Anyone care to join me for a little bite to eat in the breakfast room?
A mimosa or fresh sliced bagel maybe?
photo courtesy Gary Sloan |
Or maybe you would rather have a fresh pear and oatmeal with blueberries and almonds?
Remember I told you that the little faux room that was part of the HomeGoods challenge
deserved a post of its own?
Yep, it does.
This room is a facade in a warehouse as were each of the rooms in the
HomeGoods Creative Design Challenge
Which means they are just small walls on a couple sides with a floor underneath
that allow the vignette to ‘look’ like a room- but it isn’t truly a room.
HomeGoods Creative Design Challenge
Which means they are just small walls on a couple sides with a floor underneath
that allow the vignette to ‘look’ like a room- but it isn’t truly a room.
I was fascinated by the warehouse- with all the facade rooms of a real home set up
where the photographer Gary Sloan who owns it does product shoots for catalogs
Gorgeous fireplaces, several kitchens, staircases and a bathroom
that is always cleaned and photo ready.
I totally think bloggers should all have a space like this. Seriously.
Even better-
is a huge space like this filled with all. this. HomeGoods goodness to choose from.
It’s like a mini HomeGoods right at our fingertips! Oh yeah!!
So here is how the Creative Design assignment went:
Each of us were assigned a space in the warehouse to decorate
using items from HomeGoods- it was grab and carry
and there were a couple helpers to move larger pieces for us.
and there were a couple helpers to move larger pieces for us.
There were 2 stylists from HomeGoods who went around to several different HomeGoods stores
in the Boston area and shopped, shopped, shopped for us (how fun!!!)
in the Boston area and shopped, shopped, shopped for us (how fun!!!)
and then loaded the warehouse with the goods – ready for us to choose from
There were 3 of us who had kitchen/dining areas- so pickings were a little slim after a few minutes
of several of us grabbing items like dishes that we wanted for our spaces
We were also allowed to pull in a few of the props that the photographer had stored away
to fill in extra spaces.
So after a power breakfast
which for me was a yummy green smoothie with some extra b vitamin energy
which for me was a yummy green smoothie with some extra b vitamin energy
we got started.
Here’s what my space looked like.
I was assigned the Kitchen dining or breakfast table area – do you love my patio just outside my french doors? So gorgeous.
It’s a backdrop-this is Hollywood stuff folks! 😉
It’s a backdrop-this is Hollywood stuff folks! 😉
I loved the cupboards and of course, was thinking white dishes filling the cupboard
and on the table would be perfect
Challenge number one:
There were not that many white dishes.
(this large bowl and the ramekins were from the photographers props)
So I grabbed the dishes that caught my eye~
a stack of gorgeous blue and white toile – love love love
and worked the room around them.
I love them and yes, I have looked at my local store for them since.
The flatware, napkins, placemats and white plates – all from HomeGoods
As each of us decorated our spaces- mixing and matching what we could find
the photographer would come over and share product photography tips for each space
This is a larger shot of the space- you can see the walls and floor areas
with Gary showing Deb which angle to focus on
The placement of dishes and furniture
and the cupboard were styled with keeping what the camera would see in mind
This is a quick photo from the back corner- just to show a few pieces
I added bulk in the very bottoms in case they showed from under the table
(which they didn’t- so I could have totally moved some of those dishes)
I focused on mainly adding the blue and whites and pops of color like the green
or the brown in the breadboards for texture in the areas that would get picked up by the camera more.
This photo was a quick photo testing light and how the table elements were lining up
Things were added, changed or removed as need be
Loved this chair- had to have it in my space.
I also chose a fab white bench that we propped up a little higher
because it was a little short for the table (meant for a living room)
a tufted chair and a simple upholstered low bench.
It was definitely a mix of furniture around the table
Another sneaky tidbit- the drapery rod is actually a pipe-
but since this was product photography and not overall room photography
you won’t see it in the photo because it is up so high
you won’t see it in the photo because it is up so high
Carting an armload for the cupboards and stopping to grab a throw for some color for the bench.
I had to prop the apples in the basket for them to show
This was mid work- as you can tell by the cupboard behind me.
Here’s the final room shot- absolutely gorgeous.
Beautiful morning light coming in through the french doors (yep, a photo light)
I added fresh bagels swiped from our breakfast buffet
and we also added orange juice to the wine stems for ‘mimosas’
and were ready to sit down and enjoy.
photo courtesy of Gary Sloan
|
It was seriously an amazing experience and I enjoyed it so much.
It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone not being able to shop for and choose specific items to style a space with but instead having to work with what was already there.
Plus- no fresh flowers for my table- which yes, everyone teased me about
saying they were waiting for my table setting to be truly finished with them
They even offered to make a mad dash run to the market to pick a bouquet up for me for a centerpiece- seriously so sweet of them.
