A Stroll Through the Hallways of my Offices
Dear Readers,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog. It’s a fun challenge to prepare and post on a regular basis. However, this week, my blog team is taking a well-deserved rest and I have decided to repost some of the most popular blogs from the past. I hope you are all enjoying the summer and staying as cool as can be.
If you’ve been reading my French bulldogs’ blog, The Daily Wag, then you would know that Francesca, Sharkey, and G.K. have been quite busy creating their very own webisodes. The filming of this project took place at my offices in the Starrett Lehigh building in New York City. Because I am away travelling through Malaysia and Singapore, the dogs were transported to the shoot by their chauffeur, Uncle Carlos. Eliad, my tech guy, was also present and he decided to wander around a bit and take some pictures for my blog. Starrett is an impressive space and I hope you enjoy seeing these photos.
1 This is the grand clerestory at Starrett. We use this space for meetings, art and craft shows, displays, and banquets. It is rarely empty like this.
2 Giant inspiration photos line one of the long hallways.
3 Now entering the test kitchen
4 This is the very busy test kitchen.
5 Ashley is working on a recipe for a future book.
6 These pendant timers are very handy.
7 Melissa stirring up something nice
8 Elizabeth working on a cookie story
9 Lesley is actually making some cookies for a garden tour at my house.
10 A tray of cookies getting ready for the oven
11 More cookies already baked
12 One of many recycling bins at Starrett
13 The kitchen scraps are always put aside for my chickens - no waste here!
14 Another recycling area
15 Sarah Carey hard at work
16 One of the many rows of work stations - bright, neat, and busy.
17 The prop room is always a fun and impressive place to visit.
18 Glass domes and dishware galore
19 Sets of dishes are neatly stacked for easy display.
20 Pedestals in all shapes, sizes, and colors
21 Prop books arranged by size and color
22 These boards are used for backdrops.
23 Many rugs to choose from
24 More textures and colors
25 Kitchy collectibles
26 How about some glassware?
27 Bins of napkin sets - again, organized by color.
28 Sarah from the style department is grabbing some props for a shoot.
29 White ware
30 Metal trays
31 Wooden cutting boards
32 Colorful Bakelite forks, knives, and spoons
33 Vases awaiting bouquets
34 A collection of analog clocks
35 Inspiration boards are everywhere.
36 Fritz Karch is our collecting guru - can you tell that this is his office?
37 Extensive equipment in our editing room
38 These machines are digitizing all of my shows to file in the archives.
39 A new shipment of very nice looking iMac's just arrived to replace older machines.
40 The executive hallway - my office is on the corner.
41 I have enjoyed many spectacular sunsets from my office overlooking the Hudson.
42 Here is our rooftop - a great place to eat lunch, or meditate, or to refresh.
43 Hugo Boss, the German fashion and lifestyle house, is also located at Starrett and this is their side of the roof - a beautiful skyline view and hammocks!
44 A ripple through the Hudson
45 Jersey City can be seen very clearly from the rooftop, as well as the beautiful Hudson River Park.
46 I love this shot of a nearly full moon rising over Starrett.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Martha just how big is this building? It is definitely a collectors treasure trove. I can't imagine, the amount needed for all the photo shoots etc... that you would need.. I'm in awe!
http://www.meandmartha.net
Dan Viger
Hollis center, Maine.
Posted by: Daniel Viger | May 28th, 2010 at 1:24 am
WOW! That test kitchen is amazing! A dream come true..kitchen. I am in the middle of searching for a commercial kitchen, here in CT, to rent. It's almost impossible to find one!!!
Posted by: k | May 28th, 2010 at 5:21 am
oh my goodness the prop room!!! another bakers heaven!!
Posted by: k | May 28th, 2010 at 5:22 am
What fun!!! Loved "walking" through the hallways with you Martha.
Posted by: Cynthia | May 28th, 2010 at 5:57 am
Sitting alone viewing I am just voicing oohs and ahhas . .. . Once again took me away to a dream world. . .
