Design Sponge, the beloved interior design blog founded by Grace Bonney, has launched a new print publication called Design Sponge at Home. This quarterly magazine aims to inspire readers to embrace their personal style and create homes that reflect their unique lives. With stunning photography, insightful interviews, and actionable DIY tips, Design Sponge at Home translates Grace’s iconic point of view into a tangible form. Let’s explore what makes this new magazine so exciting for design fans.
Capturing the Design Sponge Essence
Since its inception in 2004, Design Sponge has championed individuality, creativity, and thoughtful design. Grace’s philosophy is that good design should be accessible, inclusive, and most importantly, livable. She celebrates real homes created by everyday people on a budget. Design Sponge at Home encapsulates this viewpoint with sections focused on tours, DIY projects, “before & after” makeovers, small space solutions, and spotlights on independent makers and shops. Readers can find inspiration from fellow designers as well as professionals. Just like the blog, the magazine embraces imperfection and emphasizes the importance of infusing your home with pieces that speak to you.
Signature Design Sponge Elements
Fans of the site will notice some familiar elements within the pages of the print magazine. For example, each issue features a Tour section spotlighting a different home. Much like the site’s popular home tours, readers get an inside look at stylish yet comfortable spaces filled with personality. These tours focus on achievable design accomplished with flea market finds, budget-friendly updates, and custom DIY projects.
Another returning element is the Room of the Day pictorial featuring a space embodying the Design Sponge aesthetic. There are also Q&As with prominent designers, renovation stories, small space tips, and spotlights on up-and-coming artists and brands. Of course plenty of drool-worthy photography brings each page to life. By translating these key features into print, Design Sponge at Home retains the soul of the blog while offering readers a fresh experience.
Behind the Scenes with Grace Bonney
As founder and editor-in-chief of Design Sponge, Grace Bonney’s artistic vision shapes all of its content. For the new magazine, Grace oversees each issue from concept to completion. She personally selects which homes to feature, gathering inspiration from submissions by readers and scouting undiscovered spaces herself. “It’s so fulfilling to shine a light on these creative, welcoming homes that are filled with personal touches,” she says.
Grace works closely with the editors to craft content that speaks to the Design Sponge audience. “Our goal is to capture the blog’s spirit while also enhancing the experience for our dedicated community,” she explains. “With a tactile, collectible magazine, readers can literally hold that inspiration in their hands. Plus, the longer lead time allows us to go deeper with each home, uncovering the backstories of these great spaces.”
From approving layouts to providing styling and photography direction on shoots, Grace’s commitment to quality and style is woven throughout the magazine. Her distinctive point of view ties together Design Sponge’s many forms, from top design blog to best-selling books to popular product collaborations. Now with a sleek quarterly publication, Grace is able to share her creative vision in yet another impactful way.
Notable Sections in the Premiere Issue
The pilot edition of Design Sponge at Home demonstrates exactly what readers can expect from this exciting new publication. Some of the highlights include:
The Debut Tour: A 1920s Cottage in Oakland, CA
The launch issue spotlights an artful Oakland bungalow packed with vintage finds, custom woodwork, and global wares. Homeowner MJ Dvorak merged her background as an anthropologist with her husband’s carpentry skills to give their 1920s cottage layers of color and texture. Photos reveal special details like handmade furniture, Mexican tile, and collected textiles. This tour encapsulates the adventurous spirit and eclectic style signature to Design Sponge.
DIY: Fabric Wall Hanging
This step-by-step tutorial teaches readers how to make a graphic wall hanging using simple supplies like canvas, tape, and paint. The artistic accent celebrates Expressionism with a bold abstract design. Adapt the template to match your own color palette and style. This project proves that you don’t need advanced skills to personalize your home.
Small Space Solutions: Clever Ideas for Tiny Kitchens
Since many homes today have compact kitchens, this feature offers problem-solving ideas for maximizing these cozy cooking spaces. Solutions include mountable drying racks, pull-out vertical storage, and fold-down prep surfaces. The tips focus on optimizing every inch to provide function and convenience—even in a small kitchen.
Shop Spotlight: Caroline Z Hurley
Grace Bonney has a knack for discovering up-and-coming makers, shops, and brands with a unique perspective. In this section, she shines a light on Rhode Island ceramicist Caroline Z Hurley. Caroline’s nature-inspired pottery brings organic shapes and earthy hues into the home. Showcasing independent artists allows the magazine to foster new talent and offer products that appeal to the Design Sponge philosophy.
