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Behind the scenes & a COMMERCIAL!

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Ever wonder what it’s really like to pull off a huge makeover in just a week and be filmed while you do it?  It’s kinda like treading water while juggling.  Your brain is torn in a million different directions and you have even more things to DO than think about and then on top of that, you pray that you don’t go into labor until it’s all done.  That’s exactly my experience.

So here is our behind-the-scenes look at this deck makeover.  I did a behind-the-scenes post about our bathroom makeover and I love looking back and seeing the crazy that really happened so I definitely want to share this again and remember this crazy.  If you have no idea what I am talking about, we are not friends because you haven’t been reading the last week about our Rust-Oleum Deck Makeover-palooza.  #letsbefriends

We took this weathered and worn deck…

and turned it into a beautiful space ready for entertaining and lounging and perching and yoga and whatever else people do on their decks.  See more transformation pictures here.

The reality of doing a deck makeover is that there is a lot to plan.  First we had to come up with a design plan and a landscaping plan for the space.  I came up with a moodboard and then I also created a pinboard for this particular project.  If you don’t follow me on Pinterest, you really should 🙂  These two things help me keep my budget on track and then also help me know what I need (dining set, pillows, light, art, etc.)

I had dedicated a big part of the budget to landscaping…a quarter of the $1000 that we had to create this beautiful oasis.  That means smart plant shopping and keeping with plants that would fit well in the part shade that we had going on.

Our very first landscaping purchase though was mulch.  Our local Home Depot had it on sale….5 for $10!  The boys were super excited because we let them ride down the highway on the trailer.  Just checking to see if you were still reading 🙂

When it came to the dining set, we ordered it online and then we didn’t know if it would show up in time for filming.  It was a crazy crunch time (with my impending due date) and then Jeremy’s grandmother passed away so we had to make a big family trip out of town.  That meant that we came up with plan B….buy whatever set was available in the store too and see what the homeowners liked better.

In the end, I found this dark Hampton Bay Fall River set and it was originally $549 marked down to $460.  I talked to the store manager and he said that because it was an open box and the last one they had in the store that he would knock the price down to $400.  I was ECSTATIC.  It fit right into the budget and Karen & Brian both liked this set better than the white version that was in the original plans.

Along with the items I ordered online, there were also some projects I had to tackle….like making pillows.  I hit up my favorite discount fabric store to get a remnant for the pillow covers and the inserts.

The pillows turned out super cute and I think they tie in the blue of the slate deck really well.

And did you see that box in the corner?  Well I had to build that the day before we left for Chattanooga.  I actually built two but the bigger one was a GIANT on the deck and so we just went with the single box.

The craziest thing happened when I was nailing it all together.  My mom was over watching the boys for me and everyone happened to be outside (Jeremy, my mom, the three boys and me) and there was tons of noise….the sander, a miter saw, screaming kids….when all of a sudden my mom looked at me and said DON’T MOVE.  KATIE DO NOT MOVE A MUSCLE.  They were all looking at me and my first thought was…oh no…a snake.  But it wasn’t.  About six feet behind me was this doe.  It just stood there looking at us.

It was so peaceful.  It started to move away to the bushes and so my mom gathered up the boys to look at it….Jeremy walked over and snapped this photo….then it walked up to the front yard and nibbled on LJ’s dead tree.  I know that this seems weird….but this is the first time and only time since that we have had a deer this close to the house (we even have hostas in the back yard that deer love and they are uneaten!).  We see them in the woods all the time and then sometimes at night they scamper through the yards but never during the day and never this near.  I call this the GG deer because I truly believe that God sent us this creature to remind us that Jeremy’s Grandmother (who we called GG) is in a better peaceful place.  We even used to say that LJ looks like her and she went only to his tree and stood there.  Crazy huh?!

Our other DIY crafty project was the nurses cross sign.  This piece of artwork needed to be big and I didn’t want to attach anything to the house, so we simply made a leaning piece out of four fence pickets and brad nailed two braces across the backside.  I stained it Rust-Oleum’s Kona before we started with the design on the front.