Way to go Martha . . .LOVE the kitchen .. . .
thnx again . .
nina
Posted by: nina zeumer | May 28th, 2010 at 8:04 am
It's so great to see the behind the scenes at MSLO. The prop rooms are unreal...now, if I had a quarter of that, I would throw a great shindig! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Jackie | May 28th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Martha - would you consider doing a TV segment and a Living article on inspiration boards? It seems like a great place to work. The space is really interesting. Plus the Hudson is wonderful. I love that last photo of the moon over the building.
Posted by: E. Teresa Touey | May 28th, 2010 at 8:17 am
Hi Martha and thanks to Eliad for taking these most interesting pictures for us. It was almost as good as a live tour! I think some of us have seen parts of the prop room before but I'm still impressed with it and everything else too. Lots of good stuff! Fritz Karch's office reminds me a little of how mine can get. Sometimes when my son comes over looking for something, he checks the floor first. lol That would be the 'needs filing' section!
~
Your editing room is something else. I always wondered how you archived your shows and also how they get distributed to all the television stations. I was imagining DVDs being mailed out everywhere. (What do I know?) P.S. I still don’t know how broadcasting works but I find it interesting.
~
Btw, the Everyday Food segment on the show the other day was great! I was so impressed with Anna Last and the other cooks in the test kitchen who come up with all these recipes every month. You said 4500 since the magazine started in Jan of 2003. Whoever doesn’t subscribe to this magazine is really missing out. It’s been like my bible ever since that first edition. Of course I love the Living magazine too and also Whole Living. Don’t want to sound like a walking ad here but you do have the best, most beautiful magazines I’ve ever seen.
~
So when are you guys coming home? Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 28th, 2010 at 9:38 am
Thank you so much for sharing these great photos. It's a "good thing"
to see the mechanics behind the art. Love the kitchen!!!!!
Have a great summer Martha and look forward to your show in September on the Hallmark channel. Need to call my cable company now to get it!!!
Posted by: antonia | May 28th, 2010 at 10:25 am
Just what I needed to see after our family has all been here, dealing with my vast collections.
They may ask why I need all these props but I don't have to tell.
Posted by: ann | May 28th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Martha, that's what I wanted to ask you the night of the Friends of the Hudson Gala if I could have a tour of the building, which I'm sure you would have declined. It seems I got the tour after all. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: KLBrown | May 28th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Beautiful photos ... very lucky doggies, getting an in-depth and informal tour in person!
Posted by: Eliza B. | May 28th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Oh my goodness gracious Martha! I have always wondered where you kept all the wonderful items you collect especially the pedestal cake plates.
Posted by: Sharon | May 28th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Oh Martha, I am a Professional Organizer and your office looks like a dream for me. I love how organized it is, thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Christine Hanlon | May 28th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
WOW. I want to get my hands in your prop rooms! So may beautiful things. Your rooftop would be a beautiful place for a wedding ceremony or repection. Just gorgeous!!
Posted by: Julianne | May 28th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
um can i live in the prop room, please! pretty much looks like the most awesome place to work in the world.
Posted by: Laurajane | May 28th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
I remember your offices when they were first being created..my ex-husband's company used to be in that building and when I visited him and his new job back in 2000, he took me to your offices and let me look around..all the construction was going on at that time..it was amazing and you could already see the grandeur!
Posted by: Zeromia | May 28th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
I think you should have Weddings there. How great would that be Getting hitched at MSLO!! Everything would be at ones finger tips. Martha the skies the limit.
Posted by: kristin Svens | May 28th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Wow--looks like a truly creative, bright place to work! My office is so dreary & uninspiring in comparison. You must have very happy personnel. Thanks for the tour!
Posted by: Courtney T. | May 28th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
A girl can only dream to work for you!
So impressive.
