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.
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:
Hi Michael, I have just started following you and I adore your style! Congratulations on your BHG Christmas cover of the magazine! So beautiful! I also saw pictures of your other tree with the turquoise/aqua styling and that is a tree after my own heart! I cant wait to go pick up the magazine! Also, thank you for the Instagram story you did on putting the ribbon on the tree. It was so helpful! I put one on last year, but I needed some tweaking and you gave me just the tips I needed. Blessings for a good week!
You are just the sweetest. Thanks so much for your message. Glad you liked the tree and ribbon tutorial. I need to get that up on the blog!
xo Michael
Congratulations Michael! Well deserved!
I just returned from my local supermarket with my copy. Can’t wait to dig in,
You are a rock star! I’m a huge fan!
Congratulations! Just when I decided I have enough Christmas magazines and books and won’t be needing anymore, your success has prompted me to go out and get a copy, unless I win one, of course! Have been following your blog for a little over a year and I love your decorating style in St. Mary’s and am amazed at what you’ve done with your apt. in Pittsburgh. And i learned a new word-braggadocios-you have every right to be proud!
Oh my gosh, I’ve been with you all along and I feel like your mother and that you’ve won an Oscar!
I am blown away and jumping up and down! You are such a talented person and a beautiful, wonderful man. Congratulations! I am telling all my friends to get on IBC. You create such beauty with everything you touch! I admire you so much!
Oh Michael, I’m so happy for you and so proud of you. I feel like a proud mom. I’ve been following you since you had your B&B. I love everything you do and don’t know where you get the energy. You were also so kind and took the time a couple of years ago to answer my email and tell me where to buy the colored bottle brush trees. You are truly a wonderful person and deserve all the recognition. I’m so, so proud to follow you.
Congratulations! So happy for you. I’ve been following your blog for about a year now, and I’m so excited that you made the cover! You seem like such a sweet guy, your posts are always so humble and warm. I would love an autographed copy, thank you for the opportunity. PS I can’t get over how lovely all of your Christmas trees turn out! It’s amazing.
I bought the magazine because I recognized your work. Haven’t had the chance to page through it. Congratulations!
So proud of you!! I picked up the issue today, and can’t wait to prop up my feet and dig into it!
This is an amazing honor and you are still so sweet and humble. Congratulations! I love giveaways and this is a special one. I’ll be looking for your cover at the stores. Your designs and recipes are awesome. Wishing you many more accomplishments.
I still have some Halloween ideas of yours on my diy list. Found your site originally by searching for holiday printables.
I’m a new follower but I’m still very excited for you. Congratulations! With news like this, you have to get it out there. I’ll be looking for it in store.
So, I’ve been “unplugged” and missed all the excitement! Congratulations! And it’s OK to brag a little when you’ve worked so hard for so long and finally get the recognition you deserve! Like many of the above comments, I’ve followed you for a while and feel some “pride by proxy” (not sure if that is actually the correct use of the term, but hopefully you understand). You deserve this, and I hope you savor the moment long after the issue hits the stands. I will absolutely be saving this one (and probably attempting to copy some of your amazing ideas)!
You are a lot of things, but braggadocious is not one of them. I’ve followed you for a number of years, and I’ve never gotten a hint of anything but kindness and a desire to share and to inspire. Congratulations on this honor–any one of us would be thrilled to be mentioned once in a magazine, but to be featured? And to make the cover? Are you kidding? It’s a dream come true, and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy!
So very glad to see your great style in a BH&G magazine. Well deserved for sure! Your Christmas trees have always been so special… As a matter of fact – EVERYTHING you do is special! Congratulations Michael!!!
Congratulations on achieving a dream! It looks fantastic – can’t wait to buy the magazine and see more.
So happy for you–it’s weird of me to be proud for you, but I can’t help it–I’ve been reading your blog for awhile and love so much of what you post. Appreciate your authenticity AND your style. Cam’t wait to read the issue when I find it here. Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas, too!
Congrats!! Cant wait for my copy. I always look forward to your blog. Your home is so beautiful and I LOVE your recipes. Congrats Michael!
I love this post! Congratulations on your cover issue! Love to follow your blog, love the spirit you put into everything that you create and write! Such a wonderful accomplishment and you should be very proud to be braggadocios!! All the best through the holidays & new year!
Michael – this is such a wonderful achievement. Congratulations! I love your style and am inspired by your creativity and honesty. Keep up the good work. Can’t wait to read the piece!
Michael, I am SO SO SO happy for you! You have worked hard and you deserve this recognition. I am so proud to share you with everyone else! You are not bragging in any way so don’t even go there! Way to go Michael – I just can’t express how your success brings me so much joy, but it truly does!!!