We said we were getting our shit together, and we are. Launching next month, AT Interviews will run at least once a month, hosted by newly minted roving interviewer: Patrick (the other one). Here's our first pitch with a call for feedback:
We are pleased to have Stephen Drucker (pictured at left) join us as the next subject of our ongoing AT interview series.
For those unfamiliar, Stephen is the current editor-in-chief of Hearst’s House Beautiful magazine, former Executive VP of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and past editor of the NY Times Home section...
An accomplished veteran in the worlds of shelter and style mags, Stephen also has educational roots in architecture and historic preservation, with a dgeree from Vassar and study at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture.
With Stephen Drucker at the helm, House Beautiful has recently been overhauled and redesigned. Among the changes, the feature stories are now in an interview format, so we’re turning the well-designed table on him, and asking HIM the questions for a change.
As in the past, we’ll be incorporating reader questions into the conversation, so we ask you this: What can Stephen Drucker tell you about home, style, trend and shelter mags?
I can't think of anyone better suited to this than Patrick.
Oh, and Eddie Ross is at Martha Stewart Living now.
I actually do have a question for Stephen Drucker!
I love what he's done to House Beautiful -- the interview format is so much more fun to read, and I really like getting inside the designers' heads.
This is a super-specific question, but maybe P2 could phrase it more generally: HB ran a feature last October (I don't keep a mental archive of every issue, I swear! I just happened to hang on to this one) about a writer who downsized from her L.A. home and moved to a featureless box in NYC, and how she outfitted it almost completely with things from the Williams Sonoma Home catalog. I thought her place was lovely, and it was a compelling story, but it also felt a bit like advertorial to me. What was the thinking there?
Dear Stephen: Do YOU know what is happening to the NYT H&G section? Are they running out of ideas, cash ... or just running amok?
FYI, love the new HB section where designers post favorite paint chips in response to a particular theme. I save all of them, and re-subscribed because of the section. Please keep it up! And if you need any help with those questions....
So far, all I can think of is that P(too) is a very good speaker. He's as smart and funny in person as he is on here. So, if it's going to be an audio thing, it will be very good.
I rarely flip through shelter mags but am intrigued by the decision to switch from a narrative to an interview format. It suggests a shift from a general or conceptual treatment of design to one that is personality-driven. What was the inspiration behind the move?
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Henrietta
LANGUAGE! Why not just "getting it together"??? I only expect rude language in the comments section, not in the original posts!
But seriously, please, for the sake of prudish readers like me, please reconsider the use of four letter words. I still consider these "bad"!
p(too) interviews: yay! This is a really good idea. And while you're at it, bring back Clark ov Saturn. I enjoy inviting different POVs into the mix.
Even I raised an eyebrow at that one, G!
Not that I mind--I was just surprised.
Congrats on the new gig P2! These should be highly entertaining and informative interviews; definitely looking forward to the first one.
I'm sorry but I loved the "getting our shit together". It made me laugh out loud. I love that AT is both sophisticated AND down to earth.
The language is disappointing; it's inconsiderate and inconsistent with the tone of the AT site (and book).
Here is my question: What happened to Eddie Ross? I looked forward to his column each month about trips to flea markets, etc. I miss him.
The magazine is great!
Yea, P2! And a wonderful, inspired choice with Stephen Drucker. Not only has Mr. Drucker made great improvements to House Beautiful, but I see him often on his friend's cooking show - The Barefoot Contessa aka Ina Garten. I love her! Can't wait for the interview and to hear more from P2!
I'd love to spend my time lauding P(too) in this post, because he is just the greatest... or dreaming up questions for Stephen Drucker.
But I've got to agree with G. Just like with the "if it's yellow, let it mellow" survey... it can jolt you right out of the AT frame of mind.
Way to go, p2!!! Looking forward to it!
Yay, P2--and second the idea of audio for this.
P2, congrats! I know you'll do a great job.
Congratulations to P2, I third the idea of audio.