If it wasn't for Wallpaper* magazine, Echoes would still be
a b/w trade publication with low production values. It was
just that a couple of years ago.
The coverage of vintage modernism is better researched and
more informative in Echoes, but the look is Wallpaper*
bandwagonism (hmm... slinky models languishing on Florence
Knoll sofas--I wonder where they got that from...).
Wallpaper* is still magnificent eye-candy for a mere $7.00,
and has a much better grasp of a definition of late 20th
century modernism (because its completely contrived and
triumphantly self-actualized) than Echoes' rather bland
design-as-history standpoint. But for real articles, yes,
look elsewhere.
And I have to take issue with the "better spreads" comment;
Echoes could stand to put a bit more money into their
photography (web site image maps aside). Case in point, the
photography of Daniel Donelly's art deco home in suburban
Virginia (September, 1999) was amateurish at best; bad
lighting, bad camera placement. The pictures did NOT reflect
his stellar mid-century modern collection very well at all.
While I'm at it, whoever the art director at Space (Ikea's
new "magazine"--its really a catalog with a few articles
sprinkled in) appeared to have thumbed through a half-dozen
back issues of Wallpaper* and told his staff, "I want this."
That's what he got, an absolute page for page copy of the
interior design magazine that's VERY successfully repackaged
interior design and made it sexy and commercially appealing
again, only instead of covering a wide range of
design-conscious consumer goods for the home, it focusses on
Ikea products. Ikea's kitchenware and accessories are
really wonderful (the 365 line is very nice and very
affordable) but the furniture is garbage. If its not made
of pine (they call it "hardwood"), its particleboard with a
thin plastic laminate. As soon as it enters your home, its
value drops a good 40%. Don't waste your money on it, in my
opinion. Go thrifting (or buy mid-century modern if you've
got the money) or hell, go to Target. They've managed their
own Ikea-esque products at a lower price. And they haven't
ripped off Wallpaper*. Yet.
If you're bashing it, its probably because you don't think
you can afford it.
>Date: Mon, 04 Oct 1999 17:43:09 -0700
>From: Jackie-O <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: Re: [Interior Design]
>>MISA CHALLINGSWORTH wrote:
>>
>> Check out Wallpaper magazine. Damn, they cover tons of
new designers and a
>> lot of stores and/or websites that are international.
Chances are you can find
>> something good.Miss Misa
>Don't waste your time with Wallpaper magazine...Echoes
magazine has superior
>spreads and more of a modern theme...
>http://www.deco-echoes.com/
>just my 2 cents....
