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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Amanda says
You all, this is totally nuts! I have been a LONG TIME reader, like ran across the blog and started following back before the name change when you were “nobodies!” Haha…not that you were ever nobodies, but dudes, you all are famous! So happy for you guys! Keep it up!
YoungHouseLove says
You’re so sweet Amanda. We are still nobodies. Haha!
xo
s
Deanna says
Love the look of your Target product! Sadly they won’t be at my local store – even though Liberty Hardware is right here in NC. Might need a road trip to grab some YHL!
Kathy says
They are in My Target too! Endcap looks great, Congrats!
Q on the Showhouse, can you still change things since it’s still a bit to opening? Or is it hands off at this point? Not that you would, just wondering if you could if something were to be really bugging you. Just curious how these things work.
YoungHouseLove says
We can still make tweaks but with the baby coming in a week we think that’ll be our deadline, just because we can’t imagine doing much after he’s here since we’ll be holed up in our house for a while.
xo
s
Aurelie says
I’m going to nerd out here and admit that I went to our Seattle target on April 1 and your end cap was nowhere to be found. But I found a lovely salesperson who looked up the items and figured out they were in back, just not on display yet. So I got an exclusive octopus hook from the back of target, pre-end cap display! AND on my way out with my two kids in tow another mom (who else shops in target at 8:30 am on a weekday?) with kids in tow said “oh my god, where did you get that? That’s the Young House Love people, right? I love them” and i said “me too! you gotta ask special for it!” xoxo you guys – you’re the best. and so excited about your upcoming little guy!
YoungHouseLove says
No way, that’s awesome!
xo
s
Rachel says
You are both so awesome! The show house is amazing and I think it is so incredible that you are donating your entire fee and you put so much love and hard work into the home. And the product line? Wow. Seriously you are both inspirational. And reading “our son” how special. I feel like it was just yesterday when I was anxiously awaiting Clara’s beautiful photo updates and now she is so big and you are adding to your family. So cool. Thank you for all you do! Hope you can get some rest :-)
JuLoh says
I went to Target Saturday night to see if the display was in our store (it isn’t, womp womp) but to my surprise, who was in the checkout line next to us? John. I refrained from bombarding him because he looked like he was on a serious mission! Can’t wait to see the line in person and if I run into you guys when I am there, that would be a real bonus!
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! I bet he was doing showhouse stuff. We have been in and out of so many stores, all of the cashiers know us by now. Haha!
xo
s
Renee says
Booo…none at my closest Target that I rarely get to anyway, because it’s 45 miles away and I’m going on Friday and I was hoping that they would :( So exciting for you guys!
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry Renee! Everything’s online at target.com if that helps (just search Young House Love).
xo
s
mp says
I ordered mine online — at the time, they weren’t on sale at stores yet, and I live so far from the nearest Target that it was easier to just order — and got them Monday. So excited! Will send pics when they’re hung.
YoungHouseLove says
Would love to see them!
xo
s
Mecca says
Aww! I bought birthday presents for my daughter and her sweet face is in your collage! She loves the Burger & Octopus hooks..and I love seeing her face on one of our favorite blogs. Thanks YHL. You made our day!
Impatiently waiting the Barnacle.
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet!
xo
s
Charlotte says
I read and love you everyday here in the UK. I’m coming to WDW in May and I am making a special visit to Target in Orlando to pick up some Burger & Bee hooks. Best wishes & much love x
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so sweet. We’re sending love right back!
xo
s
Leigh says
You guys deserve all of the wonderful opportunities that have come your way! You really do need to take a break. All of us will understand!
Btw, I had a scheduled c-section with my first (he was breech) and it was the easiest way to have a baby that I can imagine. My second child is also breech so it looks like I may have the same experience again. I know every doctor, hospital, baby, etc is different, but here’s hoping this delivery is not as stressful for you guys!
Margaret says
I bought the last two black Burger hooks in my Target for my son’s apartment. Our Pepe looks like your Burger’s cousin!
Katie says
Congrats on the Target line – can’t wait to check it out!
Question on the kitchen table, now that you’ve lived with it a while. Does the “textured” surface get annoying / hard to clean / any other cons? I saw a similar, Amish-handmade table locally (North Jersey – woot!) that I love, but I just have visions of my kids trying to color or do homework on it and it being too uneven for that…?
Totally understand if you’re too busy to answer… and GOOD LUCK with Barnacle… my Clara is almost 3, and now we have a 9-week old boy – it’s awesome – even better than I imagined :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thankfully the table seems to be waxed or sealed with something flat, so it looks like raw wood, but does fine even when we spill soy sauce on it, or get a red wine ring (wipes right up). There are little cracks and divots that we brush off when crumbs go everywhere, but I feel like even a smooth table needs brushing off, so it seems to be somewhat similar to our experience with a more polished table. So far nothing has been stuck in cracks or a pain to scrub or anything like that, thank goodness – although with a new baby I think all bets will be off. Thank goodness for high chair trays, haha!
xo
s
Logan says
My son (who was born a month before Clara) was born April 16!! It’s a great day! Best of luck this go around. I hope this C is much calmer this time around and that your recovery goes well. Can’t wait to see the little bun and learn his name. Good luck! And congrats on EVERYTHING!! You have tons and tons to be thankful for :)
Julie says
I love the wood siding on the side of the packaging. And I don’t go to Target all that often, but I definitely want to go and just stare at the YHL stuff for sale. I don’t need any hooks or anything for where I’m living right now, but they are going on my wish list when I move (whenever that is).
