Sorry for the silence, everyone! We'll make it up to you, I promise. To start, here's an insider look into all the blood, sweat and crafting that went on behind the scenes of my story this month.
These days, you can find pumpkins anywhere, but try early August! Not easy, I assure you. After about a hundred phone calls to pumpkin patches from here to California, we stumbled upon Deak's Farm N Home in upstate New York, just three hours away. The sweet couple who owns the farm were even nice enough to meet us half way! Here's the stash they picked early from the fields especially for us.
There weren't any white ones at the time, but that was nothing a little spray paint couldn't fix. Here they are drying in the sunlight outside aloft studio in Manhattan.
Meanwhile, inside, we were just getting started.
Here's Ayn-Monique, the home editor on staff, painting the stems gold.
Working with editor in chief Elizabeth Mayhew and the team at Woman's Day, we decided to shoot the arrangements in a variety of scenarios to give readers ideas on how to display them in their own homes. I love pumpkins on a fireplace mantle, and this one from the Prop Company had nice details without being overpowering. The pine was perfect, too, for that fall harvest feel.
Paint and linen backdrops in wine-colored tones like plum, bordeaux and burgundy would add warmth to the pictures.
Thank you to photographer Lisa Hubbard, together with the talented art and photo editors at the magazine, for all their hard work. I've been shooting magazine stories for years, and it still feels like magic.
Next up: the pine cone arrangement. While the first few shots were pretty enough, something was definitely missing.
Velvet and satin ribbon, layered one upon the other and fastened with tape, added color and dimension to the shot. Working at Martha especially, I've learned that It's styling details like these that can elevate even the craftiest craft to new heights.
A charming sideboard from the Prop Company, for example…
…together with vintage brass candlesticks and double-faced satin ribbon took a simple sketch of the pecan sphere from this…
… to this…
and finally, to this!
Both the pine cone arrangement and the pecan sphere we tried as cover options, but ultimately, the team at Woman's Day chose the splatter pumpkins. What do you think?
For the next scenario, a shimmery Indian corn hurricane shot on a horizontal surface, I brought with us a vintage brass tray of my own. This piece, even the first time around, I'd always imagined on a sideboard during a fall harvest dinner with wine and hors d'oeuvres.
If you're entertaining and need linen cocktail napkins in just the right hue, here's a stylist's secret that works like a charm: simply cut squares of fabric, then fray the edges.
They won't last through the wash, but your guests will never know!
Oh and that buttery Chardonnay in the glasses? It's Diet Coke and water.
Now that I'm giving away all my secrets, the table setting with the birch long candlestick wasn't even a table at all.
Then again, you'd never know that from the magazine!
Late in the day, and five scenarios were complete. After weeks of sketching, planning, crafting and propping, a cohesive story had finally begun to unfold.
All that remained now was the paper and wheat wreath, the crowning jewel of the story, and for that, I turned to the master crafter herself, my mother Margie. She's always there to help, glue gun in hand, on television shoots and holiday projects alike. Here's the sketch I gave her.
And here she is at the house, crafting her masterpiece.
So with a charming, old door from the Prop Company…
…and a quick coat of Valspar paint that Jaithan did…
…the paper wheat wreath was nearly complete! All it needed now was a little trim.
Here it is in studio.
And here it is in the magazine!
Of course, you'd think it was an interior door in some gorgeous, old house, behind which an intimate group of family and friends had gathered in the dining room for a beautiful Thanksgiving meal. And why not?
I loved the processes from start to finish, the wide shots and the finished cropped version. I think I missed my calling. You are always so good to share so wonderfully.
Thanks for sharing! It is so interesting how the magazine shots are made.
Oh, the WREATH. Love. The plummy wine color, the creamy pumpkins, and the gold accents go perfectly together. May I please come work with you? 😉
Thanks for sharing some behind the scenes details. Very fun!
super cool! thanks for showing all the details! i love behind the scenes type stuff 🙂
I love this post. Seeing the creation of the magazine pages from start to finish is amazing. They are abosolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing the process.
What a fun process to see, not sure people relize how much background work goes into a magazine photo. So glad I clicked in today for this post.
Thanks for the peak in side the sneaky and clever world of magazine styling! KG
Truly appreciated this behind the scenes overview. It’s amazing to see the set up and then the final shot. Styling and lighting is everything. Thanks so much for sharing. ~ julie
So fun to see the behind the scenes, looks like a lot of hard work went into them!
