Yes, we're back! We didn't really go anywhere and very much appreciate the emails asking what was up. It's been a very busy time Chez Linda for the last several weeks what with one thing and another so between that and a couple of guest scheduling snafu's, we took an unexpected break. But, it was just a break, not a break up and we're back with a great lineup of guests and topics. Coming soon we have interior designer David Easton, Haskell Harris of Garden & Gun Magazine, designer/author Kathryn Ireland and more, so stay tuned for that.
Meanwhile, this week, we invited Rhoda Montgomery of the blog Southern Hospitality to join us. As many of you will have heard, a couple of weeks ago, over 80 design bloggers were invited to attend a taping of the Nate Berkus show in NYC. This was a followup to this group all showing their support and admiration of Nate Berkus' work on the launch of his new talk show by doing posts and tweets all on the same day - aka "Nate Day". Great idea, spearheaded by The Moggit Girls and Create Girl. So, as you may have heard, there was a significant level of discontent about how the day unfolded at the taping of Nate's show. Lot's of angry posts and tweets ensued. But also some very supportive ones as well. To us at SRT, it just seemed like a big PR nightmare for Nate's show and one that could have been avoided if they'd understood the true power of the blogosphere. Anyway, since we weren't there, we wanted to get the inside scoop from Rhoda, who was one of the more measured reporters from the day.
We also chat with Rhoda about her blog and two of her most popular DIY projects: the beadboard wallpaper and her stairs.
If you participated in Nate Day - we'd love to hear from you. In the end - was the trip worth it? If you did not participate, we'd love to hear your impressions of the day as well.
Meanwhile, this week, we invited Rhoda Montgomery of the blog Southern Hospitality to join us. As many of you will have heard, a couple of weeks ago, over 80 design bloggers were invited to attend a taping of the Nate Berkus show in NYC. This was a followup to this group all showing their support and admiration of Nate Berkus' work on the launch of his new talk show by doing posts and tweets all on the same day - aka "Nate Day". Great idea, spearheaded by The Moggit Girls and Create Girl. So, as you may have heard, there was a significant level of discontent about how the day unfolded at the taping of Nate's show. Lot's of angry posts and tweets ensued. But also some very supportive ones as well. To us at SRT, it just seemed like a big PR nightmare for Nate's show and one that could have been avoided if they'd understood the true power of the blogosphere. Anyway, since we weren't there, we wanted to get the inside scoop from Rhoda, who was one of the more measured reporters from the day.
We also chat with Rhoda about her blog and two of her most popular DIY projects: the beadboard wallpaper and her stairs.
If you participated in Nate Day - we'd love to hear from you. In the end - was the trip worth it? If you did not participate, we'd love to hear your impressions of the day as well.
Comments
PS
Rhoda is so sweet and genuine in person, I'm glad I had the chance to meet her in NYC! And I look forward to seeing her again in Nashville at Blissdom!
Have a great day!
I also had an additional experience that did make the trip more than worth it for me, as I was asked to tape a segment with Nate on the earlier show that day, showcasing one of my designs and two of the DIY projects that went into the room. I had an excellent experience with all of the producers and staff, who were extremely considerate, were open to my suggestions, showed appreciation of my effort, and lastly Nate was very kind to me and also expressed his appreciation to me after the taping when he passed me in the hall. No cameras there to capture that moment, and was not required of him, he simply chose to be kind and express appreciation. So, there is my perspective!
Janell
I attended the Nate Show taping. I'm not certain how tickets were sent to people, but I did post about Nate on Nate day and then I remember their being a tweet from Nate's Show telling you to email them if you wanted to be part of a blogger audience. That's what I did as well and I got the invite like many others. I was able to get many more people invited to the taping just by emailing and asking. Everyone found out about the taping via twitter so if you are not on twitter you wouldn't have known about it. I put it out there on my blog and I was able to get others into the show.
No one was told that the show was going to be about bloggers, but when we got confirmation that we were going to the show they asked us to send projects/pictures etc to two people on the Nate Show staff. I think that made it feel like it would be a show about bloggers tips, etc.
It would have been nice for Nate to mention that there were an audience full of design bloggers, but in the end it didn't ruin my experience. I got to meet a big amount of my blog friends and just chat non stop with them. I had never been to a show taping so that experience while long was also enjoyable.
Since I was one of the few NY bloggers attending the show I took it upon myself to plan a little after party. I thought it would be a good idea to get some to sponsor the event so I emailed an editor at the nest and the following day I was on the phone with the pr director.
