Editor of Maine Home+Design Magazine Talks About Her Job and New Life in Maine: Meet Danielle Devine

Today I have with me in the studio Danielle Devine, who is the editor of a Maine Home Design magazine. Thanks for coming in today. Thanks For having me. This is just such a special pleasure, because I think you and I have not seen each other for four and a half years, perhaps. Probably, yeah. Yeah, it's, it's been a while. I feel like the pandemic was longer than Yeah. We Thought it would be . Yeah. But we Tried to get together numerous times, but That's right. It's not that we weren't in contact. Yeah. We were in contact. But yeah. So it's really nice to see you in person. Yeah. Well, and I think what's, what some people may not know is that for a brief period of time, I actually, you and I worked together when I was working with, um, the magazines, and I really enjoyed our, our working relationship. Oh, you too. It was really fun to be able to spend time, um, getting to know you and also getting to know the design world, which you have a lot of background in, not just in this current role, but you've been working in the design world for many years now. I have, yeah. Um, I went to undergrad, um, for, I was an English major and then an art history minor. So I've always really loved art. Um, so I, after graduation, I went to finance actually, like, because I was in Boston and I wanted to make a lot of money , to be honest. Um, and I left that world. I knew I wanted to do something with art. Um, and design really piqued my interest because it was, um, functional. But, um, I think without my history and fine art and my love of fine art, I wouldn't have been drawn to design, um, and really appreciated it. Um, so I guess like, yeah, fine. Art led me to design an architecture. Um, and I've been working in that field for, oh, almost 18 years. So a long Time. I mean, we were pretty lucky to have you start working with us at the magazine when you, um, when you came to Maine, because originally you and your husband, you weren't, you're not necessarily Mainers per Se. No. Um, so when we moved, we were in New York City and we really wanted, we had a fam started having a family. And, um, my in-laws live here and I really wanted to live here, . Um, so my husband is an architect in New York. Um, he opened up an office here. Um, and when I first came here, I connected with the magazines. Um, I really, I was at an, uh, international national magazine. Um, but I wanted to, you know, like, know about Design World in Maine and Maine home and design really just like encompassed everything that I wanted, um, to learn about. So I was fortunate enough to be able to work for the magazine in freelance. And then, um, eventually I was hired, um, after a few years. And yeah, I haven't really looked back and I feel really fortunate to be able to live in Maine and to, um, write about design and architecture. So it's kind of a, a dream. It's interesting when you use the word functional mm-hmm. , because I, I think that you're, you're absolutely right. A lot of people think of art as this is something on a wall, it's something in a museum. It's something that we have to go somewhere to admire from afar. Mm-hmm. . But what you're describing is really living within, uh, a beautiful space and Yeah. And the impact that, that potentially can have mm-hmm. in creating a better life. Yeah. I, um, I love the fact that design really is for everyone. Right? So, um, everything in this room has been designed and has a function. Um, most of it, I think you have beautiful art, but, um, yeah, I just, I like the fact that it can appeal to someone very little, like with, with Legos or Tinker toys. Um, and then it can appeal to, you know, people that are looking for a new home and, um, like sustainable architecture. So it's, it's really, um, it's for the masses. Um, and I think also fine art can be for the masses, and I love the combination of the two. Um, which, you know, I, I really like the Portland Art Gallery, so, um, when homes have art from the gallery in it, that really makes it nice. Um, and people combine great art in design and architecture. It's just like great furniture, great architecture. So that's really, um, what's nice about the magazine is I get to do all of that, um, and kind of put that all together and, and make an issue every month. So, Well, I have to say, I consider myself being from the masses because I did not have, um, a fine art background. I did not have any real formal education in art, but I always had a sense of what I liked and what appealed to me, and what I felt was beautiful or touching. And so for me it was trying to find a way to whatever stage I was at, you know, when I was, when my kids were little, maybe we didn't have as much art on the walls cuz you know, obviously you don't have as much money. Money. And also, you know, you obviously have, um, competing priorities mm-hmm. , but, you know, as time has gone along, um, the, the fact that you live with art and it can kind of evolve with you and mm-hmm. , and similarly, even the way that we design our homes and how mm-hmm. , those can also evolve