Feast your eyes on our prop room!

This is a large and amazing room where the props that we use for photo shoots and television segments are stored. (Click on picture to enlarge)

The people who work in this department are called prop librarians and they know exactly where everything is located.  And just like a good library, every single object in this room is labeled with a description, the size, the quantity, and a bar code.  Each piece has been logged into a computer and must be checked out when it is borrowed.

Maybe you need candlesticks.

Or perhaps, some flatware

Choose from silver objects galore!

Maybe you need white dishes.

Or colored dishes!


You can find many styles of pedestals.

And there are bowls galore!

Comments

[tws]

Wow...that looks like fun. I wonder, on a typical shoot, how involved are you personally in choosing things like props?

[Sarah Willson]

Love the blue Nigella Lawson nesting bowls in the final pic--they are favorites in my kitchen!

[MARILYN]

A feast for the eyes indeed!

One of the great pleasures of your daily TV show is the variety of lovely accessories that grace your set.

What a treat to see the "library" that the set designers have to work with. NO WONDER it is so wonderfully varied and endlessly enticing!

[liisamarja]

aah, to be able to work in a place like that, i wouldn't want to go home!!

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, Your prop room is absolutely fascinating! I've never seen anything like it before. The prop librarians must be excellent at their job because everything looks so well organized as well as neat and clean. How big is that room? It looks extremely large. The photos are really great. Thanks again for sharing. Jan

[Timothy Edwin Minerd]

I'm loving the behind the scenes tour! Thanks!

My favorite thing about the prop room is how well-organized it is.

[Jeana]

OH MY!!! You must Just love all the pretty things Martha!!

JUST Last night my 3 year old grand-daughter Acura begged to watch not, martha but MARTHA STEWART.
PLEASE Nana she said, she know's I record it I guess, then she was so into things I could not get her to sleep, she just kept talking about helping MARTHA STEWART and how she could not talk to MARTHA STEWART to the TV.
OH GOD it was the sweetest thing ever. She kick me all night I think she was trying to keep up with MARTHA STEWART.

Thanks for it all and we will keep watching. Love ya

Jeana Reichenberg & Acura
Evanston Wy.

[Mike]

Wow...that was really fun to look at.

I'd love to see more.

[Rowena]

AWESOME!!!

I've subscribed to your magazine for over 10 years and have kept every single issue. Thank you, thank you, Martha, and to all the people behind the awesome magazine. A week inside the prop department is probably not enough to look at it all!

[Polka Dot Bride]

Oh my gosh! I want to come and visit- that is the most glorious thing I have seen in a long time!

[Kenn]

Absolutely amazing!!! It would be a field trip just browsing through the prop room! This room is heaven to me!

[Hardboiledegg]

Oh a prop library do tell do staff members have a "Library Card' is it a lending Library?? "nOT EXACTLY " (wink wink ) IS THERE A FINE FOR OVER DUE SILVER VASES???

when the Guide would say "private collection" is the MSLO library considered a private collection is it ever on loan at the museum

Perhaps the lobby could have a display of vinatage Frankanoma pottery for example

What a "shame" so much is off the market for us Estate sale visitors

all the good stuff is on the shelf at MSLO

[Claudia]

Dear Martha,

Amazing room. The most beautiful collection one could ever imagine to see. I couldn't imagine you had created such archive but it was definitely a great achievement.

I love your behind the scenes.

Love,

Claudia

[Carolyn]

AMAZING!!! I could spend HOURS in the Prop room just looking at all the pretty stuff.

I LOVE the behind the scenes stuff. It helps us understand just what it takes to live the Martha Stewart life. Keep it coming!!!

Carolyn

[Chris]

Does the Martha Steward Collection include a label maker with bar codes? If so, perhaps I should try this in my home! haha. Don't have that much to keep track of. This was a fascinating blog. Thank you so much!!

[Isabella]

Wow, thats fun....do you have someone collecting constantly

[Kathy]

Martha,
What an amazing room of plenty the prop librarians work in each day! Thanks for the tour.
Kathy

[Jane M]

I need 1 of these rooms in my house to live! This is your best blog to date! I would like to have EVERYTHING in that prop room!

[matt]

I just fell out of my chair.

