Our Photo Shoot for Better Homes & Gardens!
Several months ago, I read on Design Indulgence, how Lisa Mowry helped Sherry get her home published in “Better Homes and Gardens.”
We had just finished the renovation of our house and I thought “What the heck…I’ll send her a link.” She was encouraging and asked for more photos. Slowly, other magazine scouts noticed our house on my blog and inquired about shooting it. So complimentary! Then, Lisa emailed to say that Amy Panos, Home Editor of “Better Homes and Gardens” said it was a “go!” Thank you, Lisa and Amy!
When I learned what shots/angles they were interested in,
such as “lightening up the mantel” I thought, “good idea” and bought wooden finials (above)
with a finish similar to the new chandelier.
with a finish similar to the new chandelier.
“Add greenery.” I bought some plants and a green throw blanket and asked, if the stylist could bring a green tray. “Take a shot of the office loft” What? I needed to straighten it up and make it prettier.
So, I borrowed some blue accessories.
So, I borrowed some blue accessories.
“Shot of the pantry, cute red step stool.” “Uh oh”, I thought.
It needs more color and organization in there.
I cleaned it up a bit and added a seaside picture from Home Goods.
It needs more color and organization in there.
I cleaned it up a bit and added a seaside picture from Home Goods.
I figured that the stylist, Laura Hull, would work her magic in here with some editing.
I also borrowed this piece of art from here to lighten things up in the living room.
We were told not to wear black, white or prints. Tommy and Alie selected their options…
The shoot was scheduled for around my husband’s birthday so the kids would be home.
But then, unfortunately, Howard had to go on a business trip.
But then, unfortunately, Howard had to go on a business trip.
This was strategically placed.
I washed all the slip covers and put this sign up for Tommy and his friends…and then…
The photography shoot was yesterday!
Here is the photographer, Edmund Barr, with our daughter, Alie. Edmund would be aghast over this lousy photo (and I didn’t have him sign a “waiver release” like we did).
He did the photography for one of my favorite table setting books, “Flair.”
Not only did he sign my book, he fixed our running toilet!
Something he learned from an episode of “Mad Men.” What a guy! Now if he will just
erase my neck wrinkles for the magazine, I will love him forever.
Here is his assistant, Dyleen, setting up the high tech equipment.
Although they kept the mantel as I had arranged it,
their photo will be waaaaay better. In other rooms,
Laura used mostly my things but in different eye catching ways.
Edmund was good at getting us to relax…he took a picture of Alie and me setting the patio table and
of Tommy in the kitchen spinning a basketball on his finger. Normal stuff.
Except for where they were shooting, the rest of the house looked like chaos
(and it was so neat the night before).
Oh well, at the end of the day it was back to normal.
And we got to keep Laura’s beautiful flowers and the new green tray!
They ran out of time and didn’t shoot the pantry or my office (newly outfitted with borrowed items
from Debbie and things removed like the printer and file folders).
So, here it is again looking like Cinderella before midnight
(I glued the blue fabric on the desk blotter to lighten it up).
It might be a year before the photographs run in the magazine,
but what a fun day for Alie, Tommy and me!
Thank you, “Better Homes and Gardens!!!!”
And thank YOU so much for stopping by!
Participating in
Information and pictures shared about better homes is great. Thanks for sharing.
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Congrats! Your house is amazing!
Congratulations Mary Ann!!! Look forward to seeing the magazine when it comes out!!
happy weekend!
joan
Wow, how fun to get published in such a wonderful magazine! Your home is beautiful & definitely magazine photo-worthy.
CAS
Sooooo exciting!!!!! Can't wait to get my copy 🙂 Congrats!
What a thrill! Congratulations to you Mary Ann! If any home is magazine worthy, yours is. So, so pretty!
Mary Ann what an awesome event. I'm so happy for you hurray! Well deserve, Congratulations!
P.S. Thank you for your comment about my word verification. I'm sorry about the hard time, I had no idea that was going on.
Best,
Julie
Congratulation!!!!!! I LOVE your home so I'm not a bit surprised you will be featured in such a huge publication. Well done! I'm thrilled for you and will be sure to buy a copy when it comes out so please keep me posted.
Sharon
xxxx
What fun that was! Remind us when it comes out. Thank you for taking us through the process with you, so interesting to learn the details of how it is done. Your house looks beautiful as always!
Wow, what an amazing & exciting experience! Everything looks great – I especially love how you styled your mantel and the beautiful flowers on the coffee table 🙂 Congrats!
Kelly
Woo hoo! Oh I am so excited – I was wondering if that opportunity would be in your future – and I'm so glad you got it. You'll have to keep us posted when you get word of it running. I always find these posts so interesting – the behind the scenes, who did what, and what did they add/remove/keep. Thanks so much for sharing and looking forward to seeing your home in PRINT!! 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend!
Mary Ann, I am so excited for you! Can't wait to see you, your home, and your beautiful family in BHG.
Oh wow.. that is so cool.. I love your office area.
