A funny thing happened to me late last year. I woke up one morning and decided I was going to ask Real Living magazine editor Deborah Bibby if I could style a photo shoot. Then the really scary part: she said yes! - and gave me one of the biggest features in the magazine - "shopping". I was either going to sink or swim. Let me tell you, there was a lot of thrashing in the water the week of the shoot. But somehow I emerged and kept my head above water and the pics above are of how the shoot turned out.
So what's it really like to style for a magazine? There was LOTS of running around sourcing products, arranging courier deliveries, unpacking, unpacking, unpacking, creating "make" projects, styling, repacking, repacking, repacking, arranging returns. I lost 2kg that week simply because I didn't have time to eat.
The part I enjoyed the most was actually coming up with the concepts. Of course, I had to include a "Bookish bohemian" room - this is very much MY style. The second office, "Laid-back glamour", was inspired by the office of Lonny Magazine's Michelle Adams (featured in Real Living in July 09). And the last space - "Crafty industrial" used references from Amy Butler's home featured in Midwest Modern.
Would love to know what you think, and which one you like the best. Also, love to hear which offices in general you find inspiring - send links if you can. The March issue of Real Living, which includes the shoot, is on sale today.
images courtesy of real living and chris warnes
37 comments:
oh Mr Postman, hurry up and bring me my copy!
Sounds exciting and fun! I can't wait to check it out, will be off to buy the issue today!
Looks like you swam, and swam pretty good! Spread looks fabulosa.
The centre one reminds me of Nicole Balch's style (from Making it Lovely) http://makingitlovely.com/
Look forward to seeing the edition. jules
I got my copy late last week, and I had already decided that this was my favourite feature in the issue!
I particularly love the crafty industrial spread. Do I need that Kartell step ladder? Yes, I think I do!
Kylie
Flying Ducks
www.myflyingducks.blogspot.com
I will race out and get my copy - can't wait to see it! This is a great example of 'if you don't ask, you will never know'. Good on you for stepping outside your usual comfort zone! KG
Congrats, the spread looks amazing, I'm particularly in love with the office featured - stunning! I can't wait to pick up my copy of the magazine. Great work!
Wow, jumping in head first is the only way to go. Will have to head up and grab a copy of this issue. I love the room with the globes all along the top!
Wow I just finished reading my copy of Real Living...loved the bohemian bookshelf with the globes along the top! Congrats on a job well done! Tracey xx
congratulations and well done, natalie! haven't had a chance to really sit and peruse the mag as yet; however, my style would definitely be a cross between the bookish boho and crafty ind....x
just gorgeous - love all of them. When does it come out in the US?
Congratulations Natalie. I've read your blog for ages and I am a subscriber to Real Living, I poured over these pages in mag and loved them, so many great ideas. You did a fab job, are you going to do more styling in the future? -kb
Congratulations Natalie! That is just fabulous. I truly love them all. Is there anything you cannot do lady!?
And here are the links to some of the offices I like
Parliament, Portland
http://yellowtrace.com.au/blog/2010/01/28/parliament-portland/
by Elding Oscarson
http://yellowtrace.com.au/blog/2009/12/21/elding-oscarson/
Ad Agency by yours truly (dodgy iPhone shots)
http://yellowtrace.com.au/blog/2009/12/16/ad-agency-fitout/
x dana
Oh wow congats! How exciting for you! The feature looks so stunning, I'm off to run out and get a copy!
Sophie x
Got the issue looking at it as I type the Bohemian is my fav loving the rustic brick wall and the wooden bookshelves especially the colour of them I could just dive into the picture & own it if i could!! Well done ;)
LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! Can't wait to get my hands on the mag, heading to Borders now!
My copy arrived on Friday and I've already read it cover to cover. This was my favourite feature! I noticed your name on it but didn't realise it was your first styling gig. Congratulations.
I forgot to say that I also totally love the globes all lined up like that, you did a great job! Can't wait to see what you come up with next time :)
I was really, really, really impressed with the amount of detail you included! loved it very very much.
Well done! It looks amazing. Don't think I can get the mag in the uk so I'll have to come back to your blog often!
Love the looks, and can so appreciate the mega amount of the work behind each and every shot!
I love this post! I love all your stylish spaces for this story - you need to do this some more! Thanks for sharing!
congrats on the styling gig! awesome things happen when you ask, right?
Well done for chasing the dream - looks fantasmagorigal
I blown away by your comments and support. THANK YOU! Will write more later. Planning the next shoot! x
Bookish Bohemian, please. I love the way the metal shelves' color complement the old globes. Nice job!
fantastic! love the bottom pic here ~ you did a great job.
this must have been so exciting for you :)
I just read it yesterday and loved it. Even more so you featured the desk I am going to get for my new office space.
Thanks for the great inspiration!
Sarah :)
Dana - thanks!!! can't wait to check out the links. quarter-past midnight is not the time, though. eek. must go to sleep. x
julie - got your copy yet? what do you think of the issue?
Kylie - thanks for all your kind words and I def think you should get the step ladder. looks cool in real life too.
Kloth & Bolt - have already done a styling feature since this one. Not quite so full-on, but hectic nonetheless. I have another one in a couple of weeks. Time is running out!
Sarah - which desk did you like? there were about 4 in the shoot (i went a bit overboard!).
EVERYONE ELSE - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
And I'm pleasantly surprised so many of you liked bookish bohemian. It's my fave.
Loved the office inspired my michelle Adams space! Def. my fave! great job!KG
Yay! My copy finally came in the post yesterday.
Natalie it looks fabulous! There are elements in each of the rooms that I love.
At a pinch my fave would be crafty industrial (white desks, plywood backdrop, and I already have that clock) but the colours you have chosen in bookish boho are beautiful. Love the contrast of the yellows/oranges (especially the wood print cushion) with the blues.
This is the type of inspirationI look for in magazines because I wouldn't have the confidence to mix these colours myself. Then when I see it I go "wow". You styled with confidence, very impressed with your first effort!
Enjoying the whole issue as always. Really loving the Robert Plumb chair on page 129.
Good luck with future styling!
Jx
looks so great in print - still can't believe it's your first go! love that they actually look like rooms and not sets. and the more i look at it, the more i like bookish boho the most too xx
Wow - congratulations - my magazine copy is sitting on my coffee table still waiting to be read but I am very eager to get to it now :) How great to have the opportunity to style a shoot x
Well I loved them all actually but it was the white one with the slim drawer, perfect look for my sson to be office and it is a great price.
Cheers
Sarah
Love, love, love the typewriter and globes!! And your blog x
first ever!! omg no way! that was my favourite section of the mag. I just LOVED the colour combos. so perfect.
I dream of having my own home office / studio, probably a mix between the first and last rooms you styled.
The first look also excited me very much because I have those ikea storage shelfs, and seeing them painted that colour made me realise all the possiblities I could do with them!!
Renee x
I arrived at mum's today with my fevering toddler, sat down in her big armchair and whilst I rocked her back and forth whispering shhh shhh it's ok darling, I flicked through the pages of Real Living. When I came to the shopping editorial, I thought 'Gees I love the styling on this shoot, particularly the collection of globes bobbling on bookcases'. Good on you for following your intutive hunch by being pro-active and asking for an opportunity to share your talent, I hope this is the first of many to come.
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