But I think that it was a good nudge to think outside my usual designs
and preferred method of madness with not having my ‘go-to’ items to work with.
All in all- I think the room turned out great and I loved chatting with the photographer
about shooting product and learning some more styling, camera and photo tips.
A big thank you to Gary Sloan and his team and a huge shout out and thank you to HomeGoods and their social media gang who organized this and gave
us all fantastic HomeGoods Blogger Day event this year – enjoyed it so much!
If you would like to read post #1 about Blogger Days in Boston
you can find it here
sharing at wow
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Divine Theatre says
That looks like so much fun! And YOU are so beautiful!
xo
Andie
Rosemary and Thyme says
What a great post and wonderful looking group. I would love to have a Home Goods warehouse too. You did a fantastic job. It reminds me of a Ralph Lauren room. Love those Toile dishes. I made a cake plate using a cereal bowl and plate in that same pattern. I am so happy for all the wonderful and positive things that are happening for you. You are so talented and inspiring to all of us that visit your blog each week. Thank you for sharing such beauty and inspiration with us.
Blessings,
Janet
rosemary-thyme.blogspot.com
Parsimonious Perfection says
Wow, how fun! Thank you for this behind-the-scenes look. Sounds like a blast! It looks so realistic. 🙂
[email protected] says
That's AMAZING! Your area turned out great, and I can only imagine how incredible the experience was. Congratulations on being invited to participate!
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
Oh how fun and your vignette looks amazing. I love how you styled it. How fun for all of your. Hugs, marty
Botanic Bleu says
Courtney,
I bought those toile blue and white dishes from HomeGoods within the past month. I love the blue color (not too dark) and the square shape. Last fall I found the round cereal bowls and was overjoyed to add plates, square small bowls, mugs, and a couple more pieces. I have been planning a table setting with them for later.
Your space looks wonderful. I agree you had to use the blue and white chair! Wonder if my HomeGoods has one?
Judith
Heaven's Walk says
What a fun day, Courtney! I can certainly see how events like this are a definite learning experience as you step outside the box. You did a beautiful job….and you are beautiful as well! 🙂 Thank you for continuing to share your decor and styling tips with us, because I know that I am always anxious to learn more from pros like you!
xoxo laurie
xoxo laurie
Dawn says
How cool is that, what an opportunity. I loved this post.
Rhonda says
That looks like so much fun! Love the blue Toile & that gorgeous chair! I would definitely sit & have a bagel & coffee in that "dining room"!
Blondie's Journal says
I think you did a fabulous design with your space. Working with what you had…albeit, you had to choose from their selection, is always a big challenge. You rose to the occasion. I just love how you put this "room" together. Bravo!
XO,
Jane
Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
That looks like it was so much fun! You did a beautiful job!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Oh Courtney, you were definitely in your element…Styling that area was certainly something that comes so natural to you…You did an incredible job as always…So glad you had fun in the process!!…what an amazing opportunity!
PamLuvsPink says
Hi Courtney!!!
What an opportunity!!! You did a great job Courtney!!! I love when I see different chairs at a dining table!! The blue with white, whether it's in a chair, wall paper, dishes, etc., they always look so elegant!!!
By the last picture you can tell you had a fabulous time…You all did!!! It was also nice seeing a picture of you at "work!!!"
Have a great weekend!!!
Pam
xox
Elizabeth at Eiffel Tells says
A great event and a wonderful opportunity. Your final product is fabulous and well shot. Warm regards
°°valeria°° says
che bello il colore del rivestimento della poltroncina
ciao Valeria
JewelzVoice says
Incredibly beautiful !! I love all of the furniture and the blue and white dishes. Stunning !
Something Nice and Pretty says
What a great "room" you had to work with, I think you did a wonderful job, love the pipe with the curtains!
kathy says
Wonderful behind the scenes stuff and great photography tips here! Loved it! Eclecticallydesigned.com
Custom Comforts says
You did a great job and it looks like it was so much fun. It's amazing what they can do with sets and props. Thanks for sharing with us.
Cindy
Anonymous says
Hi Courtney! What a great opportunity to design with Home Goods! Your dining room came out just fabulous! Love your choice of blue and white dishes, as well as the table scape you put together. How fun to work with a professional photographer!
LuAnn
Julie Nichols says
What a great opportunity! You did a fantastic job… Looks beautiful…
Got My Reservations says
It has been a little hard for me to read about your fabulous experience because I'm trying to not be envious. What a fun way to spend your time — thanks for allowing us to experience it vicariously! Beautiful table, too.
Robin says
so exciting!!! I absolutely love your table…somehow even without the fresh flowers, the table feels like you! Perfect xo