Congratulations, Mary Ann!! I can't think of a home more suited to be featured in a magazine than yours and I can't wait for the issue to come out! xx
How utterly fantastic!! I love your home and I'm so glad you're getting recognized for it. Congratulations!!
Oh my gosh! Eeek! How exciting! Edmund shot our photo shoot of my kitchen as well. Did you not just love him?! He was so funny, kind and down to earth. I think he's becoming a favorite BHG photographer among bloggers. 😉 Your living room is GORGEOUS! I know you are probably feeling what I'm still feeling, how surreal it all was and is still. I can't WAIT to see your room in print and thank you so much for sharing your experience with us at Inspiration Friday!
Heather
Your photos are just amazing! I am so in love with them!
Your home is beautiful. Can't wait to see the pics whenever they get featured.
How wonderful! Your house looks so gorgeous! Have a lovely week, Kellie xx
How exciting! I can't wait to get that issue of BH&G in the mail!
Claudia
Thank you so much for your comment at my blog.
Your blog is amazing, beautiful and so interesting !!
AWWW thank you for sweet words on my blog:)
Come back and visit me soon…I have more swedish inspiration for you:)
have a great week.
LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
A well deserved congratulations to you.
What a beautiful home. No wonder they wanted to feature it. Looking forward to seeing it in print.
You home looks so pretty! I am excited to see the magazine, too. Lovely as always!
Congratulations!
Your home looks fantastic.
Can't wait to see the feature!
xo xo
Brooke
You deserve all the recognition! Your home is gorgeous, livable and happy! Plus, you had such vision, when you bought and transformed the place! We can all say "we know her!".
Living vicariously through you!,
Barbara
Love your home and your style. Been following you for awhile but never posted a comment. Will look forward to your magazine feature-congrats on that!!. Can I ask where you bought those wood finials on your mantle??
I bought the finials at Roger's Garden's in Newport Beach (for about $45 each)…they may have more. Thanks, Debbie.
Mary Ann how exciting! CONGRATULATIONS!! I subscribe to BHG so I will get to say, I know this lady and her home when I see it!! Yay!! I am sure your home will photograph beautifully for the magazing, can't wait to see it, Keep us posted.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend to YOU and YOURS,
xo Kathysue
How wonderful. They made a good choice; your home is beautiful. I look forward to seeing the article.
Best…Victoria
FANTASTIC!!
Wow Mary Ann,
What a joy and an honor! Your home is so lovely, wonderful of you to share!
Have a super weekend!
xo
Mary Ann,
Congratulations! How fun that must have been. Be sure to let us know when it will be in print. Your home looks great.
Karen
This surprises me not at all Mary Ann! I honestly can't believe your home hasn't been in a magazine before since it is just so gorgeous. We could not be more thrilled for you and we are so glad you shared this exciting news with us at Inspiration Friday!
Vanessa
can't wait to see it – your house looks gorgeous!
Yay!!! So excited for you! Cannot wait to see it in print. Any idea when it will come out?
Mary Ann! Everything looks great…beautiful …and to think I've had the privilege of seeing your house in person. I love the color you added in your living room with pillows and flowers…and the green tray. What fun! Can't wait to see it in print!
xo
annie
So exciting Mary Ann!!! Congratulations! Your home is so beautiful you are well deserving of such a great accomplishment.
How exciting and deserved, Mary Ann!!
How cool is this!!! Congratulations! Your home will be a perfect addition to the BH&G issue….when will it be in there? I want to look out for it. I am a subscriber, so I shouldn't miss it.
Congratulations Mary Ann!
I love a simple & balanced mantel!
Congratualtions Mary Ann!
Wow- how amazing! I always knew your home could be in any magazine! Can't wait to see it. 🙂 And I can say I knew you when… :)Now, you can sit back and relax and have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Congratulations Mary Ann! Yes, your beautiful home does deserve a spread. Can't wait to see it when it comes out.
Sounds very exciting and nerve racking! Definitely well deserved -you have a beautiful home.
Be sure to let us know when it is published!
They really didn't change much…even used my table the way it was set but added pretty flowers…flowers and fruit made a nice improvement. And Laura mixed up my pillows for a new look.
I was proud of my kids. I know I am biased, but I thought they looked so beautiful and handsome and authentic.
Thanks for the great comments!!!!
Congrats!! That is so exciting! What were you most suprised about during the process? It shocked me when I first learned how much they change up a house (rearrange things) for these shoots. Can't wait to see it in the magazine!
So excited for you! When you know it's going to be in the magazine let us know! Although I am a loyal subscriber to BHG, so I would probably recognize your lovely living room (my dream vacation living room)!
Jessica
stayathomeista.com
Mary Ann, I am so thrilled for you. New it was a matter of time before you got picked up for a magazine shoot. Can't wait to see it. I have subscribed to that mag for ages.
Oh how exciting for you! I look forward to seeing your lovely home in BHG soon! Love all of your paintings…especially the one by your desk!