with us over the course of our lives. Um, definitely. Have you worked with, well, I, I know that you have , you've probably worked with people, you know, my world. Yes. Ex Exactly. Um, I, I'm guessing that you've worked with people in all along kind of the lifespan and with very different ideas of how they wanna incorporate art and architecture and design into their lives. Mm-hmm. , what are some of the lessons that you've learned? Um, the lessons I've learned, I guess, um, invest in good pieces if you can. Um, there's definitely a lot of homes that have a combination of low and high, but knowing which low to go with, like, I always think invest in a really nice rug, um, invest in art you really love. Right. Um, lighting is something that I think is really important. Um, yeah, I just, I think sometimes when I was younger I would just buy to fill space. Um, and that I kind of learned, I'd rather wait for something really nice and just have a couple of items. And it really is, I mean, as an editor, it's all about editing, right? Like editing what's in your life, what's in the home, um, and really having thoughtful decisions. Um, so I guess, yeah. Um, I don't know if that answers your question, but, Yeah. Well, I mean, you, you brought up two, actually, there's two things that I take out of what you're saying. One is the editing , which is sort of the, the taking away of things mm-hmm. that don't need to exist or the accentuating things that you need more of. Um, but one is the curation mm-hmm. And the idea that you're actually making an effort to, um, very mindfully choose things to be part of a space as opposed to, well, I don't wanna name any names of furniture stores that are Yep. Kind of mask like box. Yeah, yeah. Box stores. Um, but yeah, you're, you're absolutely right. When I think about, particularly when I was say in college or mm-hmm. , you know, a young parent, I'd be like, I need a little bureau. Yeah. It doesn't matter what it looks like, it just needs to have little children's clothing in it. Yeah, Exactly. And you're right, I think that there are times when waiting for the right piece makes a lot more sense mm-hmm. . Yeah. Um, it's also, I mean, I, I don't know if people would find this interesting or not, but, um, with the pandemic, there's obviously, um, everyone knows a lot of supply shortages. Um, so when I go into a home, there's a lot of stuff missing initially. Like, so we, we scout the homes and then we kind of get to see what they fill it with. And, um, if they can't, they don't wanna wait for, you know, the gorgeous, um, Mosher dining table. Um, they'll go for something that's easy, right? And so they'll fill it with like box store things, um, which is really unfortunate, right? And then they usually regret the decision , and then they wanna replace it. So it's, it's a lot of, um, if you think you, you don't need to fill it, it's better to have like a fold out table maybe for a little bit till you get that table that you really love and that you appreciate, um, and not just fill it with things. Cuz that just ends up in the landfill eventually. Right. So, um, yeah, I think, uh, thinking about what you're gonna put into your home, um, is really important and you don't need that much stuff. Right, . Yeah, that's a great point you're describing. If you make a choice that's a temporary choice, then what happens to the item that you've chosen that's temporary. I mean, it's gonna go somewhere. Yeah. And it's sometime, hopefully it'll go to a new home that somebody will need it and want it. Absolutely. But if it doesn't, then it just becomes kind of part of the waste stream. Mm-hmm. . So there's actually a reason, there's another reason to be more aware Yeah. Of kind of a sustainable approach and maybe just allowing the space to exist for a little while. Yeah, exactly. Um, I think, yeah, the more you live in a space, the, the more, you know, like what is gonna fit in and, and kind of, um, where the sun hits and, you know, the certain pieces that, um, will really make the room and make you happy. I think it's also what makes the person living in this space happy. Yeah. And the, and the idea of, um, the idea of form following function mm-hmm. . So, you know, the light comes in and you realize, oh, I'm gonna spend more time in this room in the mornings mm-hmm. , and if I'm gonna spend more time in this room in the mornings, do I wanna put a little chair here and do I wanna enjoy the sunrise? So that, that is something that you wouldn't necessarily know mm-hmm. unless you've actually spent time in the space. Yeah. And I, I really love that too. Um, it's interesting when someone works with an architect, they're thinking about that, right? How the sun moves throughout the day and the windows and how many to put in. Um, but also if you're moving into an existing space, right? Um, just kind of like living in there, like you said, and, and seeing which areas are the most important, where you're spending your time, and maybe it is worth, you know, getting that Eames lounger for that spot, right? That, that you're, you're in a lot and really love, um, making that splurge with good