I found out that the reason the living room did not make the magazine was because of space issues. I really, really wish it could have been included because a lot of work went into it and I would just love to be able to see the final pictures. If you agree to have your home photographed you don't get any of the photos! None. It's been so hard waiting to see just how they all came out. Seeing them online was good but when I opened the magazine I was so shocked at how lovely the photography was. Roger Davies did such an amazing job. Especially since he normally shoots for Architectural Digest and other high-end magazines. Just look at the portraits he has shot here. I thought he'd be bored with shooting my house but he was the opposite. He just reminded me on Instagram how much he enjoyed the days here with the White Stripes playing in the background. He truly is a lovely, lovely man.
Anyway...so the top photo is what the living room looked like when Country Living got here. And then this happened...
and this.
This is Janna Lufkin, the stylist. Starting to mess around with some of the pillows she purchased.
And this
One possibility.
And another.
And while she was styling the pantry, I came up with this.
Larry made that black bench about 20 years ago and it was at Alex's house. Jana thought it'd look good as the coffee table.
Looks too narrow to me but she said they'd photoshop it.
I think this would have been the angle used in the magazine. I think. Anyway that's what went into styling just one room. Each room was like that. Painstaking attention to details like the way fabric draped, the angle of a book, the position of a pillow. Each shot was sent to New York for approval before moving on. If you are interested I can show you lots of other photos showing the preparation and styling of the other rooms.
-------------------
I'd also like to take just a moment to thank you all for your sweet, kind and thoughtful words on Melinda's passing. It's been a week now and I still can't believe she is gone. I've read and re-read your comments and they've helped so much. Thank you all, you truly are the best readers anyone could ever ask for. I love you all. xo
The living room is prettiest when it's in your stylish hands.
ReplyDeleteYep.
Deletemy thoughts EXACTLY.
Deleteyou are the best stylist.
Love the very first picture before they got there. You are a pro!!
DeleteI agree with Lisa, your style is best.
ReplyDeleteNow should i say that i prefer your livingroom the way you have it?I really dont like many pillows.However i absolutely adore that bench!Keep it!
ReplyDeleteI picked up the magazine today and with all the stuff happening I have not had a chance to read it...tomorrow morning I will make a cafe au lait and devote time to study the article.
ReplyDeleteI love your living room with your own special touch. Yes, please post more pictures of the styling and prep, it's so interesting to see!
ReplyDeleteBarbara in Northern California
It took us weeks to get the house back to normal after our shoot! At least you only had one room omitted, poor Jon got edited out of our photos and they changed to location of our home to a mega-rich Regency town 80 miles away!
ReplyDeleteYour living room is gorgeous, the magazine readers will be disappointed they missed them. xxx
We would love to see more photos. Your living room is lovely- I have always loved it. Robin in Umbria
ReplyDeleteThe top photo is my favourite, the picture of your living room before the onslaught of cushions arrived. Those styling cushions are quite large and I really like the long, narrow toile cushion on the sofa. Your eye is exquisite Janet. Okay I must find the magazine today.
ReplyDeleteTake care, these are hard weeks for you after such a loss. Thinking of you and sending a big hug your way. XO
I have always found your home covetable but when I saw the article I wanted to run out, buy a derelict cottage, paint it black and make it as magnificent as your house is. Either that or move in with you and Larry. ;)
ReplyDeletexoxo
I see everyone has already said this, but, we like YOUR unique style best. When I saw the large, colorful pillows on the sofa, my thoughts were: 'hmmmm, that's NOT Janet.'
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I love about your style is your editing.
Thanks for the behind-the-scenes. And more, please. Donna
They did like the addition of green didn't they. On the porch and in the living room. Hmmm...
ReplyDeleteIt feels too busy when they style it. I much prefer the simplicity of your style, Janet.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more with others. The styled photos are pretty, but your style wins! Your style just feels more relaxed and easier on the eye--maybe because it is real and not staged? I don't know but I just like it better. It's such a lovely room (both ways) and I'm sorry it did not make the pages : (
ReplyDeleteHi Janet, I too was very disappointed that your living room was not in the shoot for at least one page more on your CL magazine feature, I have to say next to your kitchen it's been one of may favorite spots in your home....that's not fair to say when really every room in your home is a favorite for one reason or another.
ReplyDeleteYour staging of the brighter accents, (Pillows) was my favorite as well, I also have to say your style being a mix from modern, traditional, to country was a good fit with what they brought in. I am sure it just felt a bit foreign to you. But from my view I could see you doing much of what they did to your home yet, with your stamp on it.