Congrats to you! When my home was selected and shot for Country Decorating Ideas magazine, I didn't know what I was in for. They shot for two days and it didn't make it in the magazine for two years! When it finally did, I was amazed that I signed a waiver and they can use those pictures in any of their magazines. Parts of my home has now been in five different magazines that I know of, they do not tell you, and only by chance or friends tell me when they see it. I don't want that experience again.
Congrats. Isn't it exciting when you see how incredible your own house looks with a little styling and through the eye of a master. I know how much work it getting ready for these things so I'm sure you're ready to kick back and relax this long weekend! Enjoy!
Congratulations ! What an accomplishment !
It looks so good Mary Ann…I am delighted that your beautiful home is going to be featured…..I know how exciting this is for sure…..
Yeah!!! How fun! I can't wait to see the magazine when it comes out! Your home is definitely magazine worthy!! XOXO
How fun! Congrats! Your home is always so lovely, BHG saw your impeccable taste!
~ Kim @ Sand & Sisal
Congrats, Mary Ann! What an honor. Can't wait to pour over this edition of BHG:)
MaryAnn,
Like I keep saying you're the gal. Looks like you had a great time and picked up a few tips along the way. This is so fun and I know this is just the beginning of your print work future!
Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend with family and friends!
Bette
What do you know … I take that magazine so I will be on the look-out (I'm patient) and … congratulations!
Not a surprise, but congratulations none the less.
Mary
How exciting for you (and I'm sure a lot of work too.) Congratulations and I will look forward to the issue when it comes out.
Mary Ann, I am so excited for you and I can't wait to see your home featured! Congrats on a well deserved honor
How exciting and congratulations on your photo shoot! I can't wait to see the issue so please let us all know when it's out. Oh and Edmund can erase neck wrinkles they've done it with me…;)
Enjoy your Holiday weekend!
XX
Debra~
Congratulations, Mary Ann! How fun and exciting! Looking forward to see your beautiful home in print.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Jessie
http://www.mixandchic.com
What an honor and thrill! Congratulations! I can't wait to see the magazine when it's out!
This is amazing Mary Ann ~ Congratulations! Cannot wait to see it in print. Have a fabulous weekend!
How exciting Mary Ann! I've always thought your home was magazine worthy. A whole year before being published? Darn.
Linda
I know that you are so excited, Mary Ann! Congratulations!
Can't wait to see the spread. Your home is so beautiful, I am certain they had to do little to set up.
Happy Memorial Day.
Teresa
xoxo
Congratulations Mary Ann! I always thought your home belonged in my favorite magazine! It looks gorgeous…love the orange pillows and all the greenery. Can't wait to see it in print…you must be so excited. Congrats!
I can't wait to see your gorgeous home in the pages of BH&G! Even though you've posted photos of your rooms on your blog, seeing it in such a major publication will be a huge "Wow" moment. I am over the moon excited for you Mary Ann!
Congratulations Mary Ann! We knew your house belonged in a magazine. Can't wait to see it published!
Oh congratulations!!!! How fun is this. Your home is beautiful and the shoot looked like such fun. Can't wait to see the magazine. Hugs, Marty
How very fun and exciting! So happy for you Mary Ann – and glad the experience was a great one. I will look forward to seeing the shoot. (Glad I just renewed my subscription, haha) ;D
SO exciting! Wonder what took them so long? 🙂 We all know it's beautiful, very nice you get to share it with the rest of the BH&G readers! Congrats!
Congrats Maryann, so well deserved!!!
I can't wait to see your beautiful home and family in B&G!!!
Have a wonderful 3 day weekend!!
xo
Mary Ann, A great piece for you and your family forever! I look forward to seeing it.. I'm sure they will let you know when they give it a thumb up to use…
Thank you… in advance for letting BHG come into your home and capture it's beauty..
Happy Memorial Weekend… Hoping for some sunshine here in San Diego!
xo,
Gail
casualloveselegance
Your home looks as beautiful as ever and I cannot wait to get the magazine when that issue finally comes out. I have been a subscriber for many years. Congratulations!
-Shelley
Yipee!! how awesome is that!! Love your house!! Can't wait to see it published & brag to all my friends that I know you {well in blog land but still!!} AWESOME Mary Ann! Have a great weekend!! xo nancy
Mary Ann this is wonderful; Congrats!! Your home looks lovely and I love to see and hear what the Editors are wanting from the shoot! Of course let us all know when the article is published..
Please come visit..Special Interview with Leslie of Segreto Finishes and her fabulous Book Giveaway!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I am so excited for you! That must be a fantastic dream realized:) I look forward to seeing how the team worked their magic in the magazine . Happy Weekend!
PS Today is our 21st wedding anniversary !!!
Your house is so gorgeous and I can't wait to see the article and photos!!
Wow! How exciting for you Mary Ann! Congrats, they knew a good thing when then saw it. I cannot wait to see it in print……its a beautiful and inspirational home. Enjoy your holiday weekend:)