Wanna hear a "hilarious" joke I've been told (or told to others) 97 times in my styling career? Great! Here she is:
How many stylists does it take to change a lightbulb?
Answer (with enthusiasm but a decent amount of self-doubt):
Hmm... I don't know. What do you think?
We notoriously like options, opinions and feedback, thus, it's what I need in order to create what I think is very nuanced and detailed editorial content that often speaks to many and tells a broader story. "Decorating" is more nuanced than "designing" because it favors fashion over function (designing is more permanent). As a professional stylist, I can generally picture how a piece is going to look in a space and I'd say I'm right 75% of the time, but even "professionals" make mistakes and things can look and more often feel differently than we had predicted. This is exactly why stylists need, want and are used to having options. Not because we don't trust our sense of scale (we don't) or we don't obsess about matching colors (meh, boring) but because we realize that in order to really know if something is right, you need to see it in your space. Well, that is just what Target rolled out. Their new See It In Your Space feature (both on mobile and desktop) lets you (and us), yes, see. it. in. your. space. I gave it a whirl and BOY WAS IT FUN. Around the time that I was pitching this next post to them, my friends needed some styling/staging of their house to sell so we used their kitchen and adjoining family room to show you how the new AR (that's "augmented reality" for those not hip to techy lingo) functionality works and IT WORKS.
Here's how you do it:
Say you're shopping for barstools (like we were for my friends' kitchen...more on that in a bit). If the product you selected was from one of Target's in-house brands (Project 62, Threshold, Opalhouse, Made By Design, Hearth & Hand With Magnolia, Pillowfort), you'll see a "See It In Your Space" button appear under the image of the item (the program is new, so over time, more products will be added with this feature but don't worry, there are already a ton of things to play around with). Select that and get ready to have some fun. Here's a quick little step-by-step (but scroll down to see our screen capture video for a better idea):
Step 1: Shop "See It In Your Space" products.
Step 2: Select "See It In Your Space" button under the product image.
Step 3: Pick a photo you've already taken of the space you want to see the product in or take a new one (you have both options).
Step 4: The product will appear in the room you photographed, and here's where you get to play around. To see the item's dimensions, spin it around to see it in 360, or make it smaller or larger, just click on the product and use your fingers by swiping and pinching. It's pretty intuitive...you'll likely know what to do once you see it. If you want to position the product, click it again to lock in what you did with it's size and perspective, then move around with one or two fingers. Keep playing with the dimensions until it feels right (it's best to measure out the space you think the product will go in so you can get a sense for how big it'll be IRL).
We captured a screen video on our phone so you can see how it action:
So, as I mentioned earlier, we needed some items for my friend's living room and kitchen since we were staging her home for it to go on the market, but we weren't sure exactly what we wanted to go with (which is why See It In Your Space is so helpful...it's like buying all the options you want, trying them out, then returning what you don't want...except you don't actually have to do ANY of the annoying buying/returning).
Before I walk you through all the things we tried for both spaces (armchairs, floor lamps, barstools), I have a few tips for how to make the most of the feature (because a better photo will give you a better sense for the product in your space):
First off, make sure to shoot as straight on as possible (because the furniture can spin, go left and right, and big and little but it can't morph into weird angles) and always shoot during the day, without lamp light on because that turns everything yellow. We edited my photos to feel as bright as it is in the room and upped the contrast, so I also recommend those steps if you can manage it. Oh, and clear out any unnecessary clutter or furniture so you can get a clear path to where you'll be putting the product.
Another good tip is to remember to get the floor and ceiling of the room you're shooting (it'll give you a sense of scale). Don't be too close or too far...try to get something you think will scale well with the item you're trying out. If it's a sofa, get a photo that would fit the whole sofa without too much room around it. If it's a lamp, you can go in tighter.
DON'T STOP THERE. Try tons of options and make sure to screenshot your pics so you can reference them again later if you aren't ready to purchase right away...or to compare all your options.
Okay, so, here's how the kitchen looked prior to staging with furniture and other decor goods:
We tried three different stools that we were debating and honestly we liked all three, but one definitely stood out as the best fit for this kitchen and for the staging purposes (and budget).
Option One: This one feels the most modern and contemporary which we liked and it works in the house, but the height of the back curve didn't look as good in the overall kitchen. It looked like it needed to be higher or lower.
Option Two: This one is likely the most comfortable, but the scale of it is bigger and we missed how clean and modern the kitchen looked before. This is the stool that I want to sit on the most but since we were staging to sell, we wanted it to feel the coolest and show off the house more.
Option Three: The winner (well, almost). We loved how having no back really kept it feeling open and airy (always good for staging) and it echoed the window frame finish in a really modern, strong way. They had a nice curve to them that referenced the pendant shape, and felt "modern farmhouse" which the rest of the house also referenced. Plus, they were very inexpensive ($80 each).
We had a little hiccup in that when we went to order option three, they were actually out of stock temporarily. And while normally, waiting for something you really want isn't that big of a deal, we were on a tight timeframe with the staging and shooting of the house, so we had to go with another similar option. Below, you'll see the "after" but first, I want to say how helpful it was to see a very similarly scaled and colored item (the stools we ended up purchasing weren't available to test out in the See It In Your Space feature just yet). Instead of freaking out and starting from scratch (or getting something that wasn't quite right for the sake of filling the space), we already knew something backless, swivel and black would be perfect, which led us to our final FINAL pick.
We ordered them and two days later, here they are (because yes, over a certain amount—or on any order if you purchase with your REDcard—Target now offers free 2-day shipping—TAKE THAT SHMAMAZON).
WINNER, WINNER chicken on a stool dinner.
We were done picking stools, but since we liked so many of them, we decided to round up our current Target favorites (all of which you can test out in See It In Your Space, by the way).
