, opening up your newly arrived copy of ``This Old House.`` :p


Have a good night.



Hugs,
Linda :)

[chyna]

How did you guys get an invitation to This Old House for the remainder of your subscription and I got Sunset?! :mad: Called the Customer Service immediately and told them under no circumstance are they to send me that magazine! The guy argued with me and said that I'll have to cancel after gettng my first issue. Pointed out to him that I already cancelled my subscription weeks ago and I was supposed to be getting a refund check. Low and behold there it was in my records that I cancelled on Dec 10. :rolleyes:

I would have taken the extension to my This Old House though. :(

[LindaLK]

Hi All, :)


Any time I have a question or a problem, I document the date, time, and whom I had spoken with. Believe me, there are customer service people that do not document your calls. I have had this happen oh too many times.


I was really POed with a magazine called ``Women and Horses.`` I wasn`t getting my subscription. When I did, they were a month or two behind. Then the magazine went out of business owing me money. So what they did was, sent me a coupon for $20 toward one of their chosen horse items. Sure.... I will spend $150 to save $20! :mad:


I never received my refund as promised. To me that is bad business practice. This is just another reason why I would rather pick up each issue of the magazines I like to read.


Have a good evening.



Hugs,
Linda :)

[CohenCottage]

I don't know...what is "Sunset"? I don't think I've ever seen that magazine in GA...maybe it's a regional thing?

[marilynsgt]

I was offered Southern Living in place of CL. I called for a refund instead. My other favorite magazine is Country Home.

[Lisa S]

Sunset is a "western" magazine. I used to get it regularly and I often enjoyed it. I'd rather have Cottage Living!

[chyna]

Sunset covers the west except Montana unless you consider Montana to lie within Glacier or Yellowstone Park. I pretty much just found it silly and didn't get my attention much. So they were picking out mags in areas of the country we'd be interested. If they'd bothered to look at my name and address in their system they would have seen I was already a subscriber to TOH. Bad business practices, just bad.

[Nikki]

Sunset covers the west except Montana unless you consider Montana to lie within Glacier or Yellowstone Park. I pretty much just found it silly and didn't get my attention much. So they were picking out mags in areas of the country we'd be interested. If they'd bothered to look at my name and address in their system they would have seen I was already a subscriber to TOH. Bad business practices, just bad.

I also got offered Sunset mag. Was going to call and get a refund instead, but my mom insists that she loves Sunset, so I will just keep it coming. I think I paid $16 for a 2 year subscription to CL, so I can't imagine my "refund" would be more than a couple of bucks if I even managed to get it out of them.

Overall, Sunset is OK. I hate that all of their home decor/remodels/etc. all seem to focus on modern design. They never really seem to do anything traditional, vintage, or whimsical in their schemes. Also, all of their articles seem to focus on high-dollar homes. Some of the magazine is interesting, though....I like how they profile local cities to visit.....they had a lovely 2-page profile on Westport, WA which is right down the highway from me. To my sheer delight, it included a lot of the locals-favorite cafes & other attractions. :)

When I did get This Old House magazine years ago, I was dismayed to find only very expensive items showcased, and the fact that it was nothing like to TV show of the same name :rolleyes:

[marilynsgt]

Noooo! I posted that Country Home is my fav yesterday only to find they folded today!:(

[Lynzee]

I got my notice that I will be receiving "Southern Living" as well. :( I'd much rather have "This Old House"!

Nothing like being asked what I'd prefer... :(

[LindaLK]

Good Morning Everyone, :)


Oh no! Country Home is going out of business too?
Lynzee, contact CL and tell them that you do not want Sunset, and you would prefer ``This Old House.`` If they refuse, then tell them you want a refund. Why receive something that will not interest you, especially when you have to pay for it! JMHO. :)


Have a good day everyone.



Hugs,
Linda :)

[Nikki]

Noooo! I posted that Country Home is my fav yesterday only to find they folded today!:(

Oh, this is so unfair. Country Home was also my next favorite after CL :mad: I also had a subscription, so I wonder what THEY will have to offer me as a replacement.....

