Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Our Line Of Hooks & Rails At TARGET!

To everyone who has said “go rest!” or “we understand if you have to catch your breath after this showhouse marathon and before this baby comes” we are SO APPRECIATIVE of the encouragement. We’re still over there every day shooting each remaining room for afters/source lists and are also hoping to record a video tour for you guys, but we fully intend to cash in on that whole sit-down-and-breathe-for-a-second thing as soon as we finish documenting everything.

But amongst the last crazy week of showhouse stuff, another crazy thing happened that we just had to talk about for a second. We can’t begin to tell you how awesomely surreal it has been to see our line of hooks and rails out there in the real world (on Target shelves, in your hands, on your walls, and next to your dogs and babies).

Target Happy Grid

We’d been in our own little bubble with it for so long that it was amazing to see Instagrams, tweets, and Facebook photos from you guys. So we couldn’t let another day go by without saying: THANK YOU for being a part of this latest adventure of ours. We are so grateful.

Everything started rolling out in Target stores throughout last week (it’ll be carried in most US stores for 14 weeks) and you can see the full store list here for which ones will carry it. We actually saw your pictures of the end cap before seeing it in person ourselves, which was pretty crazy. And when we saw it with our own eyes? Kinda made our brains explode.

Target Store Pic

The home improvement department also got a few other new DIY items like paint and removable wallpaper. Plus they’re carrying our book in stores for the first time as an exclusive paperback version.

Liberty Book

Along with taking a moment to send out a giant thank you to you guys, we wanted to bring you behind the scenes to touch on a part of this whole process that was kind of a surprise to us: packaging design. For so long we had been focused on how the products looked, that when Liberty asked for input on the packaging we were sort of caught off guard. But it ended up being a fun assignment.

Target Five Products

The graphic designers at Liberty were the brains behind it all – taking inspiration from the colors and themes that they saw frequently on our blog. Together we made little tweaks, like ditching a version of our blog backdrop (the small gray heart pattern) behind the products in favor of a cleaner, less busy solid gray. And we loved their suggestion to put a wood grain detail on the sides of the packaging to bring in some texture.

Target Wood Accents

The funny thing is that it was originally supposed to just be some generic wood texture from an image library somewhere, but when we were doing the product photography here last November someone suggested that we just shoot our kitchen table and use that real wood-grain shot instead. It had already become the de facto backdrop for the other photos, so it was a no brainer decision. So yeah, that’s our real kitchen table on the side of each box.

Target Todd Shooting

We were also tasked with choosing the visuals that we’d shoot for the back of the packaging as well as writing the copy for it – which ended up being a fun opportunity to share our inspiration for each item (like an octopus painting made by Clara along with a ceramic octopus that I got Sherry a few years back – or Burger himself, our four-legged muse).

Target Octopus Burger Backs

This copy is also the text that appears in the “Overview” section of each item on the Target website, if you’re so inclined to read each one.

Target Burger Copy2

Now that we can freely use the hooks without fear of blowing our cover, we’ve put them to good use in a few places in the showhouse (since it’s about the only house getting attention from us lately). We put this wood hook rail in the girl’s bedroom after painting it blue and adding some mix-and-match ORB hooks (the color is Blue Lake by Benjamin Moore). This is obviously the version with the ledge, which was nice for extra storage.

Target Showhouse Girls1

We went sans-ledge for the one in the boy’s room and painted it with a random diagonal of yellow at the bottom (Citron by Benjamin Moore) using painters tape across the rail, while leaving the raw wood up top.

Target Showhouse Boys

We also used a trio of doorknob hooks in the master bedroom closet (two of the larger beaded knobs flanking the smaller hex knob in the middle) but we still have to shoot that room. We’re working on getting more after pictures documented today so we can share them tomorrow if all goes well.

