Last week was one crazy and surreal week as we prepared for Better Homes and Gardens Magazine to come and photograph our craft room/family room for the January issue. I still cannot believe that they actually showed up and found their way to my town in the middle of the piney woods of East Texas. I never dreamed that a room in our home would ever be in a magazine and well.., I didn’t want to say anything here on the blog until it actually did in fact happened.
The super talented Lisa Mowry, who is a scout/field editor for Meredith Magazines and BHG, submitted my newly revamped space to the BHG editors for consideration back in August. When Lisa let me know that my craft room was going to be featured in the upcoming January issue, I was pretty much shocked… While we were so excited, I just worried in the back of my head that something might fall through.
So here we are eight months later, the photo shoot actually did happen last week. They really came! I was asked not take any behind the scenes pictures, so I do not have much to share except that I can show you this picture of the staging area in my garage for the stylist, Jenny O’Connor:
I wanted to take a picture with the super sweet Jenny but I was so worried about taking any pictures. However, I did find a picture of the talented Jenny O’Connor here from D Magazine. By the way, this is a great article about how Jenny styles a room:
Source: D Magazine
Jenny worked some serious magic in our space and while I can’t say much, I can say that she focused on enhancing all of the colors in the room but she went to great lengths to keep all of our personal touches.
The photography team that did the actual photography, was the insanely talented team of Kim Cornelison and her husband Alfie Ferreyra. The crazy thing about this is that Kim and Alfie are from my hometown of Minneapolis and as we got to talking more, it turns out that we are actually from the same neighborhood. How crazy is that?!
Again, because I was too nervous to take any pictures, I found this beautiful picture of Kim and Alfie on Design Sponge where their beautiful home was featured:
Source: Design Sponge via Kim Cornelison
Kim and Alfie were an absolute joy to work with and they made us feel so comfortable and they did an amazing job! My daughter Bella was in most of the shots and Kim, Alfie and Jenny were VERY patient and they made Bella (and me) feel so at ease. They let me see the final shots and all I can say is that I was completely blown away. It really is incredible watching all of the prep work and lighting that goes into the perfect magazine shot.
I wish I could share more details right now but I can’t until the magazine comes out in January. After the magazine comes out, I will go into some of the fun details and show you more behind the scenes stuff that went into this wonderful experience.
We spent weeks working day and night preparing for the team to arrive for the shoot. We were so exhausted after the shoot and after everyone left, this is pretty much what I have been doing since they left:
I can’t wait for you guys to see the final pictures in January!! Thank you so much to everyone on the BHG team for turning our sweet little craft room into something so extraordinary!
Cheers!
Cyndy
Lauren@SimplyLKJ says
Congrats! How exciting. Looking forward to the feature.
Cyndy says
Thank you so much Lauren!
Megan @ Our PInteresting Family says
That is so amazing, Cyndy. Your craft room…well your entire home is magazine worthy and such an inspiration.
Cyndy says
Thank you so very much Megan! You always just make my day! Thank you so much friend! xo
Mila Powers says
I’m not surprised at all… You are so good at putting things together and everything you do looks wonderful! You aced that craft room… well, you pretty much have aced everything you’ve shown us with your home projects. I know as a viewer and fan, I’m so happy for you!
Cyndy says
Awe, thank you so very much Mila! Your sweet words just always make me smile and I always look forward to your notes! I cannot tell how much it means to me. I’m a huge Mila fan and thank you for always hanging out with me here! Cheers girl! xoxo
Emily @ 11gables.blogspot.com says
So happy for you!!! I can’t wait to see the magazine! xo, Emily
Cyndy says
Thank you so much Emily!
debbie says
Congrats Cyndy. This is fantastic news and I can’t wait to see it. I am sure it will be amazing. Love all the beautiful things you’ve done.
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
Cyndy!!!!!!! That is such exciting and wonderful news! Congratulations! I am not surprised because from what I’ve seen so far your home is filled with creative touches and is beautiful. I can’t wait to get my copy!!! How fun for your family!
Cyndy says
Thank you so much sweet Lisa! Your comments just warm my heart. Thank you! Yes, my 10 year old daughter still can’t believe that she was the “main” model! I don’t think she slept that night! Thank you Lisa!
Alamein says
So proud of you Cyndy! I cannot wait to see it! You’re do talented this doesn’t surprise me at all…congratulations!
Cyndy says
Awe, thank you so much Alane! Your note made my smile and the autocorrect of your name cracked me up! Love you friend!
Alane says
Not sure what the heck autocorrect did to my name in the prior post!
Pam says
Congratulations! Love all of your painting tips. Just painted my outdoor light fixtures. They look brand new!
So we have to wait 8 months to see the photos? Wow, they really plan well in advance. Can’t wait!
Pam
Robbie says
Wow! We are so excited for you and for all who get to see your creativity and inspirations in a magazine!!
This little town had better really stock up in getting lots of magazines in their racks!
Love your last photo!
Cyndy says
Thank you sweet Robbie! Your notes always just make me smile and I cannot thank you enough for always being so supportive and encouraging Robbie. YOU inspire me and always have over the years and I am so blessed and thankful for your friendship. xoxo
Amanda Eck says
Im so excited for you and knew it would be a huge success! I can’t wait till January!! Well done friend!!
Pam @ Simple Details says
This is so exciting, Cyndy!! I’m thrilled for you and can’t wait to see your beautiful home in BHG!!
VickiGene says
Cyndy, NOW I think we all understand why you accomplished so much in so little time! It’s nice to know you are HUMAN just like the rest of us who need motivating factors to “get the lead out”! 🙂
Cyndy says
Ha!! Yep, NOW you know why I was motoring through this stuff like a mad woman! LOL! Yes, I am totally human and was motivated to pull myself (and home) together quickly! Ha! I wish they would come every 6 months, maybe I could get the half started projects that I hid while they were here finished too!
Your note just made me smile! I am about as human as they get VickiGene!! back to the sweats and slow moving projects I go 😉 big hugs friend!
VickiGene says
Nothing gets me goin’ like company comin’. Even my husband will chip in when he hears those words!
Pammie says
Cyndy I’m so proud for you.. I know you are so excited. You are a very talented lady that I have been following for a long time. In fact another blogger that I have been following for along time also had a visit from BHG In January..Diane Henkler. Way to go!!!