I loved this post! It was so much fun to see behind the scenes (and all the trickery you used 🙂 ). I saw the magazine and would have never guessed that all of this was behind it. I loved it all. Thanks again for sharing it.
Genius.
And fun!
This is fantastic! I love all of the behind the scenes. Your mama is gorgeous and crafty too! Doesn’t get much better than that!
xx
Oh my goodness! I had no idea! Such effort and hard work for those seemingly effortless arrangements. And everybody needs a mom like yours…does she ever hire herself out?!
That’s crazy how those shots are made. Thanks for the behind the scenes view. Hope you guys are doing great!
Thanks for this inside scoop, I was just looking though this issue in the checkout line. Who woulda thought!
I picked up my first issue of Woman’s Day magazine in over ten years so I could read first hand, what great ideas! To funny how simply getting close to take your pictures can hide so much. Love seeing behind the scenes and then the magazine pictures, who would have known so much went into one little picture? Thank you for sharing!
That is pretty cool. I lovin’ that your Mom was working on that wreath! All those shots lined up in a row on that computer screen are stunning! Are they using a Cannon?
Sherry
Ode to Joy to the behind the scenes blood – sweat and tears! Having worked in fashion, the shoots and shows were always long and exhausting but everyone would always think they were “glamourous!” We know better 🙂
Just stunning!
pve
Beautiful! It takes a villageto create all that beauty huh? Well done AGAIN!
I had to really smile when I read this post. I entered flower shows with my Grandmother in the 1960’s and ’70’s. She taught me how use unusual items as the base for many of our arrangements. No one ever knew what we started with under our designs to get them to where they were to be prize winners. I never really thought of magazine shoots to be so much the same way. Really enjoyed this post and the magazine article that it became. I don’t think you have shared with us where you are moving!!! ~~Sherry~~
fantastic wreath and nut sphere. you make it look so easy…..
thanks from us all for the holiday inspiration!
This was a really fun post! Thanks for sharing behind the scenes!
I love to see behind the scenes! Thanks for the peek! Oh and I am still so smitten with that wreath! Amazing!
Jennifer
P.S. Thanks for visiting my blog! Put a big smile on my face.:)
Thanks so much for letting us behind the velvet curtain! It all goes to show that the magic is YOU!
Can you bring some of that with you tomorrow?!!
xoxo E
Every thing you do totally charms me. And the rest of the nation. You are awesome! oxox, P
Absoutely Fabulous! You guys inspire me!
When I was in the airport last weekend I heard someone say “look at the great cover of Woman’s Day” and I smiled! Love seeing the behind the scenes work and ideas. Congratulations on a wonderful feature.
Fabulous, as always! Your craft comment re: the fabric leaves remind me of my floral design teacher. I once asked her if she considered floral design art or craft.
“Good floral design is art; bad design is craft.”
I’d say that applies to most any design. Thank you for your ARTwork!
What a great post! I don’t think it can be stated too many times! I love the pumpkins for the cover. The wreath is beautiful and reminds me of one my mother made years ago using old punch cards, spray paint and glitter.
I loved this post, it was so very interesting! How cool, that you get so close to your subject and when you zero in on it, everything else disappears! Awesome! Show us more….
Carol in GA
This is really quite amazing to see how it all starts and comes together. Honestly, I did think the pics were taken in a house. Thanks for sharing your day with us.
Amy R.
Incredible. I mean… In-cre-di-ble! I can’t believe it. I really learned something and I am amazed by it!
CC
http://currentlychic.com
i loved reading this!!! seriously amazing & so fun to see he behind-the-scenes
love margie too
xoxo
That was such fun to read and see, I want to now go back to the magazine and savor it all over again!
This was fun to see…I want to play like this all day. I always tell my students that the key to life is to find a job that is fun and it will never be considered “work” – – they will all see this post tomorrow as a great example!
Okay, I guess I am going to have to add that magazine to my list now! And I’m going to paint my pumpkins TOMORROW! LOVE those and really love that they started out orange. Fun! Great Job!!!!! Thanks for the behind the scenes look.
Another amazing creative-fest! Your mom is lovely and you look just like her!
congratulations eddie on making the cover of woman’s day!
i have never considered this magazine until you came on-board under the tutelage of elizabeth mayhew who is modernizing a long forgotten publication.
loved the behind the scenes and that wreath, stunning!!!
best
debra
What a fun post to read! Thank you for taking us behind the scenes.
