What I Learned From Matthew Mead

On Wednesday, Matthew Mead came to my home with his arms filled with flowers.

Gulp.

Yes, Matthew Mead.  The stylist, writer, photographer.

You wanna know what, he was the sweetest person, ever!

He walked up to my door with bunches and bunches of flowers – peonies, hydrangeas, boxwood, roses and many wild flowers too.  He had asked what flowers I like the best and I said ones that you’d find from an English garden.  Matthew knew exactly the flowers I love!

He came to my home to photograph it for an upcoming magazine.  You may already know this if you saw the picture I shared on Instagram or Facebook, but in case you missed it.

My home will be in Matthew Mead’s Upcycled Style which will be on newsstands March 1st.  I’m so excited and will share more photos with you then, but today I thought I’d share some tips and tricks I learned from the “styling guru” as one of my readers called him.

This is what most of the day looked like.  Matthew would set up and shoot and chat to me the entire time.  He’d take photos and arrange but he’d be talking to me about vintage finds or asking me about growing up or why we left England etc.  I really feel like I spent the day chatting with a good, old friend, just catching up.  It was a brilliant day and here’s what I learned.

What I learned from Matthew Mead

Wilting hydrangea?  No problem!

Matthew was pulling out the flowers and I saw one hydrangea and it looked so sad.  He told me no problem. Just soak it in water.

Simply submerge the whole thing in cold water.  When I woke up yesterday morning the hydrangea was as good as new and now so happy with some beach stones:

Favorite places for vintage finds?

You know me, I’m always on the look out for more furniture, more treasures.  I have some favorite places down here on the South Shore, but Matthew recommended some places north of Boston.  Todd’s Farm but get there early.  4am early!  He also recommended Rt 101 in Amherst, NH and Rt.1 in Maine.  I feel some road trips coming on!

What about peonies that aren’t open?

Lightly run your fingers tips on top of the bud and it will open. I knew ants walking across the bud help it open and this actions mimics what happens in nature.

As you can see, it worked and they opened beautifully!

When opportunities in life come…

Say YES! Yes, a million times, yes!  You may not be sure where it will take you but one small opportunity might lead to a larger one and help you realize a dream or discover a new one.

On a side note, can you believe how beautiful these roses are?!?  I love their antique, vintage, color. They look so pretty in our dining room.

His photography is A-MAZ-ING which I’m sure you already know from all his published work. Here’s some photography recommendations:

Always, always use a tripod (which I do).  He does interiors at 400 ISO and taught me ways to close the blinds or block the light for reflection issues on glass (pictures and china cabinet).  He also told me his favorite lens is a 50mm Sigma .  I don’t have a 50mm but now it is on my list 🙂  I’m so excited for you to see the images he captured of our home. These were images I took on the day or yesterday reflecting over our conversation.

The Art of Styling

I was mesmerized watching Matthew.  I really love his simple and easy style.  I watched as he layered dishes and plates I may not have thought to put together.  Contrasting textures, dropping petals from flowers to look as if it happened naturally.  He methodically smoothed our sheets starting from the middle.  He photographed many mementos as a way to add memory and meaning to the photography.  There were some things I already knew as well – uneven numbers, incorporating different shapes and heights.  The whole experience was magical to watch.  I think you’d love these books by Matthew, click here and here, he has other great ones too.

My home is filled with the fragrance of these amazing flowers and my head is filled with so many creative thoughts and ideas that came up over the day.

One of my favorite quotes is this:

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.

Small people always do that but the really great make you feel that you too can become great.

When you are seeking to bring the big plans to fruition it is important with whom you regularly associate.

Hang out with friends who are like-minded and who are also designing purpose-filled lives.

Similarly be that kind of a friend for your friends.” – Mark Twain

On Wednesday Matthew made me feel that I too can become great. Thank you, Matthew, for a lovely, lovely day!