Modern Flora Photo Shoot

So it's feast or famine around here.  I make nothing for days and then I make a gazillion things in three days.  Modern Flora is taking an out-of-town trip to Los Angeles for a textile trade show next week.  The show is for manufacturers, so I wanted to show Modern Flora in some home decor settings.  I did contemplate (for about 2 seconds) sending furniture, but instead decided to pull together an outdoor photo shoot in four days with only three items made out of Modern Flora.  The child's Poang chair, the floor pillows and Leaflet chair were, thankfully, already made.  But I decided to add a slipcovered couch, a covered lampshade, more pillows, a tablecloth and napkins, and a crib set with a quilt.   And they were finished yesterday and shot this morning.
So how does a photo shoot work?  Well, it is one heck of a lot of work and kind of a frenzy.  You want the photographer to get as many shots as possible, so you have to stay out of the way, but you are always dying to smooth out a wrinkle or clip a thread.  And double-stick tape is an absolute must!

This is Brooke Schwab, who photographed the outdoor "rooms".  And how did I find this photographer?  Well, of course, all roads lead back to Jessica at How About Orange, who designed her logo.  What did I do before I knew her?  Floundered, clearly.  Anyway, Brooke does a lot of wedding photography and specializes in really fun settings and shots.  Peruse her blog to see her great photos and read the story behind them.

So, Brooke shot three rooms outdoors and I think they look fantastic.  (Thank you, Brooke, Jessica and me.)

First, the nursery:

No, the stuff in the front was not in the real shot-- stuff just got dropped and set down everywhere.  It would be so easy to just walk away and leave things at the site.

The dining room:

which I was the least excited about in the planning phase because I was afraid it was just too plain, but I love it in the photos. And the bowl of apples was inspired by Jessica's comment that she would love to see the fabric under an apple tree.  Sorry, none in South Texas, but I thought the colors were awesome with the tablecloth.

And the living room:

which makes me think I need to immediately purchase a cottage with white bead board on the walls and fill it with my Modern Flora furniture.  And this project gave me an excuse to do something I've been dying to try:  making awning stripe "fabric" from solids.  Then you can pick whatever color combinations and stripe widths you want.

Now, I can use the next two days to print and mount the photos for the show and make a couple of tote bags and Modern Flora is ready to go.  Show well, my little fabric.

Comments

[Pam]

WOW!!! The fabric looks great on the furniture! Congrats on your success!

[Dena Berg (sugar shop)]

How fun is that fabric. Seeing it out doors reminds me of summer. I love your before and afters by the way. Keep'em coming please :)

[Carrie S.]

Are you coming to the LA Textile Show? Which booth?

[Karen]

wow! those are beautiful photos! the fabric looks fantastic on the furniture. lovely.

[Stephanie]

Oh I want the couch, chair, and lamp! I hope Jessica designs some more fabric!!!

[Miss Sassy]

Neat shots. Awesome fabric! As for the awning stripe "fabric," what type of fabric did you use?

[j. caroline]

Miss Sassy- I used a white canvas and the Carson City solids in Turquoise and Apple Green on the pillows. The dust ruffle is Carson City Citron and Apple Green. Normally I'm a freak about mixing different weights and textures (the Carson City is smoother and lighter than the white canvas), but I decided to get over my neuroses and they worked (and looked) fine.

[Miss Sassy]

Thank you for letting me know. The Carson City colors are awesome. I want to make an awning for a pretend store for my son. Since I only need a small amount (looks like you an only buy in yards), do you think the duck would be ok to use alone?

[Rhonda]

Good luck at the show, little fabric!

[Katie]

Wow!! These pictures are SO AMAZING!!! Great work, I'm SO impressed!

[jennifer Paganellli]

congrats!!! So pretty So cool can't wait to meet you in Portland
Jennifer

[Tonya]

fabulous. The fabric is just gorgeous. I love everything you put together for the shoot.

[nanette]

What great staging. Everything in that fabric is awesome.

[Brooke Schwab Photography]

So fun! I had a blast shooting this for you. Love the picture of me. Ha. The fabrics were so fun to take pictures of and I can't wait to hear about the show. I hope it is wonderful.

[Retractable awnings]

I've being researching about awnings because I need to buy one, and I've found your post very helpful :) . I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog!