This may come as a bit of a shock, considering the legions of fans of Lonny, but I’ve never quite understood the hooplah surrounding the online shelter mag. Their features are generally very serious and stuffy, and aside from a few bits of title typography that are pretty cool, the graphic design throughout the magazine is completely amateurish.

But hey, it’s Magazine Monday, so here we go. I’m sure I can find a couple of things to get excited about.

Lonny Magazine, March 2013.

Sheesh, but only a couple.

Like these details from a travel piece on Le Royal Monceau Hotel in Paris–sepia-toned photographs printed on pendant light diffusers in a dining room, and a supercool, cubist guerrilla sculpture by Richard Orlinski near the grand staircase:

Lonny Magazine, March 2013.

Lonny Magazine, March 2013.

Beyond several great pin-worthy pieces scattered throughout the magazine, that’s it folks. Not much, eh? So let’s go back to the Jan/Feb issue for a little bit more in the way of wow factor:

Lonny Magazine, March 2013.

What’s with the boring covers, Lonny? Those kids on the March cover are cute and all, but where’s the visual drama? You couldn’t get away with that if you were competing against other shelter mags on a newsstand.

I know what. Let’s do a bunch of monochromatic, gray covers.

Makes me want to create my own damn online magazine.

Back to the Jan/Feb issue, there were a few compelling items featured. For instance, growing up in the Houston area, we were well aware of art collectors John and Dominique de Menil. Did you know that Dominique had behind-the-scenes gallery-styled vaults built on the second floor of The Menil Collection museum to house the works that aren’t on display in the public areas? She wanted all of the pieces to be “comfortable” while waiting in the wings for their turn to be displayed. How cool is that? Here’s a glimpse at those vaults:

Lonny Magazine, January/February 2013.

I’m also a big fan of the simple, yet colorful, bedrooms at Domenique’s home in Houston’s River Oaks:

Lonny Magazine, January/February 2013.

Even Domenique’s liquor supply is displayed in an artful way:

Lonny Magazine, January/February 2013.

Also noteworthy in the issue, these adorably striped claw foot bathtubs:

Lonny Magazine, January/February 2013.

Lonny Magazine, January/February 2013.

That’s it. A Magazine Monday twofer for you. As I mentioned, the pins from these issues were pretty stellar, much more interesting than the editorial features, so be sure and look for the hashtag #magazinemonday over on my Pinterest boards.

Are you a fan of Lonny mag and think I’m getting it wrong? What am I missing? What other shelter pubs would you like us to feature on a future Magazine Monday post?