I bet you will see more of your home, different areas used in future features, seriously it's just the way it works. So holding back on some photos allows them to reuse your home for the better.
If I were the publishing editor, I would have placed your exterior photo of your home right on the cover, it gave new meaning to spring, and spring is not always about lipstick pinks, blues, and yellows! As much as a feeling a garden home exudes.
I barley purchased the magazine due to its cover, and at the check out stand I decided to thumb through it to then last of all seeing you, and it was then I was sold.
I have always Loved Country Living, it's down right living, right?
And your home LIVES well.
I happen to love the bench in the space, loving the negative space around it.
A favorite is your wicker dinning table. I am on the hunt for a longer more narrow dinning table,
See you soon...everywhere.
Xx
Dore
The spread in the magazine was beyond lovely, but I do have to say that I much prefer the way you had the living room before they styled it! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhy in the world did they style ypur rooms? The rooms were already pretty enough.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you and what an honor to be featured in CL!!!! It's a beautiful layout...congrats!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with himmiefan. Why, oh why, did they change anything you had. Your house was lovelier before they got their hands on it. Interesting to find out, however, that when they style for magazines, that they bring a bunch of stuff with them. You'd think they'd just restyle what you already have so it would be more authentic.
ReplyDeleteBought the magazine yesterday, but haven't taken time to savor it yet. Can't believe they left out your living room. I would love to see more pictures and here more about the experience with styling your home.
ReplyDeleteHear, not here!
ReplyDeleteI love the way your living room is originally - a good reminder that interior design magazines, just like fashion magazines, have a whole cast of stylists, too!
ReplyDeleteI like your house the way YOU style it! It was fine just as it was, that gorgeous living room you've always had, which you've decorated beautifully, from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteI am still waiting to have my issue arrive. I prefer your living room as you had it, too. I think it is perfect. It will be fun to see this all in print. I can hardly wait!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to stop in and report that my issue arrived over the weekend! i am so happy for you. Your home is perfect for the magazine. It all turned out so well. Congratulations!
DeleteI do love your living room, but I have really enjoyed the images that Country Living took of your home. It's so charming and livable.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend.
xo,
Karen
I too prefer your lovely living room the way you style it. It is so elegant and cozy. You have a way of making everything you touch look so beautiful, clean, and stylish. I am disappointed it was not in the magazine as it is my all time favorite room ever! How exciting though to see your cottage in CL! You are a rock-star now!!
ReplyDeleteI have my copy of the magazine, and was hoping to see your livingroom, but nope, it is one of my favorite rooms in your house, heck I like all the rooms in your house. I do like the way you styled the pillows. I love green, it's a neutral I use in my house all the time. It's soothing and goes with almost every color. I think in all the shots are awesome. We live in a small two bedroom, one bath house, though we are adding on, but not much, I prefer a smaller house, I want to be outside not inside cleaning. Thank you for your inspiration. Not sure if my favorite bloggers really understand how inspiring they are to us. Joan, Catherine and you my dear. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI prefer your "before" of the living room with the single bolster pillow. I don't care for all those green pillows they brought in and am so tired of seeing that type of pattern everywhere. Your style is better!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. Same goes for those blue pillows they've added to the bedroom. I don't like these additions. They stick out and it's just not a good and cohesive look. But that's just my two cents as a non-professional who loves design and admires Janet's impeccable style.
DeleteBut congratulations, Janet! As it is the pictures do your fab home justice. It's home spreads like yours I want to see in a magazine and not some sterile 100 % professionally styled and planned house.
Tanja
xx
I do like the contrast of the dark coffee table with the sofa, but agree it's much too narrow. And annoying to me that they would just photoshop it. It's funny through this process and your posts I see why I enjoy blogs much more than magazines. I'd rather see someone's world through their eyes than a third party that bends reality for the sake of an article. Hopefully that doesn't sound harsh or rude. All magazines do it, and I understand it. A House Beautiful cover from a few years ago comes to mind. They photoshopped a range and an island so close together for the photo that in reality the oven couldn't even be opened! I'd like to start a magazine called "Sad Truth" that photographs unstyled houses and shows where people really put their TVs. I don't think it would sell very well.
