I usually don't pick it up, but this issue is full of "good things," to quote Martha. I think the big title "Love Your Home: Style Ideas for Every Room of the House" was a clue I might like it more than her usual issues (which are often just too crafty for me making me feel inadequate - who needs that?).
Oh, sure there are crafty DIY things in there, like these cute monogrammed headboards:
I, of course, while liking the headboards mainly think, "I love that lamp." Then, "cute dog." The takeaway here - while I can appreciate a good DIY, I'm not going to tackle most of them. Sad but true. I just like to study the styling and interiors. I know my place and I'm comfortable in it. Another cute photo from this story about monograms:
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| Sorry for the quality, I snapped this with my camera. |
Doesn't this remind you of a Miles Redd room? Not totally, but the saturated tones and painted shelves are reminiscent of him, I thought. No big deal. Everyone does this look now, and I still love it. However, they even used Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue (and not a Martha color like they do in most of the spreads) like Miles did in this rather famous room featured in House Beautiful in 2009 . . .
But then, I almost gasped when I saw another photo in a feature they did on spiffing up interior doors (also another very Miles Redd thing to do). Check out this photo from MSL:
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| Sorry, once again, for my photo. |
And now a photo from the Miles Redd-designed apartment in House Beautiful (same apartment featured above):
Um, pretty clear they copied this entire concept. Miles' doors were covered in green leather, while Martha's doors were simply painted, but the brass upholstery tacks, hallway wallcovering, zigzag floor covering, and DeGournay-esque wallpaper (or treatment) in the adjoining room are all extremely similar. I understand that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but couldn't they have at least credited Miles Redd or asked permission to use his photo as a reference ("how to create this look on a budget" kind of thing)? I realize there's no such thing as an original idea, but this seems like a pretty blatant rip-off to me.
Don't get me wrong, there are some great ideas and eye candy in this Martha Stewart Living. And they, of course, do a great job of educating you on how to do these decorative treatments yourself, I just wish they were a little more original or honest in their presentation.
Am I the only one who thinks this is a little like creative plagiarism?
Sources: Martha Stewart Living, House Beautiful
11 comments:
Oh, I think you are definitely on to something. It's one thing for us mere mortals to take design inspiration from the big wigs and attempt to replicate those looks on a miniscule budget, it's entirely another for a media empire to do the same without giving credit where it is due.
Totally. If they'd given Miles a nod..all would be well....
It's wiggity wack. And NOT as cute.
so funny-I never read Martha but just bought this one at Target yesterday for the same reasons you cite. Haven't read it yet, but already disappointed! I agree--they should give credit where credit is due.
You are right. It's a blatant rip-off of Mile's design. What's so hard about giving credit when credit is due?
P/S: Come by and enter my giveaway for a chance to win a personalized jewelry!
Jessie
www.mixandchic.com
Smart girl!! Yes, it would have been better if they called it the look for less!! Or at least changed the rug!!
Wow.....don't have this issue, but pretty amazing how spot on it is to Miles'.
Eek - just weird how they copied everything down to to the rug and the placement of the chair... just doesn't make sense to me to not give Miles any credit.
Uh, I know nothing is truly original anymore, but I hate when big corporations do this shit.. like when Janell (from Isabella & Max) son's room showed up "redone" in Pottery Barn Kids. They should totally give credit or "inspiration" when its due. Don't get me started girl. Probably half the folks reading Martha don't know who Miles Redd is, and they will automatically associate this look to "her"...
His doors are f-ing spectacular though, aren't they????? Might need to rip that idea off. And I'll be sure to give credit!
I was wondering where I had seen those doors before! I kept thinking, "shouldn't they be leather?" Thanks for pointing that out - Miles is a genius! On another note, do you still have those brass herons I saw in an earlier post? Let me know vicweb@hotmail.com, thanks, Victoria
Everybody is copying everyone these days.....crazy! But Martha!!!! I am shocked.
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