They’ve come to be affectionately known as my “Super Fans” — devoted followers who have embraced every aspect of my work and the Martha Stewart brand. From reading my magazines and following my blog to watching my television shows, cooking my recipes, and enjoying my products, they have all brought the ideas and inspirations I've shared into their own lives and homes.
I met many of these wonderful supporters at my Great American Tag Sale in 2022 and reconnected with them last year, when I welcomed 30 "Super Fans" to my farm for a garden tour, luncheon, and special “Ask Martha” session. Recently, I invited them to share photos of the many ways they’ve used my products, projects, and ideas over the years. They post many of their experiences on their own social media platforms, and over the next few days, I’ll be highlighting some of their content here.
Today, I’m featuring photos from Dennis Landon and Bernie Wong, Kemp Harper, and Brian Utz. Enjoy!
Bernie Wong and his husband, Dennis Landon, purchased many Martha Stewart items through the years, including products from my previous Kmart and Martha by Mail collections. This is their kitchen.
Dennis and Bernie are longtime Martha Stewart brand devotees from Wisconsin. They attended my giant tag sale and then returned to my farm last year for my “Super Fans” day.
Dennis and Bernie purchased a former church and then lovingly renovated and decorated it to be their home – largely inspired by the Martha Stewart brand. Here, they use a variety of green and white pumpkins, which they grew, as well as coordinating white flowered plants to embellish their front steps.
Their own kitchen was inspired by my kitchen. They painted the shelves and cabinets “Bedford Gray,” and built it to have floor to ceiling shelves to display their many vintage dish collections.
They were also inspired to hang their many pots on a giant pot rack above their island. Guess who does that? I do, of course.
The decorative urns on the island are from my Kmart collection. Bernie and Dennis planted them with ferns.
Their kitchen is filled with jadeite colored products – their favorite color. Dennis and Bernie know almost every item from my Home collections.
Dennis and Bernie are also very avid cooks and bakers. They often make delicious cakes and keep them on Martha Stewart cake stands under glass domes.
Their collection of transfer ware started in 1999 after they saw the story in my Martha Stewart Living magazine. If you can spot pieces from my Danish Fern collection – those were purchased at my tag sale.
Whenever they decorate for guests, they always bring in fresh flowers from the garden and display them in the kitchen for all to enjoy.
Bernie says their dining area, which is still a work in progress, has jadeite chandeliers from my collection. And remember these green chairs? They were also bought at my Great American Tag Sale.
And here’s Bernie in his kitchen with fresh picked pears they grew in their garden.
These are my faux bois planters from my collection at QVC. Behind them, an espalier of pears ready for picking.
Among Bernie’s passions is caring for topiaries – a hobby he’s had for more than 20 years, and inspired of course, by the gardening stories in my magazine.
Here’s Bernie in his greenhouse with his beautiful potted topiaries. Please follow Bernie on Instagram @berniewonggreen.
Kemp Harper says the Martha Stewart brand has really been the inspiration behind nearly everything he has done in his home.
His social media platform @thecolonian_on_park shares lots of gardening, seasonal decorating, and home projects. This is Kemp’s new 1824 federal style home. He calls it his own “Turkey Hill.”
This photo was taken when I met Kemp and his husband Kevin at a Turkey Hill tour some years ago.
Kemp has built garden obelisks and trellises from tutorials done at Turkey Hill and shared in the magazine or on my television shows.
There is a more utilitarian area in his backyard with bees, chickens, a vegetable garden and of course, a compost area – all inspired by my farm and projects I’ve talked about or shown on TV.
Kemp says he’s learned how to host and set a table from me, especially for the holidays.
Kemp loves to preserve. Here are some of his canning creations – displayed so beautifully in his kitchen.
He and Kevin dine al fresco using flowers from the garden as centerpieces, and cakes resting on cake stands.
Because of my brand, Kemp says he passionately collects jadeite, Francois Carre outdoor furniture, Wedgewood, and cake stands.
Here is Kemp’s vegetable garden. He created it from a plain patch of grass. The plan was to make it both functional and decorative. The obelisks also served as tomato cages.
Here is a photo of the peony garden now in its third year.
Brian Utz shared these next photos. Brian hosts a weekly podcast show about food, gardening, crafts, decorating, entertaining, and other homemaking topics, and shares posts of his work and lifestyle on Instagram at @morbidhomemaker.
Here at his home, 40 foot long peony rows were newly dug and mulched.
This is Brian’s perennial border at sunset.
Brian collected jadeite and many pieces of gilded drabware from Martha by Mail.
Danish Fern and Faux Bois from my old Martha by Mail catalog are still highly collectible today.
Copper cookie cutters featured in Martha by Mail are arranged around a doorway leading into the kitchen. It is a recreation inspired by the photography in my Martha by Mail catalog.
Brian makes French toast on my new Kitchen Electrics 22-inch by 12-inch griddle next to an apothecary jar from Martha by Mail filled with more copper cookie cutters.
This is my hummingbird cake. My recipe is available online or one can order it pre-made from Goldbelly – five layers of moist cake lightly spiced with cinnamon and ginger, infused with pureed pineapple, shredded carrots, and toasted coconut flakes with a cream cheese frosting.
Brian says, “one thing I’ve learned from Martha is to always be considerate when hosting. If a guest stays at our farm, they’re greeted with fresh flowers from the garden on their nightstand in a jadeite Martha by Mail vase, along with other necessities like an alarm clock and a small silver box for rings or small jewelry.” Brian also learned about the engraved paper coasters from Bell’INVITO, a stationer in Dallas, from my American Made initiative which I started in 2012 as a platform to identify, celebrate, and promote American makers.
Brian also says his career in events planning was inspired by my lessons, tips, and ideas. Here he is with a colleague lighting candles for a rehearsal dinner for 100 at Brush Creek Ranch’s wine cellar in Saratoga, Wyoming.
This photo is of a humble backyard dinner for 20 guests celebrating harvest. Custom stained plywood sat atop straw bales from Brian’s farm created a generous table to host the dinner. An over the table rod and stargazer lights with foraged foliage from the garden helped usher in the whimsy.
Brian says, “prior to being in the industry, these backyard dinners meant one was the host, the chef, the catering team, and the florist.” Brian is ever so grateful for his patient and supportive parents who helped him when needed.
And here, Brian celebrates the 150th anniversary of his farm, recreating my iconic flag cake! His measured just over four feet long. The garden cart was bought from my tag sale and filled with straw and chilled bottles of Veuve Clicquot champagne. Please follow all of these “Super Fans” and stay tuned for my next blog when I feature more devoted brand influencers.
It’s always rewarding to bring a brand’s teams and partners together to celebrate accomplishments, reflect on progress, and share ideas and inspirations for the future.
Yesterday, Marquee Brands hosted a Martha Stewart Brand Summit in New York City, gathering employees, partners, and collaborators for a day of discussion, strategic planning, and networking. I, along with members of our executive team, shared highlights from the past year as well as goals and aspirations for the months ahead. The event was held at Pier 59's event space, Current, overlooking the Hudson River and Chelsea Piers Marina. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues and celebrate all we've done.
Here are some photos from the day. Enjoy!
A brand summit is a focused event where company leaders gather to review branding strategies and marketing innovations. It’s also a good time to meet other partners and collaborators. (Photo by Arianna Tettamanzi)
This year’s summit venue was large, with very roomy, row seating – perfect for a meeting of many minds. (Photo by Arianna Tettamanzi)
Here are some members of our executive team – SVP Brand Management Meegan Colgan, CCGO Rachel Terrace, CCO Home Kevin Sharkey, myself, CEO Heath Golden, EVP Culinary Thomas Joseph, CCO Christian Martin, VP Marketing, Ben Luckadoo, and Justin Meno, SVP Business Development.
Heath was among the first to welcome everyone to the event – employees, partners, collaborators, and friends. It was a full house.
I spoke about the brand’s growth over the years, some of the many things I’ve accomplished since the last summit meeting, and a selection of memorable moments. (Photo by Arianna Tettamanzi)
Meegan also spoke – sharing brand updates, and mentioning this year’s newest partners.
Christian, who oversees content, spoke about the brand’s accomplishments in media.
Everyone listened so attentively to our brand officers.
Ben shared the brand’s marketing analytics and how they have improved over the year.
And Thomas, who has worked with me for many years, reviewed our culinary accomplishments and future endeavors in the food space.
The event also allowed everyone to catch up with others. Here I am with Elisa Marshall, founder of Maman, the American French‑inspired chain of bakery‑cafés. (Photo by Arianna Tettamanzi)
A “step-and-repeat” wall banner was put up in one area for social media photos. Here are Natasha, Heath, and Rachel.(Photo by Arianna Tettamanzi)
This is Robb Ginter, CMO at The Cookware Company, with Marquee’s Chief Business Development Officer, Joe Zarro. Have you purchased any of my Kitchen Electrics? If you go to my shop at Amazon right now, you’ll see pieces from my first-ever kitchen electrics collection! The entire series includes a range of countertop essentials designed to make everyday cooking so much easier! (Photo by Arianna Tettamanzi)
Here I am joined by Kevin and my longtime publicist, Susan Magrino.
Kevin explained the different categories and collections in our Home division, including interesting and informative personal stories spanning the many years he’s worked with me.
Here’s my longtime special projects producer, Judy Morris, with Amy Chiaro, SVP Lifestyle Video Content.