ReplyDeleteyou are prob right Stephen. when they were shooting the laundry garden i was worried bc the grass was dead around the edges and the stylist said, "they'll just photoshop that." and the photographer looked at me and said, "it's all smoke and mirrors!" he is right, i can see things in the photographs that have been photoshopped but i doubt anyone else would notice. now when i look at old magazines i own i can see the styling so clearly. it is kinda sad...but it is pretty. lol
DeleteThe pictures are pretty but so mych stuff!! I like your way better.
ReplyDeletePlease post more pictures!
The pictures are pretty but so mych stuff!! I like your way better.
ReplyDeletePlease post more pictures!
Janet, I bought my issue of CL the other day and your home looks just gorgeous, so clean and bright. Great, great photography. Yours should have made the cover. Would love to see more photos. I agree I don't care for the bench as a coffee table, but it's a beautiful bench...Larry is quite talented!
ReplyDeleteHope you are doing a little better, you have been in my thoughts. We love you too!
Linda
xo
Janet, I am so excited for you to be featured in CL (we've been talking about this for years and so happy it happened!) I look forward to finding the magazine and seeing seeing the cottage in all its glory in a national magazine. Congratulations my friend. I am also bummed they didn't show your living room. By leaving it out it wouldn't tell the whole story of your beautiful home and that is confusing.
ReplyDeleteYou are still in my thoughts and I continue to send you love and positive energy on the loss of your dear friend Melinda. I am so sorry. xxojoan
I agree with many of the above comments.
ReplyDeleteYou have a better eye than any of the so-called professionals.
I find it maddening that they changed anything.
Why mess with perfection?
Your home is lovely. Congratulations on the magazine feature!
ReplyDeleteSo another words they do the same to rooms as they do to people. Just photoshop it!! I agree with the rest I love your home the way it is. Perfection isn't half as interesting. Actually I think your home was already pretty darn perfect without looking sterile. One of the biggest things I've learned is I would never want my rooms to be photographed. That would be so stressful. Oh well I don't have to worry about that because they would never suggest it hahaha. LOVE your home!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful room. I wish it had been in the spread too!
ReplyDeleteJanet, your home is so beautiful it is a shame that they felt they had to do so much to it!! I appreciate it is an honour to be included, but it doesn't really reflect your pared back style - one of the reasons we all love your blog!! Would absolutely LOVE to see more photos please!
ReplyDeleteThe magazine feature was great and your home is wonderful. But you are right, the living room is charming and should have been in the spread.
ReplyDeleteHave always loved your living room. In a way I like that we get to keep it for us:).
ReplyDeleteAnd all the hugs for the loss of your friend. xox
I prefer your "before" picture of the living room hands down!! Simple elegance! Wouldn't have changed a thing!! You've got the magic touch!
ReplyDeleteI like how they styled the sofa with all the green shades, not with the blue in the middle, it looks out of place, and the coffee table really looks out of place. I was going to purchase the magazine but when I got in the store and reached to grab it, something stopped me and it was really all the negative comments you made below that stopped me from purchasing it. You sound so unhappy and with what they did. I know nothing can be perfect. Please, please don't take me wrong, I learned to love you and your postings and I have purchased a lot of your clothes, shoes and purses just from seeing them on you. Anyway, you should be happy! Plus I don't think it's fair that you don't get copies of the photos but still, I wish you would have presented this is more of a positive light :) xo Kendra ps: I loved the blue pillows that they used on your bed too! anyway..........I won't be purchasing the magazine :(
ReplyDeletethank you for your honest comment kendra. i really didn't want to sound too negative i was just trying to be honest. but i prob did cross that line. i'm extremely happy with the whole thing. i think they did an amazing job. they are incredibly talented and know so much more than i do as far as styling a room. my style has to do with living with a much more pared down look so i think i was a bit bummed that they didn't stick to my actual style which after much thought, i realize that they are in the business of selling magazines and they have to appeal to a large audience. i'm sorry i came off as ungrateful because i'm really not. thanks for your comment, i really appreciate it. :)
DeleteThanks Janet, for always being so real. I love all your posts, on whatever subject. Best, Robin
ReplyDeleteHi Janet! I adore your home and the spread in Country Living was breathtaking. Do you have an email address that you could share? I'd love to email you with a few questions/ask for advice, if you wouldn't mind. Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteHi Janet,
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you would share the source for your floral blue and green pillows. They are exactly what I have been looking for!
Thank you,
Judy
hi judy. i bought the fabric in london but i'm sure you can get it here somehow.
Deletehttps://www.designersguild.com/us/fabric/designers-guild/cassandra-moss-fabric/p4124