Belinda says
Congratulations! You guys are amazing.
Really wishing Australia had Target like the US has Target (we do have a store called Target, but it’s not the same).
On a side note I had an idea for your show house. I think it would be great if, a year or so down the track, you went back & did a house crash on the lucky owners. It could be really fun to see what spin they put on it.
p.s If I lived in America, & had money, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
YoungHouseLove says
We would LOVE to do that! Fingers crossed that they’re down for it!
xo
s
Diane says
I saw your display in my Target today…..excitement!! I live in northern part of IL and the paperback version of your book was sold out. Yeah for you!! I ‘ll try again next week. Just thought you ‘d like to know they’re flying off the shelf like hot cakes!!
YoungHouseLove says
No way!
xo
s
AutumnM says
Another vote for bringing it to Target Canada. I must have those Octopus hangers!
Gretta says
I can’t wait to go to my Target and get my hands them….I took Friday off from work (it’s pay day ) to go shopping early. LOL!!
Carina from Rio says
Hey guys, I will be in US next week and I am dying to buy at lest one item by Young House Love! Congrats!
Ps. Why don’t you start a line here in Brazil. Apparently, I am not the only fan down here! Xx
YoungHouseLove says
You’re so sweet! If only they could end up over there – we’d love that!
xo
s
Alyson says
Hi Guys! This is my first time commenting, even though I’ve been on the site for many years. All I have to do is put the letter “y” into my search bar and “younghouselove” is the first thing to pop up :) I’m a high school teacher, and love showing my Art class the work that you guys do! You are an inspiration in terms of photo shooting, creating writing, and so many different elements of design. My husband and I just bought our first house last August– I love your site for ideas and always find myself freaking out when we choose the same paint colours (simply white + stonington grey= love). Keep doing what you do, and all the best with the new baby– you guys are great parents.
YoungHouseLove says
You’re so sweet Alyson, thanks so much!
xo
s
candi says
I made a very special target trip today and left with a certain blue acrylic picture hanger I can’t wait to use to hang my captain’s mirror with and a white bee that I will make sure is very busy in my home quite soon! Thank you guys for this cool collection and I’m excited to see what else you come up with in the future!
Erica says
I hope you have a little time to rest & regroup before baby boy arrives! April 16th is such a special date for me, it was my Grandma’s birthday. She passed a little over a year ago but she would’ve been 98 this year! It’s also my husband and my 10 year anniversary! So I’ll be sending you lots of good vibes for a healthy, happy baby on April 16th :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Erica! I’m so sorry for your loss, but I love that it’s a special date for you guys too!
xo
s
Marie says
I just posted another comment on Target Canada Facebook to get your collection here. Hopefully this will help! Dying to get octobus!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Hope they bite :)
xo
s
Angie says
Yay! I made the blog! That’s twice now. (I emailed and suggested he time capsule for Clara’s fist birthday.) I’m holding the octopus that I’m still in love with. And my birthday is April 16th. Definitely a block of coincidences. Congrats on the line at Target and good luck Wednesday. I’m hoping for a boring, I eventful delivery.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Angie!
xo
s
Maria says
A little heartbroken that those octopus hooks will be gone by the time we move back to the US :( Love the behind the scenes look at product packaging though!
Sylvia says
You briefly mentioned removable wallpaper – will there be YHL wallpaper available at target? That would be awesome!
YoungHouseLove says
We don’t have any in the works right now since they already have that covered, but we hear awesome things about the stuff they introduced!
xo
s
Suzy B says
So need to make a Target run soon. Looks like 3 of our local Targets in Tulsa are carrying your items. So happy I happened upon your blog 3 yrs ago. I have told soooooo many people about you guys. Fav blog & so happy for your success…but mostly how you keep it real. Cannot wait to hear about baby.
Praying for safe & quick delivery….congrats to big sis too!!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Suzy, you’re so sweet!
xo
s
Lauren says
Target seems to be way better and have so many more home ware items then here is Australia! So jealous!
Neen says
I wish, I wish, I wish your products were here in Australia, soooooo in luuuuuuurve with the bee hooks. Sending you rainbows for the 16th Neen ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Neen!
xo
s
Melissa van Herksen says
Congratulations. So excited I will be in Miami next week and will now certainly plan a trip to target. Your hooks will be hanging in Santiago, chile!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Melissa! That’s so crazy to hear!
xo
s
Carole says
Congratulations! I agree with all the comments about the product being available in Canada! Target: get on that! ;-)
On another note, I also read one of your replies saying that it is your last Wednesday with only one son Burger. Are you getting induced or having a planned caesarian? (just curious…I have read your posts about your Clara’s birth…so it would explain, I was just curious…but really it’s none of my business.. :-) Good luck with everything! )
YoungHouseLove says
It’s a planned C-section (the docs never want me to be in active labor again, since that’s what triggered the abruption with Clara).
xo
s
Carole says
I will send you positive energy! Everything will go well! Best of luck xx
Joseph says
This is so awesome for you guys! We have been so frustrated with Target though (which is tough because we love them). We’ve been to practically every Target in the Richmond area (okay maybe five of them). Some of them aren’t carrying your line, some of them have been super late getting their planograms set, and others seem to be picked clean (which is a good thing for you guys I guess). We managed to pick up the bumble bee hook but havn’t found the octagonal orb hooks anywhere. At least I can order them from the website.
