House & Garden (magazine)

House & Garden is a shelter magazine published by Condé Nast Publications that focusses on interior design, entertaining, and gardening that began in the USA in 1901.

House & Garden
EditorHatta Byng
CategoriesShelter
FrequencyMonthly
Circulation120,008 (ABC Jul – Dec 2013 UK)[1]
Print and digital editions.
PublisherCondé Nast Publications (UK)
First issueJune 1901
CountryMultiple separate editions
(United Kingdom, South Africa, Greece)
Websitehouseandgarden.co.uk
(UK edition)

Its US edition ceased in 1993,[2] and after an unsuccessful relaunch was closed again in 2007.[3] International editions of the magazine are still published in the United Kingdom (first published in 1947) and South Africa. A Greek edition was launched in November 2007.[4]

History

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The magazine was launched in 1901 as a journal devoted to architecture. Its founding editors were Herbert C. Wise, Wilson Eyre, and Frank Miles Day, all Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, architects.[5] The magazine became part of Condé Montrose Nast's publishing empire when he bought an interest in it in 1911; he became its sole owner in 1915. Nast transformed it into a magazine about interior design, as part of his trend toward specialized publications aimed at niche markets.

UK edition

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A UK edition was originally planned to be launched in the late 1930s, but was cancelled due to World War II. The magazine was finally published in February 1947, although paper restrictions meant that there were only seven pages in colour and, until 1952, just four editions each year. The founding editor was Anthony Hunt, followed by Michael Middleton, before Robert Harling took over for a 36-year tenure between 1957 and 1993.[6] Harling was succeeded by Sue Crewe, who edited the magazine until September 2014 when she moved to the Conde Nast website House,[7] and was replaced by Hatta Byng.[8]

The success of the magazine owes much to Robert Harling, who was appointed Editor in 1957 by Pat (Iva Patcevitch), the Head of Condé Nast, following his recommendation by close friend Ian Fleming, the author and creator of James Bond.[9]

Harling appointed a staff of 18, which included Leonie Highton, and later John Bridges, and three advisers: Elizabeth David (on food), Loelia, Duchess of Westminster (to discover unknown houses), and Olive Sullivan (on interior design). Harling revitalised House & Garden, and produced a magazine which contrasted the ancient and modern, with colour and simplicity. Besides the magazine, he launched a series of books on the same theme, starting in 1959 with House & Garden Interiors and Colour. Ten more books followed, his last contributions being the House & Garden Book of Romantic Rooms (1985), and House & Garden Book of Classic Rooms (1989); in 1980 with Miles Hadfield he published British Gardeners: a biographical dictionary - this being a reworking of Pioneers in Gardening a book which he had developed with Miles Hadfield and Leonie Highton thirty five years earlier.

The editors in chief of House & Garden in the United Kingdom were:

  • Anthony Hunt (1947–?)
  • Michael Middleton (?–1957)
  • Robert Harling (1957–1993)
  • Sue Crewe (1993–2014)
  • Hatta Byng (2014–present)

Australian edition

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The first edition of Australian House and Garden was in December 1948. The first editor was the writer Beryl Guertner[10] who was an enthusiast for interior design and gardening. The magazine championed the interior design advocate Marion Hall Best, the architects Robin Boyd and Harry Seidler and furniture designer Grant Featherston. Guertner remained in that role at Australian House and Garden until 1973.[11]

An online version and a print edition continue (2023).[12]

US edition

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House & Garden in 1922 by Clayton Knight

The US magazine was renamed HG with its March 1988 issue, under editor in chief Anna Wintour, formerly of Vogue (UK).[13] Its new emphasis on mixing fashion and interior decoration in its pages led the revamped magazine to be derided as House & Garment and Vanity Chair by its critics.[14] Wintour became editor in chief of Vogue in 1988; HG ceased publication in 1993.

House & Garden was relaunched in 1995 under editor in chief Dominique Browning; its first issue of its second incarnation was September 1996.[15] Condé Nast Publications announced on 5 November 2007 that the magazine was being closed again, stating that "we no longer believe it is a viable business investment for the company."[16] The magazine's US offices closed on 9 November 2007, and the last US issue was December 2007.[17]

The editors in chief of House & Garden in the United States were:

South Africa edition

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The trademark for the South Africa edition is registered to Condé Nast New Markets Europe/Africa, Inc. The 2013 (self-sourced) print circulation exceeded that of Digital/online.[23]

The magazine is bi-lingual: English and Afrikaans.[24]