Jodie Laroche oversees Marquee’s social and digital strategy. She’s here with team member Payton Brown.
And here – Marquee’s Chief of Staff Yenelle Jackson and Zachary Sigel, managing director at Neuberger Berman and co‑founder of Marquee Brands.
You may recognize this threesome – Sarah Carey, my longtime culinary content developer, Thomas, and Susanne Rupert, editorial director of my books.
This is my executive assistant Nikki Kranzler with Mary Guzzo, Home director.
Ryan Mesina is VP Creative Services at Marquee Brands, where he oversees the photo and video creative production.
Yih‑Han Ma is co‑founder and chief executive officer of Hint, my new home-management platform, with Matt Krack, operations manager of my Bedford team, and Garrett Gottesman, our Strategic Partner Manager – Public Figures at Meta.
Current provided lunch and small bites including an artisanal sandwich buffet. This is a platter of Tuscan Caprese sandwiches made with fresh mozzarella, arugula, basil, roasted tomatoes, and pesto.
There were also fresh salads such as this lemon dijon haricots verts served with a confetti of peppers, capers, Kalamata olives, and dill.
Dessert included house made brownies, and a selection of house made cookies.
It was a very informative and successful summit. Be sure to follow me and the Martha Stewart Brand on social media – @MarthaStewart48, @MarthaStewartWorld, @MarthaStewartBlog, and @MarqueeBrands to keep up with our many announcements, partnerships, and events.
Here at my farm, we’re making the most of the fall planting season, getting many beautiful trees into the ground. Fall is an ideal time to plant, when the soil remains relatively warm while cooler air temperatures help newly planted specimens establish their roots.
This week, my outdoor grounds crew is planting 15 sugar maples, Acer saccharum ‘Green Mountain’, from our friends at Select Horticulture, Inc. in nearby Pound Ridge, New York. These handsome trees can eventually reach 40 to 80 feet tall, developing dense, oval crowns and spectacular yellow-to-orange fall color. I chose to plant them along the carriage road in my back hay field, near a grove of red maples. I’m looking forward to watching these trees grow and thrive.
Here are some photos.
There is always so much happening at my farm. On this day, trees are delivered from Select Horticulture and brought straight to my back hay field.
The foliage of these trees has already started to change color and drop, but the leaves are usually leathery, dark green in spring and summer, turning brilliant orange, gold yellow, and scarlet in autumn.
Using our trusted Hi-Lo, my outdoor grounds crew foreman Chhiring Sherpa positions the trees at the edge of the carriage road.
When planting any tree, the hole should be twice the width of the root ball and equal in depth. This allows the tree’s roots to spread easily and get the oxygen it needs.
The sides should also be at a slight angle to help the roots get properly established.
Pasang begins to remove the protective plastic from the root ball of the tree. The materials hold together the root ball so that chunks of heavy soil do not fall out or tear roots. The wrapping protects the roots from dehydration and sunburn and allows trees to be safely moved.
Here is Pasang also removing the strong rope.
Meanwhile, Alex sprinkles a generous amount of fertilizer into the hole and the surrounding soil. Remember, “if you eat, so should your plants.”
I use Miracle-Gro Shake’n Feed Flowering Trees & Shrubs plant food which has done so well for my plants. It contains natural ingredients such as kelp, earthworm castings, bone meal, and feather meal, which will feed the tree and maintain its foliage.
The Hi-Lo carefully transports the tree to its designated hole.
Once there, the wiring is cut and removed. Some feel it is ok to leave the wiring in place, but I always remove all the protective wrapping, so there is nothing blocking the roots from developing.
A crucial step in growing healthy trees is to plant them at the proper depth. Planting a tree too deep can kill it. Plant it only at its flare – the bulge just above the root system where the roots begin to branch away from the trunk. Digging a wide planting hole helps to provide the best opportunity for roots to expand into its new growing environment.
The crew looks at the tree from all angles to make sure it is straight and secure in its place. Jimmy stands by to help make any slight adjustments.
Next, these trees need a good drink before they are completely backfilled.
Compost made right here at my farm is also brought over to add to the existing soil.
The sugar maple is one of the most iconic deciduous trees in North America. The ‘Green Mountain’ is known for its exceptional hardiness, strong branching, and brilliant fall color, but it is also deciduous, so it drops all its leaves by late fall and is bare for the winter.
The hole is backfilled, the area is tamped down lightly to establish good contact between the soil and the tree’s root ball, and then it is raked level and neat.
Sugar maples thrive in full sun to partial shade, ideally receiving four to six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily, with some afternoon shade in hot climates. All these maples will be very happy here.
Here are three lined up nicely and planted 25 feet apart. They will have lots of room to grow.
These trees are loved for their broad, rounded crowns and symmetrical form when mature. They will look so beautiful here in this field.
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