I think it’s exciting to hear from inspiring designers and stylists and I love doing interviews with them when I get the chance.  There’s no better time than the holiday season to hear from one of my favorites, Matthew Mead.  Matthew is a stylist, writer, author, and photographer who’s been in the magazine and publishing industry for years and someone I had the pleasure to work with earlier this year. 

Matthew is the former style editor of Country Home magazine, and last year launched his own magazine, Holiday with Matthew Mead. Currently, Matthew is the official food photographer for the Associated Press and a regular style contributor to HGTV.com and Better Homes & Gardens publications. I asked Matthew to answer some questions for me and he graciously agreed.     

CG:  Tell us how you got started in the business of designing, styling, and eventually authoring your own publications?

MM:  I wrote a letter to Mary Emmerling, Queen of Country Style back in the late eighties and was lucky enough to meet her at her South Hampton Long Island cottage compound overlooking the Atlantic.  She offered me work on her new magazine MARY EMMERLING’S COUNTRY and that was the start of my career back in 1992.  I’ve worked in the industry steadily ever since… that led to books, magazines, the creation of my own brand of publications and products.   

CG:   Where do you look for inspiration for all of your projects or magazine shoots?

MM:  I am very drawn to vintage items, antiques, collectibles, colors… you know that about me… when we met at your home the first thing we did was go out antiquing.  Its in my blood, its my soul… I feel so intimately connected to the past, the flea market, the much loved and used items. 

 
   
CG:  The holidays are upon is and as the song goes it’s the most wonderful time of the year, right?  People often feel the stress of the season and can forget it’s more about the celebrations.  What are some tips you can share for effortless entertaining?

MM:  Keep it simple… have several small parties over the month with a few couples instead of one big party.  Serve foods that you love, keep it comfortable and casual.  Consider just desserts and specialty coffees, or appetizers and drinks.  I like to pile colorful fruits on a platter and add greens for a simple centerpiece.  Embellish napkin rings and create lots of votive candles by adding spices, cranberries or succulents.

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I see so many pretty made beds in shelter magazines and on Pinterest.  After concentrating on a few design styles that appealed to me, I feel like I finally got the look of my own master bed just right!  With up to a third of our lives spent snoozing under the covers (hopefully getting a solid 8 hours a night), a great mattress and comfortable linens are a worthy investment, plus how fun is it to dress up our beds in our own personal style? 

What’s the secret to a well dressed bed you might ask?  I thought I’d ask an expert for her best tips.  I’ve been a fan of Annette Tatum’s style for years, and I completely love her line of sophisticated and soft patterns for both adults and kids.  I asked Annette to offer up some suggestions for a well dressed bed, and she was kind enough to share her secrets!  (I added the inspirational images along the way to illustrate.) 

Enjoy! 

Tell us Annette in your expert opinion, what is the secret to a well dressed bed?

1. Think in Layers 

“I am a big fan of layering solids and prints on a bed.  I also like to have a basic white always on hand as well as an assortment of prints that I can mix in depending upon the season.

via Turquoise, Tulips & Bliss

 

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Greetings all, the last week of my life has been absolutely crazy!  I’ve been busy putting together several holiday projects in anticipation of another magazine photo shoot later this week, and let me tell ya, it’s such a challenge to style ornaments and twinkle lights when it’s 90 degrees in July.  I’ve got flocking in my hair and glitter in places where it shouldn’t be, and it’s too darn hot outside. 

I have such respect for those who work in the magazine business and are accustomed to this kind of life, whether it’s Christmas in July, pumpkins in April or Easter eggs in October. I’ll have more deets on the photo shoot and be sure to share next week!

Speaking of the talents who work for magazines, today I have the pleasure of bringing you a Q & A with one of my favorite stylists and designers, Mr. Eddie Ross.  I’ve been a fan of Eddie for a long time and even had the pleasure of meeting him a while back at the Alameda Antique Fair.  He is such a source of inspiration to me, and I’m sure to many of you!

I sent some questions to Eddie and he gave me the inside scoop! 

CG: Congratulations on your recent column in Southern Living.  You’ve also been appearing regularly in Woman’s Day.  What inspires your contributions that continue to wow us every month? 

Flea markets, old books or magazines, great finds at the Goodwill…I take it all in and filter it through my experience as an editor and stylist, then present it in a new way.  

Pedestal table makeover for Southern Living, images Jaithan Kochar and Miki Duisterhof (after)

CG: Share a glimpse of a day in the life of styling and shooting for the magazines recently featuring your work.  Who are the people behind Team Eddie? 

Wow, a day in the life, let’s see…so much goes into each story beyond just styling and shooting which makes each project fun and unique.  Also since a lot of what we do is actually shot in our house not a studio we really live with what we are creating.  It gives me a chance to live with the project, then style and prop it in a real way.

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Greetings friends, I have the most special treat for you today!  Michelle of Ten June is a monthly contributor here, and she’s back with an amazing interview she snagged with the latest sensation to hit the design world, Emily Henderson, winner of HGTV’s Design Star and now host of the design show, Secrets From A Stylist.

We’ve witnessed her room reveals over the past year, and each one continues to wow.  We love Emily for her bohemian chic style and magnetic personality. 

This talented stylist is refreshingly down to earth and lucky for us, she agreed to sit down with Michelle and chat about breaking design rules, Nate Berkus, and her forgotten love for DIY.  Grab a snack and get comfortable, because we’re about to learn more secrets from this stylist!

All images from Emily’s portfolio. 

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Q & A between Emily and Michelle:

 

Q:  When styling the accessories in a room, how much is too much?  Do you have any advice as to how to accessorize a space well and add balance without creating chaos?

A:  This is my biggest challenge because I like a LOT of accessories. Like, a LOT.  But here’s what I do, because I’m crazy – I style vignettes using groups of threes or odd numbers.  I keep it balanced by using a healthy combination of weighty/graphic objects (stacks of books or boxes) with more feminine sculptural objects (vases, sculptures, flowers).  Then (and this is the crazy part) I take a picture with my phone and stare at the picture.  If something isn’t “reading” right, then I might have too much stuff, so I edit.  I look at the picture as if it’s a magazine page and think “if I had styled that, what would I change about it?” It’s hard to be objective, so I try and take myself out of it and stare at the picture instead.

 

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Friends, you know I am a lover of food.  I love gorgeous images of simple recipes, they often send me to the store on a quest to replicate a fabulous dish that very day.  The same thing happens when I see an creative and stylish craft idea, it also inspires me to go to the craft store and create something special of my own.  As a lover of both food and crafting, I chanced upon Sweet Paul magazine last year, and since then have read every issue from cover to cover. 

Sweet Paul is the online magazine creation of food and prop stylist Paul Lowe. The first issue came out only one year ago, and it never fails to deliver easy elegant recipes, fun and easy crafts, and simple entertaining ideas too.  Naturally, whenever there is a new issue, it prompts me to run to both the grocery and the craft store on the very same day.   

Image credit: Alexandra Grablewski

As a huge fan, I was prompted to write to Paul and ask him to share a little about himself, and also what motivates and inspires him in his creations.  Today, I’m excited to bring you our Q & A, which I know will leave you inspired, and most likely, hungry. 

CG:  Hello Paul!  Please tell us when you knew you wanted to become a stylist, and about your humble beginnings in the industry that eventually led to working with publications like Country Living, Domino, and Real Simple magazines.   

PL: I never wanted to be a stylist, but I used to be a florist 20 years ago and fell into the styling business by accident and I have loved every minute ever since.  I used to work in Norway but after I moved here 5 years ago I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing clients.

Image credit: Frances Janisch

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