Publications

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  • House & Garden Book of Country Rooms, Leonie Highton, Vendome Press (2002)
  • House & Garden Book of Country Gardens, Leonie Highton, Ebury Press (2000)
  • House & Garden Book of Vacation Homes & Hideaways, Leonie Highton, Ebury Press (2000)
  • House & Garden Book of Kitchens and Dining Rooms, Leonie Highton, Ebury Press (1999)
  • House & Garden Book of Country Chic, Leonie Highton, Ebury Press (1997)
  • House & Garden Book of Bedrooms & Bathrooms, Leonie Highton, Ebury Press (1995)
  • House & Garden Book of Drawing-Rooms and Sitting-Rooms, Robert Harling, Leonie Highton, John Bridges, Conde Nast, London (1991)
  • House & Garden Book of Living-Rooms, Leonie Highton, Robert Harling, John Bridges, Vendome Press (1991)
  • House & Garden Book of Classic Rooms, Robert Harling, Leonie Highton, John Bridges, Chatto and Windus (1989)
  • House & Garden Book of Romantic Rooms, Robert Harling, Leonie Highton, John Bridges, Harper Collins (1985)
  • Entertaining with House and garden: 600 recipes for successful menus and parties, Leonie Highton, Treasure (1983)
  • British Gardeners. A biographical dictionary, Miles Hadfield, Robert Harling & Leonie Highton, Condé Nast, London (1980)
  • Entertaining with House and garden: 600 recipes for successful menus and parties, Leonie Highton, Cathay Books, London (1979)
  • House & Garden Book of Home Storage: Guide to Organization and Arrangement, Highton, Leonie, Collins (1975)
  • House & Garden guide to interior decoration, Robert Harling, Leonie Highton, Yvonne Jaques, Nigel Kendall (1967)
  • House & Garden Interiors and Colour, Robert Harling (1959)

References

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  1. ^ "ABC Certificates and Reports: House & Garden". Audit Bureau of Circulations. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  2. ^ Scott Donaton (14 June 1993). "Conde Nast's Knapp acquisition fails to spur activity as 'HG' is folded". Advertising Age. p. S-2.
  3. ^ Lucia Moses (18 November 2008). "Time Inc. Folds Cottage Living and its Web Site". Adweek. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  4. ^ Greek edition of House & Garden to launch Indian Television. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  5. ^ philadelphiabuildings.org
  6. ^ Freyberg, Annabel (8 June 1997).Sofa so good for H&G's first 50 years The Independent
  7. ^ Reynolds, John (12 March 2014). Condé Nast to replace House & Garden and Easy Living online editions The Guardian
  8. ^ Sulcas, Roslyn (29 June 2015).The List Keeper Introspective Magazine
  9. ^ Barker, Nicolas (8 July 2008). "Robert Harling: Typographer, designer, 'House & Garden' editor and author of riveting novels of 'old Fleet Street'". The Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Beryl Guertner :: biography at :: at Design and Art Australia Online". www.daao.org.au. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  11. ^ Tanner, Howard, "Beryl Annie Blanche Guertner (1917–1981)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 14 October 2023
  12. ^ "Australian House and Garden Magazine Subscription | Magshop". www.magshop.com.au. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  13. ^ Michael Joseph Gross, "Anna Wintour Leaving British Vogue for House & Garden", The New York Times, 15 August 1987.
  14. ^ Susan Heller Anderson, "HG Is Not What It Used to Be", The New York Times, 8 June 1988.
  15. ^ Deirdre Carmody, "The Media Business: House & Garden to Rejoin a Rich Club", The New York Times, 17 April 1995.
  16. ^ House & Garden 1901-2007
  17. ^ Elliott, Stuart; Pérez-Peña, Richard (6 November 2007). "Publication to Cease for House & Garden". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  18. ^ "Herbert C. Wise; Editor of House and Garden Dies in Philadelphia at 72", The New York Times, 12 June 1945.
  19. ^ "Richardson L. Wright Is Dead; Ex-Editor of House and Garden", The New York Times, 7 August 1961.
  20. ^ "Albert Kornfeld, Dead at 61; A Writer, Editor, and Lecturer; Chief of House and Garden for Nine Years", The New York Times, 18 August 1962.
  21. ^ "Drury University: Board of Trustees: Mary Jane Pool". Archived from the original on 27 May 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2007.
  22. ^ Nancy Novogrod
  23. ^ "House and Garden".
  24. ^ "Conde Nast House & Garden Magazine South Africa". Archived from the original on 24 June 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
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