The nest totally understood what an impact it would make to get to meet a large group of design bloggers. Very quickly we had a photographer and event all set to go and I got to bring the nest home editor with me as a guest to the show.
Plus they used pictures from the event on their site and made a story of it!
http://ideas.thenest.com/decor-tricks/home-decor-trends/blogs/nateday-blogger-party.aspx
Over all it was just a blast and I wish these ladies had stayed in town longer.
:)
While the producers of the show did not capitalize on the collective content of the audience members, I believe they are tuned in to what all design bloggers have to offer and probably have a decent amount of research and development gems from the info that they received from us and that they find online. Even though it was a short notice trip, I am so glad I was able to make it happen from my end. I would do it again (but a limo ride and extended stay like you enjoyed, Linda, would have been preferred over my one-day visit by bus ; )
A few FYIs: Susan Brinson who was mentioned on the show is a NY based blogger and her website is House of Brinson. Julieann Covino of Jace Interiors and the Boston-based design blog CreateGirl, came up with the initial idea to blog about Nate back in June, then the MoggitGirls, Janet and Joy, worked their magic to get the producers to notice our online tributes to Nate/invite us to be in the audience. Also in the audience was Leslie Carothers who is a social media whiz and Nicole Nachazel of BiOH which produces a soy-based foam product for sustainable design. Check out what they have been doing on twitter and facebook to promote #ProjectUDesign which will result in the first crowd-sourced furnishing to be produced by Century Furniture, a perfect example of how social media is definitely the new way to do business and keep up with what is new in the field of design. I would love to hear you all address this topic more in future podcasts along with ways to generate revenue or increase opportunity through blogging (I loved that you shared some of that figuring-it-all-out info in this podcast).
And lastly, even though the youngsters seem to have endless energy to do all this online marketing in their sleep, I think we all have something to offer through our haved-lived-to-tell-about-it experiences! That is what is great about blogging -- we all have a voice and the audience is out there.
Love this post by the way! I am headed over.
Have a great day.
Teresa
I am very sorry to post like this but my conscience just won't let me not. I look forward to your next interviews.
I think you assumed he would make more of an issue of you being there. But I think you need to re-think your position and lack of understanding. WHY would a show that is about ideas in decorating give more merit to Blogs that do the same thing, to millions of HIS VIEWERS!? After all ISN'T THAT EXACTLY WHAT HIS SHOW IS ABOUT! ? Seriously saying more than he did would of been like professional suicide! JUST THINK ABOUT IT and as the kids today say "Get Real".
YOU all EXPECTED "free advertising" and he did even more than some would have.
If your that upset don't go to tapings or wear billboards or give me your ticket! Geeeesh!
You should of enjoyed it for what it was, NOT what you expected.
One word comes to my mind, Ungrateful.
I am a blogger so I am NOT signing this for obvious reasons but it should not make my comment less important. Unless you "Assume" things that are not true about me.
I feel the exact same way. I will never forget her DH's "Pool little Boy looking for some change." shirt, depicting OUR PRESIDENT looking almost bumish. So I and several others now avoid her blog too, as she was actually PROUD and announced it was her DH in that disgraceful shirt! I also wonder how she got the name Southern Hospitality when she NEVER showed "hospitality" or even had company. I also find her decorating "overboard and way overdone!" A good decorator know when to stop. IMHO
So, IMHO Many others should of gotten more attention.
Rhoda is a respected member of the blogging community and we invited her on here to chat about something she had first hand knowledge of. This is not a political blog or post and I request that all comments related to the post and subject at hand and not to any other topic.
Thank you.
xo,
cristin
THE END!
It is not about politics, or President Obama (except that that was who the t-shirt had on it) and some of the other signs she posted originally with amusement and tacit agreement.
Free speech is a protected right for us all. She should be able to post such things (or alter them later as she did) and the SRT is free to publicize her web site.
However, if I were someone like Ms. Moss, Mr. McAlpine, Mr Wolf, etc. I certainly would not appreciate being lumped in with someone known to publish racist material, regardless of her politics.
And because you all chose to promote Rhoda on SRT it reflects on your integrity too.
I just fell into it and have met all you wonderful gals....my lucky day I feel, I get great ideas, recipes etc. and some I even consider friends, most have been wonderful to little ole Annon me...
And Amen Joni....this country is polarized enough without it spilling into Blogland...