Ok, now I’ll shut up about it. Sherry and I are still kind of reeling that this stuff is out there in the world after nearly three years of development, and we’re both so grateful to you guys for supporting us. In other Wednesday news, if all goes well and we have our son on Wednesday the 16th (that’s Sherry’s scheduled date), that makes this the very last Wednesday of our lives as parents of one (well, two if you count Burger) so that’s kind of blowing our minds too. Happy Wednesday, guys!

Update – Some of the most frequent questions that we get are requests for info about blogging (how we started, how we grew our following, how we make money, etc) so we shared all of the details about how we started a blog, grew our traffic, and turned it into a full time job. 

Comments

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh how we’d love if they decide to carry it. We hear you guys have been requesting it and those comments are heard by their main office so we hope they pick it up!

      xo
      s

    • Mary Beth says

      I just sent a very emphatic email to a certain head office… Maybe I will send one daily. HAHA! Squeaky wheel gets the oil!
      MB

    • Lauren says

      YES! Canada loves you SO much! I am driving to Buffalo over Easter weekend just so I can get some hooks. My love for YHL knows no borders (literally ;))

    • Evelina says

      I am betting that the Niagara Falls and Buffalo Targets were the first to sell out because of all us Canadian fans flocking across the border!!

      I can’t believe that’s your kitchen table! What a personal touch.

      And lastly this totally gave me goosebumps: ” that makes this the very last Wednesday of our lives as parents of one (well, two if you count Burger)” craycray.

    • Katie says

      I just came to say the same thing!!! Tell them your Canadian fans are outraged and demanding the product ;)

    • Jess says

      AH!

      I agreeeee. CANADA! :)
      I know that you guys have no say over this and we need to make ourselves heard to target… but!!

      Also! Best wishes for your delivery! I am an April 16th baby myself. So naturally, I am VERY excited. It makes me feel special. Haha. I am very strange.

      Okay anyways!
      Take time! Enjoy your success and your baby. And we all love you and support you!

      XO!!

    • rachael says

      I saw on the Target Canada FB page that they said we will not be getting this line in Canada’s Targets. I don’t live far from the border though so I might have to go shopping!

    • Paula says

      Down here downunder I’m doubly jealous – no YHL range in our Targets, and from the glimpses I can see of the store itself, our version is like something out of the 60s, and not in a good way.

      All the best for next week – if he arrives on the 16th, he’ll be 57 years younger than my husband!

  3. Amanda L. says

    Well, I already needed to go to Target, so you can bet your (ahem) that I’ll be picking up some of those items tonight! I’m so happy for you all. You clearly love what you do, and work hard at it, so it’s great to see the rewards coming your way!

    Reply

    • Suzanne says

      I just noticed when she wrote “our son” too– He’s now “our son…the Bun” in my book. Congratulations again, Sherry, John, Clara and Burgs.
      Suzanne in NW IL

  5. Kate says

    Just want to add to the chorus of people encouraging you to rest up and take some time to yourselves before the baby arrives. You are so good to line up posts even when you’re on vacation, but it really is OK to take some time completely off. We all do! You deserve to do so, too. Family comes first. So if I don’t hear from you, I’ll be hoping it’s because you’re all resting with your feet up, reveling in the successful projects of the past few months, and eagerly anticipating your new babe!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha! He would LOVE that. Burger won’t rest until there’s a van with his face on it. You know, kind of like that furry one in Dumb & Dumber?

      xo
      s

  7. Melissa says

    Wow! Just wanted to send some love through the internet… a week a way! You guys must be on cloud 9 right now with the success of your projects and a babe on the way. Well deserved! xo

    Reply

    • Ana Silva says

      Check that link in the post to see which stores have them. Thanks for that John because I was looking in the wrong Target. Now that I know where to find them you better believe I will be going there now!

      http://www.libertyhardware.com/yhlstorelocator

      Oh and off topic, I followed your Richmond suggestions of things to do and eat and I loved it! I live in Williamsburg and my husband and I went on a Sunday. We spent all day there. We missed a lot of the stores that were closed on Sunday but still caught a lot. We ate at Urban Farmhouse and loved it! We had donuts from both suggested places haha. And finished at the Pie place. My favorite part was Maymont. Wow what a gem. I wish I would have gone there before. We got a tour of the mansion and it was so worth it. Thanks for the easy to plan mini trip we got to take!