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry Joseph! We had luck finding things at the Westchester Commons one. And we hear Forrest Hills should have everything out by now too.
xo
s
Barbara Moore says
Just love all the Target goodies and can’t wait to purchase it all! So excited for next Wednesday – I just love your sweet family.
Courtney says
Congrats you guys! I bought a few pieces already and LOVE the boy hook idea with the yellow diagonal! Going back to get that! :)
Jen says
Just added the octopus hooks to our baby registry. We will see if I have the patience to wait for them. Congrats on all of the awesome stuff happening!
erin says
Target has removable wallpaper WHAT!?! :D :D
Sarah Stirling W. says
I was just looking at the Target website and wanted to see what people had to say about the hooks and one reviewer wrote…
“I saw these hooks and board in the store, but I can’t figure out how to put them together. I don’t think the octopus would fit in the drilled holes. I’m pretty good at DIY but I think they made the board thing wrong or something.”
Bless your heart, no. Not all people are blessed with common sense.
Lita says
Okay, I have to admit when I saw the display, I wanted to jump up and down and tell people walking thru Target “This line is my friends’ line!” And then I remembered that I don’t really know you guys–it just FEELS like you’re my friends. :)
After the 14 day run, will the products be available other place or are they gone forever or…?
YoungHouseLove says
After the 14 weeks Target likes to switch things up, so this stuff won’t be this stuff on the end cap anymore. They might decide to keep some things online or something, but right now it sounds like if we get the second collection we’re pitching, that might roll out a little while after this one ends. We’ll definitely keep you posted!
xo
s
Sara T. says
Congratulations on your line of products! I need to check my store to see if they have them in! Also, I’m scheduled for my c-section on Wednesday, the 16th as well! I’ve finally finished the nursery, take a look at it over on Project Nursery if you’d like! :) http://projectnursery.com/projects/aqua-pink-baby-girl-nursery/
YoungHouseLove says
SO CUTE! Good luck on the 16th!
xo
s
Kellie says
Oh my goodness! That last line about this being the last Wednesday as parents of one got me all teary eyed! As a mama of 2, I can say buckle up! Now the real fun is about to start! Love you guys and can’t wait to hear about the arrival of your son!!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Kellie!
xo
s
Lisa Perry says
I am so absolutely completely bummed that I have not come across these yet at my two local(ish.. I may have driven to another one 30 mins away to check) Target’s. Hopefully soon!
Summer says
It must be rewarding beyond words to see all of your hard work physically on a store shelf – and at Target no less! Congratulations!!!
Misty says
Every time I go to Target I check out the display to see what’s selling! I get all giddy by association just because you replied to an Instagram and blog comment of mine a few times! Would it really be that weird to stand next to the display and tell random passerby’s I know you? LOL
So happy for your success and feel excited to be part of the ride!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, you’re so sweet Misty!
xo
s
Jen in Texas says
I was in our “local” Target (it’s about 40 minutes away) on a mission to find a certain box they carried. I stumbled on a manager addressing a group of employees who offered to take me to that section of the store. Imagine his surprise (and mine) when I started squealing and jumping up and down in front of an end cap saying, “It’s here! It’s here!” Poor man was scratching his head and thinking, “I know it is three aisles down! “. Then he saw what I was pointing to and smiled, “Just came in this week.” he boasted.
Judging by his indulgent reaction I imagine I wasn’t the first fan he had seen making a fool of themselves in front your display. By the way, our Target had the area very nicely styled with samples of y’all’s paint and some of your books on display too.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love you Jen!
xo
s
Mary Ann says
I couldn’t find your items in the Newport News, VA store. Now I know why. Thanks. I guess I’ll be heading to the Hampton store.
Amanda says
Thanks for posting this! I went to my local Target and they didn’t have your line in stock. From your link, I was able to find another one that did have it and wasn’t too far away.
YoungHouseLove says
So glad!
xo
s
Kelly says
Eh, you can rest when that baby comes ;)
Just found your stuff at Target today! It is all so amazing!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Kelly!
xo
s
Seng says
This is sooo gorgeous! You guys have such an amazing eye for palette colors!! Great job once again!
Seng
http://www.sengerson.com
Kristin says
Ahhh! So excited! When you first posted about these, I was disheartened because I went straight to Target to go look only to find I had jumped the gun. I was just there last week and can’t believe I would’ve missed it, but hey, who doesn’t need another excuse to go back?! My Target is on the list and I’ve never been so excited about wall hooks, ha! :)