Giving Birth to a Nursery

  (a little photo snippet from Stephanie's new nursery)

Last Tuesday was one of the longest days ever.  Jenny and I were scheduled to depart in the afternoon to fly from Manchester, NH to Salt Lake City, UT to do a photo shoot with Stephanie Nielsen and her family in Provo.  

First, I had to shoot the food images for the Associated Press before I left. I began my day at 5:30 am with packing for the trip.  I then went into the studio to prepare the list and materials for my assistants to work on while I was away.  I then tackled the propping and image prep for the AP and had my assistant drop me at the set in Concord, NH, so she could use the truck to move things while I was away.  I shot until 1:30, at which time Jenny came to pick me up and take me home to load the truck. I took a brief break on the couch to pet Oscar and then it was time to leave for the airport.  

 (the gorgeous mountain view as we landed in Utah)

Now, the travel part of my work can be exhausting, but I really think I had underestimated what it would be like to be on two airplanes for 6 plus hours and then drive another hour in the dark at 2 am Eastern time to the hotel (does this sound like whining yet???).

(driving in Provo on day 1 of the shoot)

Before we left, we spent days creating some items to help Stephanie prepare her nursery for the arrival of her new baby.  Of course, this was such a special honor, as this little baby is such a beautiful miracle and I am pleased to be a part of helping Stephanie and Christian and the little Nielsons prepare their home for the new arrival.

SO, as busy as it was, it was all so absolutely worth it (and you will see what I mean shortly). Once we had a good night's sleep we had the very best time: working with the Nielsen's was a dream and we found a wonderful respite from the work of shooting at a place called YOGURT LAND where you can pick from dozens of soft serve flavors (even sugar free!) and a multitude of very fresh toppings.

Stay tuned until next time when I will tell you about our creative preparations and how the humongous "crate" finally landed at the Nielsons.

Best, 

Matthew 

*********************************************

Flea Market Finds with Matthew Mead will be on newsstands in April throughout North America and as an expanded 160-page bookazine via Amazon.com.

To Provo we go!!

 This week, the production of our Flea Market Finds issue comes to a close.  In fact, most of the pages have already reached the pre-press stage and have been sent off to the printer for color correction and re-touching. This is our 5th issue in the HOLIDAY series, and with my current design and writing team, I can't say enough how much the whole process feels like meeting an "old friend." 

This group is the most perfect fit: design and writing all unfold with such ease (sometimes in one day!) and I can't believe how fun the exchanges and conversations are amongst us. Sure, we answer questions about details and fill in nitty- gritty concerns about sources, but often we exchange pleasantries about our days, how the kids are all doing, and what is on the menu for dinner. It is a dream... no, a real gift that makes my heart calm and happy.

Jenny and I fly out early this week to produce and photograph the last story for the issue, which will be turned around immediately.  It is a very special story that we have cooked up with Stephanie Nielson of The NieNie Dialogues  and has taken many weeks of planning and preparation. The last few weeks have been spent painting and papering and packing a special project. Selecting colors and fabrics and just the right props.  Last week a main feature was wrapped, placed on a pallet, and crated with plywood and 2 x 4"s.  The Fed Ex freight truck arrived and with just one driver and my studio team we helped load this creation onto a truck to be trekked across country to Stephanie's home in Provo, Utah.  Below are some of the images that went with getting this project on the road:

Our special project gets crated and barely fits out our delivery door!  The item is put on a lift and strapped in for its long trek across the country. Jenny and I will meet up with it on Wednesday. 

Jenny and I will cover much of the process over the next few days to share on the blog as we get closer to publication date. We are so excited about this project and the chance to work with Stephanie again. Fingers crossed for safe travel and a smooth shoot, and we will keep you posted!

Best, 

Matthew 

*********************************************

Flea Market Finds with Matthew Mead will be on newsstands in April throughout North America and as an expanded 160-page bookazine via Amazon.com.

Introducing Flea Market Finds...with Matthew Mead!

