home restyler gets styling & in the cover shot!

Well, what a result! Recently I worked with photographer Sarah Lauren and styled a retro campervan shoot down in Bigbury, South Devon. It was a glorious picture postcard perfect day and the shoot was an absolute delight to work on. Not only did it involve setting up a beautiful vintage inspired picnic, next to a funky petrol-blue coloured VW camper, playing with the most adorable little terrier and eating strawberries but the hard work (sigh!) paid off and one of the shots has been chosen as the cover image for Devon Life's July 2011 issue. Woohoo! And despite it not being part of the plan, I've ended up being in the shot, so this month I am mostly being a cover model hee hee (not that you'd recognise me in the street for it but hey, I know it's me!). 

So I thought I'd share with you the main image as well as some of the behind the scenes snaps.

Devon Life July 2011 cover
http://devon.greatbritishlife.co.uk/

Big & little helpers

Getting the right shot

Different poses & positions!

Capturing the right angle

Sarah getting up close

www.homerestyler.co.uk

home restyler's shakespearian styling

"What angel wakes me from my flowery bed?"
A Midsummer Night's Dream, 3. 1, W.Shakespeare

To mark Midsummers Day today, I am so excited to share with you a selection of photos taken recently at a Midsummer Night's Dream themed bridal shoot, which was styled by home restyler and shot at Great Fulford House, Dunsford, Devon.

Written in the mid-1590s, probably shortly before Shakespeare turned to Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of his strangest and most delightful creations. If you have ever read the play I am sure you will agree that the photos taken by Sarah Lauren Photography have captured all that the story stands for about love, magic and dreams.

The stunning floral displays and bouquets were designed and created by a lovely florist Laura at Bouquets & Buttercups, Eve Ashby created the magical fairytale make-up and hair and the delicious cakes were baked and decorated by Nicki at Eat Sleep Cake.

There is also a beautiful video of the shoot to accompany the photos, click here to view.

I do hope you have enjoyed the delights of this photo shoot and if you have any comments please do feel free to post them!

Thank you
www.homerestyler.co.uk

Forever-lasting blooms

I love that feeling you get when someone gives you a beautiful bunch of flowers (ok, so maybe that should read I love that feeling you get when you choose a bunch of flowers to buy for your home!) and you put them into a vase that carries them off perfectly and you just stand back to admire them and beam.
Flowers bring me such joy, although I'll admit, much to my mother's disgust, that I can barely name more than the number of digits on my hands and feet but it is more than depressing to know that before you feel like you've really appreciated them they will have wilted, turned brown and despite all attempts to revive them have died. Boo, the vase stands empty and you think to yourself "shall I wait for someone to buy me some more or shall I fritter away my own hard-earned cash to replace them?"
Well ladies (and flower loving gentlemen) aside from buying potted flowers that tend to last a lot longer, home restyler today came across a marvellous alternative. Whilst not revolutionary in the idea itself, the design of these gorgeous and totally unique paper flowers is one to be admired. They are so colourful, fun and jaunty and totally simple but wow-factor. I love them.

Bright statement-making stems

Simple vase with blooms

Clever use as garland

So cute as cake-toppers

How you'll find them in the pack

Frustratingly these flowers are sold by &Klevering, Amsterdam, Holland...and as far as home restyler can see from searching the web, they are not as yet available in the UK...eek...but for all you (wannabe) crafters out there, this is a great example of a simple idea that can be tailor-made to complement your existing interior design and all for just the cost of the paper and wire.

If you make any of your own paper flowers, do email home restyler photos of them in situ and they could appear on this blog!

All images: www.kzuid.nl

 

The simple things in life

Following the crazy, hectic yet fantastic time styling the Midsummer Night's Dream wedding photoshoot last week (photos to follow soon), I came to realise that it really is often the simplest of things that can be the most beautiful. As the saying goes, less is more and this is was one of the rationales behind the styling of the shoot. 

One of the shots that we didn't get around to photographing was of upturned goblets containing flower heads. This look is simple but so beautiful and effective. Why not re-create this look in your home using any suitable glasses you may have. Ok so the flower won't last that long as it won't be sat in water, but it will create real impact when used for a warm summer afternoon tea party or a balmy evening drinks gathering. Like in the image below, you could also sit small candles on the bases of the glasses for added style.

Simple, beautiful upturned wine glasses with flower heads

 image: coisasdaorlas.blogspot.com

This blog post is part of the mydeco.com ‘Pass It On Garden & Outdoor series’, a collaborative blogging project.

 

www.homerestyler.co.uk 

home restyler gets styling

Ooh, I am so excited about tomorrow. home restyler is going to be working with some of Devon's finest wedding related suppliers to create a beautiful, impactful and magical Midsummer Nights Dream themed wedding photoshoot. home restyler has had various experience with briefing photoshoots (in my former professional life), working in front of camera (before wrinkles set in!) and also styling photoshoots for other brands, but this is a whole new bag! Watch this space for more about the shoot and most importantly the stunning photos, that will be taken by Sarah Lauren Photography www.sarahlaurenphotography.com/

inspiration for a rhubarb leaf place setting

image: Meine Sommernachtstraeume, I. Johannson