    • myamogabi says

      the link really helps because i went around my target over and over today and just couldn’t find the YHL line. now i see it’s not the right target. thanks!

  9. jeannette says

    i have to say again, nobody works harder than you two, or so mindfully, for your success. sherry, i’m faxing you those foot-long diamond chandie earrings and the housecall foot rubber. bon voyage, mama. <3

    Reply

  10. Michelle says

    I love this line! My Target did not have it yet last time I checked, so I will be going back this week. I have to have at least one thing from your line!

    My oldest turns 18 today – enjoy it, it goes by so fast.

    Reply

  12. Colleen says

    I’m so bummed!!! Your line isn’t being carried at ANY Targets in Iowa and not at any of the Target’s I shop at in Wisconsin =( We’ll be moving to VA later in the year, but by then, the 14 week run will have passed us by.
    How do they decide which stores are carrying your products? There’s a whole area of the nation that is missing out!

    Reply

  14. Sina says

    I went to target the day it came out- and it was SO picked over. THAT IS AMAZING! You two have touched the lives of SO many people. Even my fiance walked past the empty shelves and mentioned your blog!

    You guys are great! And I am excited to drive around like a mad woman from Target to Target to get my hands on some of these goodies!

    Congratuations!

    Reply

  15. kschike says

    I bought the bees to put in the house we are remodeling for our college twin girls to live in. Thinking I may get a few other pieces. Love your sense of style and your entrepreneurial spirit!!

    Reply

  16. Carrie K says

    I’m really impressed and proud of you guys-that the success doesn’t go to your heads. Your family is so endearing and authentic-thank you for remaining gracious and humble while being on a large platform! I love that your Target line uses your kitchen table! So personalized and perfect. Keep it up guys! (er…after you rest up!)

    Reply

  17. Vica says

    These are amazing. We are about to go through a renovation and I am going to stock up since they will only be there for 14 weeks! Congrats and thanks for sharing your journey with us. Can’t wait to virtually meet the barnacle.

    Reply

  18. Stefanie says

    Last night I ran to Target for a quick bread and milk run and remembered that your stuff should be in store by now. So I ran over to have a look and sure enough, there it was. I was standing there and I felt proud..though I’m not sure why since I’m not the one with an exclusive Target line! Haha. I think it was a mix of having followed you guys through all three houses, 2 pregnancies and a whole lot of adventures and the fact that you’re locals made my heart kinda swell a bit. So much so in fact that I threw an octopus hook and paperback book into the cart even though I’ve been challenging myself lately only buy what I’m there for. But whatever..you guys are worth it. =)

    I’ve got my showhouse tickets printed and ready to go and a babysitter lined up for the first weekend in May. Can’t wait to see this show house in 3D!

    Reply

    • Stefanie says

      I meant first weekend in May obviously, not March!

      My wife, myself and a few friends will be hitting Kuba Kuba (I dream of the scallop ceviche often) for lunch/drinks and then hitting up Homearama to drool over houses that none of us can afford! It should be a really great time. Haha.

  19. Marta says

    I checked the last time I was there, which is about three times a week and I didn’t see them. I am finishing my nephews room and I want to use the octopus to make him a shelf. I may need to order on line. Congratulations, and I will keep looking.

    Reply

  20. Amanda says

    I ordered my Burger hook online after your first post about your line. Okay, I ordered two Burger hooks, and gave one to a friend. She loved it!

    Reply

  21. jenn much to my delight says

    You guys are just great. All this success and you are still so authentic, down-to-earth and very much in touch with your readership. You make it all look so easy even though you guys clearly work incredibly hard. All your success is very much deserved and couldn’t happen to a nicer couple.

    Reply

  22. Traci says

    So awesome, must be an incredible feeling to see it all out there! I’m a fan of the paperback book being added to the shelves, too. Congrats! Looks great!