[drawattention ID="165266"]
1. Woodsboro Adjustable | 2. Holmdel Mid-Century | 3. Frey Metal | 4. Brandford Wood | 5. Copley Upholstered | 6. Caracara Rounded Back | 7. Malia Channel Back Tufted Velvet | 8. Industrial Swivel | 9. Geller Modern | 10. Ceylon Woven and Wood | 11. Salk Modern Quilted | 12. Dakota Adjustable
This is a great post. Thank you. In all of the pictures, I can’t help but notice that it’s the greenery that makes the space field finished. I’d love more info on how to achieve this. Are you using live or silk? Are there rules of thumb to follow? I can’t seem to get it right in my own space.
I’ve seen her use both! They definitely are into tall leaf-y greenery right now. So of course I do the same. ??
i second this!!
Ha. hot tip – we clip from my garden. she already had that ficus, though. And yes, especially in bright simple spaces a big tree instantly warms it up and adds a huge sculpture, basically :)
This is all wonderful and beautiful and everything, but where’s the source for that dog?? But really – love this room and LOVE that Target has this. Thanks!
But, but…that wasn’t a “knock-knock” joke….
What a fun tool! Would love to see Target’s smaller decor items (vases, pillows, book-ends, art, etc) included, though I’m sure that’s less likely because the styles rotate through faster than furniture. A girl can dream! Until then I’m glad it’s so easy to try and return things I buy with my Red Card, especially as a perpetual receipt-loser. :P
Cool! I recently ordered and returned 4 giant barstools – this feature would probably have saved me from that hassle. Target is crushing it with the home decor these days.
This is really good to know about! I have a TINY budget and two young kids that I homeschool so my finances and schedule mean I can’t actually go buy all the options and then return the ones I don’t want. I end up agonizing over what one thing to spend my money on, buying it, then if it doesn’t work having to make a special trip with the kids to return and start the process over again. So painful. Even with online returns where I can print the label at home and send it back, there’s still so much time wasted. I will definitely be trying this TODAY, what a great tool!
I know. honestly it worked. so much of it is making sure you take the photo straight on and with good light, but after that just plug them in.
Love this. In need of a new coffee table and I love the one that’s actually pictured (not the Target one). Could you please provide the source? Thanks for the great resources, as always!
I think it’s from West Elm. In case the link doesn’t copy properly, it’s their industrial storage pop up coffee table. They have 2 sizes: small and large. Happy hunting!
Does your friend keep all the things she bought to stage the house with or did she return them after the pics were taken? I can see if you rent all the staging stuff but to buy it outright is very expensive, then you are forced to use it in your new home, where it may or may not work? Just curious how that all works out in the end…
We borrowed it from a 1000 times better – a staging company that i’m friends with. And its going back this week. :)
In real life did the armchairs look too small for the room though? A lot of the critical reviews online say that the chair is too small in person, and the couch/rug you paired it with look massive. This is a great tool but I feel like I would make everything the scale I want it to be and not the scale of the actual product, setting me up for disappointment when the real thing comes. Great home/ inspiration regardless!
No,. definitely not. I actually think its a GREAT scale. I have a massive sofa so I wish my sofa was smaller, but not that my chairs are bigger (I have the same chairs). its low, but its wide so its ‘medium’. I think its all about your house and your scale, but any bigger and these could feel clunky.
Great to know! Thanks for the detailed info!
I wish I knew the source for the exact black leather sofa in the photos – it’s stunning!
I’ve been considering this sofa. It’s called the Maxx sofa by Four Hands Furniture. I’d love to know if Emily’s honest opinion on it!
What are your thoughts on the gray Ester chairs? My sofa is close to the “husk” color one, so I don’t know if that would look too “matchy” and I should go with the gray. Thanks! Really enjoy all your posts.
I can’t WAIT to try this myself as I have a few spaces that need a piece here or there and I’m too busy/tired to keep going back and forth to Target. The chair and lamp you picked are both contenders for my spaces. Love your blog and writing style!
You outdid yourselves. Looks finished.
Target–so amazing, right? Love this kind of “fun yet real-world design life” stuff. I am a design consultant who really appreciates the yummy design soul food info & detail you and your staff dish up and share. Thank you, what a blessing!
ah, thank you :)
All of these pieces are amazing! I’m obsessed with all the gorgeous details!
Paige
Great post! All the furniture is fantastic, especially those chairs!! The dog is just perfection though! ;)
Where are the cool mugs in the shot from?
Any tips on how to tell if the size of the item in the app is how it will look in real life?
Amazing post! Love those wooden floors..are they European white oak??
This staging looks amazing! My eye kept coming back to the photograph closeup of the woman! Anyone know the photographer?
Me too! I need that photograph in my life (living room)
We got two of the Esters wood chairs about a year ago (per your recommendation!) and we love them. Everyone notices them as soon as they walk into the room, and ditto to no one believing they’re from Target! They’ve held up really well except for some staining on the seats. Any suggestions for how to clean them?
Who makes the sofa? I am dying …. I have the ester chairs and LOVE them.
Thanks for sharing beautiful article. This is a great post and idea. I don’t have any idea about how many space require for new different types of furniture.
Thank you for this information, it is really useful :)
I like this post! Thanks!
Quick question. Is that a Four Hands Couch? Thanks!
Yes!
Love the pendant lights above the island. Where are they from?
We are buying a new home and I can’t wait to use this app. Thanks for sharing it Emily :)
Waoo… The great and excellent information you gave us today. Most of the people want this and you helped all of us. Thanks a lot for sharing and take your valuable time to write and share your thoughts.
Thanks a lot.
Decent Home Decor
Everything came out great!
Would love a post about how to style the table/kitchen counters (random open spaces) like you did with those beautiful vases!