design. And, um, that's a great example of, you know, forum follows function. Like that chair is one of the most comfortable chairs I've ever been in. Um, but it's also so iconic and maybe over used in a lot of things. Um, but yeah, there's a reason why, um, some of these objects are famous, right? So they're, they're usually very comfortable and very nice, um, and thought out and great materials. And I think materials are extremely important too. The materials we're using in the house and, and everywhere. That's something that we've seen a lot more awareness of over time is what things are made of. Mm-hmm. , um, whether it's the type of wood, whether it's sustainably forested, whether we're talking about, um, spaces that are taking into consideration things like l e d lighting mm-hmm. . And I think this has become more and more important over the last, I would say 10 years, but maybe even longer than that. Mm-hmm. , what are you seeing for trends in the work that you're doing? Um, I think there's definitely a lot of analyzing everything that's going into the house. All the materials, if we're, especially we're lucky here in Maine, um, and with the design community, they're really focusing on things that are going to last and where well, with the weather, um, and just going into different homes, you can really tell the home that is, um, really thought out in like a tight envelope. Um, so having those really good windows, the insulation, you're saving money obviously on your like electric bill and, you know, overheating. Um, but just like the importance of starting, if you're gonna start a new structure, what you're, you're using to, to make it like a tight envelope and really sustainable. Um, so yeah, I think people are, are thinking more about what they're using, um, and maybe, uh, that sometimes might mean a initial bigger investment, but you're saving money in the long run. And we're also thinking about our own health and the health of the house's occupants, our children. Our pets. Yes. So when you talk about buying a new carpet, is it mm-hmm. dowsed in That's a really Good point. Things that are going to off gas that are gonna make us ultimately feel sick. So yes. I I think that, that as a, you know, somebody in the medical field mm-hmm. , I'm really glad that that is happening because there are a lot of things that we spend a lot of time with over the course of our lives. Bedding, for example, you know? Yeah. And making sure the bedding that we have doesn't have, um, isn't lead in with, with fire return Yeah. Preservative type items. Not, not that, not that we wanna all catch fire. Yeah. But just, you know, an awareness that definitely we live around these things that then, um, can have an impact on us. Yeah. I think I, I could do like a whole podcast with you about betting and, um, I think, uh, when I was younger and when you were younger maybe too, um, like my mom got like my comforter from like a Macy's or whatever, and there was a reason why it was scratchy. There's a re reason why it smelled a little funny. Um, and it really is important to have that re nice material because you're of your wellness, you sleep better, it's better for everything. It's better for an editor that comes in too. I don't have to bring in a stylist and change out the bedsheets. Right. Um, so I think yes, thinking about the materials you're, you're buying is, um, important. And it's, I think it's interesting what you're saying about like, some of the things in the, like eighties and nineties were not healthy for us at all, . But, um, yeah, I think we're a little bit more thoughtful now. And I, and you know, I understand that some of the things that are mass produced, it's, it's really done from a cost standpoint. Yeah. Because honestly, if you can get something that looks really nice and it's pretty cheap, then don't we all wanna have things that look really nice and make our spaces Yeah. Feel nice. But, but yeah. It's always gotta be a balance because Yeah. Um, I think it's kind of like clothing. You know, you, you buy clothing and if it cost, you know, 7 99 and it still has the formaldehyde and came over on a boat from China, um, you know, what does that actually do to your body as you're wearing it? Yeah. So it's definitely, uh, but it, it is always a balance, you know, it is, we don't all have endless amounts of money or most of us don't have it that amount, so that we Can just No. And that, that's, um, really important too. And I think, um, if anyone's curious, there are a lot of brands, um, that are affordable and use nice materials. So it, they're, I can, I don't wanna like promote anyone right now, but, um, definitely in that lower price range. Um, and even like bigger stores like, like Target or something like that, they have like a more natural line. Um, so I think like if, if you look and even like the Dollar Store now, like in general , like, I get, like there's definitely if you look or you thrift, you can, um, find things at lower price point. Um, so as long as like you're, and I feel like I used to hate when my mom would be like, read the ingredients, like, kind of like read the what's in