Take a hundred pictures—that’s what I’d do differently. When the Refresh team moved into my house for a few days, I considered myself a student, learning much about what’s needed to stage a photo for print. I only wish I’d taken more pictures of them in action. I also might have used my Cannon instead of my near-death iPhone.
We spent two days looking at my house from every possible angle, rearranging rooms, and moving things about. In that process I observed so much about what makes a room work in photos.
Here are five tips for styling your house for photos:
- Flower Power. When you look at a table or bookshelf or mantle and think, this needs something, chances are fresh flowers will do the trick. Fresh flowers are the best gap fillers.
- Eat Your Veggies. But don’t eat your fruit. Kitchens need color. Sliced watermelon, a bowl of strawberries, or pears piled in a basket at the center of an island are tried and true ways to add a pop of color. Stick with one type of fruit—a wooden bowl with twenty tangerines piled in it makes a stronger impression than a hodgepodge of mixed fruit.
- Add Layers. If you have a pile of books on your coffee table, place them in a tray (like this one from West Elm) and you’ve got dimension in an instant. Throw an extra quilt on the bed or another pillow on the couch.
- Think Outside the Prop. Take items like bar stools or suitcases and use them in unexpected places. Drag your the stool into the bathroom and place folded towels on it. Tuck a suitcase under a coffee table and add a stack of books to it and you’ve used props in new ways.
- Do Your Homework. Thumb through a magazine and take note of the pictures you favor. What’s the common thread? It’s okay to be a copycat and recreate it!
And, here’s a peek into the article:
Photo Credit: Jeff Herr
Refresh is on news stands now—you can find it at the grocery store, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and so forth. The magazine includes an extensive list of resources (where to get things) and plenty of advice for how to pull it off. Check out the Better Homes & Gardens Blog for ideas, inspiration and the latest trends.
x,
amy
SO thrilling! I looked for the magazine at Harris Teeter last night, but they didn’t have it. Will try Home Depot this weekend when I get some paint for my bathroom.
Thank you, Jess! Home Depot will have it. I’ve seen it at Harris Teeter and at Kroger but it may vary from store to store. P.S. I saw your the mirror you revamped—love it. xoxo.
You GO girl! Proud of you!!
So beautiful!! Congratulations! Your stairs are gorgeous and I LURV the fixture above your table.
Stacey,
I found that fixture at an antique shop for next to nothing—it was a steal! Thank you for the kind words and support! It means so much.
x.
Amy
Getting my copy ASAP…..and copies for all my friends. More than I could have imagined. I’m so proud of you and am your biggest fan! Never underestimate the power of a farmer’s daughter….two in agreement, unstoppable.
Susan,
I think we should celebrate and reminisce at Marche—I will bring a copy for you.
Oh how I wish I could say I taught you everything I know:) If I haven’t said it lately, I am ridiculously proud of you. The spread is be.a.u.ti.ful!
I just picked up this publication. I was reeled in with the cover photo & the colors of the text (always a fan of bright pink & orange). I really enjoyed your home & the fact that you wrote the article also! It just created more depth for me knowing it was your home, your design work & your narrative! The use of vintage, handcrafted items in a clean modern way is exactly what I am attempted to reproduce in my home. It’s a delicate balance of not hoarding & creatively using vintage, handcrafted, repurposed items. You have done an excellent job creating that balance! I was thrilled to see you had a blog & will continue to visit it often & hopefully create a similar feel in my own home, walking that tight rope of balance! Barn door hardware with vintage door & quilts as well without looking ‘country’-well yes please, I’ll take a large serving of that inspiration! Great work!
Julia,
What a generous reply! Thank you for noticing all the details and being so kind to say so! I wish you the very best of luck in finding and striking balance in your home and I am certain that you will—sounds like you know exactly what you want in your house. My best advice is to be patient with it. When it all comes together it is quite satisfying.
I was really happy to write the article and will be writing a story in the next issue so I hope you’ll pick that one up this fall, too!
I’m grateful for your contribution to the conversation! Please come back often—make yourself at home here!
x,
amy
Hi Amy. I became a follower through a mutual friend, Jody Stephenson. Jody and I work together. I love your design and especially love the white slipcovered chair on the cover. You mention you got your furniture from Spritz Furniture. I checked there and can’t find that exact chair. Do you recall the model name of that chair? Luv! Thank you!!
Lisa,
So great to “meet” you! I love Jody Stephenson and I’m so glad you commented.
I did get the chair/couch at Sprintz. And, I do have the receipts so I can look up every detail for you. (I’m away for the week and didn’t want to leave your comment unattended.) I’ll send you an email with details next week!
In the meantime, I can tell you that it is white denim which is the best decision ever because it slips right off and can go straight into the washing machine. It gets softer with every wash!
Thanks for reading & more from me later!
x,
amy
Hi I found your blog via refresh magazine. Love your house! I especially love the light fixture in your master bath. Would you share where you got it? Thank you!!!
Jessica,
It’s from West Elm. I bought it a couple years ago and I’m not sure that it’s in production anymore. I’d call their customer service and see if they can help you track one down!
Good luck!
x,
amy
I just picked up the magazine yesterday and consequently found your wonderful blog. Loving it. I too am in the Nashville area and write an interior design blog and decorate. Would love for you to stop by my blog sometime. I will definitely be following along with yours!
kathy!
We should get together! Do you drink coffee?
amy
Hi Amy,
I do drink coffee (maybe a little too much) and would love to get together! I’ll send you an email with my contact info!
Thanks!
Kathy
Amy,
I think I probably dropped the ball. Is your email address on your blog somewhere? I would love to get together for coffee. Actually heading to the flea market tomorrow morning if you’re up for it then?
Thanks!
Kathy
Hi! Followed over from HOH. Great article! I really appreciate your tips on photos and styling. I am constantly hoping for a lesson from an experienced house photographer. I make offers and can’t get them to take me up on it. I think the locals are really worried I want to compete and all I want to do is blog. So I look for online tutorials and study pictures, in hopes I’ll get better. I go to so many house tours that I have totally caught on to the flowers and fruit trick. One tour seemed to have the common touch of oranges in a bowl in the kitchen. It was making me giggle a little so I clicked away and featured them all. Thanks so much for sharing the behind the scenes. Really interesting!
WOW! What a transformation! So inspiring!! The vintage doors going out to the porch are my absolute favorite!! So creative and inventive!! I love the clean, air, inviting and bright feeling of this home….. Trying to create that same feeling for me own home, but I’m having a really hard time with finding the perfect paint color for my open floor plan. Would you mind at all sharing the paint color of your dining and living room? Thank you so much for all the inspiration!!
Lisa,
I don’t mind sharing at all! It’s Sherwin Williams Repose Gray. It’s a nice agreeable gray. I’m so glad you commented. I hope this helps. And, thank you for commenting and being so encouraging!
amy