The Most Inspiring Subscriptions - Our Must have Mags
Asked recently what inspires LitterArty’s work one of my answers was research and reading. I am a huge fan of a good magazine in particular and subscribe to several. Being a strong advocate for sustainable living, some may argue paper magazines are not the way forward and rather contradict the notion. However, I beg to differ, as many magazines (at least the bulk of what I read) are actually processed with sustainability at the heart of their creation. This is done through many avenues, including the use of innovative paper types that use various recycled pulps. If handled correctly these magazines are recyclable too. So there are ways to read physical magazines guilt free!
With the majority of us spending so much of our time looking at a screen, whether computer, phone, tablet or tv, it’s so unbelievably important to have time away from that blue light. Personally I really look forward to spending a little down time kicking back and flicking through a great magazines or book, it feels quite indulgent giving myself that time, pure luxury!
So here are some of our favourite reads for you’re consideration. Any of these would be a great addition to your current reading list. And shock horror, they’re not all Interiors or design driven, but this doesn't mean they’re not equally as inspiring to our work.
Be Kind
I absolutely love this magazine, it is a great read. The articles are fantastically detailed and informative.
A publication more about articles and content than adverts and all those ‘space savers’ used in so many contemporary magazines. The content is broken into easy to navigate sections ranging from creativity, to mindfulness, environmental issues and more.
You can still find lots of great home and interior inspiration, all accompanied by lots of guidance on living sustainably in your home. So while this is a lifestyle magazine and not focused on interiors it is a great tool for living with integrity and brining harmony into your life and therefore your home.
It really is a great one and long may it continue. You’ll find a pile of them in the bathroom and downstairs WC in the LitterArty house, guest love it!
You can subscribe to the monthly editions or pick one up in your local shop.
Happy News
Now this one is a bit different, less of a magazine and more of a newspaper replacement. If you, like us, are sick of negative crappy headlines and bad news, this is your salvation. Page after page filled with nothing but happy (the title gives that away) positive news.
The stories covered shine light on positive happenings across the world, many of the stories you would be none the wiser about if you hadn't perused the pages of this lovely publication.
Each edition is broken in news from each month (you see the only shame is it is quarterly so they can save up all the great things that have happened over the last few months), the pages are crammed with great and uplifting facts and figures. There is also a section on dedications where you can nominate someone you know who has done something great. These personal shout outs are so uplifting in a time when it can be hard to believe in good, there are still lots of us out there!
It’s got a great big thumbs up from us and we look forward to the next edition landing on our doorstep. Ideally consumed accompanied by a good brew and naughty sweet treat.
Apartamento
One of my favourite interior driven magazines, pure aesthetic joy!
Published biannually, this visual delight and informative read gives insight in to people, their homes and how they live in them. A through the keyhole style approach. Often selling out in days this magazine became a real cult publication from its inception back in 2008.
Each page presents real ‘lived-in’ interiors, this honest representation is hugely influential and more to the point identifiable and achievable, especially in comparison to the often stark and overly stages interiors featured in many high end magazines across the sector.
That all said there is a definite ‘retro’ aesthetic to the interiors featured and the style of the photography used, so this style of publication may not suit all. For us it’s a spot on edition to our inspiring magazine list and a real staple.
Hole & Corner
A great design source, dedicated to the real craftsmanship and skills behind design, some of which take years or decades to master. It believes in the process and development needed to produce inspiring great design, in the doing not the talking, the pages are therefore filled with articles on such matters.
Contributors include world renowned photographers and authors, which about confirms this publication as a hard hitter in the sector. It’s as thoughtfully put together as the subject matters it covers. A real chunky coffee table style magazine that needs time to devour, which is fine as issued biannually you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy each and every article.
The content leaves you inspired and in awe of some amazing craftspeople who have dedicated their lives to the development of their skills and craft.It is therefore only fair that we dedicate some of our time to reading about it. In doing so, opening our eyes to amazing people all over the world that would otherwise go under the radar.
A really great, worthwhile read, especially if you appreciate authenticity and heritage!
91 Magazine
Independent magazines are my kryptonite and 91 doesn’t disappoint.
Focused on more affordable and attainable interiors and lifestyle (right up our street). This publication offers up a smorgasbord of beautiful visuals and accessible lifestyle tips, with a sustainable focus (double thumbs up).
Content is broken in to sections each with a theme, this runs in each magazine with each section focusing on a specific place or person, changing each edition. From news, to shopping, to restaurant and home tours. The articles cover lots of interesting aspects of lifestyle. I actually love the home tours sections in particular, they are dotted through out and feature interesting people in their (as the title would suggest) homes. The restaurant tours are also really great as they discuss the atmosphere, decor and ethos of a place rather than the style of most restaurant reviews that predominately focus on food critique. Along with these tours, there’s a cool section called 3 ways with, and each magazine features a different subject matter.
Finally, there is a very current cultural focus on social media and instagram in particular. Love it or hate it, it’s part of most of our lives and a real source of visual inspiration. They therefore feature an instagram edit showcasing chosen accounts again based on a chosen theme, i.e. Handmade or Craftsmanship.
Just an enjoyable read featuring real people for real people, with the added advantage of being visually pleasing and calming.
Oh Comely
Recently reimagined simply as Oh! this is another independent magazine with oodles of creativity and female empowerment. Already sold?…Well let me tell you a little more.
The ethos behind the magazine is about looking at the way you view the world and yourself. Jam packed with full pages of colourful images and text, featuring articles on a vast array of subject matters such as; fashion, music, food and culture.
It’s essentially offering up a different approach to a wellbeing magazine, all the articles have the end goal to encourage mindful actions and in doing so a the creation of a less stressed more balanced lifestyle.
Published bi-monthly you can subscribe or pick it up at some supermarkets. I great one for those looking for a female driven read.
Breathe
I think we all need to take time to breathe and with magazines like this you can have a helping hand. Full of great tips and articles on ways to self care, something all too many of us neglect.
This monthly mag breaks down in to healthy chunks on wellbeing, living, mindfulness, creativity and escape. Each section packed with its own content ranging from sleep tips and exercise routines, to ways to be more creative or guides on how to make something. Each article is informative without being preachy, which I love, there’s a fine line between the two as we all know.
They also do special editions and journals that enable you to doodle, list write and contemplate.
I have picked up several varieties of mindful and wellbeing magazine and this is by far my favourite. Just the way it flows and the style of the illustrations and articles. Available at most shops and supermarkets where you’ll find the magazines, go check it out!
other faves include: Disegno, Frieze, Frame and Resurgence & Ecologist.