Hilary Robertson styled this wonderfully symmetric cover for Elle Decor, shot by unwavering William Waldron. It really is astounding just how much the image was shot to match the design of the cover. I just picture them with the cover overlay up on the screen, managing the tiniest details and chosen asymmetries, like the bag on the floor next to the desk and the way the artwork on the shelf mirrors the copy on the left side of the page. And then the way that the cover logo is perfectly framed by the ceiling with the columns providing an additional frame. This is just the most fantastic example of great teamwork, patience and perfectionism.
Posts by Mary Dail
Stencil Sharpener
Stencils are indistinguishable from magic. They transform the most average object into a lively and fun ray of sunshine in your day. They’re like tattoos for your possessions, except without the lifetime of regret.
Molly Fitzsimons styled this cute campaign for the Martha Stewart line at Michael’s, photographed by Helen Norman. Molly isn’t just talented – she is a stencil grandmaster. You should see her kitchen, her front door, her bathroom sink, her dog, her young son…. ok, we were just kidding about the bathroom sink.
Clutter Battle
Why yes, we are drowning in paper, and yes, we would like to bring order to the chaos. Ed Gallagher can style both – like this story for Better Homes and Gardens. He made the controlled mess, and then made it right. The funny thing is, when his invoices come in they look a little like this stack. And out of that chaos, beautiful pictures.
Used with permission from Better Homes and Gardens® magazine. Copyright 2012 Meredith Corp. All rights reserved.
Pretty Bed
What makes a pretty bed? HGTV magazine breaks it down for us in 3 easy steps:
1. call Big Leo. 212-625-3861.
2. Hire Scott Horne.
3. Done!
Photos by the sleepy-head Lucas Allen
Fire at Will
James Worrell shot this great concept for Fast Company, with custom USB drives by the master tinker Megan Caponetto. Just looking at it you can get a perfect summary: hackers are waging a secret war of information. Information that can be as powerful as bullets, that can have just as much of an impact. I would almost go so far as to say that some stories can’t live up to a picture that carries such a strong idea. Whatever the case – this shot was meant to be a strong lead for the editorial, and it was – wait for it – right on target.
At Home with Ellie Krieger
It makes it easier to keep to a good eating routine when you have a great schedule like this. Of course at Big Leo, we’d have at least 5 taco nights in the mix. Sarah Cave styled this beautiful and laid-back story for Better Homes and Gardens, about Ellie Krieger‘s homemade family meals. If eating well is the cornerstone of a good life, then styling well is the cornerstone of a good editorial! If only we could get the magnificent Alison Attenborough to cook every night, along with the lovable Con Poulos to shoot. Talk about a week of Sundays…
Used with permission from Better Homes and Gardens® magazine. Copyright 2012 Meredith Corp. All rights reserved.
A Letter to Genevieve
I’ve fallen out of love with my home. It doesn’t look anywhere near as beautiful as this gorgeous brownstone of yours, styled by the graceful Molly Fitzsimons for HGTV Magazine. What can I possibly do to rekindle the romance? Should I call Deborah Jaffe to photograph? Do you think you could lend me a couple million bucks to first buy a whole brownstone, then completely renovate it? Then is Molly available to spruce it up a bit? Please make the check payable to Big Leo Productions.
Thank you!
-the Big Leo team
Clutter Solutions
Ed Gallagher organizes the cover of the January issue of Better Homes and Gardens. Not that it was very cluttered to begin with, with a nice clean design, but a little style goes a long way. Photo by Cameron Sadeghpour.
Used with permission from Better Homes and Gardens® magazine. Copyright 2012 Meredith Corp. All rights reserved.





































