How about a Dwell mag for the proles?

I've been thinking, there really doesn't seem to be a magazine devoted to truly affordable modern. Dwell offers the very occasional fix, but it's superficial at best, with no real insight on the process. I view it as more of an inspirational tool - see some cool designs and get ideas for that home we'd all like to have someday. So why not create a print magazine similar to Dwell, but solely to affordable modern homebuilding.

Here's what I'd like to see:

A magazine dedicated to spotlighting modernist homes across the globe that fall within a budget that doesn't require a six figure income. It would feature interviews with the architects to designed them, the people that commissioned them, the materials and techniques used in the process, and the costs involved along the way. Throw in some how to articles on cost-saving, spotlight some affordable finishings and furnishings, and so on. Perhaps have a feature that takes designs from more expensive homes and show ways that they can be done similarly for cheaper. Basically take what we're all discussing and seeing here on the forums and blogs and make a magazine about it, with in-depth info and lots of pretty pictures. I don't have a subscription to Dwell, but I know for sure I'd have a subscription to a magazine like this.

Heck, just call it LiveModern.

Honestly, I think such a mag would really go a long way to promoting modernism and showing the masses that we don't have to be rich (to be my girl...) to have a well designed and unique home.

[quote:strain format="text/plain"]Heck, just call it LiveModern.[/quote]

I'm no expert in how to run a print magazine, so I don't know if such an idea would fly. But certainly LiveModern has most of the tools to let folks be their own writers, editors and publishers. I expect that the missing link here is an organizer, that can distill all of the content on this site into a format that is accessible for someone interested in building a home. Part of the impetus for starting the We're building a new modern home! forum was to start to collect that information, but it will need someone actively encouraging content as well as organizing it into a usable format.

If there's anything I can do to help (in my spare time) just let me know.

Marshall

Cool idea.

I know the ropes as far as furnishing within a budget, but building or rennovating is another story....

I'd subscribe!

I'll offer to be a writer for it. I currently write for a car magazine...does that count? I'm the king of renovating within a budget. My whole philosophy on modern is creating something that is inexpensive, high quality and maintenance free. It can be done and my house is proof.

Yes. I thought that this was what Dwell was supposed to be, but apparently I was wrong. I would love an ezine or magazine like this and I would pay for it.

I am in the midst of doing a major remodel on my website to make it a little bit more versatile. Maybe it would be a good chance to encorporate some of these things that people are wanting. I have heard a lot of people mention that they would like to be able to share all the information that they have learned in the process of buying land, building etc, so I plan on having a knowledge base for this. I was thinking that an index of articles might be the best way. Any better ideas? Also, what else would you like to see? I don't know if i could pull off the whole ezine thing, but hopefully as the blog progresses it will come close.

Maybe you could turn it around, make it an ezine. The only real differences between that and a blog is content by guest authors, article style pages, that blurb catch all thing they use in newspapers at the top of articles, some nice pictures. Shoot, I would contribute. Another difference is that it is rolled out not a bit at a time, but in installments. Once a month, twice a month, etc. You could still keep the forums, but have articles like a magazine.
I may not be the best writer around, my school experience was more towards technical skills than writing, but I would lend a hand. It could have interviews with people who have built modern on a low to moderate budget. Some regular magazines cover things like this, but they have a broader scope, not strictly modern.

I wonder if Dwell has stats on its readership.

I wonder what the median income is. Considering they're more and more bent towards things $$$, I think Dwell is becoming an Architectural Digest, but for modern style.

Being a subscriber since issue 2, I have read (and mailed them) letters asking the same thing. They seem to either lack the talent (i.e. builders or architects on staff) or are interested in the superficial STYLING only.

I don't know if they'll ever get even slightly technical, but it WOULD be nice to get tidbits on materials, processes, etc. There is no light shed on that at all. The photos are getting more and more artsy that you cannot tell what the general shape of the house is at all.

I wish more people would write in and make similar input, because I think Dwell is doing a good job growing the audience. It seems like most readers who subscribe are likely those who WOULD venture to buy, but the articles have yet to clue the readership in... especially now that they are more interested in $250PSF prefabs.

I think folks on this board who are GCing their dreams are the best source we have (besides some of you architects) to enlighten the rest of us ignorant types on WHY the cost is so high.

Until then... I'll keep the subscription in hopes of the magic issue that sheds light on all of what we dreamers want in modern housing.

I would love to contribute my writing for articles based around products to furnish a modern lifestyle - I currently do so on my blog, [url href=http://www.loftlust.com]LoftLust[/url] if you want to check out my writing style. If anybody does get the ball rolling, whether it is ezine or printed material - count me in!

Brittany