A Day at Southern Living/Time Inc.’s Food Studio and 50th Anniversary Idea House

Stepping inside Southern Living and Time Inc. Food Studios recently, the gorgeous test kitchen, massive prop closet and time spent with Cooking Light’s editor discussing technology was amazing; finishing the day at the 50^th Anniversary Idea House was the icing on the cake!

As a Southeast, Nashville-based home lifestyle publicist, it is fun bringing together media and home/food bloggers for hospitality, brainstorming and networking. We were thrilled to see the latest for Time Inc.’s creative properties, Southern Living and Cooking Light, during our tour with SL’s most amazing ambassador Nellah McGough, recently highlighted by editor Sid Evans. Be sure to check out his October editor’s “Life At Southern Living.” #NellahRocks

It has been two years since we last visited Southern Living after I had served on the PR team for the Nashville Idea House. So much has changed. Time Inc. has created powerhouse shared spaces for food, photography and video throughout its beautiful space. As we stepped into the gorgeous test kitchen, we got to experience the incredibly bright Cooking Light Editor Hunter Lewis working recipes for the December issue. He generously took time to talk with us about everything from how butternut squash is driving food SEO right now, to how food bloggers can get the attention of the magazine and his predictions on virtual reality and technology (see video below).

After visiting with Lewis, we caught up with our favorite Southern Living Test Kitchen Director Robby Melvin, reenacted our favorite selfie shot and then stepped into the HUGE prop closet.

The day was complete with a tour of the 50^th Anniversary Southern Living Idea House in Mt. Laurel, AL. With rooms taking their inspiration from the early pages of the magazine, we were particularly wowed by Margaret Kirkland’s dining room, Mark Sikes living room and oh the porches! Below are a few of my favorite spots. Click here for Southern Living’s full tour.

An amazing end to a perfect day. We left inspired! You can visit the Idea House through December 18!