tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post864023314242472574..comments2023-05-13T03:07:37.564-06:00Comments on CuriousSofa.com Blog: Behind the SceneCurious Sofahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495486041959660278noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-68824058896478654392010-07-26T15:16:54.775-06:002010-07-26T15:16:54.775-06:00Oh baby I am so with you on this one. Good for yo...Oh baby I am so with you on this one. Good for you! We call it art by committee. Will we ever get to see real humans living in grace and beauty ever again in the decor mags? I am so over seeing what a photo stylist and a editor want to do, let me see how folks create their homes to reflect their needs and style. Great post. Thanxluluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05110843800086506532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-38153275466991063912010-07-25T10:09:16.875-06:002010-07-25T10:09:16.875-06:00Boy Debbie, you said it all. I am a photo AD and h...Boy Debbie, you said it all. I am a photo AD and have been a stylist for over 20 years. Every photographer I know is so discouraged any more and the photo teams kind of just go through the paces knowing the digital team will make it what ever the highest power wants. I did like this spread but I agree, American magazines are just too perfect for words. No one can live up to this. What a great post. Thanks, kathkath@retromantic antiqueshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09626408516840492670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-34804229466468848072010-07-23T23:32:01.193-06:002010-07-23T23:32:01.193-06:00What an insightful commentary on the 'inside p...What an insightful commentary on the 'inside perspective' of a shoot - thank you, Deb, for sharing your thoughts with us. I so agree with you! <br /><br />Two friends of mine live in a home filled with life and love and yet a calm peacefulness... I literally shed tears while sitting alone in their house last summer. They had their home published this year, and while the photos are lovely, the life was styled right out of the rooms. I was sad to see the concept of 'art' take precedence over INSPIRATION - which is why we all read magazines and look at photos anyway, right?<br /><br />Deb @ RetreatRetreathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09483899083709259544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-24404614125651557162010-07-21T23:22:08.956-06:002010-07-21T23:22:08.956-06:00Thank you for your honesty regarding the shoot. I...Thank you for your honesty regarding the shoot. I have told all my fellow magazine subscribing friends about it, and we are all shocked. Totally lost credibility with us. I liken it to photo shopping an already thin model to a perfect size which entices women to strive for the unattainable...same difference only with a house...it sets women up to reach for this perfectly "staged" unattainable home. No one needs that!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-61482153584833271582010-07-17T12:31:49.373-06:002010-07-17T12:31:49.373-06:00I love your honesty, Debbie! It was so eye-openin...I love your honesty, Debbie! It was so eye-opening to read your post while looking at the pages in the real mag beside me. Your comments do not surprise me, however, as I often think as I read CL or the like, how do these people live their lives in these homes? Some pics are most impractical, esp. with children or pets. I would love to see a few "used" dishes on a kitchen counter, as right now in my kitchen: a green depression glass just drained of milk on a polish pottery plate with crumbs of my lunch on it. Art to me! Have you considered doing an e-magazine? I think that may be the new generation of magazines. No clutter on the coffee table and you would have a lot of fans willing to contribute content. I love how honest and refreshing you are--don't ever change.Annhttp://madelinesmemories-ann.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-59480069980428719462010-07-17T10:12:25.710-06:002010-07-17T10:12:25.710-06:00This was so interesting, being a wedding photograp...This was so interesting, being a wedding photographer it makes me sad to imagine this much change going on. My goal is always to capture the details and use my photography to make them look their best...not make them look like something else. I have always been so in love with decorating mag photos...this is a downer but not really a surprise. <br /><br />I appreciate your blog posts, they are always a highlight! <br /><br />BTW, i bought 2 vintage maps at your store the other day and I'm racking my brain on what to do with them!!! I want to get them up so bad...any ideas??Nicole McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13467516937078644466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-31850505392168374512010-07-16T19:24:57.182-06:002010-07-16T19:24:57.182-06:00i no longer subscribe to country living for a vari...i no longer subscribe to country living for a variety of reasons-the december issue doesn't even give us christians a polite nod, the text is so look-how-country-i-am lame, but the worst was an issue that implied a wisconsin farmer's market was nothing until this stylish couple came to town. i enjoyed the photos of the homes, but to get annoyed every month was ridiculous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-2376792026594319182010-07-14T21:55:51.170-06:002010-07-14T21:55:51.170-06:00Yep, I'm with the gals who are dropping their ...Yep, I'm with the gals who are dropping their long time subs. to many of these shelter mags. No longer finding anything inspiring, and so sick of pages of cheesy ads!