Cover Boy: BHG Christmas Ideas 2017
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyI’m not sure when I’ve been more excited to share something with all of you. My house and Christmas tree made the cover of the Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Ideas Magazine! *mic drop*
Let’s backtrack a bit. As I mentioned on IBC late last year (or maybe early this year), the folks at Better Homes & Gardens asked if they could come to my home to shoot my space for the 2017 issue of Christmas Ideas Magazine.
After doing a happy dance and catching my breath, of course, I said yes and invited them over.
Side note: I don’t in any way want to sound braggadocios about all of this. This recognition of my work was and is a momentous time for me, my career, and this blog so I have practically been bursting at the seams with excitement, wanting to share the news with you.
It feels like a dream to be asked to be a part of this magazine since it has long been a favorite Christmas publication. Each holiday season I can hardly wait for this special interest issue to come out. During the past several years, BHG has featured bloggers’ homes. Bloggers who I’ve met, bloggers who I’m friends with, and bloggers I’ve followed with admiration. Being part of this group means more than I can ever express.
For this particular shoot, BHG wanted my space to be decorated differently from what I shared on the blog. Therefore, after Christmas last year, I had to take everything down and redecorate. Thankfully, decorating for Christmas is truly one of my favorite things to do so I didn’t mind. In preparation for the shoot, amidst lots of other things that were going on, I baked a batch of my Sweater Weather Cookies, repainted my wood bead garland, redecorated three trees, and more.
Around the second week of January, Nicole, the design director from BHG arrived along with Adam the photographer and his assistant, Jason.
They were at my home for about two days and ended up shooting about 20 photos for the issue. For the most part, they shot everything as I had set it up. Nicole (the design director) would tweak things to make sure they looked good in the photos, but other than that, the styling was all mine.
During the shoot, Adam took a picture of the tree that was near my office. (This one here.) After shooting the tree, Nicole mentioned that it could make a great cover image. I immediately was all a flutter inside. Like, total freak out. They even did a mock up with the magazine’s logo. However, I was told that the cover has to go through consumer testing, focus groups, and more. So it might not happen.
Well – spoiler alert …
… my tree made the cover of the issue!
That’s it. My tree. My home. On the cover of a magazine. I can retire now, right?
To go along with the cover image, there’s a Q&A piece in the magazine on how I decorate trees, where I get my inspiration, and so on.
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The magazine also features a 10-page spread of my home. It walks you through my living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, and upstairs hallway. It also features some DIYs such as my beaded garland, Sweater Weather Cookies, painted trees, and concrete ornaments. It is a true reflection of what an Inspired by Charm Christmas looks like, and I couldn’t be more pleased.
I can’t show you everything from the magazine, so you’ll have to pick up a copy or just flip through the issue the next time you’re out shopping. The magazine should be available at many retail stores in your area. I’ve seen it in several grocery stores, Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, and Barnes and Noble.
A big shout out to Nicole, Adam, and Jason for all your work at my home. Also, thank you to Cathy and Lacey (the writers of the articles) for sharing my Christmas story.
Finally, because I can never say it enough, thank YOU for embracing me and my work. Without you, my wonderful readers, opportunities like this would not happen. I remind myself of this every day. I am so lucky, honored, and blessed that all of you are part of my life.
You constantly give me hope, encouragement, love, and support, and I will be forever grateful. Whether you’re new to Inspired by Charm or have followed from the beginning, (In January, IBC will be 9 years old!), I love you, too.
Wishing you happy reading and lots of holiday inspiration!
Check out some of the projects featured in the magazine below:
I bought my copy Saturday soley because I fell in love with the Christmas tree on the cover!! I have to ask.. where did you get the red and white stripe ribbon?? The whole spread they did on your home is amazing, I love it! Congrats!!!!! 🙂
Layering on the CHARM! I LOVE it. You must just be about to pop, if you haven’t already! So great and proud of you.
What an exciting moment!! Congratulations and keep up the good work! I love getting inspired by your blog and I can see that there are so many other people that do also!
How utterly exciting for you! I can not even imagine the flutters you must have felt when they first approached you. I follow you on IG and always enjoy your little squares. Now, I need to run to Wal-Mart to see if I can find this magazine 🙂
Michael, I have always thought your decorated Christmas trees the best of all the blogs I follow. This years included. “Layering the Charm,” what a great blog name for your posts. I cannot believe you decorate those gorgeous sweater cookies. Patience definitely is a virtue. I hope to win an autographed BH&G magazine from you. If not, I will be sure to purchase one.
Thank you so much, Sandy. Those cookies were definitely a labor of love.
xo Michael
AHHHHHH!!! (That’s me screaming and giddy for you!!!) How exciting!! I love every darn thing about that tree, so festive and perfect! Please come help me do mine this year?? LOL I hope I spot this magazine while I”m out, I’d love to see the rest of it if I don’t win a copy. And autographed, of course! 🙂
I’m so proud of you, Michael! Yet another impeccably decorated tree!
Awsome! What an accomplishment! 👏
Thank you so much, Julie!!
xo Michael
Congratulations!
Congrats on this honor! I love your ideas. You always make my day brighter.
A well deserved feature, Michael!!! You could be the editor-in-chief of the magazine. You are so talented.
Omg! You’re the best Diane. Thank you so much!!
xo Michael
Congrats. So cool. Beautiful tree by the way!
Congrats! This is so cool. And I love that you are being recognized for your creativity and talent!!!
Congratulations! So exciting! It looks so festive.
Congratulations!! You deserve it!! I love your ideas and recipes!!!
I don’t think you are being braggy at all!!! I’s so excited for you, I’m squealing inside. I will be buying a copy just to support you! Normally I don’t buy magazines, but definitely must have this one for sure!
So very cool. #goals 🙂
Thanks!!
xo Michael
This is wonderful, and you deserve the honor. I love your styling work all the time, but especially at Christmas!
First time here. Congrats. Being even CONSIDERED for Better Homes And Gardens would be enough for bragging right.
Awesome job. I especially love the cookies.
How exciting. I am so thrilled for you. This is fabulous.
Congratulations! I’ve been following your blog for a while, so is it weird to say I feel like a proud sister?
Awww! Love that! Thank you! 🙂
xo Michael
I feel the same way!! Congratulations! Nice to see your talents recognized in this awesome way!!
Me, too, and of course I want my copy signed! (fingers crossed!)