    Reply

  23. Jessie says

    I am so proud of you all! And so happy for you guys! Having your stuff in Target is totally like hitting the jackpot! All the cool people shop at Target! I will be buying some stuff, about to check if my Target has it!

    Reply

  24. Steph says

    I’m very upset that the closest Target to me doesn’t carry these. I mean there’s like 6 others within a 20 minute drive that do… but STILL. Very upset.

    I’m in the mood for some hooks in my house. (Not even kidding, was just thinking about hooks for my bathroom this morning. I also have a random urge to paint my stairs though so I can’t really be considered normal.)

    I feel a purchase coming on. :)

    Reply

  25. Tyler Anne says

    I completely geeked out when I saw all of these things in Target the other day! I squealed and told my boyfriend that you guys were the reason I started blogging. I acted like I knew you all so well (haha)!

    Definitely going to grab that octopus hook on my next Target run!

    Reply

  26. Isabel says

    Still so very happy for you guys and selfishly excited that the Barnacle and I will almost share a b-day :) Although he may decide to change the schedule, us Aries are like that, we like to take matters into our own hands. My sister came over this weekend and she noticed your flower knob as a drawer knob on the side table and loved it so of course I had to gush about it :) I love that I get to see it every time I’m sitting on the sofa watching TV. I’ve been looking out for the display at my local Targets but I just realized they’re not on the list to carry them… booo! I need to email them; Clark and Linden NJ need to represent!!

    Reply

    • Kerry says

      Hey Isabel – I’m from your area too and I did happen to see that the Target in Union on Rt. 22 is carrying them, as is the other Target in the Vauxhall section of Union, if you can stand to drive a little bit out of the way! The Route 22 one isn’t THAT far away from the Clark one if you’re up for a mini-road trip!

  27. Jenn says

    Congrats! Love these products! Your hard work has definately paid off. Although beautiful, the packaging seems a bit excessive especially on some of the hooks and knobs. Being young, influential people in the design world it would have been nice to see product packaging that achieved a better balance of design and less consumptive packaging. I’m just wondering if there was anywhere in the design process of the packaging that this may have come up?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Agreed! We skipped the plastic covers (a lot of hardware sold there has those so it’s all enclosed) but are already talking about making things smaller and using less packaging for future items. I completely agree that as minimal as possible (without risking item damage during shipping) is the goal!

      xo
      s

  28. Renee says

    Congrats guys!! I can’t wait to get my hands on an octopus!

    Silly question, but I always say “John and Sherry” in my head so it was a little odd to read “Sherry and John” on the copy. So much thought went into all the details, I was just curious about that one :-)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      It’s the order our names were on our book too. We read somewhere that a man’s first and last name shouldn’t be separated (ex: Sherry and John Petersik keeps them together) so it’s just a habit for us I think. John and Sherry works too though :)

      xo
      s

    • hjc says

      Renee, I’m pretty sure that “I can’t wait to get my hands on an octopus!” would have to be on your list of things you never thought you’d say! Made me laugh imagining it.

  29. Brenda says

    Maaaaaaaaan, my Target won’t be carrying it. Which is weird, my local store is bigger than a lot of the stores on the list. I guess that means I’m dragging my husband on road trip in search of some YHL decor!

    Reply

  30. Mary says

    I was at Target yesterday and definitely went looking for your line! When I saw it on the end cap I nearly squealed. Congrats on all your success! And good luck with that almost here baby!

    Reply

  31. Leslie @ Oh, the Fun of It says

    You must be over-the-moon excited! They’re selling out in stores!!! I wonder if that means that they’ll decide to keep your line on for longer than 14 weeks (is that just a test run?)… how awesome would that be?! Congrats and enjoy the excitement- you deserve it!

    Reply

  32. Lisa Ann Setchel says

    So incredibly excited for you guys. I also got a little tickle to see your wedding day photostrip on the box. I gotta run to Target now.