Why Design Sponge at Home is Worth the Hype
Since its announcement earlier this year, design sites and home decor publications have been buzzing about Design Sponge at Home. So what makes this new magazine so exciting? Here are just a few of the reasons it’s garnering so much enthusiasm:
- Trusted Voice: Anything with the Design Sponge stamp of approval is guaranteed to inspire, inform and empower. The blog has earned devoted followers by consistently delivering quality content for over 15 years. This magazine lets the DS team take its trusted voice to the next level.
- Print Revival: Many shelter publications have folded in recent years. But as digital fatigue sets in, the tactile joy and immersive experience of print starts to regain its appeal. Design Sponge at Home breathes new life into the home magazine scene.
- Focus on Individuality: Too many home publications feature unattainable spaces tailored for a Pinterest fantasy. Design Sponge at Home stays true to the blog’s focus on achievable, personal interiors that embrace real life and individual needs.
- Quality Over Quantity: As a quarterly, it dedicates more time to compelling content, instead of quickly recapping trends. Readers can savor each issue knowing the next one will be worth the wait.
- Actionable Takeaways: Inspiring tours are balanced with DIY projects and actionable small space tips. Readers gain the motivation and skills to revamp their own homes.
By staying true to its roots while venturing into fresh territory, Design Sponge at Home should inspire and empower design lovers for many issues to come. Its authentic spirit and distinctive voice will resonate with devoted fans and appeal to a new audience. For anyone seeking an attainable design magazine that sparks creativity, Design Sponge at Home delivers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Design Sponge at Home
Design Sponge fans are understandably curious to learn more about what Grace Bonney and her team have planned for their new magazine venture. Here are answers to some of the key questions about Design Sponge at Home:
Where can I buy Design Sponge at Home?
The magazine is available on newsstands nationwide as well as by subscription. You can order an annual subscription directly from the Design Sponge site to have each quarterly issue conveniently delivered to your doorstep. Many Barnes & Noble stores will also stock the magazine.
What is the cost of a subscription?
An annual subscription for 4 issues is $24. This allows you to guarantee you never miss an edition for the full year. Individual issues can also be purchased at major retailers like Amazon and Walmart for $14.99 per copy.
Does it feature the same content as the blog?
There is definitely crossover appeal, with popular elements like home tours, spotlights on DIY projects, before-and-after makeovers, and peeks inside small spaces. But the print stories allow for deeper dives and enhanced visuals. Subscribers gain access to exclusive online content as well.
What sets it apart from other shelter magazines?
Its focus on achievable, personality-filled interiors curated by Grace Bonney. The content goes beyond just featuring trendy spaces to offer actionable tips, spotlights on everyday designers, and encouragement to infuse your home with pieces that speak to you.
How often will new issues be released?
Design Sponge at Home is slated as a quarterly publication. So readers can anticipated 4 bound editions each year, one for each season. This less frequent publishing schedule allows the team to deliver a rich issue packed with inspiring content.
Will digital editions be available?
Yes, both print and digital subscriptions are available. Digital versions replicate the look and feel of the printed magazine for those who prefer reading on devices or computers. Special interactive elements make the digital experience unique.
Can readers submit their home for consideration?
Absolutely! Reader submissions are hugely important for sourcing tours. You can submit your home right from the Design Sponge website. Just look for the “Submit Your Home” link at the top of the homepage.
The Future Looks Bright for Design Sponge’s Next Chapter
For over 15 years, Design Sponge has been a daily destination for design inspiration and DIY creativity. With the launch of Design Sponge at Home, Grace Bonney and her team now have an exciting new outlet to engage and empower their audience. The quarterly magazine allows for expanded tours, in-depth Spotlights, and longer home stories. Readers can dive into each issue, emerging with fresh motivation to create personal spaces that reflect their lives and personalities. This passion project represents the next evolution of the beloved Design Sponge brand.
Conclusion
Design Sponge at Home brings Grace Bonney’s signature point of view from the screen to the page. By spotlighting beautiful yet livable interiors, focusing on home tours, and celebrating independent makers, the new quarterly magazine retains the essence of the iconic blog in a fresh format. From behind-the-scenes features to actionable DIYs, the content empowers readers to infuse their homes with personal style and creativity. For devoted fans and design aficionados discovering the DS aesthetic, Design Sponge at Home provides an inviting and inspiring experience. With each issue, Grace Bonney and her team continue to push design in an attainable, inclusive and adventurous direction.