[jules]

this would be my dream come true. dishes and mixing bowls and cake stands, OH MY!!

[Rhea]

Really cool. I had no idea that items were 'recycled' this way. Thanks for the behind-the-scenes peek.

[Sheila]

Oh my gosh, Martha! This is like being invited to the Wonka Chocolate Factory...very interesting and wonderful! Thanks for sharing, and keep up the great work you do!

[kat]

wow. I would love access to a room like this :) How much fun it must be to scout for props.

[Claudine]

Can I live in the prop room? When I redid our basement I kept your prop room in mind. I might have that many dishes as in the pictures. I better not let my husband see this. I need to go buy more plates now :)
Claudine

[Meredith]

Drool! Two words: Yard Sale!!!!

[Desiree']

Hi Martha,
I loved seeing all these beautiful things in your prop room! Those bowls, cake stands and silverware!! So much fun seeing all of this. Thanks for sharing!

[Elizabeth Foster]

Very nice pictures. I have enjoyed watching your use of Russel Wright dishes on your show!

[Amy]

Can I move in?
Wow!

That is incredible!!!

[PAULINE MUCCIACCIO]

Hi Martha,
Your prop room is amazing, one can only imagine what you have stored in your home & barn, at Bedford.
Wish my basement was as organized as your prop room.
Best,
Pauline Mucciaccio
PS
From looking at your pictures I can now utilize my storage space to better advantage for my massive collection of dishes.

[Gayle Constantine]

Martha, Everything you show is wonderful, have been a fan of yours for over 10 yrs. Thanks for sharing.

[shara]

this is one of the most glorious sites i have ever seen. ahh to have access to this library ... a girl can dream.

[Lisa Lisa]

Oh when I think of the dinner parties I could host, never using the same settings EVER! I am positively drooling!

OK Prop Librarian is one job title, but is this person (this army?) in charge of polishing and dusting too? I should think that keeping the silver shined and tarnish-free, alone, would be a full time job!

Thanks for sharing, now where do we pick up a "library card"???

[Gloria Herring]

I would love to work in your Library. That is such a great display of a lot of my favorite things. Martha, you are so blessed!!!
Gloria

[Joy Hall]

Quite an AMAZING space!

[jessamyn harris]

wow! I know some food stylists who would die to get their hands on this room! :)

[Jon]

Hi Martha,
What an extremely enjoyable post! Your prop library is like heaven for those of us who collect. I believe prop buyers have one of the best jobs on earth, especially those who happen to work for MSO.
Martha, back when you did the show from your own kitchen weren't most of those props from your own collections? I always envied your yellow-ware collection, it is outstanding.
Take care.

[Andrew Ritchie]

Those toast racks that I see in the collection of silver remind me of a set my mom has. She uses one for toast on Christmas morning (and other special breakfasts) and the other one she uses as a mail sorter. Very handy things!

What a gorgeous prop room!

-Andrew

[Lori Merrill]

Martha,
Our 'dish room', patterned after a room seen in MSLO magazine article, is the size of a postage stamp compared to your wonderful Prop Room.
It is wonderful though to hear my niece & nephew offer to help carry platters, etc., down to our Martha inspired 'dish room' after a family gathering!
Sometimes it makes me feel aawh so Martha!
Always,
lolo

[Janet Bridge]

You are my Hero!

LOVE it all.

Best to you,

Janet

[Jeffrey Reed]

"WOW" is all I can say! Martha, that is one amazing room! I noticed toward the back of all the colored dishes that you still have your Jadite tucked away! OH I am a BIG collector of it just as you are! What a great tour! Its like the Brimfield flea market all in one room! Thank you so much!

[Hooligan]

Reminds me of the Warner Bros.' Property Dept.! If you ever visit the studios in Burbank, make sure to stop by! (I think your inventory is much more extensive, however!)

[Tricia]

And my husband thinks I'm bad?!? Wait until I show him this.

I couldn't help one question going through my head... Who has to CLEAN all that stuff? It looks pristine.