[LindaLK]

Hi Nikki, :)


CL has been substituting with Sunset or TOH. Call them and ask what your options are.
It certainly is scary when big publications begin to fold.


I myself have been out of work for 6~months. Because I quit, I can`t collect unemployment benefits, which I think is crap. Even though my reasons for quiting were valid, an abusive school supervisor, they didn`t care.


It makes me wonder if I should have torn the supervisor up one side, and down the other, get fired, and then I could collect? I thought I did the adult thing by giving a written notice, and leaving before I did do that. It wasn`t even taken in to consideration that this supervisor was being investigated by DCYS, (Department of Children and Youth Services) and that 24 employees had quit in the two years I was there, due to how she treated them. Things that make you go Hmmmmmm.


Hugs,
Linda :)

Have a good night.

[Gigi]

Something is strange- I received a notice to renew my CL magazine---ummmm..... :(:(:confused:

[chyna]

Far as I'm concerned the whole thing was handled strangely.:eek:

[memmey]

Maybe THAT is part of why it did not make it. Out of touch with it's readers.

[chyna]

Or out of touch with reality.

[LindaLK]

Good Morning Everyone, :)


I just thumbed through the new C & B issue last night. Is it getting smaller or is it just me? I was so hoping the article on Hobbit House would have been bigger. There weren't many pictures. I was disappointed. I am a visual person, and I like to see what is inside and outside a home. Maybe the article itself was more informative?


I decided not to purchase it. I might pick it up over the weekend, and give it the benefit of the doubt. I really like C & B, but the last couple of issues didn`t sway me into purchasing it.
I hope that C & B isn`t going to shrink up and fall by the wayside.


Enjoy your day everyone.



Hugs,
Linda :)

[Breezy]

Like LindaLk I'm a visual person so the more pics in a magazine the better.
The current issue is ok but I have to admit I enjoyed the issue before it more.
I'm not sure if the magazine is "shrinking" but I feel for the cost it should be more substantial.

[cheapdiva]

Since I have (had) subscriptions to both CL and Country Home for some time yet - seriously until 2012 with Country Home - I am not going to invest in any more subscriptions. I'll be getting Coastal Living to replace CL, which is okay, I guess. Only because I don't live on a coast (though Lake Michigan is 2 blocks away but it's NOT the same) and this will show me a different kind of life.

Haven't heard officially from Country Home on what they plan to send me. I am going to the local bookstore today - which is announcing on Monday that all 4 of their stores are closing the end of March. (Though 2 of them are being bought by individuals including the one down the street from our house). I will check out C&B.

I hope C&B is listening . . .

so many of us are cutting back, doing without, becoming d-i-y'ers out of necessity - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE - give us content that is practical and useful. I want stories on people who did it mostly themselves on a REAL budget. There are many people out there who blog and participate on these kinds of boards who qualify and I for one would be happy to suggest the names of some of these folks. In fact, maybe we should start a post about real homes and homeowners that we would like to see stories on. I'll start that post!!

[rubyslippers]

(Hey Maria ...)

Anyway, we are finally moved into our new little cottage. We actually enjoyed Christmas here. I am busy at work; so, I need to read some threads to get "caught-up" - - so, forgive me if this has already been discussed. While I miss Cottage Living, I did purchase a copy of Cottages & Bungalows over the holidays. I must say that I really enjoyed the issue. After seeing pictures of the "old" covers, I realized I had thumbed through the magazine before. I love the cover with the wood house (cedar siding) and red and yellow trim. I mean REALLY love that cover. I wonder if you could do the same thing with blue and green?

The restored old stove was fabulous! I have always wanted one. I'm not remodeling my kitchen immediately; however, I found the subway tile resources and the bathroom restoration commentary to be dead-on. I also love fruit crate label art ... so, I was completely "into" the last issue. In response to Chyna's desire that the magazine be a little "meatier" - - well, I tend to agree - - WITH THAT SAID - - if the quality stays in the realm I have seen in the first issue I purchased at the news-stand, then I don't have any problem with it at all. I believe the research behind the restorations and renovations is fabulous.

