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This Old House Photo Shoot – Behind the Scene

 photo shoot for This Old House magazine…

 

Recently, we had the opportunity to work with This Old House. They did a professional photo shoot of several rooms in our home for the magazine.
 

So this post is a little behind the scene look at the photo shoot. One of the rooms they published is a short little write-up on our daughter’s room in our previous home, with a picture that I actually took myself! Here’s the shot:

It doesn't have to be ALL PINK to be pretty! Girls room makeover with yellow damask via Heathered Nest.Pin

 

I wrote about transforming this space in the post called How we Killed the Smurf. 

Then, there was our son’s room. They used his room for their “Get This Look for Less” article, which was written by a wonderful TOH editor, Kathryn O’Shea-Evans.

I didn’t think anyone could bargain shop his room better than I had…I really designed his space with a very low budget, but Kathryn was able to really find some awesome deals which she covers in the article.

For the photo shoot, This Old House brought in two fantastic women. Helen Norman, the photographer, has been published a seemingly endless number of times. Her work can be found in magazines to include Southern Living, Forbes, and Martha Stewart Living.

She has also shot catalogs to include Anthropologie and Pottery Barn Kids, among many others. Her resume is staggering.

And our stylist for the shoot, Susan Stiles Dowell, is primarily a writer. She has written two cookbooks, and is an accomplished writer/editor with countless articles to her credit in magazines such as Veranda, Garden and Gun, Coastal Living, Town & Country, Southern Living,  & Traditional Home.

Then there was me(insert awkward pause with a Wayne’s World “we’re not worthy” moment HERE).

Truth be told, that kinda works because I always felt I bore a strong resemblance to Garth. Check it out:

impression of Dana CarveyPin

SCHA-WING!

 

Anyways, when Sweet Cheeks room is camera-ready (which is 1 day out of 365) it looks like this:

denim boys room adventure fishing camping boys room from www.heatherednest.comPin

 

But TOH felt the carpet wasn’t right for their shoot. I get it. This room has A LOT of pattern. To me, it adds interest and a little modern nod, but to others, it just makes it busy and hard to take in. So, they brought in another rug to kind of tone things down.

outdoor adventure fishing camping boys room from www.heatherednest.comPin

 

What do you think? Which do you prefer?

outdoor adventure fishing camping boys room from www.heatherednest.comPin

 

I like both, honestly. I know I got a fair number of negative comments on the blue and white rug when this space was put up on GoodHousekeeping.com. People basically saying I was loco (which may be true…see self portrait above) for putting a “white” rug in a child’s room.

To that, let me simply say, I have had white all over my kids rooms for years. It has NEVER been an issue for two reasons:

1. I’m a fan of Scotchguard and bleach

2. I don’t allow chocolate in their bedrooms

 
Potential problems solved peeps. GO AHEAD. White could be ok in your kids rooms too!
 
Here’s another angle with the new rug. It definitely gives the room a softer look.
 
outdoor adventure fishing camping boys room from www.heatherednest.comPin
 

 

In come the genius crew for TOH. Here’s Helen prepping a shot of the tent.
 
during This Old House photo shootPin
 

 

A pow-wow with Sweet Cheeks. Helen had him wrapped around her finger.
 
Susan, the stylist and the rest of the “crew” critiquing.
 
outdoor adventure fishing camping boys room from www.heatherednest.comPin
 

 

And after prepping the talent…
 
little boy being coached for the photo shoot by photographerPin
 

 

Helen got the money shot (below is my version, hers was MUCH better). A shot like this of Sweet Cheeks leads the magazine article, in the Contents section.
 
DIY tent with little boy inside his fishing camping boys roomPin
 

 

The team shot a couple other rooms in the home which haven’t been published yet, so stay tuned. In the interim, a throne shot of the talented Helen Norman at work –
 
outdoor adventure fishing camping boys room from www.heatherednest.comPin.
 
 
It was a full, fantastic day of shooting here at The Heathered Nest with Helen and Susan. And a blast conversing with Kathryn about the content for the article.
 
They were all so much fun to work with, and I learned so much seeing them each in action. Now, you can see the fruits of their labor in the October issue of This Old House!
 
Grab a copy! “It’s party-time, excellent!”
 
pointing to This Old House magazine on the store shelvesPin

 

Another great shot of me to close….if I were a president, I’d be “Babe-raham Lincoln”. Couldn’t resist.

PSA: Mom, if you have no idea what I’m talking about, go check our old VHS tapes for the one labelled “Wayne’s World“. Will bring you right up to speed.

PSA II: If you want more information on Sweet Cheeks room, including a full source list, see this post.

Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! Sign up now and get a no-cost copy of “Builder-Grade To Beautiful: 10 Totally Transformative Home Decorating Solutions, All Under $100!” Click here to enter your email or on the image below. Your copy will be emailed right away!

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About Heather Thibodeau

A former doctor of physical therapy, Heather Thibodeau went from rehabilitating people to homes as the primary creative force behind the DIY and home decorating website, The Heathered Nest.

With her work being published both in print and online in places such as Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Real Simple and more, Heather's goal is to help people create a home they love, one DIY project at a time.

Comments

  3. Grace @ Sense and Simplicity says

    Oh what fun. I always enjoy reading about photo shoots in people's homes. The bedrooms are lovely and I can see why they were selected.

    Reply

  5. Sheila E says

    Found you via savvy southern style link party…your link was close to mine. I love your gold bathroom with marble tile. We did the exact same color hall bath this summer. I love your bead board too, which I do not have. But the wall color and floor are same colors. My marble is square and honed but white and grey like yours. Pretty chandy also!
    Sheila@mykentuckyliving

    Reply

  7. Ann Harquail says

    Congrats on the magazine feature! I just love, love, love that bedroom!
    P.S. Thanks for the Wayne's World laugh. 🙂

    Reply

    • Heather says

      It is DEFINITELY a small world, Suzanne! Susan is wonderful. She was so much fun to work with. So glad you messaged! I will hop over to your blog now!

      Reply

  9. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says

    I like simple decoration and still, I like the blue rug better. Somehow it works really great in the room and ties the colour together. Congrats on the magazine feature.

    Reply

  11. Terry Moore says

    I have two photographers coming to my home next week to shoot for Country Sampler magazine. This is such a fun post that you have me now following you! Congrats…it's all beautiful and can't wait to go out and get the magazine!

    Reply

  12. Lauren @ Bless'er House says

    You're so freaking cool! The Wayne's World references killed me! Hi-lar-ious. You go girl! Honestly, I loved your original rug but I guess the other makes it cater to the masses more. Either way, the room is amazing.

    Reply

    • Heather says

      hee hee Lauren….I don't know if I'm "cool", but I do love a good trip down Wayne's World memory lane 😉 Thanks as always for your sweet support friend!!!!

      Reply

  13. Christy @ 11 Magnolia Lane says

    I loved your rug, but I know they always have to tweak things a bit for the shoots. Thanks for linking up at the Pretty Preppy Party!

    Reply

  15. cynthia haller says

    I like both rugs too, I don't see why people felt to openly complain about the White and blue one.
    They both give a very different feel to the room, shows how much simple changes can alter a decor drastically 🙂

    Reply

  16. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    I like both rugs and pooey on those negative comments. Look at you and all these magazine features! Congrats!

    Reply

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