Come with me behind the scenes of my Homeworthy House Tour with this 3 part series.
The Day the House Took Center Stage
Y’all! Thanks for coming along for all the commentary ‘Behind the Scenes’! I sure do appreciate all the support!
Back to it: After months of sanding, painting, styling, and prepping, October 15th finally arrived! The day our beloved Coburn Hutchinson House would step into the spotlight for her Homeworthy taping. Gah!
The air was charged with energy (and a few butterflies). The air outside was clear and crisp, the morning light filtering through 165-year-old windows just so, like the house knew she was about to be seen. I was so excited for her and I wanted to ‘do her proud!’
For us, this wasn’t just another shoot. It was a celebration! It would be a snapshot in time, a glimpse into the current chapter of her design, history, and a whole lot of heart coming together in one unforgettable day. Timestamping is good for the soul…it shows you how far you have come and creates a spot in time to harken back to…so you can say, remember when?
Prepping for the Shoot: A Dance Between Beauty and Chaos
Every designer knows that what looks ‘effortless’ on camera takes an army of quiet details. The week leading up to filming was a flurry of styling, editing, cleaning, and last-minute decisions.
We went room by room, tightening every vignette:
- Fresh flowers in the foyer and a few vases with greenery for a party atmosphere of sorts!
- The perfect folds in the linens.
- Every lampshade is angled just so.
- A quick re-fluff of the sofa cushions (twice) because a few furry kids kept bringing their chew toys in, you can actually see one in the camera pan of the Greenroom. Gah! Life at home with dogs.
And then, the camera crew arrived…showtime.
The energy shifted instantly from quiet preparation to creative direction. The hum of lighting equipment, the chatter of microphones, the way sunlight decided to play hide-and-seek at exactly the wrong moments…it all became part of the rhythm of the day, all about a ‘Day in the Life’ sort of vibe. It was equal parts choreography and storytelling. And boy was I nervous.
Anyone who knows me knows I am an introvert. I do much better one-on-one, and many introverts know this feeling, don’t you? Talking to the camera is an entirely different feeling; there is no feedback in the moment, and no one to guide you, really. Since it was unscripted, I used absolutely no cue cards and I just had to start talking.
My husband calls it my ‘stream-of-consciousness.’ So talk about jumping into the deep end! I do not speak in public for a living, thank goodness. But I do love a good chat about architecture, living in a vintage house, and, of course, all things design. So, all that to say, apologies for the run-on sentences, way of sharing, and thank you for extending grace!
Telling the Story Through the Lens
Filming with Homeworthy isn’t just about walking through your house and telling stories; it’s about inviting viewers into your life. The few producers’ questions out of the gate helped draw out what truly matters to me about this project: its legacy, its restoration, and how design can heal and tell stories at once.
You share things in a way you didn’t mean to, mess up the names of things, repeat yourself thinking they will ‘just’ delete what was said twice in multiple takes, (um, nope) if you get your timing off, the phone rings…or forget where you are in the house and where you are going next! It’s a hootinany! Talk about getting you outside yourself!
We filmed throughout the day, moving from the rooms and fireplaces to the sunlit piazzas, and finally to the downstairs studio where One Coast Design comes to life.
In between takes, there were quiet moments, the creak of the floorboards under my feet, my dogs following me from room to room (scene-stealers!), and laughter echoing through spaces as we had to make jokes about things that were not going to plan.
But I will tell you, for me, it was a day of gratitude. Even being asked to share was a huge honor. Being invited to shine a unique light on restoration and allowing a moment for the home to speak, thankfulness for the journey and for a roof over our heads, and for the chance to share this story with you.
Everyone’s journey is different. I don’t take having a home for granted, and for those who know my personal story, it’s been a long and winding road to get here.
The Coburn Hutchinson House on Screen
When I finally watched the finished film, it struck me how alive the house looked. How it reflected not just our design choices, but the emotion behind them…I was proud of her.
Every brushstroke, every material, every found object whispered its story through light, color, and sound…especially the squeaky new door at the outset! (After a few takes she decided to act up and don’t you know, that’s the take they went with!)
The Homeworthy team captured something beyond design: a portrait of belonging.
This house, once forgotten, now lives again. Not just as a restored structure, but as a living space that embodies our ethos: Approachable Luxury with Soul.
Design Insight: What the Camera Teaches Us
If there’s one thing I learned from filming, it’s that cameras don’t just record; they reveal. They show where light truly lands, how flow feels in motion, and how authenticity translates to people we may never meet in person.
If I have any advice for other designers preparing for a home tour feature:
- Style with heart, not perfection. People connect with lived-in beauty, not polish.
- Tell the story, not just the specs. Talk about why things matter.
- Let your space breathe. The camera loves air, light, and life.
- Honor the house. It’s the main character!
Looking Ahead: The Art of Sharing Spaces
The Coburn Hutchinson House will continue to evolve as both home and creative hub. This Homeworthy feature marks not an ending, but a new beginning. It’s an invitation to share our journey more openly, through video, workshops, and client collaborations that keep the story growing. Oh, you know there is waaaaaay more I’m gonna share. 😉
If Part 1 was about history, and Part 2 about craft, Part 3 is about connection…the bridge between design and emotion, between maker and audience. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for watching where we go from here and honoring the invitation to join us for more of this conversation.
🎥 Watch the full video now: Homeworthy: Inside the Coburn Hutchinson House with Michelle Woolley Sauter
Catch up on the series:
- Part 1 — History Meets Vision: The Coburn Hutchinson House
- Part 2 — The Art of Restoration: From Concept to Craft
✨ Follow the journey: @onecoastdesign | onecoastdesign.com
Watch the full episode below:
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