<br /><br />I subscribe to European mags., namely UK Country Living (because I'm from England but live in the USA), and Campagne which is a wonderful French home mag. UK Country Living has been great for many years and actually is about real country style living, albeit in the UK - nothing like the American version which at one time was similar, altho' published in smaller format and on cheaper paper. I don't fret over prices as long as the paper and ink are top quality!<br /><br />I just purchased the new Country Home (now that mag. I truly miss as it was beautiful) at a ridiculous price - nicely done but I feel some articles are re-runs from the original mags.<br /><br />Blogs are the way to go now - love seeing real homes from around the world, shown with wrinkles and stains, shedding pets, imperfect painted furniture, and truly loved collections with meaning for the homeowner. Guess the perfection of imperfection means more to me nowadays, rooms by such great designers as your wonderful friend Elizabeth Maxson, and even Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic who has come back stronger than ever (just go visit her NYC shop - it's beautiful).....and of course your own Curious Sofa which looks so amazing always and I will get there some day Debbie!<br /><br />As for a shoot at my little cottage - used think it would be fun but now I'd definitely say no way, even it they were beating on my front door!<br /><br />As for Angie - bless her for putting up with all that disruption at her lovely home. I'm glad you shared the truth with us and, as always, you do it in a great way.<br /><br />Fondly,<br />Mary - A Breath of Fresh AirMaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11915239653283205065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-61046084429585238062010-07-14T14:19:03.905-06:002010-07-14T14:19:03.905-06:00This was really interesting to read. It's tha...This was really interesting to read. It's that staging for commercial interests and so called "reader demographic" (which apparently no longer includes me) that made me stop buying the magazine (and several others) a long time ago... it all looks the same anymore. <br /><br />I miss seeing really great and unique homes. Thank heavens for the wonderful blogs that people do about their homes, handcrafts and lifestyles! If only the magazine publishers would listen! They might actually sell more magazines.Lisa Bonihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16954398440820019953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-35342205420598514792010-07-13T21:43:46.444-06:002010-07-13T21:43:46.444-06:00I always wondered..now I know. I appreciate your ...I always wondered..now I know. I appreciate your insight and echo that is why I constantly think of blogs as my new magazines. Why change an already lovely home? Would love to hear their reasoning....Debehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15145382104175784365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-74306043940088979552010-07-13T20:49:34.066-06:002010-07-13T20:49:34.066-06:00Maybe you're the perfect one for an online mag...Maybe you're the perfect one for an online magazine. You probably know 100 homes in KC you could photograph & show on a blog. I hardly ever buy a magazine anymore but do peruse the blogs for ideas. I'd certainly pay for a great online magazine plus might even want to advertise in it. Haven't seen the magazine yet but will check it out. Country Living doesn't do much for me anymore. Jansummersundays-jwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17140587430853964270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-27685727766931669632010-07-13T06:39:11.950-06:002010-07-13T06:39:11.950-06:00Thank you for this post. I know things are staged ...Thank you for this post. I know things are staged for photo shoots, but wasn't totally up-to-speed on the extent of the staging. Why pick someone's home and style to showcase if everything is changed? Wasn't the original inspiration magazine worthy? I'm sorry for Angie and other homeowners who have gone through this upheaval only to find a stranger's house staring at them from the pages of a magazine.<br /><br />I used to automatically buy Country Living at the magazine stand. Wouldn't even question whether I should buy it. I'm on a very tight budget nowadays and, interestingly, I looked at the current issue in the bookstore and decided NOT to buy it. I find I'm doing that a lot nowadays. I'd much rather see a real room with the real clutter of everyday life. After all, I'm more interested in the homeowner's style. It is also the reason I've usually been turned off by the rooms that have been transformed by a decorator. Where is the heart and soul of the owner? That's what I care about. I'm sure that this is the reason so many of us are turning to blogs and abandoning magazines. If Country Living wants to stay in the marketplace, I would suggest they look at the blogging world.