One of the most frequent questions I am asked by people is..."What's it really like to shoot a decorating story?"
The finished product...after weeks of preparation.
Today, I decided to show you. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the "Rooms in Bloom" story from the May issue of Martha Stewart Living.
While you'll feel you are right there with Decorating Editor Rebecca, Stylist Scott, and Assistant Editor Yvette...we promise you won't have to lift a thing.
Enjoy!
1 You can see the supplies closet behind the window. With a great photographer, this studio set will come to life to look like a real home.
2 Stylist Scott tests out which lampshade looks best.
3 I like the other one better.
4 This wallpaper is stunning set within the striking molding.
5 The removable wall mural creates such a fun pop!
6 Here are Yvette and Kerstin hanging the prints the night before the shoot.
7 It was important to get them absolutely straight as the pattern was continuous across the frames.
8 Everything has to be arranged and cleaned for the shoot.
9 Here is one of the early versions of the tabletop grouping.
10 Look! The frames are done. They turned out great.
11 Styling the desk goes through many stages.
12 Added some pillows and a side table to this setting.
13 This gorgeous wallpaper will be used in a most unexpected way.
14 It will go under a piece of plexiglass to top off a simple white desk.
15 A necessary part of any shoot? Making sure everything you borrow is wrapped up and sent back good as new.
16 This lamp needed bubble wrap.
17 We use a lot of bubble wrap.
18 Rebecca loaned her chair out for the shoot. You'll have to see the May issue to see if it made the cut.
19 We played around with the furniture layout and accents for hours until we finally got it right. Be sure to see the May issue of Living for all of the fantastic floral decorating ideas.
Kevin Sharkey 
From: Rowaida Flayhan | 4/28/11 at 3:55 am
Hi Kevin, so wonderful to see the behind the scene look, and how gorgeous the photos turn out, very interesting and beautiful floral patterns and prints, great ideas, so inspring. Love the May issue on iPad love your Home Design flower arrangement, gorgeous flowers. Love the 20 years of Colorful Living " Make it beautiful" page beautiful colors and nice music, love it.
Best of luck and success always.
From: Kevin Sharkey | 4/28/11 at 12:16 pm
Hello,
Thank you for your comment. We are working hard to resolve this technical error.
best, Home Design
From: Trish | 4/28/11 at 12:34 pm
It is very interesting to see what goes on behind-the-scenes. Rooms in Bloom in the magazine turned out beautifully! I love the stools and the fabric on them and I see Rebecca's chair made the cut although it looks a deeper yellow in the magazine. I have two tables with glass that I put reprints underneath and one time I used wrapping paper. They are fun to redo when I find just the right theme.
From: Heidi K. | 4/28/11 at 1:29 pm
Thanks for sharing Kevin! I found that very interesting. Here I am thinking you shoot in these big beautiful homes and it's all portable! Thanks again!
From: mybedlinen | 5/9/11 at 1:12 pm
Wouldn't that wall floral be perfect in a 3 season room?! Bright, cheery wall murals of the outdoors can also look great in a basement that has no windows.