 ( a tiny preview of Flea Market Finds)

 Vintage is part of our lives. Like it or not, all of the things we use in our everyday lives are on a continuum with something that pre-dated it.  As I write this, my wife Jenny is working away on an Ipad: which in my opinion, is an updated version of the bed rock tablet used by our ancestors to keep track of daily life. (I joke, of course!) 

My point is that everything comes from vintage and while it is truly the center of my lifestyle, it has been such a treat to create an entire magazine devoted to the subject.  I like to shop, so I look for vintage pieces everywhere from consignment and thrift shops to indoor flea markets, the Good Will and church and yard sales.  I love every period of design and no matter where I go to shop, I challenge myself with the game of finding at least one treasure.

(me, exploring a summer flea market)

I've found scores of wonderfully special and unique handcrafted items over the years and when I am on to a certain style or design, I thoroughly enjoy adding to those items and creating collections. In a way it is reminiscent of how I like to listen to pop music and challenge myself to learn all the words to the songs: I do the same thing with my FLEA MARKET FINDS...discovering something new and then collecting and learning about it and using it in my daily life.  I've collected glass cakestands since high school (now that doesn't sound weird?!) and one of my latest interests (and there are many!) is Mid-century modern -- you'll get a nice glimpse of that in my studio re-do in this issue. 

(some of my flea market finds used in the issue)

But I also hope this issue will help you learn to really open your eyes at the flea market... to look to the wealth of materials that are gathered each week, from very early dishes to contemporary furniture, to hand-dug trees and shrubs sold alongside annual and perennial flowers at the warm weather markets.  The flea market is a place where I find trails of everything from the past and future converging into one continuum that will undoubtedly inspire something new again and again and again. 

Flea Market Finds with Matthew Mead will be on newsstands in April throughout North America and as an expanded 160-page bookazine via Amazon.com.

Watch for it!

 Best, 

Matthew 

Here We Grow Again!

Welcome to a New Year, with new creative challenges and a new SPRING ISSUE devoted to the flea market called FLEA MARKET FINDS with Matthew Mead.  We've been working on it the last few months and what is so exciting is that it is truly a SPRING issue, filled with fresh decorating ideas, easy but impactful DIY, fresh flowers and ferns, and interesting collecting ideas. We'll have a roundup of FAVORITE FINDS with our esteemed Vintage Style celebrities and bloggers, their favorite fleas. and the latest trends in what to uncover in the "thrill of the hunt."  THE BIG NEWS:  we've supersized the issue to 160 pages of my very favorite styles, decorating schemes, collections and more.  And I can't wait!! I'm bursting with anticipation, actually, and in the next week we will refresh the blog, share some sneak peeks and some DIY projects inspired by the issue. We'll even take you step-by-step on our trip to visit Stephanie Nielson and a very special project for her home! 

Please join us and add VINTAGE to your world! 

 Best, 

Matthew

T'was the Night Before Christmas...

 Well, our stockings are hung, we are counting our blessings, gifts are (almost!) wrapped, turkey prepped and ready, and we are pausing our collective celebrations to wish each and every one of our dear readers, contributors, and friends a very merry Christmas. We hope peace and happiness is yours and that you are with those you love on this most meaningful holiday.

Happy holidays, dear friends! We will see you in the New Year with our spring edition, Flea Market Finds with Matthew Mead! Stay tuned!

 

Best, 

Matthew, Jenny, Sarah, Linda, and all of the HOLIDAY team.

xoxo

*********************************

Buy the expanded keepsake edition of Holiday with Matthew Mead 2011 here.

He Said/She Said...with Mrs. Limestone!

 While each of my photo shoots for HOLIDAY 2011 were fun and exciting, I love it when I have the chance to meet new, talented people and discover their personal approaches to creativity and holiday tradition. For our shoot with Stefanie Schiada (aka Mrs. Limestone) Jenny and I hopped in our car for a trip to Brooklyn, New York to capture the essence of  Stefanie's approach to hosting the perfect Christmas brunch. Read on to hear Stefanie's and my impressions of this meeting in good ol' He Said/She Said style!

