What would you do if you were invited out to the Better Homes and Gardens Headquarters in Des Moine Iowa to get a preview of all the gorgeous new Better Homes and Garden products that are coming to Walmart? Probably you’d do what I did–say YES in a red hot minute!
Over the years I’ve been in the Walmart Moms program I’ve gotten a chance to really know the Better Homes and Garden brand. So many of their home décor items match my personal style. If I see a décor item I love at Walmart (like my new burlap lampshades or the cuddly red fur throw)–it turns out to be Better Homes and Gardens! And it’s a brand I totally trust for quality sheets, towels and curtains.
At the Better Homes and Gardens Headquarters (that’s me in the fun pink sun below!) we started the day with a preview of new products. The bedding, towels and rugs were so pretty. I love the patterns and colorways they are using this year! And fun pillows–I’d love to add some fun themed pillows to my house, such a smart way to update your room. If only I didn’t have a plaid couch that fights with all other pattern!
Two of the things I really loved are the last two photos above–the chest style coffee table that slides open for hidden storage and the absolutely gorgeous and exotic comforter set in bright colors.
After that we split up into groups. My group started downstairs in the photo studio where we saw how they create entire rooms to photograph for the magazine and advertisement spreads. They build entire rooms from scratch–doors, windows, floors, walls. Then they paint them and dress them, photograph and then it all comes down again. In one set there are so many layers of paint on the floor that there is actually a physical difference in the height of the floor where it’s been painted!
Next we went up to see the test kitchens Where they set things up just like a home kitchen with the types of appliances home cooks have–no chef grade professional series here! They want the recipes to be made just like they will be at your home. How cool is that? We also had a nice session with the head food editor who taught us all about quick and easy “party” ideas like a picnic basket for friends, cheeses and toast, or fig jam and breads. She also showed us how to make centerpieces from items you might already have around the home and seasonal fruits and vegetables.
They also had a collection of all the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbooks that had been published. I love that–I have two copies of the BH&G Cookbook myself–a more recent one and then the copy I grew up using.
Finally we got some insider stylist secrets with designer/stylist Eddie Ross! He showed us a bunch of ways to dress up a standard lampshade and drapes to make them something extraordinary–even if you aren’t very crafty. I loved his tip for making your own “tortoise shell” mirror or frame. Buy high end tortoise sell paper and decoupage it onto the frame. It looks just like the real thing if you cut it into squares and vary the orientation so that the pattern isn’t all in the same direction.
When I got home I couldn’t wait to find some of the great Better Homes and Gardens products I had seen in my local store. I was thrilled to see the very same Comforter Set I adored in my local store! I picked one up for Princess’s room. It looks great with the apple green color of her walls and the pink drapes.
Doesn’t it look great? But don’t tell Princess–I snuck into her room to take these pictures while she was at school–the comforter is going to be a Christmas gift!
****This is a sponsored post****
Disclosure: As a participant in the Walmart Moms Program, I’ve received product samples and compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love that comforter too! It looks lovely in that room.