I already bought the magazine. But this added even more value to the beautiful images and fabulous projects. And to know that Jaithan painted the door! (:
Love to you both.
Mon
I’m loving the copper corn ring! Great seasonal crafts…simple, creative and ultimately beautiful! Can’t wait to get my copy!
Well, who knew?? What a great look into the other side…I am totally amazed by it, and it was a great reality check to see how these things are actually staged. Gives me some great ideas. Thanks so much, E & J!
Wow! That is so generous of you to share your secrets! And what fun to see behind the scenes! I LOVE that your family helps and supports you. Doesn’t it make life better?
Best post ever! That was such a treat to see.
thanks!
Old door, fabric swatches, watered down diet coke and hard work, yet you manage to make it look effortless. Margie must be very proud! Cathy
So many creative ideas here! I always love seeing the secrets behind a shoot. Thanks for sharing with us!
Eddie!
Thanks for the back stage pass! That was really fun…I love to see all those secrets revealed! And that door color was beautiful! I want your job!!!!!!!!!!
Hugs
Cindy
xo
I love seeing how different things look outside of the perfectly styled and cropped photo – thanks so much for sharing!
Eddie and Jaithan I love seeing the behind the scenes look. Wow adore the pincone arrangement, showing us the huge difference with the gorgeous ribbon!! In love!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
i must say this was the most attractive cover that i have ever seen woman’s day produce…..whqt you did was pure magic…it caught my eye right from the first glance….i hope we see a lot more from you…
so interesting to see how its all done so will forgive your absence but sure miss your fun posts…have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday…bet your table is something to behold!
Thank you for the inside scoop. This was seriously so fascinating/interesting to read! You’re such an amazing talent and I love that I get to keep up with you through your blog.
Eddie this post rocks! Isn’t it lovely when a shoot finally starts to come together and the shots you first imagined way back before you’d even started propping or sketching, appear on screen. My favourites are the wreath and the mixed nut sphere. Thank you for inspiring me so much first thing on a Tuesday morning!
Will
I’m so glad that you are both back. What a fantastic post. Now I am full of ideas to try out – the behind the scenes posts are always my favourite!
So much fun to peer behind the scenes and see your magic at work. Can’t wait to meet you tomorrow and be part of all the fun!
Wow! Makes me miss my magazine days with HGTV and Food Network. You are right — creating these photos is like magic. Thanks for sharing — and I will now go out and buy the magazine!
Everything is gorgeous! Thanks for taking us behind the scenes and how wonderful to see your lovely mother!
xo,
annie
I love to see all the behind the seens stuff. It still amazes me all the prep it takes for a shoot.
This was such a fun post to read! I loved learning the secrets behind these pretty shots. Sneaky bugger!! Eddie, no denying your talents and what a great team you have~ your mom looks so cute, and Jaithan, do you love painting like I do? Its weird, but I find it relaxing (and gotta love that one coat Valspar)!
Eddie and Eddie,
I was in NYC this week-end and walked what seemed like forever to the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market. I didn’t buy anything because I was flying, but I brought home some ideas to search for here locally.
Really neat behind the scenes. Magazines do tend to give you the feeling of being in someone’s home. I can see it is a lot of hard work to give it that feel! I loved the article … as always, so inspiring.
xoxo
It is so neat to see what goes on behind the scenes of a photo shoot. Looks like a lot of work! But it’s totally worth it because those shots turned out so well!
What fun to see the behind the scenes! It’s got to be so rewarding to see all your hard work and talent (and the hard work and talent of your cute mom and Jaithan) come together for one amazing spread.
Great looking projects! I love the insider look into a shoot! Great tips!
Thanks, and great job E & J !
l.
E & J, that was FASCINATING! I really enjoyed see the behind the scenes fun. THANK YOU so very much for sharing that with us.
What a cool behind the scenes look. I thought all of those pictures were from a house. Who knew they were all small pictures with styling. Everyone involved had great eyes for what would work.
Its all about the theatre and set design …(I’m a tech theatre person).
I loved you contribution to Womans Day. You have great imigination and know how to accomplish your ideas. The two of you work so well together. Kenney’s B & B
That post made me cry. I miss working with you.
I have to say, that was the first issue I had bought of WD in a long time, having contributors like you surely has upped the ante if you know what I mean. XOOXX
I just love all these behind the scenes shots! It’s so hard to imagine it’s not all staged in a lovely old house in the south somewhere.
Your mom is adorable! Now we can see where you get it.
