It’s exciting to see fresh initiatives in shelter publishing, and when established print publisher Meredith teamed up with digital magazine Lonny to create Trad Home, the design community paid attention.
Following high-profile launch events in New York City and Los Angeles—attended by many prominent figures from the worlds of design, publishing, and blogging—the stage was set for an ambitious collaboration between two respected media brands. Both bring distinct strengths: Traditional Home, a mainstay in shelter magazines since 1989, has long catered to an affluent audience with a preference for classic aesthetics; Lonny, born from the legacy of Domino magazine, arrived more recently and focused on delivering a traditional magazine experience in a digital format, emphasizing carefully curated stories and striking photography.
Launched as a blend of both approaches, Trad Home’s premiere issue is substantial at 344 pages. While a significant portion of the pages are devoted to advertising, the ads are tastefully integrated and relevant to the editorial content—much like what readers expect from a premium print title. Editorial highlights include features such as “Generation (T)rad” and “10 Things My Mother Told Me,” but the standout elements are the photo essays showcasing the 20 designers selected as the “New Trad Designers.” Those images offer abundant inspiration and are a major draw of the issue.
For readers who haven’t explored Lonny and may find Traditional Home’s tone too formal, Trad Home offers a compelling middle ground: classic design presented with a livelier, contemporary sensibility. The issue benefits from guest editors Michelle Adams and Patrick Cline, Lonny’s cofounders, working under Traditional Home editor-in-chief Ann Omvig Maine—an editorial collaboration that underscores the potential for future partnerships between digital innovators and established print titles.
Overall, Trad Home represents a thoughtful fusion of print and digital sensibilities, delivering high-quality visuals and well-curated features that appeal to both traditional design lovers and readers looking for a fresher approach to classic style.