    Reply

  33. Ashley says

    I’m mostly a lurker, rarely a commenter, but I just had to say I’m so happy for you guys!!

    You’ve worked to hard, and you deserve every OUNCE of success you’ve received and more. Like someone said, I’m going to need to head over to my local target this afternoon so I can see it all in person! It has always been a pleasure following your blog, and it’s fun to be able to have a little piece of you guys in our home (not just on our computer screens!).

    Best of luck with all the continued adventures! It’s a pleasure being along for the ride. :)

    Reply

  35. Lisa E says

    Although I really don’t need any hooks, I’m definitely hitting Target to buy one or more; one because they are adorable, and two to support to very deserving people! Question, why the time frame of 14 weeks. Is that a common thing to do for new items?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We are developing other collections for them (ahh! We’re pitching one in a few more days) and there are talks of rolling those out afterwards, so each collection gets a certain amount of time before they like to switch things up and share new stuff.

      xo
      s

    • Lisa E says

      Yikes I now see my typo, should be *two instead of “to very deserving people.” Ah well. OMG, more collections? I love it. I’m so happy for you. Wow, I don’t even know you and like others, feel so incredibly proud!

    • Katie says

      Will each line take as long as the first to hit shelves, from actual pitch to products being available in stores? Or will they roll out fairly quickly like the change up’s in lines like Nate’s?

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We hope they roll out fairly quickly but there will probably be some lag time between the first and second since there’s production to account for, etc. Might get faster as we go if there are more beyond collection 2 though!

      xo
      s

  37. LifeInYellow says

    Do you have any idea how LONG Target will carry?? We’re about to MOVE (yay) in the coming several weeks so I’m trying to not bring anything new home (yet) until packing has come and gone…but I don’t want to miss out, either :)

    Reply

  38. Marie-Pier @ 4 Seasons at Home says

    I went to my Target store last Friday to see your collection, but I couldn’t find it. Will it be available anytime in Canada? I hope so! I’m crossing my fingers! I’d love to have some John & Sherry in my house! You guys are amazing and congratulations for the show house, it’s beautiful! :)

    Reply

  39. Chrissy says

    I’m so love love loving your Target line…it’s amazing. I so wish it was carried in Australian Target stores! :(

    Reply

  42. Beth says

    I must say, April 16th (my birthday) is a GREAT day to have a birthday! Some years Easter falls on it, some years it has snowed on it here in VA and some years it’s 80 degrees. You just never know what you’re gonna get. Enjoy this last week as a family if three, I mean four;)

    Reply

  43. Sara Wutzke says

    I have four of the doorknob hooks that I’m attaching to leftover lumber from our pergola-I can’t wait to have sturdy back pack hooks in the entryway!

    Reply

  44. Sarah says

    So excited to go pick up an octopus for our baby’s future nursery. We are adopting and I am choosing all of the decorations very carefully. Call it my way of coping with the adoption wait I guess!

    Reply

  45. Lindsay says

    I’m so sad that these products are not sold Canada (and Target will not ship them internationally). If I only lived closer to the border! I’m hoping someday I will be able to get my hands on some of those hooks; my closet needs that key and some bumblebees!

    Reply

  46. Amy in PA says

    Just wanted to say that as the mom of a 3 week old son (delivered via c-section) AND one who’s own birthday is on 4.16 – you have GREAT things ahead of you! Love this product line and the showhouse. Keep up all the great work but don’t hesitate to take abreak when it’s all said and done!

    Reply

  48. Brittany says

    I just bought the aqua octopus hook yesterday! Already hanging in my bedroom. Congrats.. The end cap looks awesome at the store.. And I bought the last octopus. They were really selling!!!!

    YAYYYYY

    Reply

  49. maria says

    woops never mind, they will be available in New York. its early and i missed it. can’t wait to go check out and buy some of your stuff!

    Reply

  50. Deana says

    You totally deserve every exciting thing that is happening in your lives! In the blogging world, you are the BEST because your blog is run with complete integrity. We are all thrilled for your success.

    Reply

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