THE COUNTRY LIVING STORY
Paige Hull
February 2014 Country Living Magazine
Smoot and I have been overwhelmed with the well wishes we’ve received from our family, friends, and Country Living fans alike. We still have to pinch ourselves to make sure we haven’t dreamt this experience, that it's real.
Our goal, first and foremost was to design a home that we enjoyed as a family and that inspired “us”. We then decided to share it with others and developed it as a home rental. This opened up the opportunity to go even further in our quest to follow our creative passions.
We booked a lifestyle and styled wedding shoot immediately after we completed the renovations. Here is a link to one of the first blogs I wrote with a list of the many artists and vendors that helped make that happen. http://bit.ly/KOIJq8.
Shortly after that shoot, we met Haylei, a young, sweet girl that was just about to graduate from art school. She has since helped shape our brand and marketing materials.
Not long after those first photo shoots, our paths crossed a field editor that worked with Meredith Publications. She was kind enough to educate us on the ropes of the publishing world. One of the magazines she worked for offered to feature our home but my heart was set on Country Living Magazine. I’ve loved Country Living for as long as I can remember and knew if I didn't give it a shot, I’d forever regret it.
With the information we had gathered from the Meredith editor, we sent a few photos to Hearst. We were shocked by their reaction - they were interested!
I came across a quote not too long ago that has really stuck with me “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” I won’t say this experience has been perfect or didn’t present a challenge or two. But, I will say, it has pushed me to grow in areas I never imagined. It’s provided opportunities to meet amazingly talented people, learn new things, and take myself out of the “comfort bubble” that I’ve lived in for a long while.
Our hope is that as we share our story, it will serve as an inspiration to go after your dreams…even if they seem a little scary.