Oh yes, pinch me! My home is on the cover of Country French magazine! It was a long journey filled with peril and intrigue.
I’m not sure I can share everything, but let me try. Pull up a chair….
There was the photographer that contacted me about submitting my home to Country Living. I was all for it. I went through my back issues, but saw very little French decor in them. I wondered if they would take on my very French home. Then Donna from Meredith publishing (Better Homes and Gardens) contacted me about Country French magazine.
She explained the arduous task of submitting a home to Country French magazine, the presentation she would need to prepare including a slide show. There would be a pitch, a committee, a review period, and then a vote. That was January 2014.
But the kicker was I could not pursue submitting my house to Country Living and Country French at the same time. It’s just not ‘done’.
So I had to decide. Well, I made the decision to pursue Country French, knowing that would knock me out of the Country Living option. I thought and thought about it. Country Living is bigger but I felt that Country French was a better fit for my home. These big name magazines require an exclusive so it meant I could not let anyone else show my city house in a magazine until after it went to print. That was January 2014, and it is now August 2015. All of this time I have said no to every offer to showcase my home in a magazine online or in print. It was hard to decide, but this felt right.
Then there was the first stylist who was assigned to come. We had long discussions, and lovely chats. The shoot was scheduled for May 2014. In our discussions, I decided to change out a few things before the shoot. The shoot was delayed to give me time to get curtains and a new table for the dining room which was being considered for the cover. The shoot was now delayed until June 2014.
I got everything all set up, and then the stylist was out of the picture. I still don’t know what happened, but she was suddenly out of the picture. But Donna stepped in and said she would come do it. She’s an amazing stylist (and regional editor) and has done several covers for Meredith over the years. She was in the middle of a move from NYC to Dallas, so she needed to delay the shoot to August. Then there was another delay and they finally came in Oct 2014.
She was at my house for a few hours on Weds to set up. Then on Thursday and Friday they did the photoshoot, with Donna, the photographer and photographer’s assistant. A big box of flowers arrived from California. Donna came and worked her magic. Sometimes furniture was adjusted for a better angle, the table would be set up, then changed, then tweaked, and tweaked and tweaked. And then I would say, “Wow!” The photographer would do some test shots, then adjust the lighting, and many more photos would be taken. Most photoshoots are one day long, but this one was a day and a half, since they did a cover try. So yes I knew it might end up on the cover, but mine was not the only cover try for the issue. They did a cover try in the dining room and the breakfast room. When I saw the photos, I knew the breakfast room had a much better shot of making it.
Things were pulled out of my cabinets and moved about. I was asked to change a few things. There was the white dish incident of 2014. Later Sarah contacted me for an interview. She then wrote a beautiful article. Next the editor asked me a few more questions. There was fact checking, and then it was April 2015. So then came the wait to see if my home made the cover. There was a congratulatory email to say “Congrats you made the cover!” I was elated and confined it in a friend who is in the industry. She cautioned me that things change at the last minute and to not believe it until I see it. So then I questioned whether it would really happen.
Then a blogging friend messaged me to say she saw the article in the supermarket. I said, “Did I make the cover?” She said, “No.” I admit I was crestfallen. I had dared to hope, and then… in an instant it was over. Then I realized she meant I personally was not on the cover. (Not what I meant.) So it wasn’t over yet; the fat lady had yet to sing. I drove to several stores that night, but no magazine. I asked around, no one had seen it yet.
The next day, my friend Caroline texted the photo of the cover from the grocery store aisle. And there was my breakfast room.. on the cover. But you already know that, don’t you? The photos is of me on the left and my dear, sweet Peggy on the right with my book and the magazine.
Want a signed copy of my book? I’ve got one waiting for you.
Congratulations! It may have been a long journey, but you must be elated to see your home on the cover. I am so happy for you and can’t wait to receive your book. All of your hard work is bringing you the success and accomplishments you deserve.
Anita, you’re on fire! Congrats a million times… 🙂 And I agree, Country French was easily the right decision, in terms of fit. So glad it worked out so well for you!!
WOW! You should be so very proud! Received my signed book yesterday! Love it! Going to look for the magazine today. I sure wish you lived next door to me!
That would be awesome Joanne!!
Congratulations. Well deserved.
The journey may have been long but the road brought many other paths you will likely walk on now. The world is your oyster.
Enjoy the buzz of it all.
Note to self: do your hair and dress up when you are going to Anita’s. You never know when a photo op might present itself! So very proud of you my friend. You deserve to be featured on magazine covers, FB, everywhere – you are so creative and just a great person.
Congrats! I don’t think your house would be right for Country Living. You made the right choice and I’m going to go on the search to see if I can find it in my town, Saint Louis.