<br /><br />Maybe someone could go to Angie's and take some photos of HER style and share it on a blog? I'd much rather see that.<br /><br />As to the new Country Home (which was always my favorite)- I bought it. I'm enjoying it but it is full of reprints from stories past. Since I bought every issue, I recognize all the homes and rooms shown. That's what they do with these 'special' issues. I'd much rather see some new content. When that happens I will say that Country Home is back - but I really can't until that happens.<br /><br />Thanks so much for your honesty. And the bitchy comment from Anonymous only shows his/her level of ignorance.Claudiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16691249261693845371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-90408511564321164362010-07-12T20:50:41.125-06:002010-07-12T20:50:41.125-06:00Well, I thought I would check in to see what was h...Well, I thought I would check in to see what was happening since the infamous chair post. Well, I wasn't disappointed. Debbie, you are the bomb, girl! Precisely why I have ditched Country Living ages ago, and buy French and English magazines, even if I can't fully understand the French, the visuals are enough to keep me entertained. Try Campagne Decoration,Country Homes and Interiors or English Home for a start.I have kept every single issue of Victoria magazine since its inception and still refer to it for inspiration to this day, as does one of my dearest friends who runs a gorgeous retail store here in Canada.My garden and shop were featured in Canadian House and Home several years ago and luckily the contributing editor "got it", and did an exceptional job.Keep it coming, love your spunk and honesty in every regard, NellaNella Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07881520442347177012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-4238437933873813412010-07-12T15:32:53.931-06:002010-07-12T15:32:53.931-06:00I have a friend and well-known local artist who wa...I have a friend and well-known local artist who was recently featured in a magazine {will save the magazine embarrassment by not naming it here}; her darling little garden retreat was totally "redone" by the stylist and even the "story" behind the darling retreat was mostly fabricated. But...my friend was happy for the national exposure. She did have a good laugh, as did her close friends and husband, when the magazine came out with the feature article. Now when I look at a story and decorating in any of my favorite magazines I do wonder how much of the owner's personal style was cast off for the sake of the "theme". Adding items to a home just for the photo shot is just not right, and in my opinion, a bit dishonest. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic.Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chichttp://casualcottagechic.typepad.com/this-and-that/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-21612712985744854612010-07-11T12:52:41.185-06:002010-07-11T12:52:41.185-06:00I loved to see your store mentioned in this articl...I loved to see your store mentioned in this article. My first thought was....Oh, I wish I were close enough to shop there also! Lucky woman!! I also have often wondered what was real and not real in photos such as this. Interesting that you mention the brightness. When I was studying the pictures, I thought...nice but a little bright for me. I am sure your friend's home is always beautiful, even without all the borrowed items. When I see pics of your home or store (or that of Elizabeth Maxson's), I always feel they are authentic and find comfort in that. Then I study every last little detail! Keep on telling us like it is. We count on you for that!! Peace girl!!Carol @ A Bird in Handhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03977520352903642595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-12253241883198828252010-07-11T09:28:36.968-06:002010-07-11T09:28:36.968-06:00OK-I'm coming out from behind the anonymous cu...OK-I'm coming out from behind the anonymous curtain. No, I am not one of your verbal attackers-quite the contrary. I fully support the "let it flow" theory. The beautiful pics you post of your shop and great merchandise will keep the customers coming through the door, not how you feel about the world and what happens in your daily life. I think our age has tainted our glasses a bit but I still say-let it flow!! You have inspired me to start a blog too so flow on over anytime you need to cut loose! Enough mush ...<br /><br />One more comment about this magazine shoot-I know several women who regularly have their homes and shops in magazines and books and the articles look just like them. I tend to think that it's more a magazine problem than anything. Country Living has never been able to grow up and change with the times and I think they are probably floundering now. Romantic Homes is doing a nice job (of course showing hip and trendy shops like yours helps!) and I find that I am increasingly drawn to House Beautiful and some of the UK magazines more and more for that more mature and classy look. We all have different styles and we are lucky to have so many choices for inspiration, but the bottom line is that it is really just about selling magazines and making money. Amen sister.