Posted by: Michele | May 28th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Hi Martha, My sweet little Dudley Do Right adores all three of your wonderful dogs. He likes to know what they are up to everyday and we visit 'The Daily Wag' everyday so he can enjoy what they are doing. He would also love to go to your farm and the Starrett-Lehigh building whenever they are there. I love all of these photos of your fantastic offices and hallways. I remember some photos from another blog and it's always fun to return to see how things have changed. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and I hope you have a safe trip back home where your sweet little dogs will be anxiously awaiting your return. Love, Jan and DDR
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 28th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Hello prop room! Wandering around in there would be more exciting than Christmas!
Posted by: Amanda | May 28th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
You have the most amazing organized collection of stuff! I've always wondered what it was like in "Martha Storage", now I know, thanks!
Posted by: Suzanne Allen | May 28th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
You'll bring back many unique ideas and recipes to this lovely test kitchen. We're waiting for you! Thanks
Posted by: http://twitter.com/Geotravel | May 29th, 2010 at 12:12 am
WOW love the space and how you organize it! Amazing! Wish you great success
Have a wonderful weekend
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | May 29th, 2010 at 3:16 am
I would be in HEAVEN in that prop room! All those wonderful vintage items and antiques. Sensory overload it would be, but I would never want to leave.
Posted by: Sara Monzo | May 29th, 2010 at 3:22 am
WOW! love the space and the way you organized and used it! Amazing! Wish you great success. Have a wonderful weekend
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | May 29th, 2010 at 3:34 am
Welcome to Singapore. It is an honor to have you here in our small "red dot". Enyoy yourself and have a wonderful stay.
I really like your office so beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us many of your great pictures. Glad to join in as a member. Thank you once again.
Posted by: Lilywater | May 29th, 2010 at 5:30 am
The prop room is amazing
Posted by: Keren Brown | May 29th, 2010 at 11:12 am
This was a glimpse of heaven!
I have vivid dreams of walking these corridors working hard as an intern at MSLO.
Posted by: Brittany Buselmeier | May 29th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Recycling Bins Galore! Hurray. That really lifted my spirits to see those recycle bins in your test kitchen. After daily oil spill disaster news, it is heartening to see leading edge newsmakers (such as Martha Stewart Omnimedia) making a strong effort for environmental protection. Every bit counts. Again, hurray !
Posted by: Penny | May 31st, 2010 at 3:06 am
I cannot, CANNOT get over the drawer of bakelite. Among everything else of course. It's like a hoarder's dream place. Love it.
Posted by: Karen - The Art of Doing Stuff | May 31st, 2010 at 10:08 am
Hi Martha!
I had an idea this morning while looking at mountain-laurel. Many of the flowers were not yet open, and I realized that the new closed ones resemble a dab of icing squeed through a many-pointed star tip. I thought it would be cute to decorate a cake or cupcakes in a mountain-laurel design. I may or may not ever do it, and I thought the idea should not go to waste. I thought you might like it, so there it is.
Posted by: Michele | May 31st, 2010 at 1:15 pm
I need one of those pendant timers! Then my four year old would not exclaim, when I get baking out of the oven, "wow cookies! and they are burnt!!"
Posted by: Trish | June 1st, 2010 at 1:40 am
I never get tired of the prop room! It's always AMAZING to behold the treasures of your company. Is is wrong that I dream of a stroll through there with a large sturdy box?
Please keep the photo tours coming!
Thanks,
Ben G.
Posted by: Ben G | June 1st, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Wow you are soo blessed! Dream office...my dream office...fresh, clean, organised and main thin HAPPY!
Posted by: Kartini Illias | June 1st, 2010 at 9:16 pm
.
Question -----------
.
How do you feel when seated in a room of dust, dirt and dangle? Can you close your eyes to it against preferred cadence and balance or does it chisel away at your comfort level?
.
Posted by: Andrea Spencer | June 2nd, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Thank you for sharing these amazing pictures. love the test kitchen and the prop rooms are unreal.
Took me away to my little dream world.
Thanks XOX from Sunny OMAN
Posted by: MUNIRA R | June 22nd, 2010 at 7:10 am
Are tours ever given of Starrett? I would love to have the opportunity to see it first hand.
