Metropolitan Home is being put to bed for good.

I suffered reflux trying to digest the death of Gourmet, one of four Condé Nast publications closed recently. I didn’t sample the food bible much but felt nostalgic about it as an American institution. I only picked up Modern Bride a few times when plotting my wedding. (I had the main prop but needed flowers and a dress.)

Now, achy-breaky heartburn ensues from Hachette’s news about dumping Metropolitan Home.

Set to fold after its December issue, the loss of the treasured shelter guide is another casualty of the ad recession – in fact, the biggest casualty to date.

It has taken about 30 years, but the ultimate collapse is what my harshly prophetic broadcast journalism teachers at Northwestern predicted in the early 80s, proclaiming, “Print is dead!”

The grim forecast prompted many of us grad students to seek careers in television, only to make our way back to print eventually. Dying or not, it offered dignity. Print was where the rubber met the road in terms of writing acumen. The words didn’t always have to match the pictures. Imagine that.

I had a personal connection to Met Home, the uber source of swank urban nesting. I began as a fan, dovetailing pages challenging us to uplift our rooms with color, modern accessories, innovative gadgets and accessible art. It had a soft spot for small spaces urban dwellers could afford. Make puny pads bold, we were told.

Later, I became a contributor. When I first hooked up with Met I was a burned-out CNN writer and reporter, frustrated by the network’s ranting, mediocre producers, sensational live coverage and zero commitment to covering visual art.

I got up the nerve to phone Met one day from the Omni to pitch a few story ideas. I was merely a fan. A fan with a good resume: I worked at CNN. I had grown up in the housing design business. I desperately wanted in.

An erudite senior editor, John Sweeney, was happy to bite when I suggested a piece on world-famous pop artist, Kenny Scharf. The magazine was going through that we need hot celebs on the cover phase and my timing was excellent. God, I miss the 80s!

Nevermind that I hadn’t spoken to my college friend in years; that didn’t keep me from exploiting the connection. After all, Kenny and I had slow-danced together like Fred and Ginger in our dorm elevators, singing Cheek to Cheek. He owed me.

I called Kenny and boom, kismet! He graciously invited me to his upstate Hudson Valley Charles Addams-style manse which he had transmogrified into a graffiti palace with his signature cartoon aliens, atomic whirls and swirls. He was even producing ancient-future furniture that was an extension of his art. Right up Met Home’s alley. Lucky, lucky me.

I never turned back after that, and Met Home invited me to continue on as a Southeast editor, contributing cutting-edge articles on inner city housing projects and urban architecture.

I found Met was always on the cusp of all that is modern and functional, all that enhances our visual world, and that happened to include good green living.

The magazine should be proud of its April 2009 eco issue, which, like many of its best editions, entertained and informed while sharing valuable decor resources. This, in addition to consistent annual coverage of “the best little green houses,” and other examples of how the world of design is making strides in sustainable living.

But pride won’t keep you afloat when the dollars go down the drain. The biggest and most prestigious victim of the ad recession has fallen. Thirteen editorial staffers will join the growing list of unemployed journalists, including Donna Warner, the editor-in-chief for the past 17 years.

Warner, who replaced wonderful Dorothy Kalins, worked at Met Home for 26 years, joining shortly after it was founded at Meredith Corp, where it was introduced in 1974 as Apartment Life.

“I created this baby and loved it a lot,” said Warner. “It’s very sad. That’s what happens when you lose one of your children.”

My journalism instructors would boast “We told you so!” And now, I must admit, I  finally believe them. Print is dead.

While I know we will save paper, it just won’t be the same not being able to tear out pages of great sofas and chairs when I’m in the dentist waiting room or at the beauty salon. Saving them on the old Crackberry just isn’t the same kind of tactile experience.

This is the latest installment in Luanne’s column, Life in the Green Lane.

The Solar-Powered Charging Case comes equipped with a built-in solar panel to restore battery power by harnessing energy from the sun, all while protecting your iPhone from damage.

Made with green materials and minimal carbon impact, the Agent 18 Eco Shield is simple and sleek, perfect for those who believe that their iPhone needs no additional frill. Plus, the packaging is recycled.

On sale for just over $10, the Incipio EcoCase is both green and affordable.

The JavoEdge Cork Cover is slim yet durable and blows traditional iPhone covers out of the water.

Similar to the JavoEdge Cork Cover, the Elan Form Cork provides more protection with a static peel screen protector.

The Eco iPhone Sleeve is handmade with care by talented artisans from reclaimed fabric and organic cotton batting.

The Bamboo Slider is available in yummy shades of mushroom, olive, beet and eggplant to perfectly complement your personal color scheme.

Crafted from used bicycle tubes, the 100% recycled i-Tube doubles as an iPhone case and a unique accessory for all you hipsters out there.

The Organic Hemp Case is petroleum-free and gets its sunny shade of yellow from natural dyes. If it gets dirty, just throw it in the laundry.

The Padded Eco Case is lined with felt that’s made from recycled post-consumer plastic bottles to keep your iPhone free of scratches, the eco-friendly way.

It’s always a great idea to bring lots of accessories on a trip, right?

After all, sometimes the poor clothing choices we made need help. And who knew it would be 40 degrees in Dallas the day you got there? By accessorizing with a great ring, necklace or pair of earrings you can whip that travel wardrobe right into shape and reuse the one pair of emergency jeans you brought without notice.

But, if you’re anything like me, you toss those accessories in little plastic bags and by the time you unpack, your baubles look like voodoo in a bag, hard to decipher and frustrating to undo. Not to mention, who wants to pull their pretty baubles out of a plastic bag?

Enter (trumpet please) Aster and Sage’s jewelry envelopes.

Made of 100% recycled polyester and soda bottles with recycled sensuede appliqués, the Elizabeth envelope has felt panels inside for securing earrings, small inside pockets, and a separate larger compartment for putting in your bangles.

So, as you step out into day three of 40-degree weather in Dallas (wearing the one pair of jeans), you’ll at least be relieved that you brought so much jewelry. More pants may have been better, though.

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