Love your accent girlfriend and keep up the good work...love your blog and your heart.
All the best from your Yankee friend...
xo Kathy :)
You've missed the point entirely. Let's keep politics and religion out of this.
Rhoda was a lovely guest and brought a great point of view to the discussion.
But none-the-less I enjoyed it.
Regarding the other issue at hand. (obviously)
This was VERY WELL STATED: However, if I were someone like Ms. Moss, Mr. McAlpine, Mr Wolf, etc. I certainly would not appreciate being lumped in with someone known to publish racist material, regardless of her politics.
And because you all chose to promote Rhoda on SRT it reflects on your integrity too.
-------------
RE: "THE SHIRT" . It was extremely racist and demeaning and she herself even made a joke that "OH LOOK" it was HER OWN DEAR HUBBY wearing it, as though she were proud! :( She got a lot of grief about it so THEN she deleted it (she told me so herself).
I do not believe in FREEDOM OF SPEECH when it is So INTENTIONALLY degrading and demeaning and hurtful to anyone.
"I" do feel she "says" what-ever is needed ( & is quite good at it) but quite obviously FEELS entirely different or she would not even have posted that picture to begin with, she's not dumb! There are too many other blogs out there to frequent one with those views.
AND for the record if my DH even brought a shirt like that home (which he would not) It would of been in the trash immediatly or I would of stayed home before I'd of even been seen with him wearing it! Knowning it would also reflect on me! In my opinion It says a lot about a person. Sadly.
**AND for the record this is not against her it is my questioning her views, morals and etchic's! She has choices and has clearly stated them in my opinion.
So Now that you know where she obviously stands, If she is SO Respected By You, then that is YOUR CHOICE. Just like being seen with her DH in that shirt and THEN having the audacity to post it, was hers.
I guess "I" agree with what my parents always said, You are associated with the company you keep!
I made my choice and you make yours, then live by them.
THIS COMMENT is intended as MY opinion. After all, Freedom of Speech works both ways" right??
.
I think Nate's staff did not miss an opportunity, sorry Dianne. It was a pre-made "BUSINESS DECISION" 'I'm sure.
Lets face it fellow bloggers, If you had a decor show with a million viewers would you mention decorating blogs? I think not.
As for the issue of Rhoda, I think many missed the point. It's not about his or her Political Views at all and if the photo was on her Blog as stated, She must feel the same. If you do not agree with some-one's you surely do not post such an abhorrent photo! Plain and Simple, Husband's or NOT by posting it, it reflects on her.
Each person must make their own choices.
They (her and her Dh) made theirs very clear with out saying A WORD.
I choose to associate with people who stand by their convictions not change them when it gets a little heated! i.e. deleting the photo. Too say it was in poor taste is like saying the titanic was a boat.
After looking at her blog (again) and after looking at her office she clearly knows the power and meaning behind a picture, even if they are about herself.
As A picture is worth a thousand words.
I wish her well but am quite frankly appalled and disappointed.
The Nate Show sounded nice - but the after parties even better. How can you go wrong with designers taking on NYC? -Loretta
"PO Little Boy still lookin for some change" with the President on it looking like a bum and a cigarette hanging out or his mouth was incredibly distasteful and said a whole lot more Racially than Politically or Religiously, how you got either of those is beyond me. It said a lot about not only the person wearing it but their spouse. Especially since THE SPOUSE, chose to post the shirt alone and then the next photo said OH LOOK IT's MY Dh in that shirt! (or very similar!!) as though she were PROUD!
Freedom of speech OH PLEASE, NOT when it is racial and degrading.
Trust me, Anyone that it offended and thought it was VERY WRONG remembers it and should.
Make Your own assessments. I've made mine and I also know
BIRDS OF A FEATHER....
She says and acts one way but THAT POST said more than any Blog she ever has or ever will have.
I agree, it was Disgraceful and she realized it and deleted it. TOO LATE.
She Must Live by Her Convictions,that, that they are.
No More about her stand on Race nor to question her Morals. It obviously never bothered her.
"I" just believe "what you see is NOT what you get" and that was made pretty clear, to any-one with their eyes half open.
I'm done too.
THE END
That THAT type of thing is no longer acceptable, any-where, ever!
Clutter is clutter no matter how pretty you try to make it. - Author unknown
Michelle Jamiesoon
Michelle Jamieson Interiors
www.jamiesoninteriors.com
love it all...southern charm will take you far!
You ALL are informative and interesting.
Many thanks.
Heather