To make the design, Karen and I simply cut out sticks from old Crepe Myrtle trimmings.  I adhered them to the pickets with a brad nailer.

We also had to shop for clothing.  Since Jeremy needed a shirt without any logos on the front, we hit up Target and The Gap to see if we could find at least two different outfits.  We also had to buy multiple of the same shirt because he would sweat in them and so we would have a dry backup.  Apparently sweaty armpits aren’t commercial friendly 🙂

You may be wondering what we did with the boys when we were doing all this work….well…they come with us.

During film times, we hired my friend to babysit the three of them at our house and when we weren’t filming (which was the majority of the time) they just tagged along.  Thankfully Karen has a big fenced in back yard that they could explore and we would bring different things for them to enjoy….balls, bubbles, trucks, etc.  Since a lot of the jobs were one-person things, we would switch off watching the boys and working.  It wasn’t as easy as tackling projects at home but overall, they are used to seeing us doing ‘tools’.

Also…you should know this in case you ever want to stage a eating scene….we spent about $25 on the food and flower products for the shoot….salad, lilys, drinks, crackers, cheese, tomatoes, nuts, fruit, etc.

Okay!  Filming itself was completely different this time to us.  First, we weren’t shocked at the size of the production because we kinda knew what to expect.  We worked with Flynnside Out Productions before (we actually recommended them to Rust-Oleum because we loved working with them before) and the crew is just amazing.  This is Jen, the makeup and hair artist who is just such a sweetheart….

When the crew came the first day, it was early to set up…

This was the first day of filming and the eating/viewing area got set up in the driveway.

When the crew is filming, the viewing area is great because you can sit and see what they are actually filming at the time….

My bearded wonder on camera….

In actuality, the film crew is doing this on the other side of the house….

The best part of having a separate viewing area is that you can talk while the filming is taking place.  You really can’t talk when the cameras are rolling.

This time we got to experience an outdoor shoot which is completely different than indoors because of light and noise.  If there was a neighbor mowing the lawn, we would have to wait….or if an airplane was overhead or if the sun peaked out behind the clouds then the whole set up had to be redone.  It was very interesting.

Also, on the first day, the client – Rust-Oleum sent Lisa to come represent.  It’s so fun to have her all to myself on those days because this lady is a HUGE wealth of information (and she is super funny and has the best stories about her family).  I think we all had a hundred different “so what if I had a rusted patio set…” type questions.  And she knew exactly what product would work.

So when you see the deck pressure washed, you actually only see about four square feet being pressure washed by Jeremy.  It’s funny like that…you see these one second shots all squished together and you think you know exactly what is going on but in actuality it is so different.

We also had a Rust-Oleum rep for the Home Depot’s come out and he was an expert on applying the Restore product.  He told us that the problem that so many people have is that they apply this like paint.  It’s not paint.  It’s ten times thicker than paint and needs to be applied correctly.  He really recommended that if any readers are interested in using this product then see an expert at your local Home Depot demonstrate the application.  In fact, Jeremy tried to do it and took several tries to roll it on correctly.  Crazy huh!?

This particular set up was for one line about the honey-comb roller….

And here is a behind-the-scenes video on how many times it took just for one line….

The very last day was a huge sense of relief.  It’s like the last ten feet of a marathon.  I was being filmed that day too and I made sure to have a couple different clothing options that were more flattering (learned my lesson last time!).

It was crazy all the things the crew did to make sure that they got the shots…including backing their truck up to the deck!

And in the end, we promised the guys that they could drink the rest of the cold root beers that were in the fridge.  I made them do a “band pose” for the photo 🙂

Alyssa was our director again for this project and even though we didn’t have matching outfits, I was so excited to get another project picture with her!  If you ever see this woman on the streets of Atlanta, tell her she is amazing!  I always tell people that if I didn’t have so many babies or this blog, I would want to be her and have her job!  Such a kind and sweet lady who is an amazing boss of these boys!

