Behind the Scenes of Our Coastal Maine Home Feature in Country Sampler Magazine

Ever wonder what it’s like to have your home photographed for a magazine?

In the spring of 2024, our coastal Maine home was featured in an 11-page spread in Country Sampler Magazine — and today, I’m sharing all the behind-the-scenes fun, styling tips, and how we prepared every vintage detail.

From antique-filled rooms to seaside charm, here’s a peek at what it takes to pull off a magazine photo shoot in a historic Maine home.

About Country Sampler Magazine

If you love cozy homes filled with charm, patina, and personality, then you’ve likely flipped through the pages of Country Sampler Magazine more than once. Known for its beautifully photographed real homes and timeless country-style decorating, Country Sampler has been a beloved resource for rustic, farmhouse, and vintage decor lovers for decades. It’s where readers go for down-to-earth inspiration — from holiday home tours and antique-filled spaces to DIY ideas and seasonal styling.

So when our coastal Maine home was selected for an 11-page feature in their 40th anniversary spring issue, we were beyond honored to be part of a publication that’s been inspiring generations of vintage and country-style decorators.

How the Country Sampler Photo Shoot Came Together

Not long after that first feature, I received a message from Country Sampler’s freelance photographer, Gridley + Graves Photographers. Anne asked if I’d be interested in having our coastal Maine home photographed for a full feature. The timing wasn’t quite right yet — we were still deep into renovations — but the invitation lit a spark. I knew someday, I’d say yes.

Renovating Our Coastal Maine Home for the Shoot

When Anne first reached out, we had just wrapped up the interior renovations on our family’s coastal Maine home — but the furniture and appliances were still delayed due to pandemic-era supply issues. The exterior still needed fresh cedar shakes and painted trim, and I wasn’t ready to share it with the world just yet.

This home, passed down from my parents, holds so much history and heart. If you’re new here, you can read more about how we inherited and restored this Maine home in our tour. It’s filled with antiques, stories, and our love for vintage decorating.

Two Years Later… It Was Finally Time

Two years (and many updates) later, we finally felt ready to welcome Country Sampler Magazine into our home for our very first national feature. With the rooms fully styled, the exterior refreshed, and the spirit of my parents still present in every corner, it felt like the perfect moment to share our story.

From styling each room to watching the photography magic unfold, the behind-the-scenes of our Country Sampler shoot was an experience I’ll never forget.

In the next section, I’ll take you inside the process — how we prepped, what surprised me, and what it’s really like to see your home through a magazine photographer’s lens.

Behind the Scenes of Our Country Sampler Magazine Photo Shoot

From styling each room to watching the photography magic unfold, the behind-the-scenes of our Country Sampler shoot was an experience I’ll never forget. In this section, I’m sharing how we prepared for the big day, what the process was really like, and the little surprises I didn’t see coming — all from our family’s antique-filled home in coastal Maine.

Preparing for the Shoot: Cleaning, Windows, and Real-Life Chaos

The day of the shoot had arrived, and while I didn’t know exactly what to expect, I had a feeling it would be pretty laid back — and you know what? I was right. But that didn’t stop me from cleaning the house from top to bottom!

I also hired someone to professionally clean every window inside and out, and I removed all the window screens. I can’t tell you how much brighter the home looked — if you’re preparing for a shoot (or just want your home to glow), it’s a game-changer. And honestly? If you’re ever prepping your home for a shoot, hiring help with cleaning is well worth it to ease the stress.

How I Prepared My Home for a Magazine Shoot

Preparing our coastal Maine home for a national magazine photo shoot was no small task — but totally worth it. From cleaning every corner to removing screens and staging each space, here’s what helped make the day run smoothly:

The Shoot Schedule and Editorial Plan

A few days before the shoot, the photographers — Anne and Gary from Gridley + Graves — gave me a rough schedule. They’d be arriving around 9 a.m. and photographing straight through the day until about 7 p.m., capturing both exterior and interior shots, plus a few portraits of me and our Bernese Mountain Dog, Ella.

The magazine’s editor had already sent them a layout and photo plan based on scouting shots I had submitted ahead of time, so they arrived with a clear vision — and I appreciated that they handled it all with ease and warmth.

Styling and Props — The Magazine Touch

Did you know that most magazines bring their own flowers and food props for each shoot? I didn’t — until buckets of blooms, baked goods, and styling accents arrived in my kitchen! In our case, Gridley + Graves handled both the photography and styling roles, which made everything flow smoothly.

From placing freshly baked muffins on the kitchen counter to arranging seasonal bouquets, they transformed each room while still keeping the heart of our home intact.

Starting Outside — Exterior Photos and Ella’s Star Moment

We kicked off the morning with exterior shots of our cedar shake home and a few cozy photos of Ella and me enjoying the sunroom. I snapped a quick picture of the Gridley + Graves van parked in the driveway — a fun little moment of real life before the cameras started clicking.

Copyrights and Waiting for Publication

One thing I didn’t expect? The long wait! Once the shoot was done, I wasn’t allowed to share many behind-the-scenes photos until the magazine officially published. All styling, photo angles, and final selections were copyright protected by the magazine.