What a great look behind the scenes. Love that sideboard and mantel – now if the Prop Company could just furnish my apartment I’d be all set. (And change it out monthly of course).
Thanks for sharing these behind the scenes pics. It’s so true when you see a magazine spread or photo you imagine the whole area is just as pretty, interesting to know it might be only a small area that is really staged.
You can tell you are your mother’s son….pretty lady, handsome son.
Love to you and Jaithan!
Judy
I have this issue! And I didn’t know you were behind the styling either. Very cool to see it arrive in my mail box, and then to see how the whole process took place. It’s gorgeous.
This is SO interesting!! Love love love seeing this. xoxo
Thank you, that we can see that work behind this beautiful pictures. Very intersting. Thank you again regards jürgen
E&J: The back end of a photo shoot is fun. I want you to see my friend Randy McManus’s space. He is a brilliant floral designer and party designer. Greensboro does not sound glam, but he is incredibly talented. All eyes on Randy: http://randymcmanusdesignsinc.wordpress.com/
Best,
Liz
E&J, you truly worked
your magic for this issue!
And Eddie, NOW we can see
that the apple hasn’t fallen
far from the tree…..your mom
is very talented….and adorable,
to boot! Loved the peek behind
the curtain : )
xx Suzanne
Gorgeous as always! Thanks for keeping it real:) I love the behind the scenes, isn’t that real life…props and stage hands LOL.
Oh, HOW many times have I used the frayed napkin trick!!?? And the best part is?? Toss them after––I have strict aversion to ironing and can’t seem to get myself together and be proper enough to send them to the dry-cleaners like a good girl should 😉
Still reeling over the paper-wreath and that pecan pomander!!! You make me want to stylize every single corner of my house. Seriously. Can I stylize the microwave? I’d do that too, if I could 😉
Very happy for you and thanks for the behind the scenes action–I completely know how it is! Meltdown in 5 4 3 2 1 unless I get some freaking diet coke and water!!!! NOW! Also, admiring your delegation skills…..I think that’s perhaps the hardest part!
Andrea
What a great post ~ I’ve taken notes on your great ideas!
I just posted about an Indian corn hurricane I created for our Oktoberfest party this year. After seeing yours, I think mine needs a little brown wrapping. Take a peek if you have a chance.
I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to meet you and Jaithan tomorrow in NY.
Jo
Glad you are still enjoying the magic Eddie – can’t wait to see that issue – will get my mum to bring over to Ireland – exciting that Elizabeth is bringing new life into it.
Was so much fun seeing behind the scenes – what magic it is – I’ll get back to it someday!
Dayum….that IS magic. Your work is phenomenal…the way they staged it for the shoot just blows my mind!
Thanks for sharing this with us…I love it all. Wish I had all the decor in my home.
Brilliant…love seeing the steps from creating the piece, to staging it and the final photo!
Janell
This was so interesting! Thank you for giving us the inside scoop! I loved how you wrote it too…putting beautiful words to something informational is a talent. 🙂
It’s so fun to go behind the scenes with you!
You really are a genius and I love seeing your creations photographed professionally!!
Give Margie a big hug from me!
XO
No one can hold a candle to you 🙂
You elevate DIY to an art form.
I made those pumpkins for my thanksgiving table!!! thanks for the great idea…I’ll be sure to link your blog to my post Friday!
xo, cassie
This was fantastic! What you do is so much work, but you are so generous to share.
your imagination has no boundaries
awesome!
This story was both classy and assesible. I like that you do sophisticated on a budget. That is missing in the work of some designers and publications. The wreath is amazing!
I love this post! Seriouly I read it twice (some parts three times). I felt naughty peeking behind the scenes :+) Each project is perfect, although your moms wreath on the door Jaithan painted takes the cake!
It is always fun to see behind the scenes…thanks for sharing.
Very cool to see the behind the scenes shots! xx
The behind-the-scenes glimpses are so interesting! Thanks for sharing – everything looks absolutely beautiful (like always)!
I am amazed how you can take something so ordinary and turn it into art! Great job and teriffic ideas!
What a fun post! Loved getting a peek at how it all happens. Everything is beautiful.
Londen
I can’t find the magazine!! Have checked everywhere but book stores and Joanne Fabrics. Any hints who carrys it?
Most defintely a good post for behind the scenes. It all makes sense. You can do so much…with so little
Mr.Goodwill Hunting
http://mrgoodwillhunting.blogspot.com
You totally inspired my thanksgiving table this year…I blogged about you today, and tomorrow’s post is my version of your splattered pumpkins!
