Although it’s been more than a year since the Better Homes & Garden crew was here to shoot our house, I thought you might like to see some (not-so-great-iPhone) pictures I took behind the scenes on the day they were here.
If you think the house was magazine-ready and just waiting for the photographer to show up, you’d be wrong. We were literally working into the eleventh hour to get everything ready. Here’s my husband hanging the cornice board in the girls’ bedroom around 11:30 the night before. . .
Looks good, even if it didn’t make the magazine. Whoops. . . Well, at least it’s hung now and we can check that off the list! :)
Behind the camera. . . I pulled lots of accessories out I thought they might want to use. After all, I’d changed up a few things from the original photos they saw of the house.
They didn’t bring in too many props. Mainly just a few things to add splashes of color (like the yellow pillow they used on our bed).
A more colorful doormat and some red flowers for the front steps:
I’m kind of sad that I didn’t yet have my blue and white lamps or the new green front door when they were here.
Flowers! (My favorite part.)
Shot that took the longest to style:
Sometimes, the simplest ones are the hardest to get just right. (We ended up borrowing the kitchen runner to add some texture on the floor.)
Tricks of the trade:
Pillow propping.
Duct tape to get the pillow edges to stand up just right.
We quickly “made” a runner out of some placemats I had.
The kids got home from school for the last couple of hours of the shoot. Apparently, they have aspirations of being magazine stylists, too. I found this after everyone left for the day.
This one couldn’t have been happier to be singled out for her own photo shoot:
And, they saved the best (aka “hardest”) for last—the family shot. . . Thankful that my friend Katie was on hand for moral support and to wrangle the troops.
And, that’s a wrap!
You can see how it all turned out in the current issue of Refresh magazine. And, if you pick up a copy, be sure to look for Elizabeth’s house, too! So fun to get to share an issue with one of my blogger friends.
Love seeing the behind-the-scenes scoop!
Just gorgeous, as always!! I love how your kids decorated :)
Love these behind the scenes pics, Emily! I’m always amazed at what it takes to get those magazine layouts just ‘right.’ Personally, I love your house as it appears on the blog already :)
LOVE all the behind the scenes, and your spread turned out amazing!! They have been ‘scheduled’ to come do my house for the past 3 months, but it keeps getting bumped. Fingers crossed it goes through!! xo
I’m sure it’ll happen! :)
Yay! So fun to see the behind the scenes. It all looks so good! I’m pretty sure at least one of your kiddos will be a stylist one day.
Gorgeous – can’t wait to pick up an issue to see it in print. Congrats – so well deserved.
I picked up the magazine this weekend, your house and Elizabeth’s looked incredible! So happy for both of you! (:
Behind the scenes is the best. Everything looks great!
Thanks for sharing the behind the scenes! I loved how it turned out in the magazine. I must say your home is most relatable. You used what you had previously and made it work in a new home. It seems others move into new homes and lots of new furniture is added and I’m left wondering how much people make to afford it all and decorate in an instant. Thanks for keeping it real.
Also, my little girl had the same yellow floral dress from ON. I was sad to see her outgrow it.
I was so excited that two of my favorites were in the same issue! And can I just say thank you for revealing those pillow tricks- I thought I had just been buying cheap pillow cases all these years :)
I LOVE all of it! Thanks for sharing.
Where did you get the ottoman in your master bedroom from? I love it…
Obsessed with the magazine spread and totally loving the behind-the-scenes scoop! You go girl!
Love this behind-the-scenes stuff! Would you tell us how the magazine puts together the article/copy? Are you interviewed ahead of time on the phone or via email, or does someone interview you the day of the shoot? Something else?
The writer of the article called me after the shoot, and we did the interview via phone. The magazine already has a general idea of the layout and what shots they want to get before they come, though.
Thanks for the behind the camera! Your house looks fab as always! A HUGE thank you for how ‘everyone else’s’ shams look so crisp and mine wilted. Who knew?
Still looking for a copy of Refresh magazine. This behind the scenes bit makes me want to see it even more! House looks great (as usual) and love seeing the family involved.
LOL…the family picture! Hilarious……but even though it is a long day it’s a fun day!
So so fun, Emily! I had no idea they used duck tape on pillow corners. Such fun to learn the little behind the scenes tricks. Thanks for sharing all of this.
Can’t wait to see this!
Hi Emily! I absolutely LOVED this feature article… it was so YOU and full of great tips on how to reuse things in different spaces. You’re my hero with your posse of kiddos!
xo heidi
So very cool my friend, congrats!!
I cannot imagine how hectic that was for you! BH&G shot one picture of my staircase last summer for the “I Did It ” page- it took 6 hours- with all 5 of my kids as well!! Beautiful home!
Thanks for sharing Emily. I always enjoy seeing the magic behind the making. Beautiful family as well.
Love the duct tape trick on the pillows. Now I won’t feel bad and make myself crazy wondering why mine never stand up like that! I mean, I suppose you could starch them and iron them but that’s not how I roll!
Where did you get the fabric for your floral pillows in the living room? I love the fabric colors…. and basically your entire house!!!
That was so cool, and I loved how your daughter got involved!