there and um, and uh, think about what you're putting in, in yourself and your home and what you're gonna live with. So there's two trends that I want to talk with you about. Mm-hmm. , and I'll start with, um, the first what seems to be a trend and that is more of a focus on design regionally. Mm-hmm. and more people who are spending time, um, putting out media magazines specifically mm-hmm. related to art and design in Maine. Mm-hmm. , which is obviously wonderful to have that focus, but it creates a different landscape for you as we Yeah. As the editor of what Once was the only magazine and now Yeah. Has some competition. Um, but I think it's kind of intertwined with another theme. And that is that we have had more people, particularly as a result of the Pandemic who have come into Maine to work remotely for a time, but now have second homes or more people who already had a second home. And, and I'm wondering if that has changed the way that you work in the job that you have. Yeah, that's a really good question. Um, so a lot of people have moved to Maine , um, since the Pandemic. A lot of people have gotten second homes and are spending a lot more time in those second homes. Um, especially with being able to have more of a flexible work schedule and work remotely. So I find that, um, some people live in Boston or New York are living here, you know, half the year because they can. Um, so there's a lot, I mean there's a lot of stuff being built. Um, a lot of really good stuff being built. Um, and from the editorial standpoint, um, in working at International, international Magazines before coming here, um, I think people are realizing, um, that regional magazines definitely are, um, probably something you that's, you know, more relatable. And also, um, those national international magazines that I used to work with my friends used to work at, um, are folding, um, because people want to just know about homes in Maine really. Um, and those inter some of the international national magazines, which I really love as well, um, are looking for the projects in Maine now, which is interesting. Um, so Maine Home Design when I moved here, as I said before, was, you know, such a great thing for me cause it was like architecture design and it's all about all in Maine. Um, and after I joined the magazine, um, a couple other regional design magazines popped up, um, which is, which is great. But, um, um, I think Main Home design, it, their perspective's a little different than ours. Um, I think what I always want design to be accessible, right. But, um, we really don't do a lot of diy. Um, and I think, uh, some of the other magazines do do that. So they're kind of filling that, that, um, void, I guess that main home design didn't really fill. Cuz we really do like to work with the design community. We, um, of course like to give, you know, hints of what you can do in the home and, and do it in like a, um, affordable way. But we do really rely on our design community. Like, um, when I am looking for a home, I usually get it from an architect or a builder or interior designer that I'm gonna put in the magazine. Um, and, you know, out of 10 homes I see four will be published. Right. So, um, or not even, uh, there definitely is, um, a lot of looking and seeing what's going to fit in main home design to stay on brand, um, and what I think our audience will appreciate. Uh, so I think, yes, there's other regional magazines I have to say that I don't think, um, they're really competition with us because their, their outlooks a little different than ours. So that's, that's interesting to me because I think we're in this interesting time where we want to be kind of everything to everybody. Mm-hmm. And we want to be equitable and inclusive and, and also not everybody's gonna read everything. Yeah. So for you to be able to understand what your demographic is mm-hmm. And who you're trying to reach and what is appealing to them, and really continuing to focus on that has been, I believe important and also a, a way to remain successful. Yeah. But it's a, it's a funny thing. Yeah. Because that's, you know, it kind of is counter to the culture right now. Yeah. I think what makes, um, main Home and design kind of interesting is that we have all these departments, right. Um, which are quick reads and also give you tips and tell you about trends. Um, but then we have these three home features that we always include. Um, and there's a reason why the magazine since the beginning has always had these three home features because they're, you get to, you know, enter these people's homes. They're all really well done. Um, I mean, a lot of thought and really like, um, form Falls function, like the, those are the things like you will usually try to, um, and we don't discriminate either. Like we love the cozy traditional home and we love the Sustainable Modern Home and we love the Super Grand Home. Um, and we really love the small smartly designed home. But, um, yeah, the, you, you get those homes. But we also have these departments where, um, we have a color theory department that kind of, um, you know, I mean we just all found