If you remember last November I mentioned something amazing that I couldnt talk about. It was a top secret project that every hope and dream that I had rested on (dramatic much?) Well today is the day that I can spill every little detail!!
You may be familiar with this little magazine…
If you flip to pages 60-62 of the March 2014 issue, you may also be familiar with these little faces…
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
I dont even know where to begin. I am assuming that you guys want to hear every detail, so I will share as much as I can!
Last summer I had a week that was crazy. I had 3 different magazines email me about featuring Dylan’s room. I was trying to pick between them and just kept feeling like “Man, I wish this was going in HGTV Magazine.” So I decided to take matters into my own hands. I tracked down an email address and sent an email to them. Stuff like this doesnt usually scare me, but I was SO nervous. Basically I said that if they wanted to feature Dylan’s room, it was theirs. They were interested (and I almost had a heart attack!) and over the course of the next few months we worked out a time to have them come and shoot.
Fast forward to September. What do you do when a magazine is coming to your house? You make a giant mess trying to get it perfect of course. The new tile in our kitchen had been grouted the day before. Literally the fridge was still in the living room. It was in true Mandi fashion.
HGTV sent out a stylist to make everything magazine worthy. Elizabeth (aka Lizzybell according to Dylan) was SO.MUCH.FUN. I wish that she and the photographer David Land lived in St. George so that we could all be best friends all the time.
She came over the night before the shoot to get a feel of the room and decide what needed to be changed up and how she wanted to style it. When she came in the next day with bags full of art supplies Dylan didnt even know herself, she was so excited.
After doing a few test shots, David and Elizabeth made the executive decision that the amazing metal cubby shelf was too dark, (you can see the before here) and we decided to spray paint it gold. I love it so so much.
It was really cool to see how they set up a shot. I was doing it completely backwards. I would set up a room and then shoot the entire thing. They dont do it like that. They only care about one shot at a time, and will usually move furniture out of the room to be able to get it. Who woulda thought that to get a room magazine worthy you have to tear it apart time and time again?
Here are a few behind the scenes pictures I snapped:
In the end it turned out to be one of the most amazing days of my life! I never in a million years would have thought that THIS is what my life would turn into. Holy cow, its crazy. I cant think of anyone I would love to share it with more than my favorite internet besties!
I saw your feature a few days ago when I picked up the magazine! Here room is so freakin’ cute and the feature was so deserved! Congrats girl!!!
Her room…clearly I can’t type!
Awesome awesome! You have such a passion and talent for making your home a unique and beautiful place for your family. You deserve this! Congrats!
Mandi, that is so freaking awesome! Congrats, and you totally deserve it–that room is amazing!
Congrats! Her room is amazing. I never noticed the cubby which I love gold by the way. Need to look into that for my craft zone. Can’t wait to get my issue in the mail
You’re the best! Congrats!!!!
When I grow up, I want to be just like you! Never-you-mind that I’m older. Congrats!!
Mandi, that’s amazing! I couldn’t think of a better person to be featured in HGTV Magazine!! I’m so excited to go buy my copy now!!
That’s amazing Mandi! Many congrats. The room looks great. What a thrill :). Good for you for going after what you want too!
Congrats Mandi! That is so beyond awesome and SO well-deserved. You rock!!
That is amazing…I LOVE how her room turned out too!!
How fun! Her room is adorable…much deserved!
Congrats!! That is so cool and well deserved!!
Congrats – I was so excited for you when I saw the spread in the magazines – you work hard dreams can come true!! Congrats again! The room is just awesome.
Yay congrats girl! Super cute room and super cute chics! 🙂
WOW!! This is amazing. You so deserve this. Her room was amazeballs!!
That’s so amazing! Congratulations! ~Lisa
Wow, such a dream come true. Congratulations!
This makes me so happy! You have something fresh and awesome that no one else does. You do not follow the “norm” design rules and are so creative! This is fabulous, and I cannot wait to get my copy! Oh how I wish I did not rent, and you lived in Texas!
Saw your fantastic smile yesterday when I got my copy in the mail! Told my daughter, “wow! I follow her blog!” Congrats, Mandi! Super exciting!!
Super mind blowing exciting!! Congrats friend!
Mandi!!!!! Congratulations!! Being featured in one of the most awesomest magazines ever is the best!!! I had a little “taste of the glory” last year when they featured a bookcase I had refinished and I felt the luckiest girl in the world! I can only imagine how you felt having them in your home!!! Fist bump!!
Congrats a million times over!! And I love the shelving in gold! I think it set that corner off! Now please tell me Dylan got to keep all those supplies? 🙂
Very cool! Aside from being an awesome room–there are so many elements that are original and just outside the box. Glad to see it getting noticed. Congrats.
You have always been awesome! Still say HGTV or someone should give you a show – if not every week maybe once a month or twice a year for your own sanity!!!!