Posted by: Donna Duncan | June 26th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Truly enjoyed the behind-the-scene look. As an incurable collector of dishes and pottery it is wonderful to see such a big collection dsiplayed and stored so nicely. Thanks again!
Posted by: Suellen | July 13th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Wish I could come and spent my holidays looking through your collection of kitchenalia, it's a true treasure trove! Some of the items could even entice my hubby to join me.
Please ....
Posted by: Bee | August 6th, 2010 at 9:43 am
The prop rooms...sheer heaven! That would be my 'candy' store!
Posted by: Judy | August 28th, 2010 at 9:38 am
Martha, do you ever borrow things from the prop room to use at your homes? I could get lost in all that stuff. It is amazing.
I hope you're enjoying your holiday. Keep safe,
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | December 29th, 2010 at 12:31 am
Martha,
what an Aladins treasure, hope you are safe with the snow storms and Happy New Year.
Posted by: Aussie gal | December 29th, 2010 at 1:50 am
Hi Martha, It's always fun to see any part of the Starret Lehigh building and Eliad did a great job of giving us a super tour. It's the neatest, cleanest building I've ever seen! Hope you are having a magnificent time on your great vacation. Really love seeing your twitpics and reading your tweets! Have another great day! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 29th, 2010 at 11:17 am
Hi Martha, love to see the behind the scenes at MSLO, love your collection of dishes and pottery. I hope that one day I can visit, it will be a dream come true. I want to wish you a Happy New Year! May God bless you with good health, peace, happiness success and prosperity.
Best Regards,
Rowaida Flayhan
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | December 29th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog again. It brings back very fond memories of my visit to the Friends of the Hudson Gala, and that night I so wanted to ask you for a tour of the building. Best regards always!
Posted by: KLBrown | December 29th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
oh, how I loved this! It's probably as close to a behind the scene tour as I'll ever get, and it was wonderful to see the prop rooms and how properly stored everything is in its place, sorted by size and color, easy to find. The kitchen is wonderful, also, and so are pictures of the crew. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Amy Lynn | December 29th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Thank you for sharing such an inviting, invigorating, and inspirational place. It is truly a work of art. One day I would love to be able to peruse the halls in person and take in all of the inspiration to fill me for a very long time.
Posted by: Tina | December 29th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
wow what a playground to play in would love to visit and work for you...what fun Thank you for sharing
Posted by: Colleen | December 29th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
First thing I thought of was what if there was an earthquake. Do you every have earthquakes where you live?
Posted by: Sharon Farley | December 29th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
I am reminded of my terrible need for organization,
so empowering, comforting, so Zen. 2011 will be my most organized yet! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: JudyS | December 29th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Question: Do you really hate all lawyers as you stated on your show a few weeks ago? I have been a loyal viewer since your show first aired. I would watch your show in bed with my young granddaughter while studying for the California bar exam. I would explain to my granddaughter that you have proven that women can do anything, even later in life. Such sweeping statements seem beneath you. Some of us would not have let you down, or at least would have been brutally honest. I expect you could have handled that. I just needed to get that off my chest. Thank you.
Posted by: Debra | December 30th, 2010 at 5:08 am
I really, really enjoyed this blog about the Stroll Through the Hallways of My Offices! It gives viewers and readers an insight into the workings of your empire, that make us feel more connected. It was fun for me especially to see the props you use!! Thanks for the peek!
Posted by: TG Erickson | December 30th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
How can you fit a nice little vase in there?
Posted by: Shachar | December 31st, 2010 at 10:18 pm
I love the test kitchen!!
Posted by: Dawn | January 3rd, 2011 at 7:28 pm
This is such an eye-opener. So much detail, planning, and organizing goes into your work. It's like a precisely run clock. For me, VERY inspiring. Thanks for sharing it.
Suzann
Why Women Need Role Models
from
http://www.women-lifestyles.com
Posted by: Suzann | January 4th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Your prop rooms are amazing! I would love to spend the day in your test kitchen to see the masters at work. Every recipe I have tried from Living and EF is spot on and delicious; the quality of your test kitchens shows!
