Busy Day for the Hallways

We got home late last night after the Wilco show, then woke up bright and early this morning for the crew from Rejuvenation coming over to shoot our hallways for their catalog. I'm so hoping that Clover made it into the catalog! We tried to take a few shots of her sitting at the end of the hall in the kitchen but she was pretty nervous. Also I had a treat in my hand while I was telling her to stay from way down the hall. This is a sure way to 1) kind of get her to stay but also 2) ensure that every muscle in her body (including her eye muscles) is focused sharply on my hand. Not exactly a relaxed pose. She had a wild look in her eye. Possibly not the emotion they were trying evoke in the hallway: vaguely obedient yet wigging. I think they were going more for serenely industrial Amish-chic (with organic undertones). But that's a guess. We'll see.

Have you ever seen a ten-person photo crew (and a catering crew) squeezed into a small house with a bobillion pounds of gear? It's quite awesome. The process of taking serious photos like this is pretty amazing. In this case, the photo was all about the hallway, and not our hallway but an imaginary hallway that is just using the bones and structure of our hallway to hang out in. The first thing they do is take pictures of all of your stuff. Then they take it all away — take our photos off the walls, our coats off the hooks, change the hardware on the cabinet doors, have an electrician change out the light fixtures, replace the switch plate covers, remove our kitchen stuff that could be seen at the end of the hallway and add all of their own props (though I will tell you that I was secretly very excited when I saw the stylist taking a couple of our newly potted herbs and tart tins off their windowsill in the dining room to use in the back hallway shot). It can be kind of nervewracking. People are coming and going every which way. Equipment is everywhere — enormous cords, enormous cameras, seriously enormous lenses, lights, cases, tripods, computers, accessories. Coats. Bags. And even with all of this going on, everyone involved was totally professional, totally chill, totally fun, and totally cool. I wasn't sure that I even wanted to do it when they approached us (someone there saw the photos my sister took), but I'm glad I did. They couldn't have been nicer or more respectful of us or our property (and yes, they put everything back exactly as we had it before they came). I love getting peeks at how professional stuff like this comes together. I can't wait to see the finished photos — the catalog will be out in April, so watch for it. Really just a super fun day. Very pleased.

Comments

[nancy]

Poor Clover,Lucky you!! Even your house is a superstar but we knew that already. Sounds like a great day! Did they happen to leave any of those goodies for you? Just teasing, I bet you're glad things are back to Normal.

[Phoebe]

Huh? Uh, why? I don't mean to be dense, but if they're going to take all your stuff down and replace it with their stuff, why did they bother coming to your house? Couldn't they just make a prop hallway more easily? I feel like I've missed something...

But I love the description of trying to photograph Clover! I know my dog would be the same way!

[Patty]

Wow, what an exciting day for you--and your hallway! Several of our light fixtures are from Rejuvenation, so we receive their catalog. I always love to peruse it; this time I'll look for your now-famous hallway!

[Seanna Lea]

That sounds like a really interesting process. I'm glad that they put everything back at the end.

[leanne]

good job on staying all positive about it...i would have had a conniption...sounds like a busy, busy crowded day! xo

[Michigan]

that would make me as nervous as Clover Meadow.

[Mary]

My husband and I went to the Wilco show last week in Oakland! It was so wonderful and the lighting design was so inspiring. I love your blog by the way--it is one of my very favorites! :)

[Jodi]

How exciting! Congrats on being featured. I would be a little freaked out as I watched them whisk away all my decor (light fixtures and switch plates, wow!?!).

[Abbey]

fuuuuuuun!!

[charlotte lyons]

That's so cool! We had a location scout approach us about our Oak Park backyard for a movie with Joe Pesce (love!), but they said they would have rip out all our raised garden beds so he could drive a VW around in circles. They promised to put it back together after, but I had 10 years of perennials loving that place- no, no way, but thanks for asking.
Glad it worked out happily for you guys and Clover Meadow.

[Roxanne @ Dragonfly On My Finger]

WOW!! That does sound exciting - it's one of those 'remember when' experiences with so many cool stories (and a catalog) that you will have forever. I hope Clover does get to be in atleast one picture - that would be cool =D

[sharon from farm and fru fru]

oh my goodness what excitement! love the rejuv. cat. so can't wait....not sure i'll recognize your hall from what you say, but if clover is in it, i'm sure i'll recognize her.

[LSL]

Loved the description of Clover's reaction! My dog is always sure everyone comes over just to play with her.

[LindaSonia]

I'm confused - How did they come to pick your place to take these catalog photos??? especially since they don't even photograph it in actuality.

[Gloria]

Oh, my goodness!!! :) How exciting!! I watched an episode of "Take Home Chef", (I think that was the name of it), last night on Netflix. Your description here reminded me of it. Thanks for sharing the link to check it all out. It does sound very fun and interesting!

I hope I see your sweet little tart tins, and Clover in it!! :)

xoxo...Gloria

[Amanda]

Very cool!!! Can't wait to see it. I'm so glad you share how this really goes, as I always wondered.

[kathyh]

Were they shooting for the Summer catalog? OR did they say which catalog they thought the photos might appear?
I'm glad you had fun with it. Tell Clover, new experiences are good for you.

[Andrea]

Oooh! I love Rejuvenation Lighting. We had them custom make a fixture for our dining room when we built our "new" Craftsman-style Bungalow 12 years ago and it still looks just beautiful. I can't wait to see the pictures!

Love from Texas.....

[vintage market place]

first of all I am sooooo jealous you got to see Wilco.
they skipped us this year :(
and for good reason...Vegas venues suck.
I miss being in a back home and getting to see them
I still remember they days of going to see Uncle Tupelo
good times good times
Amy

[Kira]

What an interesting process, thanks for sharing all about what was involved! I want to see the photos!

[kristin]

oh that's so exciting! rejuvenation is my happy place...and their catalogues are so pretty. be sure to tell us where your house is when it comes out! :)

[Brandy]

Wowza!!

[cynthia]

what a wonderful experience. way back when in chicago, my landlord's apartment was used for a photo shoot. they brought their own props also. funny how it's yours...but it's not. it should be beautiful and i look forward to seeing it.

[Kelly]

My little boy was just asking me this morning: is there such a thing as a non-portable camera? And I said, "umm, movie cameras?" But now I'm gonna show him this huge thing in your hallway. (And congrats, because how cool is this??!)

[patty]

And they have a lamp called "the Clover" on their home page! Hope the kittenses aren't jealous....