I was going to be traveling last week so I went to the bookstore to try and scrounge up some magazines to take with me. There were FOUR– count ‘em, FOUR– glossy magazines about DOGS. Dogs are nice, but really– 4??? Then there are all the fashion and make-up magazines. Airbrushed, size -0 girls, make-up/skincare articles that promise impossible results (which are, frankly, of no use to me at this point in my life) and ridiculously expensive clothes. Those $1200 purses are always good for a laugh, though. I especially like those columns where they have a “splurge” list and a “save” list. For example, on the “splurge” list would be a pair of shoes for $2400. On the “save” list would be a similar pair of shoes for ONLY $575. On what planet do these people live?
“More” magazine is usually good to take on a plane, but if I have to read one more article about how fabulous it is to be over 40, I think I’ll scream. Really– when the kids are grown and there’s no one waiting for you to cook dinner for them every night (although they’d grow old waiting for that at my house), are you really thinking “Thank God, now I can run in a marathon/triathlon/jump out of an airplane/train for the Iditarod/start a brand new business from the ground up”? I’m thinking about sleeping late and eating ice cream for dinner. Period.
Then I looked at what few decorating magazines are left on the newsstand. This is really the kind of magazine I want and there just aren’t any anymore. (By the way, as I write this, another magazine, Metropolitan Home, just went under!) There’s House Beautiful– my favorite– a truly beautiful magazine, a wish book, full of actually-lived-in homes that I never get tired of looking at. At the opposite end of the spectrum, in my opinion, is Architectural Digest, full of cold, badly-lit houses that look like no human being has ever set foot in since the decorator left. In between these two are a few others, some good, some OK, some pitiful. People: don’t show crafts that are right out of the Girl Scout handbook without kicking it up about a thousand notches. And don’t suggest I make my own napkins or tablecloth or wrapping paper or anything I can go to HomeGoods and buy. Who’s got that kind of time? And for god’s sake, don’t tell me how to surround an old bathtub sitting in the middle of a field with candles, fill it with hot water that you’ve somehow lugged from the house, open a bottle of wine and try to tell me that this is “romantic.” There is nothing romantic about this. It is a cry for help, AND an actual article I read in a so-called “lifestyle” magazine. Don’t show me historical houses or period houses or showhouses. I want to see real homes that people live in. I want to see the quirky, personal things they live with. I don’t want to see rooms where everything in them is brand new.
I know what you’re thinking… ”Stop complaining and bring your magazine back!” It was the best, wasn’t it? I can say that because it was our wonderful crew, led by Barbara Martin, who put that out, issue after issue– not me. But there’s a reason all the decorating magazines are closing. They are beyond expensive to produce. It’s all the traveling, styling, and photography that’s involved in every issue. And now I’m so sorry to have to tell you that it just doesn’t look like we’ll be re-launching the Home Companion anytime soon. Never say never, but until the housing and advertising markets come back, I don’t believe it will happen in the near future. Believe me, we’ve tried. We still might figure out a way on the web, but that’s just not the same if you ask me. I’m afraid it’s time to let go and move forward and be thankful for the 11 great years we had! (Obviously, I’m saying this more to myself than you. Repeat after me, “Let go, go on. Let go, go on…..”)
Lots of other things coming out of the studio, though– a constant stream of art and other wonderful things that we’ll let you know about as soon as they become available. For example, we have brand new ornaments and plenty of them at all the Michaels stores right now, plus tons of holiday notebooks, magnets, stationery, packaged Christmas cards and more. And of course, there’s the Home Companion Workshop, an endeavor we hope will continue well into the future with lots of great programs based on the wonderful people and ideas featured in the magazine. Don’t worry, we’ll give you plenty of reasons to keep checking in! As that famous philosopher, Anonymous, says, “Life is all about Plan B.”
Dear Mary,
I can’t thank you enough for your inspirational magazine. I bought it off the stand and now I’m collecting missed back issues from eBay. It is bright, colorful and always positive. Notice that I speak in the present tense as I leaf through them often. I keep checking in to see if it will be reborn and I’m always hopeful. After all, the powers that be brought back “Victoria” magazine after its demise. Miracles do happen…
Mary,
I loved your magazine in retrospect. My mom had it and I remember looking through it when I was younger. It just reminds me so much of my mom and the sweet things in life. Now all the magazines feature homes most of us can’t live in, it’s all the same! As I was making my birthday list (my family does this, no matter how old you are!) I put down Mary Engelbreit Home Companion. Little did I know it was no longer in publication! I literally let out an “Oh No!!!!” when I found out! Not that you haven’t heard it before, but I for one vote on bringing back Home Companion if at all possible! It warms my heart just thinking about it!
I agree with Tiffany – I would have paid more for your unique magazine. Nothing else before or since has compared – I kept every issue and still look at them from time to time.
Thanks for the years you gave us a magazine we could relate to and enjoy so very much!