[design dna]

ooh! the stacks of silver! it must be very exciting for you to see these collections you have built over the years, and then to look back on the size of your original collection. i wonder if you imagined this back then...or if this is beyond, beyond.

and by the way, if mslo will be attending the architectural digest home design show march 6 in nyc, i would love for you to stop and say hello. i have been invited to exhibit my light specimens in the paris apartment booth. very exciting and i would love to see you there!

happy weekend,
amy

[Dayami]

I would put a bed in there and live happily ever after!!!
Thanks for sharing.
Dayami ;)

[Linda Gail]

Oh Martha:)
These pictures take my breathe away. I would love to live in your prop room. Everything looks fabulous and I think the prop room librarian is to be commended for keeping everything so pristine. Thank you for another wonderful look behind the scenes of MSO.
Linda Gail

[Sherey]

Wow...wouldn't we all love to have a *prop* room like this! The biggest pantry i ever did see.

Sherey

[Trish]

I wanted to post earlier but I was so awe struck my jaw got stuck on the keyboard! What an amazing collection! I have a new library card so can I get some bowls, silver items, a new rolling pin and I want to peek in all the drawers! I love seeing this collection. Can we see your laundry room at Skylands one day? Thanks, Martha and Laura. Trish

[Angela Willis]

About these and the other behind the scene photos- I'm jealous.

Angela

[Charlene Austin (Willow01)]

There's no maybe about it! Yes, I do need all of the above! LOL. Can you share where you got those amazing silver ware storage cabinets. I feel the need for those in my craft space.

[Teapot Collector]

Hey Martha, that prop room looks almost like my 'dreaded basement' but not nearly as neat as yours. Just wait until I show my husband the potential we have down there.

What, no teapots????

[jen altman]

simply said - this is my idea of heaven.

[Pam From California]

"GOOD THING" you film in NYC out here in CA you'd want to work by the "exits" if you worked in props on movie sets and television shows here you'd be freaked out working in there thinking about what if we had an EARTHQUAKE!.
Who gets to do the inventory?
Enjoy your weekend Laura & Martha.

Pam from CA

[Debbie]

Looks like my home pantry

NOT

:)

[My]

This is wonderful.... I am drooling.

[Pat]

As a librarian by trade, I love that everything is organized, cataloged, barcoded, AND checked out!

[mary beth]

incredible! thanks for the peek into your world. loved seeing the beauty and organization. can we see the room where all the sewing notions and fabrics are stored next week during knitting week?

[RKZ]

WOW! I want to visit. I've worked in merchandising and display for years and your props look to good to be true.

[Frank]

That's quite a lot of props!

I like the blog - I started a blog on TypePad too. I hooked on blogging!

[bpfster]

I need a room like that in my house. I am very impressed at how organized everything is and how they kep track of it all.

[Jennifer]

What else could we expect but perfect organization! I wish I could get a system like that * and have my Hubby use it when he "cleans"!

I could lick the screen...

Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer
http://mamascrafty.blogspot.com

[robin ball]

The pure definition of organization. The very reason I have been a fan for years! We have a saying here at my house, "now that is not how Martha would do it!" Believe it or not even sharing this gives many of us new ideas. Thank you to you and your hard working staff.

[Kim Wylie]

...when I saw the silver collection my mouth started salivating...

How do I get a library card??

[Brenda Wolfe]

What a sight! I'm wondering...who keeps all that silver polished? I love silver but am thinking of collecting pewter because I can't keep my silver looking good all the time. What's your secret?

[Laura M]

Wow! What an amazing collection. Can I come visit?

[Yvonne Kaczmarski]

What an amazing prop room. I recently inquired about some dishes that were used on the segment with Emeril and no one at Martha Stewart Customer Service was able to tell me the name of the patterns. Perhaps someone who works in the prop room can!
Yvonne

[Iowa Cowgirl]

I LOVE this post. Being a librarian I can breathe easier now. I was always slightly concerned about HOW and WHERE every wonderful thing was stored. I would also volunteer to come and live here!

[Maureen McJannet]

Wow, I love the pic of all the various bowls. Beautiful!

[Emily Ayer]

Great post! Those cake stands and pedestals are to die for... they're one of my greatest collecting weaknesses!

[d. Sharp]

Oh man, what a room. Such lucky props!