I really didn't mind some of the more extravagant/indulgent projects at CL as much as some of you did. I could enjoy the elaborate by "dreaming" and then "picking and choosing" what fit with my style. However, now that I have a point of comparison, I am greatly relieved. I really enjoyed the home of the couple with all of the handmade wooden furniture (shelving and such) - - that is a DIY project I can just sit back and thing - - WAY TO GO! I also love the time and energy the couple invested in their kitchen. This is all fine with me. Thoughtful restorations are spendy and time consuming for most of us. I really did have my fill of the "young couple bought a falling down cottage and with their degrees in architecture and decorating gutted the house while their friends on a building crew rebuilt the entire thing out of popsicle sticks" articles - - now they are having coffee with their dog in the rose garden. Now don't get me wrong C & B - - I want to know how real people do these things. There was just a flair of "advertising" that this featured family wasn't sharing their home to inspire others, but more for people to say "Hey, let's hire them."

Anyway, I really like Cottages and Bungalows. It is a fresh start. I have yet to hear anything about my old subscription and really don't care. I'm thankful to have landed here with the rest of you. I have been away for a few weeks with the move and it is a pleasure to see the community has settled in nicely.

Talk to you soon!

Rubyslippers

[Whidbey5]

Something is strange- I received a notice to renew my CL magazine---ummmm..... :(:(:confused:

So did I! I just renewed in late September, and I've heard nothing about having my subscription replaced. I already get Sunset and This Old House. I know others have been offered Real Simple, which I also get!

This is all very strange.

[rubyslippers]

I received my "mailer" today indicating that the remainder of my subscription will be replaced with Soutern Living. Since Rex posted that he is over there, then I'll stick it out. However, I also receive Cooking Light and need to call to change my address and stuff, but the offices ALWAYS seem to be closed. I find the customer service for that "family" of magazines to be incredibly frustrating. Anyway, it really isn't fair of us to pollute the C & B boards with our confusion and generally weirded-out feeling that comes from CL closing its doors. In all honesty, in this economy, it doesn't appear that there is a "good way" to deal with anything that involves closing the doors on something both the subscribers and the editors really loved. Anyway, I continue to be thankful for a new place to "land" here at C & B.

[Gigi]

I'll have to look for a letter to about offering to go to SL instead... I would love this.

[chyna]

Umm that wasn't me about the meatier content. I'm actually saying that they are a far more technical magazine then say CL was. Which is good, just not for reading at lunchtime. :D I have to be able to concentrate or I'm all lost. :D

[rubyslippers]

Sorry Chyna ... I must have been skimming ... didn't someone mention that the catalog was a little slender ... I might be merging posts completely. I tried to do a lot reading catch-up this weekend. Anyway, I really like the magazine - - I haven't seen the newest edition. I should check the store.

Bye,

Me

[chyna]

Someone else did mention it was thinner on the last issue. I need to take mine home and try to read thru it again. And maybe get the newest issue, I just bought my subscription so not sure if I'll get this one or the next. Should ask someone before I put the money down.:o

[chyna]

OK I went out and bought the newest issue and while it does seem slim I find it is chockfull of info and articles so that alone is refreshing. I get ME Home and it is thicker but seems to be nothing but ads, I can watch tv to see commercials!:(

Anyhow I'm enjoying it so far, brought it into work with me which means I'll have to take it home again to re-read everything. :rolleyes: This is what happens when you read fast and need to concentrate. have to do it all over again. :p

[Evelyn]

I looked at C & B for the first time at Fred Meyer. I loved the article on block-printing.....because I love the look that block prints create.

Evelyn

[Lynzee]

I got my first issue of Southern Living yesterday. Not impressed at all. There was a letter from the new Editor-in-Chief--Eleanor Griffin--but I didn't enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed her letters in CL. Just a whole different "feel", if you know what I mean. :( Guess I will give it a chance though, now that I know Rex will be contributing soon.