<br />karenkarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06367622768294590468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-54362875215726459392010-07-10T13:07:05.192-06:002010-07-10T13:07:05.192-06:00My June issue of Country Living went right into th...My June issue of Country Living went right into the trash after a quick flip and I used to never throw my magazines away. Where are the ideas? Where is the inspiration? I am tired of stories and headlines on budget shopping, I do not care if we are in a recession or not. Show me something to dream about! When my decorating and antiquing friends talk of Country Living (and how they hate it now) and I always say, "Oh you mean the new Family Circle?" They need to stop dumbing down their audience. I give it a year.Maggie L. in Californianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-38318086986758759412010-07-10T12:12:23.423-06:002010-07-10T12:12:23.423-06:00Hi, Debbie, please remember that there is way mor...Hi, Debbie, please remember that there is way more love heading your way from your customers and readers than acid from mean, snitty people. Your store is my favorite and it was at your web site that I clicked the then unknown to me word "blog". It was like stepping into wonderland to see your gorgeous pictures and read about your thoughts. I clicked on some of your commenters' names and read their blogs and found many more who share or admire your style. I will be forever grateful. Thank you.<br /><br />I think that there are at least 2 kinds of shots. Our former home was a duplex and one of our tenants on the second floor had a friend at Hallmark. Photo teams came many times to do shoots there. The rooms were a backdrop. Several of our neighbors have beautifully restored homes and many photo shoots and commercial (tv) shoots have been done in these. They provide the background and can take out or bring in anything. That's fine. You know it's all about the product.<br /><br />The other is when the homeowner's (or shop owner's) rooms, furniture, and accessories are showcased so we are introduced to their taste, style, and personality. Most of our homes could use a little tweeking and fluffing, as Just a Little Bit Shabby suggests, and have a few odd things that could be set aside (such as our old tv that's on top of the refrigerator). Rooms can brighten if a truckload of fresh flowers arrive. But after that, we lose the personal connection with the owner and seeing how they actually live and getting into their heads, which I miss. We end up seeing the editor's taste each month, not being invited into the homeowner's life and getting to know them. I want to feel like I've met them. And it's wrong to pass off rooms that have been totally redone as the homeowner's own. Just say "photograhped at ________'s home" or "how we or someone else redecorated this home".<br /><br />Jill, I wonder about those coverless windows, too. Our biggest question is about why we've never seen French doors that open outside with some sort of screens. Gorgeous, but don't they have tons of insects flying into their homes?Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-41302650670817561692010-07-10T10:25:12.292-06:002010-07-10T10:25:12.292-06:00This post could have been written about ME and my ...This post could have been written about ME and my photoshoot a few months ago. My heart breaks for Angie as I know the disappointment she feels. The overall feel is of a home not lived in at all. I keep asking myself how the readers will relate? I applaud you for speaking out about something that seems to be a dirty little secret in the magazine world!!!!!<br /> ~DesDeseraehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12548332335063152792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-10112436853546450122010-07-10T09:36:31.459-06:002010-07-10T09:36:31.459-06:00Oh brother- I was not in charge of this shoot! How...Oh brother- I was not in charge of this shoot! How professional of me to say, "This is not what I would do, I am out of here!" Before you write your smart cracks and hide behind ‘anonymous’, know your facts. <br /><br />I was hired to do a job (assist by the way, not style. I was basically a gofer) and they chose the merchandise from my store, not me. They were not pleased with the dozen other stores I showed them, so most of the borrowed items were from Curious Sofa. The store is also 5 minutes from Angie's house so it was convenient to grab things at the last minute. It is also this magazines policy to mention every borrowed item instead of renting something (to save money). The items they featured from my store I did not get a dime for. They did not rent anything from me which is what most photos shoots would do. I actually would have preferred the cash and not a mention! They think a mention in the mag is equal pay-off but 90% of the time the magazines shoot so far in advance those products are gone by the time the reader sees it. Customers around the U.S. may call the store and then don't understand why that item is not in stock or that we cannot ship blue benches to Florida! It adds nothing to the cash register