And of course, we got a group shot.  I truly hope that these people know how much we appreciate them.  I know Jeremy was super nervous to do the lines and have these cameras in his face but having the same crew and having such GOOD personalities really helps calm the nerves and makes the slip ups so much easier.  We aren’t professional actors….and memorizing lines is HARD….especially while remembering what to do with your hands and making it all sound natural and happy and slightly cheesy at the same time.  It was so good to know that while it’s probably frustrating for them to listen to us over and over, that they didn’t show it!

And of course, a special thank you to Rust-Oleum for allowing us to do this project and to the homeowners Karen and Brian for letting us invade and giving us free reign over the deck!  This was a very special opportunity for us (totally our fifteen seconds of fame!) and they made it possible!

So now that the thank yous and the hugs and kisses are all out of the way…..wanna see the commercial!?  It’s super cheesy and Jeremy is such a hottie.  I do love it!  And without further adieu….

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Comments

  4. Great commercial! You guys are naturals. they need to sign you guys up to do more commercials. Great job Jeremy, you look so “normal”. BTW I think my brother-in-law used that stuff or something similar on his ratty old deck. It looks real good, too.

  6. OMG!!!! I absolutely loved that Katie! You guys are so cute:) I loved seeing the deck in a video too, it made me see it in a whole new light, so different from scrolling through photos! Maybe more videos are in order?! 😉 great job!

  10. Your commercial was great Katie and Jeremy! I loved how down to earth you both seem, and “you better sit this one out honey” melted my heart. What a sweet couple you are. 🙂

  20. Oh you guys are just the sweetest!! Congratulations! And I hope we get to see more projects like this!!

  21. Working on a set like this looks like so much fun. What an amazing opportunity! And I love that blue dress you’re wearing 🙂

  23. LOVE IT!! It’s so fun to hear Jeremy say so much and see him have the spotlight. And, you know, if it wasn’t a little bit cheesy, it wouldn’t fit you guys quite so well 🙂

    Great work! It was fun to watch. Thank you for sharing!

  24. OMG Katie! The cutest commercial!!! I like how it shows that Jer did all of the work while you were inside “resting!” hilarious, but so amazing that you guys got this done in one week and you were 40 weeks preggo! awesome job Bowers!

  26. very strange hearing our voices!! well done, Jeremy………..a ton of work for sure

  27. Ahhh – “temperture” (–> temperature) is spelled wrong in the captions in the video – bummer! Jeremy did a great job though! 🙂

  31. I love how the commercial makes it seem like Jeremy did all the work when you contributed so much! Great commercial 🙂

  33. Jeremy, you did a phenomenal job! What a great opportunity, and Katie, I’m impressed that you committed to such a huge project at the end of your pregnancy. You should tally how many projects were the result of nesting over the years. 😉

  34. Great job on the commercial!! For grad school, we had to give a speech on our final project in the recording studio on campus. I was surprised how nervous I was once the cameras started rolling. The hot lights and nerves made me sweat through my blouse and I rarely sweat. I had given the same speech before with no problems but turn on a camera and it was huh, duh, and sweat. Glad you survived the ordeal!!
    Too funny – let the boys ride in the back of the trailer on the highway. LOL!!
    I painted my front porch and wood stairs on the back patio two summers ago and it looks awful (faded, uneven color). Next summer, I am going to use this product. Can’t wait!

  35. YALL ARE SO DANG CUTE! When are you coming to HGTV? I think you can be the next Fixer Upper couple! Also, funny, but Jeremy does not talk how I thought he would!

  37. Yep, totally cheesy! But oh so professional! You guys did so well! Can’t even tell you’re actually DIYers and not just paid actors!

    Keep up the good work, Bowers!

  38. Random sidenote: Katie, you look beautiful in that blue dress, can I ask where you got it? It’s beautiful and unlike all the ugly maternity clothing out there. I feel like you may have blogged about it but I can’t find the post. Thanks!

  39. I had a totally different comment but then I saw the picture with your poor ankles! omg! lol I can’t even imagine how sore and tired you were when they said, that’s a wrap!!