out what the new panto color was. Um, we all have opinions on it, and um, there's certain colors that are trending and then there's certain colors that have staying power. And we kind of try to, um, give tips to our readers the colors that, you know, are worth investing in. I don't think the white kitchen is gone. Right. , I think the white kitchen definitely has, um, a lot of value. Um, so those departments, um, are really there to give you something extra besides the, the home features. Um, and in every issue I still, a lot of editors don't write. I do a couple, I do, um, our design theory column and I also do a design lesson, which as a design person, um, , I love taking an object that we all know and kinda discussing the history of it. So I think there's certain things in Main Home design that you won't find in other publications either. I don't know if I'm going to vi's trying to explain like, um, what our brand is really about. Um, so I think there's something for the, like even a little kid that picks it up. Cause I want my daughter to like pick it up and be able to relate to it. So no matter what she looks at it, she she'll she'll look at the floor plans and she'll look at like, you know, the history of Lincoln Logs and the fact that Frank Lloyd writes son design them. And, you know, uh, the history behind that she found was really interesting and how we related to a project that he was designing in Japan and like the why the interlocking blocks work the way they do in, and that represents how like the hotel stay together in Japan. So, I mean, there's definitely, it, it's not just for like the elite, which I, maybe I came off as like kind of saying that like the, um, people with, um, more Money . Um, I think it's for everyone. Um, but the Homes We Do profile are those, those really great examples. I think it's also important, you know, you, you know, your demographic, you know your readers, you do have a broader appeal. Um, and also it is an aspirational magazine. I mean, when I pick up Main Home and Design, there's something about it that kind of makes me happy and I think, oh, I, I could do this here and I could see the way that they've done this countertop. And, um, so I think not losing sight of that, that, you know, this, maybe not everything is always available to everybody, but maybe some things are available to the person that's looking to do something different. Yeah. So I just wanna end by finding out how are your kids doing ? Oh, they're doing well. Um, I feel like when we first met, they were babies. Um, my youngest is six and then my oldest is 11. Um, and yeah, they love living in Maine. They love design , they love sports. And we're, we're living that's sport life right now with soccer. Even the winter we're doing indoor soccer and ballet and all of that fun stuff. So I'm really lucky to thank you for asking. Um, be able to have a great job and a great personal life with my husband and daughters and yeah, they're thriving. Thank you, . Well I know that I was always very impressed with your ability to really fully be available at work and also really do a great job balancing that with everything that you had going on. Cuz you're right, when I first met you, they were much younger. Yeah. But it never seemed, it, you know, I think it's hard for all of us and having also raised my own kids, you've done that. Kids. I have, yes. Um, but I think the ability to kind of live fully in all worlds is, is hard and you cultivate it, but it can be so rewarding to be happy in your job, to be happy, you know, doing what you love doing. And I think you bring that back to being a parent. Oh, thank you. So you do a great job of that too. So thank you . We, we are officially, it's a hard balance, right. , you know. It is. And I think for me, um, that's why I always so appreciated seeing what you were doing with your family and with your husband and how mindful you were and the choices that you made because, um, I, I know that's, that's always been really important to me. Mm-hmm. . And now that my kids are are older, I've seen the great relationship that I have with them and Nice. You know, that the fact that carry that, yeah. I mean, it, I mean it's an investment of energy, so it's an investment. It's a very conscious way to live. So I'm gonna give you lots of credit for that. Thank you. Yes. And um, and I do hope that you'll continue to, um, follow the same path and I'm really thrilled that you've been able to come in and check in with me today. Oh, thank you for having me. This has been a lot of fun. Well, we won't make it four and a half years next time. Yes. definitely Not a little, little short of that. Yes. I've been speaking with Danielle Devine. She is the editor of Main Home Design Magazine. I encourage you to spend some time looking through the pages, uh, whether virtually or, uh, paper version, old School of Main Home Design magazine, and also take a look at all the art and interspersed because certainly there is a focus on art and main home design and the work that she does and, and our worlds are really not that far apart. Thank you so much for coming in today. Thank you .