I’ve ordered your book – can’t wait to get it! Well done!! You should feel proud of this huge accomplishment.
I am so happy for you! I have my copy of the magazine. You cover and the article on your home is wonderful. I was fortunate enough to have my home featured in another French décor magazine this year, called French Country Style. I had to wait a year from the time of the photo shoot to the magazine reaching the stands, so I know what you went through. It is all worth it now and I love that they mentioned in your feature that you have also written your book!
CONGRATULATIONS, my friend!!! WHat a gorgeous cover!!! And what an accomplishment… a magazine cover and a book! I’m so proud of you!!!! xo
I have always love country . BEAUTIFULLY designed and love the looks .
I have always love FRENCH country . BEAUTIFULLY designed and love the looks .
CONGRATULATIONS.
Thanks Christina.
Congratulations Anita it is wonderful i can not wait to get a look at that magazine. I got the book yesterday and i am loving it. You are funny and inspirational it is wonderful. I already see things that i need to rethink. Thank you so much.
Anita, many congratulations!! What a thrill to have your home, and all your hard work recognized. Beautiful!
Thank you Ann!!
Anita,
Congratulations!!!
I am so~o~o thrilled for you, dear friend!!
You are v e r y patient!!! I don’t think I could be that patient, dear one!!!
It is great seeing Peggy by your side!!!
I looked at Lowe’s yesterday. . .but still the Spring/ Summer edition!!!
I’ll try the grocery tomorrow!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Your cover and feature are simply exquisite Anita!…..So very happy and excited for you!!!…and I so love the picture of you and your sweet Peggy!!…congrats…double congrats on the book and the magazine!!..what an incredible journey you have had!
Anita, A big CONGRATS! I am so happy for you and all your success.
Hugs,
Sherry
How exciting . It is my all time favorite magazine. I have bought it every fall since 2007. Now I have a special reason to buy the magazine so I can admire your beautiful home. Congratulations.
Oh Debra, that is so nice! Thank you!!!
Congratulations! That is so exciting. I need to get out to get my copy of the magazine.
Always excited to hear good news like this!
So Exciting!! Congrats! Marcy
You have always been an inspiration to me Anita!! This is so well deserved & actually no surprise to me at all ,because your home is so unique & STUNNING!! BIG CONGRATULATIONS friend!!
Paige.Rose
from
http://www.TheQuaintSanctuary.blogspot.com
330718903 Congratulations Anita everything you do truly comes from your Hear… and Soul …you are a Beautiful Decorator and should be so proud of your accomplishments.
Thank you Laurie!!
It’s amazing how long it took and all of the delays must have been frustrating. But the end result is where you really shine. It’s a beautiful cover my friend, congratulations . xo
Yaaaaaaaay! So wonderful. Congratulations!
Soon happy for you. Love your blog.
I am so excited for you. What lovely shots. Oh my goodness how beautiful v di@cottage wishes
I JUST bought that magazine yesterday at Lowe’s when I was out shopping for knobs. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the cover and swooned a little. Love your breakfast room. That cover MADE me buy the magazine as I never spend that much for a magazine but I had to have it.
So nice to know it is your house. Now when I browse through it I’ll keep a look out for your home.
Congratulations and thank you for the inspiration!
Yay Susan!!
Patience and due diligence always pay off. Congratulations, and I tried to click on the “buy book,” and it will NOT take me to the next step. What can I do to order your book?
I’m so sorry Teresa, Here’s the link. I’ll check out the link in a min. http://shop.cedarhillfarmhouse.com/products/signed-copy-of-french-accents-book-in-hardback
Congratulations, dear Anita! I’ve been following your blog for years and it’s been fun to witness your journey. Blessings to you and your family.
A dream come true! So well deserved my dear – I am elated for you and your future.
Fondly, Irene Peterson
i know you chose the right magazine. i am forever disappointed in country living and i don’t think the magazine is doing as well as it used to.
How exciting!! Congratulations! I am so happy for you. I am surprised at how long it took. The cover picture is beautiful…and I agree it was the best choice out of all your rooms (though I love all your rooms). Here’s to more such wonderfulness!
Congratulations Anita, well deserved! This is the magazine that never ends up being recycled, it becomes a sweet visit with a treasured friend each time l open it’s pages! Continued blessings!
Congratulations! you should be very proud of your home. All the hard work and changing to those white dishes was a great decision. Love your site and look forward to seeing more.
Congratulations on the Magazine Cover and the book! I’ve got the book now I have to track down the magazine! I love Country French magazine. I knew the day would come when you would make the cover of a magazine! Your home is perfect for this. So overjoyed for you.
Congratulations Anita!
Congrats, Anita! Over a year now since publication, and your photos are still giving great inspiration! Well done! Looking forward to seeing more. XOXO