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8.04.2014

OUR SPACE ON IKEA FAMILY LIVE



Welcome! To the time in my life where nothing at all is even remotely realistic. None of it! The life I am living these days, it should not be legal. This July was stupidly fun.

Over the last week and change a lot has happened at la casa del Holbrook. We had Ikea come by to shoot our home for the winter issue of their Ikea Family Live magazine, we had Brandon's parents over for a quick visit, we had packing for a move and phone calls with movers, we had brokers showing our apartment at three minutes notice... and then we moved! And then we unpacked! On the plus side, I have done practically nothing all month long but spruce up apartments, which has been heavenly. It turns out tearing up a place then putting it back together is a little bit my specialty. Who knew?! Barry's new here but already he's all, "You cats be nuts." It hasn't been the most stable environment for a new adopted... deer... I suppose. This morning Brandon set Huck up with a small bowl of mini marshmallows for breakfast, and I keep thinking today is Friday. This is how we are doing these days. Moving right along.

I want to tell you about Ikea! Did you know Ikea has a magazine? I didn't, and now I do. It's a quarterly deal, in it they profile various creative types and their spaces. Pretty nifty. They emailed out of the blue, they were going to be in the city, last minute opening, etc etc etc, could they shoot our place for the cover? And I said sure! I mean, we're moving in a week... but... sure! The deal is they come over + take a look at what you got, swap a few things out for their Ikea counterparts (you know, because this is an Ikea magazine), style it to hell and back, and then take a bunch of pictures. And then you're like, What do I do with all these throw pillows? (Fun problem to have.)

I was most excited because I was dying to see what a professional stylist could do with the space. We have (had, (wee! Brooklyn!)) a real funky layout, heaven knows I had no idea what to do with it. I like to decorate, but I have no idea what I'm doing. When the team showed up--they were the kindest, most polite group of jet-lagged Brits I've ever met--they immediately got to work taking our whole house completely apart, and ironing all our sheets. It was amazing! Having never been part of a professional interiors shoot before, I had no idea just how much crazy they involve. So much clutter just out of every frame. Four mugs of tea on the floor just left of the sofa, and out of the shot five empty cardboard boxes stacked to the ceiling. So cool to see it in person. And it's amazing too to see how differently a styled corner looks in real life versus on camera. What looks visually pleasing in a photo is actually quite a mess in the flesh. Soooo many throw pillows. I pretty much sat there with my mouth agape, soaking it all up while they worked, also saying Can I get you a glass of water? and Would you like a bagel? at regular intervals. What a cool experience.

A few photos of what the place looked looked like during:


(These photos were taken on my cell phone, Buster Lord Voldemort (that's his name)).

And after:


(Taken on my nice camera after they left, before we moved. Our place looked really pretty for about five minutes. :)

And now we are in Brooklyn! More on that tomorrow. Right now it is time for Neighborhood Exploratory Pizza Expedition, Part III. Important things.

16 comments:

  1. It looks great! Where did you find your loom? I've got my lap loom, but I've been looking for a bigger one to no avail! Thanks.

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  2. I can't even imagine how much fun this must have been! Lucky lady. I'll definitely snag myself a copy of the next IKEA catalogue.

    I love moving, so until I can move again I'm going to live vicariously through you and your new Brooklyn adventures. Hope you're soaking up every minute!

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  3. Love how honest you are about this process ;)

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  4. I never realized how cute Huck's room was! -Hanna Lei

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  5. Eee, what an awesome opportunity! Sounds like you've having a marvelous summer!

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  6. Loved watching you transfor Huck's room from infant to little man.... you get creative when you don't have any other choice but to make it work and by golly did you get creative ;)

    www.ohheyblog.com

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  7. Ikea is such a dream! And I love Huck's room! I'm a new (lds) step-mom to four kids and I'm still trying to figure out to get all the kid stuff into our apartment - I should rethink how we use the closets.

    http://mormonsteps.blogspot.com

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  8. Hahaha. This made me laugh so much. What a crazy final week in your space. Would have been really interesting to see how the stylists made it all happen (and maybe some good tips for your new place too!). Funny stuff. And also, Barry is the greatest. I want a Barry in my life.

    http://jemimajaneblog.com

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  9. Your home is just lovely, I'm so jealous!
    It looks so cosy, yet bright and fun.
    I'll have to make sure I check out the magazine .... and glad to hear you had a Fab July.
    x tink x allabouttink.co.uk

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  10. I can't even imagine! NYC apartments are pretty tiny anyways, so when they start tossing things around, have boxes sitting "just outside the frame" (aka stuffed into the "other" tiny corner of the apartment), and even more people in the space!? sounds like a mad house.... but a fun one at that ;)

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  11. That sounds like it was so much fun!! You are crazy for moving and do all of that, I would have had a panic attack and just broken down. You're awesome, can't wait to see pics of the new place!

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  12. Love this Nat. Can't wait to see what you do with your new place! Greetings from UK!

    Love this Emily - I've just thrown a dinner party with a strong but pasta dish. So simple but so delicious.

    Greetings from UK

    http://thelexchapter.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/brighton-rocks.html

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  13. Oooh, I like the black and white stripe throw on your sofa! May I ask where you got it?

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  14. Have you been to Luigi's yet on 5th ave & 21st street? It's the best! And Toby's Public House up on 21st (i think!) and 6th ave. I live in South Slope & the hidden gem food & drink options are basically endless.

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