in my business which is my continued fight with editors when they want something from me. They think, "Aren't you thrilled with all this free press were giving you?" Press is a two-way street and is an enormous amount of preproduction work for the store or homeowner. I worked in the advertising business for years. Editors are hard up for good content which I can deliver. If I can get 50 free magazines to sell in my store or rental fees for products I am more than happy to accommodate them. This is the difference between me and a little shop around the corner that would die for any press in a national mag. I have been there and done that and know it is hard, hard work to make things photo ready and it rarely pays off financially. Has anyone caught on as to why I even assisted on this shoot when I have a store to run? Money. Pure and simple. I needed the salary. Famous but not rich.<br /><br />This post was not about my store’s press, it was about what is happening to watering down magazines and photography and not letting what is authentic shine. Get a grip.Curious Sofahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07495486041959660278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-17288722873388856292010-07-10T08:39:08.547-06:002010-07-10T08:39:08.547-06:00I am so glad I found your blog because I actually ...I am so glad I found your blog because I actually just showcased this home on my blog the other day, thinking to myself how brillant this woman's house was...I especially loved the bedroom (drooled over the headboard) but it's all a scam and seriously, I don't think I want to waste my money anymore on magazines. I have a friend and Romantic Country shot her home and they came in and changed almost everything. She was so upset, didn't even feel like it looked like her house.<br /><br />I don't get it. I want to see real homes, unstaged, there are plenty of very talented women out there who decorate by themselves for themselves who don't need help.<br /><br />I have always loved decorating magazines but they just aren't the "real deal". Your post was well written, I was disappointed, not by your post by the actuality of a photo shoot.<br /><br />I always use to think it would be a dream come true to have my house in a magazine but I have since decided "no thank you".<br /><br />Thanks for your honesty.<br /><br />LeAnnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-33397578254427475832010-07-10T01:20:07.466-06:002010-07-10T01:20:07.466-06:00if you were so upset with the process why would yo...if you were so upset with the process why would you continue to bring your merchandise to the shoot? Did you say greed? of course you did! what a joke. "i'm happy as long as it goes my way...let me forget all of the free mentions"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-90094973313306252782010-07-09T22:17:40.298-06:002010-07-09T22:17:40.298-06:00Amen,Amen!! For the reasons you stated I have swor...Amen,Amen!! For the reasons you stated I have sworn off magazines. That's why I love reading blogs. There is so much inspiration and originality. Just individuals stating this is what I do and how I live, pictures included. I love them and have learned to loathe the homogenized looks found in magazines. I really hate when the art is taken out of art.LaLahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05177652070251998793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-65047231136093300842010-07-09T20:35:53.560-06:002010-07-09T20:35:53.560-06:00FYI: This is not a new me. If you only knew! I hav...FYI: This is not a new me. If you only knew! I have to rewrite most of my posts because I can "let it flow" a little too much. Also during my blog life I have received some downright nasty emails over my personal opinions and those comments hurt so I keep them on the back burner. (I am waiting for someone from Country Living to write any day now!)<br /><br />This blog was never meant to be about me. If it were, it would end up being a full-on bitch session over the idiocrasies in the world.<br /><br />I'm just trying to keep customers coming in the door and add a little entertainment now and then.Curious Sofahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07495486041959660278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28631804.post-3211901037406912382010-07-09T20:25:20.226-06:002010-07-09T20:25:20.226-06:00So I'm reading the first half of your post thi...So I'm reading the first half of your post thinking "OMGosh! Why did they even go to her house? Why didn't they just build a "set" somewhere? They changed the vibe by bringing in tons of things that were not hers!" I totally understand that a room has to be stylized, tweaked and edited to be magazine worthy. Maybe add one or two items but good Lord!<br /><br />I'm with Shelley, if it was worthy of their attention, then it was worthy as it was.<br /><br />I can't say I agree with the comments that attribute this to a change in the leadership at CL. Most of the shoots for years have looked very "unlived" in and staged.<br /><br />"Rooms should not be put together for show but to nourish one's well- being." -Albert HadleyCabin 19 Supply Companyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02821504257142817493noreply@blogger.com