Been following you ever since the Nate Berkus Show!!! So glad Nate had you on. You could give Nate a run for his money – Yes Maa’m.
That is so awesome!!!!!!!
Congratulations Mandi! I’m sure they’ll be heading for your awesome living room next! Can’t wait to see your feature in the magazine!
Aaaw, Congrats Mandi! This is so cool! Wow – seeing the lights outside the windows explains a LOT about magazine shots – I was always jealous of magazine rooms where people have tons of amazing natural light flooding in… now we know why! Haha – congrats 🙂
Awww, Congrats! Her room is lovely! You did a great job.
Love how you worked in the industrial elements!
Wow! That’s so flipping awesome! Congratulations girl! You talent amazes me on a daily basis and your gift is truly a blessing from God. I love seeing all your designs and ideas, there nothing short of amazing!
Congrats on such a huge accomplishment! The room (and you) are totally deserving of such a feature. I am dying to know more about that super amazing cubby shelf. I can think of about 10 ways I could use one of those! Please please please give more info on it (and please say it can easily be found in a store at a reasonable price:))
Her room is incredible! Great job and congrats!
-Kelcey
hellokelcey.blogspot.com
Fantastic! Congrats! I notice they had this room on the HGTV Website the other day! There Is just Mandilicious everywhere! lol
So awesome! Congrats! Can’t wait to check out the feature 🙂
you’re a true DIY rock star!!
congrats girlie! amazing!
That’s really, really cool. Congrats!
Freaking awesome!!! I totally need to get that magazine!
How wonderful! Congratulations!!
That is so exciting! Congratulations! Her room is amazing!
Just got HGTV delivered yesterday. Can’t wait to look at it tonight. Good job!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I can’t wait to get the magazine in the mail and point to it, saying, “I know her!!” (even though I really don’t…)
AHH! Thanks so much for sharing the behind the scenes! I’ll have to pick up a copy. Just beautiful and so well deserved. Way to take initiative and reach out on your own. Get it girl!
Eeeek! So exciting and so well deserved! That is one of my favorite room reveals ever! So unique and I love how you incorporated everything Dylan asked for……which was asking a lot! Only you could do that! Dylan (who is absolutely the cutest by the way) needs her own show. I wonder where she got all her personality from? Hmmm. Congrats girl!
Congratulations! How fantastic for you and kudo’s for going for what you really wanted and getting it. It does not surprise me one bit, you completely deserve it. You are an inspiration as well as extremely entertaining. One of the best lessons I have learned from you is that it is okay to fail sometimes. Which makes me take more chances and therefore achieve even better results. And when it fails, I just start over! Always a lesson learned though. Thank you for all that you share and keep on sharing!
Congrats! How exciting!!! I would love to send in our vintage farmhouse to some magazines, but just haven’t gotten the pics done yet. Maybe this summer!? I can’t even imagine how exciting it was for you!!
How flippin fantastic! I am uber excited and happy for you. And I just picked up the magazine so I can’t wait to show my husband and tell him that “I know her.” This is happening more and more though so he probably just thinks I’m nuts. Congrats!
Wonderful…fun!
I saw you in there! I thought, “Hey- that’s Mandi! Did I miss a post where she mentioned this?” How exciting for you! And us, too! Now you’re in my house, even when I’m not on-line! Congrats!
hey you congratulations………you don’t know me, BUT WE ARE IN THE SAME BOOK………..whooooooooo oooooooooooooo love HGTV…….I got your blog address from the magazine…lucky ducky that they put your blog in the article….your daughters room is simply precious….here is my post about the event….so much fun……..
https://reginaeaster.blogspot.com/2014/02/hgtvsay-whatthats-my-craft-room.html
HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO KEEP THIS QUIET FOR 6 MONTHS?!?! I would have needed to have my jaw wired shut… 😛 What a wonderful job you have done and that you love doing it so much. Your energy and your happiness are so contagious…I would prescribe you as an antidepressant to anybody. Fascinating pics of the process of the shoot, too. I bet it’s so cool to say, “I’ve been PUBLISHED”… Kudos, kudos, kudos…Applause, applause, applause!!! Keep rocking it girl, I know you will.
I just received my copy in the mail yesterday and was so excited to see you I have been following for a couple years and was totally like “hey, I know her” . Ha ha! Congrats lady!!! You deserve it.
So awesome, Mandi!!! That room is completely magazine worth and I can’t wait to see it in print! Congrats to you and Dylan!
That’s crazy awesome! Congrats—well deserved feature : ]
Yay!! Congrats on the feature! It’s an amazing room and perfect for HGTV magazine!
Congratulations! This is a well deserved honor. You are so talented!
Congrats, Mandi. Thanks for sharing the photo set up shots. I always wondered how they shoot with windows.
I know this is totally nosy, but do they pay people for feature stories like this one?