But… never say never…
Dear Home Companion,
I still miss you. You were the only magazine I didn’t cut up. I will never forget the day I received the announcement that you were going to stop. I gasped so loud my husband came rushing in saying WHAT???? Oh, it broke my heart. First it was you and then it was Wondertime. and then another and another.
I sort of wish all my favorite magazines would have given us the chance to pay more. I would have paid twice as much to keep it coming to my doorstep every other month. I am so glad I kept all of mine. They are all organized by seasons…. I pull out each stack when the season arrives and get re-inspired.
Thank you MAry, you did a wonderful thing.
I completely agree with Mary’s entire message. I am just so glad that I safely stored every single issue of Home Companion I ever bought and continue to enjoy them over and over again throughout the seasons. They are truly timeless, and I think that is mostly because as Mary said they were full of real people and real homes, not the latest and greatest “in style”, which next month is so quickly out of style. I still look longingly as I pass the magazine racks at the book store where my daughter works, but am trying as Mary puts it to LET GO. All the best, and thanks for all the wonderful memories and beautiful, inspiring homes, featured artists and your terrific artwork over the years.
Deb
When I first saw the “Let Go, Go On” print, I thought it said “Let Go, Goon”! Then I decided that when I’m being stubborn about letting go of something, either one fits!!
I have almost every one of your magazines from the original on…they are a joy to read. I especially am saving them for the paper dolls if I ever have a granddaughter!
I also have a tin of your cards from very early on, afghans, a stuffed doll, and cookie tins. Your love of quotes entwined with your art hooked me! You are a gift and we are all blessed by your talent. Thank you!
My fears have come true–the end of HOME COMPANION. I will never part with my collection of past issues. My favorites were always from February and October.
Getting to peek into the homes and studios of creative and eclectic people was so inspiring–and too, affirming in that my own attachment and fondness for well-loved, colorful and sentimental art, collections, kitch, and things that just make me happy was an extention of my own creativity. Seeing the pages of the magazine confirmed the joy received from such surroundings is shared by many a kindred soul and affirmed that for an artist one’s environment is a true reflection of ones inventive and playful spirit. There are no other magazines that show such personalization of one’s space—the lifetime accumilation of heartfelt possesions. All other “home” magazines look mass produced and display rooms people have paid someone else to ‘do’ for them.
It brings sadness and melancholy to my heart—that can only be remedied by pouring over my old issues and by hoping someday…I may find it again…new issues…
Hope. And grateful thanks for all the hard work put into the issues past…
I read your blog with hope and trepidation. I found your magazine the single most creative and inspiring publication on the newsstand. In fact I am one of those fans that have every issue. I especially loved going into the homes and studios of some of my favorite illustrators and I truly thank the magazine for this. While I admire a sense of moving on which is necessary in life, I sincerely hope another publication of some sort will be possible.
I would rather have your magazine online than not at all. It was the best. Even if it were twice a year online, it would be awesome to have it back.
How sad that we won’t have ME to look forward to in the near future. I have not found another magazine that I make time to sit and read cover to cover as soon as it arrives in my mailbox.
The blog and internet will have to do for now
Whenever something has to end that I wish could continue, I remind myself that life is like a really good book. When we close that cover there is another good book just waiting for us to discover and to be picked up and read. Like millions of others, I’ll miss Home Companion. I’ve been a Mary Engelbreit fan since the early days, and that will never change. I enjoy your creative spirit, Mary. You make me smile! So yes, we all have to “let go” of this beloved publication and go on. Knowing your style, that will be “going on” to some new wonderful creative outlet that we (your fans) will be the beneficiaries of. So thank you, Mary, for generously sharing your creative spirit with each of us. “Here’s to new ideas!” I’m eager to see what you have in store for us.
Sorry, BUT I am still keeping my fingers crossed that one day, in the very near future,
Home Companion Magazine will be published again. Your magazine was something that I always looked forward to. It made me happy and was one of my best friends. I’ll be waiting with open arms!
Except that I was not looking for a magazine to bring on a plane that particular day — I could have written your comments about what is still available. Your comments were so “real” and “on target”. I also miss the comfort of Home Companion — and the paper dolls. They brought back memories of visiting my aunt who always saved the “Betsy McCall” paper dolls for me. I had framed many of Anna Estelle and her friends in several “theme” groupings in 12×12 frames and hung them in the bedroom I used for my foster children – who were always toddler girls. I along with so many hope that there does come a time when we can again visit you through the magazine but, until then, e-mail and the internet is an option…
I had to laugh as when I saw the title Letting Go I thought oh Mary is going to talk about how to let go of all those things we have in our home that may be just cluttering up our lives instead of bringing us the joy they use to. Instead it was lettig go of MEHC, I have to say that is even harder to do, but like may other fans, I saved your magazines so I can go back and look and SMILE again. Thanks Mary
Oh Mary, I’d add my lottery winnnings to bring back Home Companion in a heartbeat,too. (If I actually bought lottery tickets and if I actually won.) Too many of my favorite magazines disappeared last year. But your message above, Let Go, Go On, touched me on many different levels. I hope it will inspire all of us! (I have all of the issues for the years I subscribed neatly bound together with ribbon so I can take them out for inspiration whenever I want!)