Posted by: Christina | January 4th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
That prop room still amazes me. I could live in there. I wish I had a place to store my things like that, even if they're not on that scale, but I don't have and I hate to be negative, but it doesn't look as if I ever will...time waits for no one. Maybe that isn't a negative thought, but REALISM.
I like the views from your rooftop, also.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | July 27th, 2011 at 12:37 am
Hi Martha, It's so much fun to have you repost these fantastic blogs! Eliad certainly did a fabulous job photographing the different areas in the Starrett Lehigh building! I remember viewing these fun photos before and it's really fun to see them again! My favorite photos are #2,38,41,45, and all of those of the prop room! Beautiful! The prop room reminds me of the Value Village stores in our area. They have rather antique like items to sell. Loved your tweets and twitpic about the party at Le Cirque, etc. yesterday! More fun! Have another great day, Martha! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 27th, 2011 at 10:33 am
Hi Martha,
I don’t mean to be picking on Fritz Karch again, but after looking at the picture of his office today I have to say it reminds me of the TV show the Hoarders! A few more boxes and he could be a candidate. Just kidding but I know one thing – after watching that show a couple of times in shock I might add, I started throwing out boxes. I had one for the new coffee pot, one for the umpteenth floor fan we bought and the corrugated boxes they were mailed in stacked in the corner of the dining room. They are now gone as well as several I had in the garage. I just don’t have any room to store anything and we need to add on a room just to store my “Martha” stuff! (Please God; do not allow me to get hooked on crafting! I already have your stickers, ribbons, punches, glitter, etc., and need some more papers. Wait, I am hooked!)
~
Okay, I know you don’t have time to answer questions on a regular basis although I do wish you would more often but I have one about picture #27. I was wondering how often the linens get washed and is it done every time they are used or do you just make sure they are neatly pressed before a shoot? No doubt you have a laundry room up there somewhere – I can’t remember if you mentioned it. Thanks. Trish
Posted by: Trish | July 27th, 2011 at 10:43 am
I love it all. So clean and as neat as a pin! I love your style, yes, even at the office. Thanks again Martha Stewart! Can't wait to see new and fresh pics from your homes! Those are definately my favorite. Oh and your horses!
Posted by: Frances | July 27th, 2011 at 11:47 am
My dream office, and my dream job!!
Posted by: Hayley Daen | July 27th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
I just love everything you do,I wish I had a craft room like you do, we are adding an addition upstairs to our garage, and I finally get my craft room, don't know just what I am going to do yet, but at Lowes yesterday I saw an Ironing board cupboard reset into the wall I am going to have this for sure. Now onto my question I work at my niece's bakery we use those wonderful double thick flour and grain sacks, so far they are going into the garbage I just hate to see that, I've looked for a craft using these with no results, do you have any suggestions as how to use them in a craft?
Thank you for listening to me, you have a wonderful day and God Bless you and your staff. Jacki
Posted by: Jacquelyn Walters | July 28th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
i got to view this post only now and i am so impressed! AWESOME is all i can say. wouldnt i love to work in all the areas, so neat & organized! am i "envious". i have to look closely and longer to get ideas for my projects (may I?)
i might as well include her belated HAPPY BiRTHDAY greetings for Martha. am forever a great fan here in Manila, Philippines.
Posted by: Bambee Sanchez | August 5th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
As mentioned in my earlier post I was wondering if you had any ideas as what to do with those wonderful double thick flour and grain 50# sacks, I really hate to throw them away or put them in the trash, is their any craft I could use them for? If any of you viewers also have a suggestion I would apperciate it. My em is jacki56@msn.com Thank you in advance.
Posted by: Jacquelyn Walters | August 10th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
I've started 2012 in NYC and while walking the beautiful High Line, I saw this building! Great location.
Posted by: Annie | January 6th, 2012 at 11:04 am