[Jen R]

I have to say, from one design enthusiast to another, it was almost like looking at decorator porn..Thanks for sharing and making us salivate!
Sanctuaryarts.blogspot.com

[Gina B.]

I'm a librarian but don't think much about how "non-book" collections might be stored. I want to work in the props library!

[Ben Fairus]

WOW!!! Its everyone dreaM to have all the props at home and it must be a homekeeper's nightmare to clean all those stuff. LOL

[crouching tigerlilly]

I'm all in a swoon! Ahhhh, dish heaven.

[Brian S.]

MARTHA! this room made me the happiest man alive. I am the props master at my highschool for it's theatre department and i could only dream of a prop room like that! mine is about a 6 ft square. that room is incredible!!!! wow. it's like heaven for me.

[andreea]

this looks like food-blog-photographer heaven :)
wonderful

[Judy]

What an amazing, beautiful space. I love it!

[Bethie]

Wow! It would take a ling time to decide which props to use! It would be very interesting to be ther person who decides how the studio is going to look for the show, I think. Thank you Martha for sharing!

[Erica]

Please, oh please may I have just ONE of the pedestals???

The prop room is amazing...how difficult it must be to choose what item you'd like to use!

[M&Co]

Ohhh what a wonderful treasure chest!!! I'm watching your show for the first time here in Norway today!! And I LOVE your kitchen,and your white pottery!!

[Paula M.]

Martha,
Thank you so much for sharing!!
I think I've died and gone to heaven!! I love the dishes and pedestals! In fact,I have to stack my cake pedestals to store them. What an amazing place! SIGH!!! Dish fetish dream come true! LOL

[Karen L.]

Every thing you do is fabulous and I love trying your recipes..but am having a terrible time finding a round 8x3 pan so I can try your Easter Cheesecake. I have looked everywhere? Can you help? Your fan!!

[Mike]

Martha you never mention your products at kmart now that you are with Maceys are you staying with kmart.

[Ginger D. Renken]

Martha, I have never seen your prop set up before but the instant I saw it, it looked familiar. laugh, if you will, but I've envisioned something so similar for myself, for the past eight years. I have collected so many kitchen items for use in entertaining and I am in need of a place for storage. After scouring every magazine out there for years, I finally gave up and calculated my own, in my mind. When I saw these pictures - WOW! It wasn't anything surprising to me at all. It doesn't take long to collect, in an overdosing amount, however, when guest arrive, it doesn't take long to use that amount either. Thank you for showing! I LOVE it!

[Melinda]

WOW! Looks like heaven... I could get lost in that room for hours and hours! What lucky prop librarians!

[cookalaka]

Oh my!! I sooo love everything. Thank you so much for everything I see - a feast - what can I say I am overwhelmed

[Jason Perlow]

THAT is where they put the Lost Ark! Finally!

[s.el@cox.net]

Always enjoy your tv program. Keep up the enjoyable good work!! I would like more basic everyday receipes.

[Laura]

Definitely a feast for the eyes: beauty, variety, organization... I has it all. I see a lot of kitchen props; what about the crafts-related props? I would love to see those, as well.

[daniel]

Your props are exquisite. Marry me, Martha so I can wander through the prop room of your heart for all eternity.
-Daniel

[Linda]

That is one job I could not have. Think bull in china shop. It is very amazing.

[Kelli]

WOW!!! Sometimes I wish I had a warehouse organized like this for all the entertaining pieces I collect. I have tried to restrain myself, but I can never resist a beautiful new way to serve food.

[Erin]

What a wonderful peek behind the scenes. I've always thought that I would love a job in a warehouse like yours!

[ashlieghe zuicherimenta]

Martha you have a lot if amazing things in there. Where do you get all the stuff from? I wish I could have all that great stuff in my kitchen!