Whew! I’m so glad you said that. The house and food magazines, in some cases, do seem so cold and staged. I’m going to run out in the rain today and take a peak at House Beautiful. My own home has been a bit empty and grim without HOME COMPANION. (The replacement leaves my head spinning with ideas that exist in RTW or RTS or RTU form.)
Letting go, good. Following to your next adventure very good! Best wishes for a wondrous 2010.
Yes, life “goes on” and it is best if we go with it. I have a quote in my head for almost any occasion or event in my life that have come from illustrations by you. From “Life is just a Chair of Bowlies” to “The comforter” to the “Get a Life” illustration, I have found comfort and a chuckle through my life, even in the hard times.
I really miss your magazine. I wish it would come back. As in the other comments, I have saved most issues and will even go back over them for ideas and suggestions. I also go back for recipes. I know, time moves on, but 164 readers want your magazine back. Think about it.
Fingers crossed 2010 will be your best year, I’ve enjoyed your magazine so much, I’ve kept most of the copies, and over the years framed your artwork that was inserted in each magazine.
I just can’t accept “NO more MEHC”. I too am a magazine junky and I keep seeing more new magazines coming out all the time and I must say BORING!!! I would do just about anything to get that magazine back. I wish I had a bank account that was bottomless and could finance it myself! But I’m happy to have afforded my subscription. Anyway, I got so much encouragement and creative juice from the magazines. I made the mistake of cutting things out of mine but I was blessed with a pretty complete set when my mom passed away recently.
You crack me up!!! I agree with everything you just wrote…it’s like you just said everything I was thinking! I do miss your magazine but I kept every copy and love going through them from time to time. I still love each one and use them for inspiration when ever I need. I’ll treasure them forever! Thanks for the Mary! And I love this website too!
sigh…Not ready to give up hope just yet…
Very well said, my thoughts exactly!! For years, as we were fixing up our “fixer upper,” I would fantasize…”wouldn’t it be fun if our home was featured in Home Companion??” My husband would just shake his head. Maybe one day!
SOOOO miss your magazine. I’m so glad that I kept them, so that I can re-view them
by taking them out by season like my painting magazines! The “digital” ME helps a lot!
Thanks for being willing to share your creativity and passion!
Try as I might to “Let Go” I miss Home Companion a little more every day. I still receive and enjoy reading Country Living, but nothing comes close to Home Companion. Maybe someday … I can only hope.
I so miss your magazine…
Boy, do I miss Home Companion, I have so many in my closet. Those are the best memories especially when my kids were growing up. Will always love them. Thanks Mary for the memories. BRING THAT MAGAZINE BACK!
MEHC was as close to perfect as this magazine junkie has ever found. I will never forget the day I found it at the grocery store, I thought, “WOW, this mag has such a happy, beautiful look to it! – and it has everything I like in it – real homes, artist studios, art, crafts, paper, fabric, COLOR, a little cooking, fun trips, stores!” It really was so great. I’m so glad I saved every copy from practically the beginning of publication. They now rest lovingly in my family room, safely enclosed in pretty mag holders, there for me to pick up and enjoy anytime. I’m not giving up though – I’m hoping for more. MEHC is too great to just let go of.
As a practicing Interior Designer (20 years), I couldn’t agree with you more. I think the reason I have a steady stream of business is that I detest the “decorated” look and insist people allow me to take my time and fill their spaces with character instead of stuff. Your magazine was one of the few that had that sensitivity. I have every issue from the first. I understand the business climate now, but miss your magazine’s practical, uplifting, unique approach to interiors. I will not let go, YET.
Let me just add my little comment to the list.
I miss, miss, miss your magazine – wish I had saved all my back issues!!
Yours and the old “Victoria” magazine are my favorites of all time.
You’ll probably never read this comment, but I’ve loved your designs forever and feel like they are part of the landscape of my subconscious!
Sounds extreme, but I mean it!
Your artwork really is heartfelt, but I love seeing the other side of you on your blog. This post is a riot!!
Thanks for all the inspiration!
Oh Mary, truer words couldn’t have been written. I go out each month to all the local places where I would usually buy my magazines and stare – searching for the home decorating magazines that I loved to curl up with. I’m so glad that I saved so many of your past issues. I so miss looking at all the great, colorful, cheerfully decorated rooms often featured in your magazine. There are a couple that I can still enjoy, but it is definitely a sign of the times. But, one can never lose hope and faith that things will get better. I hope those better times bring the return of Home Companion, but if not, thank you for so many wonderful issues. And, thanks for staying connected with all your fans through your newsletters. LASTLY…..when my husband read that you were putting your Christmas decorations away this weekend, he no longer felt like I was lax in getting mine put away! Ours are going away this weekend too! All the best to you Mary.