In 2007 I had the chance to collaborate with the team at Hachette Filipacchi Media (now Hearst) to create and launch a pioneering home design web portal called PointClickHome, working alongside the exceptional editor Anne E. Collins.
The site functioned as the digital home for the design magazines ELLE DECOR, Metropolitan Home, HOME Magazine, and special issues of Woman’s Day.
Although PointClickHome no longer exists, I was fortunate to work with one of the best editors in the shelter and home industry—Anne E. Collins—who has since gone on to travel the world as part of HoneyTrek.
Anne E. Collins was also a member of the initial launch team. Serving as the online curator for two respected design brands is a significant responsibility. Balancing the traditions of print with the demands of the web requires a rare combination of editorial judgment, technical understanding, and a keen sense for what readers want.
We asked Anne about her experiences in the shelter magazine industry and for her perspectives on luxury design and editorial strategy.
CH: You’ve worked in both print and online for leaders in the home décor magazine world. Can you share your background and what it takes to succeed as an online editor?
AC: I always knew I wanted to work in magazines. During my sophomore year at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, I took an internship at a regional lifestyle magazine, and from that point on I pursued print opportunities—contributing to a literary journal, an events magazine, and a weekly newspaper while studying abroad in Spain. When I moved to New York, I discovered that hiring often relied on “New York experience.” That led to another internship, this time with InStyle magazine.
Little tasks in that home department—packing boxes and learning the ropes—eventually led to interviews at shelter publications. I later took a position at House Beautiful and have worked in home design ever since. I love this category; writing and editing are central to my work, but it’s the subject matter—homes and interiors—that keeps me engaged.
One crucial attribute for a successful online editor is passion for the topic.
The second essential quality is adaptability. When HFMUS sought editors for a new site combining ELLE DECOR and Metropolitan Home, I had limited online experience but decided to apply. I taught myself basic HTML, studied SEO practices, read countless interior design blogs and sites, and leaned on web-savvy mentors. Nearly three years into the role, success boils down to staying current—tracking blog trends, understanding what portals like Yahoo and AOL feature, and adopting technologies that help the site thrive.
CH: Coming from print into online, what are the main differences when building, writing, and editing content for both platforms?
AC: They are essentially opposite approaches. Writing for print is a structured art form—careful, edited, and permanent. Web writing is more experimental and immediate. Print requires precision: meeting word counts and multiple editorial reviews. The web demands boldness to capture attention from readers scrolling through Yahoo Shine or search results. You need standout, compelling content—eye-catching, essential, or entertaining—but it must also deliver value. The goal is to stop someone mid-scroll and reward them with useful or memorable content.
CH: As executive editor for PointClickHome.com, how did you bring the distinct voices of ELLE DECOR and Metropolitan Home to a new home design website?
AC: I encouraged magazine editors to use the web as an outlet to show their personal sides—sharing quirky ideas, candid opinions, and practical advice. The web enables things paper cannot: live polls, quizzes, interactive shopping, and immediate responses to news. That interactivity is energizing for both readers and editors, and it builds stronger connections between the two.
CH: What design trends have you seen at the luxury level, especially given recent economic shifts?
AC: A challenging economy doesn’t mean people will abandon quality. Online marketplaces such as Etsy make unique, detailed pieces more accessible and often more affordable than traditional luxury retailers. I’m seeing a greater emphasis on handmade goods and the work of small, independent designers. Higher-end publications and sites are also curating more affordable options and reinforcing that good design is about thoughtful mixing—knowing where to splurge and where to economize to create a home with character rather than a brand list.
CH: Where do you find inspiration for your blog posts and editorial features?
AC: For my blog, much of my inspiration comes from personal experience—decorating my apartment after moving in with very little furniture. The process of furnishing and experimenting has been a constant source of ideas. For editorial features, inspiration comes from looking beyond traditional design references: films, news, television, the urban environment, and trending search behaviors. Thinking broadly about how design intersects with culture expands the pool of potential stories and reader interest.
CH: Which magazines, websites, and design TV shows do you turn to for inspiration?
AC: Online, sites that consistently deliver wow-factor include Crib Candy for décor, WebUrbanist for architecture, and Design Sponge for beautiful, thoughtful content. In print, World of Interiors remains a deep source of inspiration. For television, I admit to watching Top Design: Season 2 closely—both as research and because it was genuinely engaging.
CH: Which cities worldwide and across the U.S. are currently leading the way in interior design, creative talent, and architecture?
AC: Paris and London are perennial leaders; Rotterdam stands out for its edge; South Africa impresses with local craftsmanship; and Dubai draws attention for ambitious projects. Seattle’s modern design scene, exemplified by publications like Velocity Art and Design, is intriguing. Neighborhoods like Red Hook and Rhinebeck in New York are treasure troves for vintage finds. Meanwhile, production hubs in India, Indonesia, and China influence global design—decorative motifs and street-market discoveries often find their way into Western showrooms and product designs, making these regions quietly influential trendsources.
CH: What’s one interior design tip you’d offer to weekend decorators?
AC: Embrace wallpaper. Covering a single wall in an oversized modern pattern can complete half of your decorating work. Place it on a less prominent wall so it reveals itself as you move through the room rather than confronting you at the door. Instead of wallpapering every wall, one feature wall reads like an art installation and adds impact without permanently altering the space.
More interviews
Kevin O’Connor, Host of This Old House
Shoshana Berger, Founder of ReadyMade Magazine