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He Said, She Said does the Latest Lonny

When I did my first run-through of the latest issue of design e-zine, Lonny, I was almost breathless. Each page seemed to be better than the one before.
However, not wanting to be the Happy Clapper* type who can't offer a fair critique, I thought it best to call in my better half, to provide the year's first He Said, She Said: The Latest Lonny.

Me: Ben, you're first on deck (pass a piece of chocolate, too)

home by hillary thomas via lonny
Ben: The only thing I don't understand is the purpose of that thing over the window on the left. It looks like Captain Crunch's hat.
Me: It's a pelmet. Remember, we made one for Avery's room?
Ben: And the couch, it's strange. Three people sitting on that couch would mean all of their knees touching. I think anyone walking into this room sees that couch and says, "I'm not sitting there, I'm heading for the wishbone chair."
Me: Well, I really love this room, including the strangely-angled sofa. I'm honestly having a hard time getting past those glorious curtains, though. I'm having a curtain obsession these days.

lynn nigro kitchen via lonny
Me: Superb. And I don't normally favor dark-cabinet kitchens this much, but that touch of Quadrille wallpaper is a stroke of genius.
Ben: I'm not sure I would've gone with such a stark white backsplash behind the stove - seems to beg for splatters. I think at first, those dark cabinets would seem cool, but after awhile, they'd drive you freakin' nuts.
Me: They'd drive ME nuts, or just whoever?
Ben: Whoever had to cook in that kitchen every day.

lynn nigro bookshelves via lonny

Me:
It's bookshelves, I know. I just think this is a great example of perfectly non-perfect bookshelves. Not as overly-styled as you typically see in design publications.

Ben: What? This is VERY styled. Just because it's messy doesn't mean it's not styled.
Me: I don't see it as messy at all, but I give you that it probably DID take more effort than you'd assume to look this "unstyled."
Ben: Now I know what we can do with our spare chairs - face them AWAY from the tv - that makes sense.
Me: :(

living room by jariath mellett via lonny
Ben: I think it's cool. Everything but the bed.
Me: Daybed.
Ben: Still. At my age, just seeing a bed makes me sleepy. I'd probably fall asleep, and that would be quite the conversation killer.
Me: Yes, it would, but I wouldn't let you do that. You know, I'm not sure WHY I like this room, or really if I have that much emotion about it at all. I know it's photographed well, and that's probably the main draw for me.
Ben: Where's the tv?
Me: OK, moving on...

bedroom by trip haenrisch via lonny
Ben: The bed appears very comfortable, but everything seems really crammed into the center.
Me: This is actually one of the few rooms in this issue I could seriously not handle living in. The "center aligned" effect is obviously done on purpose, but I can leave it. Well, I'd take the Massimo Vitali photos and bail.

*Term "Happy Clapper" coined by the brilliant and should-be famous, Raina.

27 comments:

Geb said...

I love this series of yours. Can you believe I haven't even checked out the new Lonny yet? I need to get on that!

modern jane said...

You guys are too funny!

wishful nals said...

ha! this is awesome. ;)

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Ha! You guys make me laugh out loud. Then everyone thinks I'm a little loopy.

s'ok.

christine {bijouandboheme} said...

This is seriously my favourite single series EVER! I literally laughed through the whole thing. Your banter is brillian and PS, the male psychi never ceases to amuse me- they're all the same:)

Stephanie said...

I love the running commentary. What was that book? "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus".

Alcira Molina-Ali said...

HAHA!
This is so great, no couples therapy for you two!
After all, the couple that design-critiques together probably sleeps together ;)
I also love the more realistic take most men have on design. It really brings things into perspective, as styling can make us think we love a space that probably wouldn't be as great in person.
Cheers, Alcira

nerochronicles.com

Paloma {La Dolce Vita} said...

This is genius! I love it. :)

bailey@ peppermintbliss said...

Ok so I know i have told you this before, but these are seriously my favorite features. I really want to do this with Pete- not copy you and post it on the blog, but just to hear what he would say...But I have a feeling he might not be as patient as your sweet husband!

Anna Applegate said...

This is hilarious; totally reminds me of things my husband says about design. Thanks for sharing this! By the way, I'm a new follower and just love your blog!

Raina Cox said...

ACK! This series is THE BEST. If I asked my (mechanical engineer) husband to pour over Lonny with me, he would look at me like a had a horn growing out of my head.

P.S. Thanks for the shout-out, Babe!

*clap, clap*

AppleTree said...

I love this series! More please! And I do want to copy you too! But I won't.

Michelle said...

I love this! Too cute. I don't even want to know what my husband would say!

Lindsey E. said...

Love, love, love the He said, she said! Genius! I think I love it because I know the two of you, which makes it all the more funny! I love Ben's honesty, but his true appreciation for design. I would KILL to have that first living room. Something about it is so warm and cozy and precious.

Carissa @ the Fabulous Design File said...

This is too funny! I am impressed that your hubby engages in decor talk! Awesome series.

Betsy Head, Affordable Interior Design said...

Ha! That was hysterical. What a great idea for a blog post!

Betsy

Dumbwit Tellher said...

You are brilliant;talk about entertaining! Men just think so practical don't they?

Have a wonderful weekend! x

Tiffany from HOLIDAY said...

Ha ha - I love Ben! Captain Crunch's hat. These are my absolute favorite posts! Maybe Ben should have his own spin-off blog?

Kat said...

Love it! You can't help but smile when reading these posts:)

The Redhead and her Pooch Lola said...

Best post I have read today! This is hilarious and I absolutely love how your husband looks at every possible practical aspect of the room! Adorable!

Classic Style said...

haha ! So Fun :) this post i just SO GREAT to read :)) you are so funny, have a great weekend

Classic Style said...

...and of course im your lates follower..

Ghome said...

Modern furniture is a blend of all the cultures around such as Asian, African, etc and so it has been accepted around the globe without any reservations and so those who have not experienced the world of exciting furniture should take a plunge and experience the joy and excitement of possessing them.

my favorite and my best said...

i so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so love when you do this.

ben and mike are very like minded.

Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

loved reading this post Alison, so much fun! You know I still havent had a chance to read the new issue, im working on a tiny laptop and I cant enjoy it really so Im just waiting to get my laptop back. SO anyway loved seeing your faves and thoughts, both of them!

P.S. I love this... said...

"Captain Crunch hat.." Priceless. *wipes tears from eyes*

a dose of color said...

HAHA reading this made me really happy. Ben needs to meet my boyfriend. Thanks for sharing!

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