It took nearly two years from shoot day to publication — but it was well worth the wait to see our home featured in Country Sampler’s 40th Anniversary Spring Edition.

Interior Room-by-Room Photography

After the outdoor photos, Anne and Gary moved inside. Based on the scouting photos I had sent in earlier, they focused on the living room, dining room, kitchen, guest bedroom, and attic bedroom — each styled and photographed with care.

Watching them work was fascinating. Every detail was intentional, and every shot told a story — one that felt both personal and magazine-worthy.

What Surprised Me Most

I had no idea what to expect walking into this, but the experience was full of surprises — all good ones. Here’s what stood out to me most:

The Laid-Back Vibe of a Country Sampler Photo Shoot

One thing I loved most about our Country Sampler Magazine shoot was just how calm and relaxed it all felt. There wasn’t much for me to do once the photographers arrived — Anne and Gary had everything under control from the moment they pulled into the driveway.

We spent most of the day chatting about their travels, the homes they’ve photographed, and swapping New England stories — from skiing in Vermont to summers on the Maine coast. It made the whole experience feel more like a visit with old friends than a high-pressure magazine shoot.

Yard Prep and Outdoor Styling for a Magazine Shoot

In addition to cleaning indoors, we also did a little sprucing up outside. We refreshed the stone walkway with new edging and carefully placed stones to make everything picture-perfect. The lawn was freshly mowed, flower beds cleaned up, and we gave all the outdoor spaces a good sprucing up. It’s incredible how those outdoor details — often overlooked — become a big part of the finished magazine spread.

One of my favorite behind-the-scenes shots was catching the camera setup as they photographed the front walkway, with the sun streaming through the open door.

Wrapping Up a Memorable Day

By just after 7 p.m., the shoot wrapped, the final photos were snapped, and Ella — our Bernese Mountain Dog and unofficial cover model — had curled back into her favorite pillow corner on the couch, completely unbothered by all the day’s events.

I stood in the living room for a moment, soaking it all in — the same room my parents adored to entertain in, now styled and photographed for a national magazine. We didn’t get to take or keep any of the photos until the issue hit the shelves, but I could already tell the team from Gridley + Graves had captured the spirit of our home beautifully.

Reflections on a Day to Remember

As I reflect on the day, I can’t help but wonder what my parents would have thought — seeing their beloved coastal Maine home photographed for a national magazine like Country Sampler. I genuinely believe they would have soaked up every second of it. And knowing them, Ann and Gary wouldn’t have been out the door by 7 p.m. — they’d have stayed chatting well into the evening, likely over coffee and stories in the sunroom.

Vintage Flowers and Photo Shoot Memories That Linger

Even after the cameras were packed up and the van had driven off, the remnants of our Country Sampler Magazine photo shoot lingered beautifully throughout our coastal Maine home.

The floral arrangements — styled by the photographers using my collection of vintage vases, including a McCoy, ceramic glug fish, and a few of my mother’s most treasured pieces — remained scattered in nearly every room. The house felt full of color, life, and a sense of nostalgia.

It was one of those rare moments where excitement and reflection meet. We were still buzzing from the day, but also feeling incredibly thankful for the opportunity to share this space that means so much to our family.

A Look Back Through Old Family Snapshots

In early August 2023, I received a follow-up call from Country Sampler’s editor — she was hoping to include a few family snapshots in the feature story. Specifically, photos of my parents and the way they originally decorated this home back in the day.

Ella and I spent the afternoon in the living room, going through boxes of old photos and reliving the memories tucked inside each one.

The magazine included a lovely tribute to my parents and their early decorating style, with original photos that truly captured the home’s roots. Seeing their influence woven into the final article added a layer of heart I’ll never forget.

A Makeover in Maine — Our Country Sampler Magazine Feature

Our full feature story was officially published on January 9, 2024, in Country Sampler Magazine’s 40th Anniversary Spring Edition. The article, titled “A Makeover in Maine,” spans 11 pages and shares a full look inside the coastal home I inherited from my parents and lovingly restored with vintage and antique charm.

Seeing our home on the glossy pages — from the kitchen and living room to the attic guest room and those floral vignettes — felt like a full-circle moment. I celebrated with a lobster mug of coffee in the sunroom, the magazine opened to our story, and a heart full of gratitude.

What It Felt Like to See Our Home in Country Sampler Magazine

When the spring edition finally arrived two years later, with our story titled “A Makeover in Maine,” it felt surreal. To see our coastal Maine home, lovingly filled with my parents’ antiques and vintage treasures, photographed so beautifully in Country Sampler Magazine, was an unforgettable moment.

This wasn’t just a feature — it was a reflection of home, legacy, and a lifelong love of vintage decor. It made every effort, every renovation, and every layered piece feel deeply worthwhile.

If you’re new here, be sure to browse our Maine home tour or explore more of my vintage decorating stories and styling ideas from our coastal and Vermont homes.

Have you ever dreamed of having your home featured in a magazine? I’d love to hear your thoughts—or even your favorite decorating magazine!

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