  41. I love your dress in the last few pictures! Would you mind sharing where you purchased? I am getting ready to enter the third trimester and need some more sundresses!

  47. Yes! It’s like you can do the same speech perfect but then you have to do it in front of others and your brain shuts down!
    xo – kb

  49. So technically it is owned by Rust-Oleum and is on their website which is what they filmed it for….I don’t know how else they plan on using it 🙂
    xo – kb

  51. Super cute commercial! He does have a pretty strong accent…just makes you both all the more perfect for each other! Great job! Looking forward to using that product now!

  56. Congratulations Bowers! Y’all did a great job, and during your “Due Week”, that’s impressive!. All I manage to do the week I’m due is make a thousand laps around Target and bounce on the birthing ball 🙂 But, the deck looks great. Thanks for putting in all the hard work so I can copy your ideas 🙂

  58. Cute commercial!!! Where is this favorite fabric store? I thought I had found them all!

  61. Awesome, awesome commercial, Katie – BUT the word “temperatures” is spelled wrong! Can you let them know so they can fix that? 🙂

  62. That was great! Cutest commercial ever for people who know you, and just a great piece of information for people who don’t. Great job!

  63. First of all you guys are the cutest ever!!! You can see the love you have for eachother ooze through this commercial 🙂
    Also you made it look so easy.Inspired me to re-finish my deck

  64. all the heart eyes for you guys! Jeremy handled the spotlight so well! it was excellent!

  65. Great commercial! You two are so cute! And, I love when little babies run around with their diapers on outside!

    LOVE Rust-Oleum products. I used to work with one of their ad agencies, and Lisa is the greatest! She is super knowledgeable and lots of fun!

  66. Jeremy you did a great job with the commercial. Great job on the project you two. Lucky homeowners. Bower Power indeed.

  67. How cute!!! 🙂

    I would totally give Rust-Oleum and you guys free reign over MY deck! Road trip to KS? 😉

  69. So sweet! Because I’m crazy, this actually made me tear up, and I can’t even blame pregnancy hormones! Great job!

  70. Did you call him Jared and not Jeremy in the video? I listened twice just in case it was your accent throwing me, but I still hear Jared! What’s up with that?

  73. Oh wow. Great commercial. Amazing you signed up for this at the end of your pregnancy. Katie I think your motto should be you’ll rest when you’re dead. Where do you get your energy especially with all those precious little boys? Great job. Love the Bowers!

  74. I’m an Aussie and love, love, love both your accents. Could listen all day! Great job on the commercial. You made it look so natural.

  75. I just love this makeover – and your and Jeremy’s constant caring for others. I wish I lived close enough to be a “meet at the ‘meat and three’ restaurant nearest you. You and Jeremy have outdone yourselves – AND I’ll be buying some Rustoleum products ASAP! Thank you!!

  79. That came out fantastic!! Did the homeowner’s save the old chairs? I just rustoleum’ed (that’s a verb right?) mine, bought new cushions and they look brand new 🙂

  80. You two are so cute! Love how the video makes it look like Jeremy did all the work!!! That was a big undertaking in your last week of pregnancy, go mama!

  82. You guys are adorable. 🙂
    We need to redo our deck, and it’s huge, so my procrastination almost knows no bounds. Care to fly out to Denver and redo our deck?…

  83. You two are so cute. I love the line, “why don’t you go back inside?” and then it looks like you did, when in reality you and Jeremy both worked so hard on it! Cool to see this stuff in action, especially how thick the 10x is. Congrats on such a cool project!

  84. Your right. Jeremy is a hottie, you are adorable in that video & in that dress and your kids are the cutest. I mean, honestly! Has anyone ever told you that your doppleganger is Britney Spears? In a good way! Grew up in the Britney era and every time I see one of your videos, makes me think of her!
    Great work you guys!

  89. How cute are you two!?!?! Although I think the only thing it’s missing is a shot of you and Max pressure-washing together.

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