 First Impressions

Mrs. Limestone: Having had no experience with expert style gurus visiting my house, I had a warped expectation of what it would be like.  I expected a mix of over the top pretension and condescension – kind of like a male Rachel Zoe who air kisses and flatters before cutting to you to shreds afterward.  Well, Matthew is nothing like that!  He and Jenny arrived and it was like being with family friends  - they are warm and honest and down to earth.  It was really a pleasure and they put us at ease immediately.

 Matthew Mead: Stefanie's house was just as I imagined: detailed, spacious, thoughtfully decorated, and special. Stefanie and Luke were incredibly warm and thoughtful and helped tremendously in our "one day shoot" madness. 

Any surprises?

Mrs. L: I was surprised by how relaxed it all was!  I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised because Matthew is clearly a master at casual elegance, but I assumed that a lot of frenetic energy went into creating that. Wrong!  Naturally there is a lot of work that goes into each shot and many years of experience that makes it all seem so effortless, but it appears to come so naturally; and that its quite a joy to participate in.

Matthew: I was so impressed with how open they were to having strangers in their home and how well we hit it off from the start! I was truly inspired by all of the details they shared about their renovation, the history of their home and their passion for entertaining. It is Stefanie's forte and she is very generous and inspiring in all she shares with the readers of her blog.


 Bumps in the road?


Mrs. L: Not from my end. Since this was their baby, I let them take the lead and guide me on what they wanted me to do and contribute. 


Matthew:Well, I think Jenny and I messed up the shipping of some critical materials for the birch projects, but it all worked out in the end. And, we dearly wished we could have visited longer but other projects were calling our name!

Behind closed doors:  

Mrs. L: I was definitely excited to meet  Matthew after following his work for several years now. I did very little before-hand to prepare. I made the wooden slice menus and coasters for the shoot ahead of time and pulled out a box of Christmas paraphernalia, but that was it. After reading Kate’s (Centsational Girl) she said/he said, I feel sort of guilty now about it; but I didn’t want to decorate too much in case they felt confined to what I had done.  Looking back, I should have probably done a lot more to save the time that day. Live and learn!

Matthew: I love when homeowners simply keep an open mind and are engaged. We had no problems in that area and I appreciated Stefanie and Luke's help in moving and changing things for image angles. They were great! And there is never anything to really anticipate...you just jump in feet first. That's what I love. 

 How to say goodbye:

Mrs. L: I can’t remember what I did later that day, but cleaning up afterward only took a few minutes. Since it was small, controlled and casual, the shoot didn’t feel glamorous as much as well directed. 

Matthew: Jenny and I conversed about how lovely the Schiadas are and that we felt like we had spent a great day with old friends and got some wonderful images to boot!

 

Matthew Mead: Thank you Stefanie, for sharing your beautiful home and talents with us and for sharing your insights into what the experience was really like!

*********************************

Buy our expanded keepsake edition of Holiday with Matthew Mead 2011 here.

A Little Holiday Shopping, Anyone?

 We all know there are only (technically) six shopping days until Christmas. Because we hope you will have the opportunity to finish up early and just revel in the joys of the holiday, we are sharing some of our favorite products from our advertiser/friends' shops. Be sure to follow the links and check out all of the wonderful products that each shop has to offer!

 This jolly Santa tag:

from Shabby Cottage Shops.

This holiday inspired necklace:

from the Rusted Chain.

This great sign:

 from Barn Owl Primitives

 This gorgeous necklace:

from Crystal B.

 

These adorable note cards:

from  Vintage Paper Parade

 This printable collection, straight from the pages of Amy's feature in Holiday with Matthew Mead magazine!

from Printables by Amy

These slate tags, perfect for labelling wine bottles and gifts:

from The New General Store

*****

This highly anticipated book:

from Stephanie Nielson

And...perhaps you would like something from my new collection?

Like this wooden gingerbread bird silhouette:

 (note: Today at noon CST is the order deadline for Christmas delivery in the U.S.!)

 Happy planning, and we hope you have a moment to just enjoy the season and all of its blessings and joys!

Best, 

Matthew 

****************************************

 

Buy our expanded keepsake edition of Holiday with Matthew Mead 2011 here.