Vance Publishing has shuttered its décor magazine brands, including Furniture Style, Design & Décor and Residential Lighting.

In a memo to staffers [0], Vance president Peggy Walker attributed the closings to the down economy, indicated that management had “painstakingly reviewed” several cost-cutting options but opted to shutter the décor magazines to improve Vance’s long-term viability.

Scranton Gillette Communications, another Chicago-area b-to-b publisher, has agreed to purchase the assets of Residential Lighting. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

According to Vance’s Web site, Residential Lighting carries a circulation of 11,000. Design & Décor’s was 20,000 and Residential Lighting’s was 25,000.

Harry Urban, who previously served as vice president of Vance’s interiors media network will oversee Residential Lighting’s transition to Scranton, the company said. It was not immediately clear how many positions were terminated in association with the closures. Walker did not return requests for comment.

Scranton publishes several titles, including Water & Waste Digest, Storm Water Solutions and Lawn + Garden Retailer.