This was not a paid gig. Some bloggers ask, but I didnt! xo
Huge congrats. So excited for you! You’ve been so blessed. It is a remarkable room and good for you for knowing it and seeking out your dream! Would love to meet you in person next time I’m in S.G. and give you a hug. I’m proud of you, Bestie!
Congratulations Mandi! It couldn’t happen to a better or more talented person!
YAY!!!! Congrats to you! Look Amazing of course
I got the magazine yesterday! Go you!! I love that mustard colored metal cabinet. Gah — I want one!!!
Congratulations, well deserved ! I knew about the concept of moving things around styling suits. However some stylists really underestimate the intelligence of their readers when the same vase of ornament is obviously moving around the room. Stick to doing it your way Mandi. Your rooms are real.
Oops, styling shoots not suits :-$
I just started following you last month. I think that you are very creative. Her room is adorable. Congrats on your success.
Congratulations!! Totally deserved. That room is just amazing!
Ah! Super cool! Congratulations, lady!!!!
I get my HGTV mag electronically and saw your feature over the weekend! I love your design sense and your spirit! Congrats!
You’re amazing! Enough said 😉
They are the lucky ones. That room is truly a masterpiece. So happy for you.
I saw it a few days ago when the magazine arrived in the mail. Way to go, Mandy!
How exciting. Congrats.
Awesome sauce Mandi! So so so so cool. You totally deserve it!
This room definitely deserves to be featured as it’s so fantastic. Very happy for your success – you worked hard for it! Congratulations!
How exciting Mandy! Congrats. That room is definitely magazine worthy.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! How awesome is this! In getting the magazine at the store and I guess I just nenes to subscribe to it. I definitely support a magazine that appreciates creative talented people like you! So excited for you. Can’t wait to see it! <3
I’m just so happy for you 🙂 Congrats!
Mandi! I’m sooo excited for you (and the return appearance of your window bra)! And HGTV is my very favorite magazine lately — I can’t wait until this issue shows up in my mail! Congratulations, sweetie. xoxo
Just got the mail today and read the article-congrats! You have fabulous style!
Whoo hoo! Congrats, Mandi! And way to put yourself out there by contacting HGTV Mag. Life’s too short not to go after your dreams with reckless abandon. Also, loved the behind-the-scenes shots! It’s a dream of mine to have a project in print someday, so I absolutely soak up hearing stories of other bloggers’ experiences with magazine shoots. Thanks for sharing with us so generously!
Mandi! This is so exciting -can’t wait to see the whole feature! David was the photographer who did my feature in BHG last summer – how awesome is he?? Did he tell you the joke about the worm and caterpillar? I definitely did my horse-laugh for that one 🙂
WAHOOO!!!!! What an amazing and exciting piece of news to share. A huge, huge, huge congratulations!! This will be something you will remember forever. And I’m sure just the start of multiple magazine features 🙂
Aw, congrats!!
WOW!!!! that is super exciting!!! and im so proud!
Congratulations and job well done! The room is endlessly inspiring!
OMGosh that is amazing! Good for you! Hopefully next… your very own show! You deserve this and I can’t wait to buy that magaine 🙂
Congratulations!! The room is super fabulous! Such awesome news to share! I dream of having a space shared in a magazine and it always does my heart good to see diyers and design bloggers making it happen!! I love it! Great job!
Mandi!! This is so awesome! The fact that you went after it… So inspiring! Beautiful room, as always!!
OMG!! I just got my mag in the mail last night, but didn’t have time to look at it. I would have freaked out seeing you in it (still will). Good call on painting the cubby gold ~ love it. Congrats to you and Dylan and your family.
xo
So incredible. I’ve been wondering for sometime when you were going to let the cat out of the bag. I just kept thinking, “the tile was done just in time for WHAT????”. So great!!! Now you’re on HGTV’s radar, I wonder if we could do an email/social media campaign to get you on Design Star!! I bet it would be possible, I wonder how they pick their contestants. I would be happy to be your campaign manager. I’m super good at free PR….just ask my friend I helped get voted into the Pillsbury Bake Off! 🙂 Oh I’m rambling, but seriously sister, that would be cray-cray amazing!!!
Super awesome!! Congrats 🙂 I haven’t look at my copy yet, but that is amazing. You must be exploding with excitement and happiness.
You are in my magazine! I hadn’t even read it yet, but I would have recognized that wall anywhere. It is so unique. How cool for you!
SO fun! Way to take matters into your own hands. I love the caddy gold, love all the photo set ups, too;)
Already saw your sweet smiling face and your little cutie patootie! Congratulations on the spread! Much deserved.
I read this entry at work one day and was very sad because my first issue of HGTV Magazine was somewhere in neverland. I got home that evening and my magazine had arrived! I immediately flipped to your section and started telling my hubby about it. It looks so great online and in print! Congrats to you!
I just saw your room in a german decor+fashion magazine, Couch! They must have the same publisher as HGTV magazine. You’re global now 🙂