Thanks so much for sharing your talent and ideas!
Pure brilliance throughout! Thank you, Eddie, for taking us behind the scenes — great fun and so many wonderful ideas! You’re extremely gracious to share these oh-so-clever secrets of a professional stylist. I’m sure design bloggers the world over are bookmarking this post for future reference. I have a feeling you’ve just elevated the level of blog styling/photography by several degrees.
Congratulations on having assembled such a talented team to assist you. Your mom and Jaithan certainly do beautiful work! Loved the shot of the white painted pumpkins with the blue painter’s tape in place (coordinating so well with the spray paint can — not an accident I’m sure!). 😉 It reminded me of a hand-tinted black and white shot.
OK, I’m rambling. Thank you for all you do. Hope you have the happiest of Thanksgivings.
Kindest regards,
Bill @ Affordable Accoutrements
Every creation is perfection; I especially love the wreath!
That is excatly how I do it
Janice
What an interesting and AMAZING read!! I REALLY enjoyed seeing the process. Thanks for sharing Eddie!! You’re the BEST!
😀 Lynda
Congrats again for your cover! Love the behind the scenes images.
xo,
cristin
Like so many have already stated…It was interesting to read about the styling process. Thank you for sharing! Reading your post made me feel better about my own little projects. I won’t be so hard on myself when my next project doesn’t turn out as perfect as those lovely magazine covers:) For that to happen I would need a small army of uber talented people! Cheers and have a happy weekend:)
Eddie
Thanks for sharing the behind the scenes. I feel quite silly doing a full get up my photo shoot with Cabbages and Roses!! I went all out and set up the whole room as if guests were really coming. Holy cow this would have been SOOO much easier. Thanks for the tips. Although I am still a rookie, my next photoshoot will definitely be cutting some corners!
I found all of this absolutely FASCINATING!!!! I LOVE magazines, and it is SO interesting for me to see all of this action behind the scenes. It does, indeed seem like magic the way you pull it all together with the photographer and everybody, and the magic shines through on the pages we see. I really think I missed my calling; with all of the things I love and collect, and my love of great design, I would have so enjoyed having a job as a prop stylist for magazines, design books and cookbooks, etc. At the very least, I should have worked at a place like the Prop Company! What a dream job. I can live that dream a little bit – albeit vicariously – through your lovely posts! Thank you, thank you!
It’s so fun seeing the behind the scenes from this shoot! The cover looks beautiful, and it is so interesting to see how you came to the final photo for the lovely cover! I love the pumpkins and the pinecone arrangement…it is seasonal but also elegant and chic!
Well worth the efforts…your cover design is spectacular! It’s amazing how much work goes into getting and creating the mood and appearance you want. You ALL did a fabulous job! Love all the colors. Going to have to try my hand at making that gorgeous wreath.
I think your mum’s wreath should have been the cover photo! it is beautiful and elegant and country all at once…thanks for a behind the scene’s look…so interesting!
That was SUCH fun! I had NO idea how it was done. Thank you for the inside scoop!
Love peeking behind the scenes of photo shoots. Your work, of course, is flawless. Just used a table setting you did for Lonny as inspiration for my supper club table (used gold spray paint on my pumpkins).
And you look so much like your adorable mother!
This was absolutely fascinating! I loved this post- so interesting to see behind the scenes! Pumpkins in August! Who knew?! That photo of the pumpkins in the trunk is just too cute!
joan
LOVE the sneaky “chardonnay”. too fun!
This is so cool… I love seeing the behind the scenes work. Also helps me with the photography for my blog. Thanks for providing this privileged peek that only you could give us!
OMG, guys! You’ve destroyed every fantasy I’ve had when looking through magazines!
Seriously, this is AMAZING to see what goes on behind the scenes. As someone who love process, I really enjoyed seeing all of this!
Thanks! Steve
Thank you for sharing. Love to look behind the scenes on your projects. So much fun!
thank you very much for the glance behind the scenes. You put so much effort in your work. That’s very special!
I really enjoyed the story behind the scenes! So cool and not at all what I expected. Actually I never think about the behind the scenes, I’m too awed by the beautiful presentation and stunning photos. Thanks so much for sharing!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Gosh, I’ve been looking about this specific topic of creative custom designs for about an hour, glad i found your blog and I am surprised to see this brilliant and creative post on your website! Thank you very much for your post and for your time to collect all these great and incredibly outstanding designs.