[Lydia]

love, love, love it! Please tell me how i can do my entire house! Or at least my kitchen and library

[sylvia941@aol.com]

Dear Martha Stewart.
I just saw your show and you mentioned your pet paw paw having kidney failure.
please go to this website.
Azodyl is a medicine for kidney failure in dogs and cats. Also their is Epakitin which goes with zodyl. just want to make sure your vet knows about this medicine. I have it at home for my cats.
I hope you get this message

Sylvia

[Linda Wilson-Phillips]

Hi Martha,
You are my inspiration. When I look at you and listen to you, I am inspired to live my life to its fullest despite my health issues. We are about the same age and you let me know it is not over.
I love you and admire your self made accomplishments. Also, your prop room. Can I plunder? (in jest)
Linda

[not that Martha]

to the person looking for the 8X3 pan...check fantes.com; they have been the premier source in the Philadelphia area for over 100 yrs

[Cenk]

Can I be your prop room slave? I will mop, dust, wash, stare... And all that without pay!

[Nancy]

As a former curator in a decorative arts museum in Washington, DC, I would love to know how similar the Prop Library is to a typical museum collection management system. It looks very similar to me and the method of numbering and identifying the objects are also amazingly similar, except for the sticky labels. That is a no-no for museum objects. I love the behind-the-scenes pictures.

[Bea]

I am so jealous of the prop selection! A food and prop stylist dreamland.

[carole slade]

Hi Martha, i watch your show just about everyday and love it, I am from Nova Scotia canada, and wish we had shows like that up here that we could visit,keep up the great work and God Bless..carole in Halifax

[jerusalem]

I think I could die happy in that room... Especially by the vintage bowls or all the cake stands...

[Tracey Sofronoff]

This is a wonderful collection and make my heart flutter with joy that these wonderful pieces are being kept and recorded. Do you have pieces from all over the world? Do you have any Australian items?Like glassware or pottery from here

[Marianne]

Had an opportunity to be in your audience today. What an experience. Just want to let you know all mouths opened when we walked onto your absolutely beautiful set. You are absolutely gracious and charming, and your staff .... amazing! Each and everyone was polite, caring, and very professional. Thank you for a beautiful day!!!!

[Marianne, again]

P.S. Sorry I couldn't get tix for today to see that delicious Curtis Stone. I wrote to him about my beautiful daughter who needs some help in her beautiful kitchen. Offer is still open!!!!

[Bob Stocki]

Martha, you are wonderful!

I teach Graphic Design at a local technical college. I find so many things on your shows to share with my students.

One of my courses is called "Photographic Art Direction". I teach graphic design students how to direct a photoshoot. I have recordings from your earlier show of the photoshoot of the 10th anniversary cover of Martha Stewart Living magazine, where type and images were engraved with a laser on fruits and vegetables. While we watch the video, I have my students make a list of all the people involved in a photoshoot.

And, I show my students a video of your visit with Walter Wick, when we discuss props.

I will share your blog about the prop room with my students this semester. It should lead to a lively discussion!

Thank you so much.

[ray]

very lovely. looks like one big tax deductible way to shop and collect beautiful objects.

[mctapera]

Martha gave a great interview to WebMD about her health challenges and insights. Check it out in the lead story corner at webmd.com.

[Stef]

Wow! What a luxury! We collect odds and ends at goodwill for photo shoots. It seems to do the trick.

[katherine]

After seeing your prop room, i would love seeing your clothes closet and how it is organized. I am, as we speak, trying to design my new large walk in closet and could use some great ideas. Thank you for all inspiration on being organized.

[april]

What a wonderland. My dream is to have a walk in closet/pantry that holds treasure trove of goodies a fraction of the size of this.
April

[Alicia Hanson]

Wonderbar...
Is it all cataloged online so you can visually access a piece at anytime.

[Thomas Cappo]

Once in a while, on a studio wide shot, I get a glimpse of a set piece, the marble top tapered-leg table on wheels at which Martha stands. I would like to build one as an island for my kitchen. What are the dimensions, especially the leg dimensions and taper? What wheel diameter? Any info would be appreciated. Kudos to your set designer!

[charmaine]

oh. my. goodness. martha, please could i work for you??

[Erica O'Brien Cake Design]

I am a wedding cake designer in Long Beach, California, and I also collect cake pedestals. (Some can be seen in the photos on my website: www.ericaobrien.com) Needless to say, my collection doesn't come close to Martha's!
I've purchased pedestals everywhere from e-bay to Target. Does anyone have any tips for finding unique pedestals? Thanks!

[Haley]

...may there never be an earthquake in that room. Stunning.

[SimplePleasures]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!! I want to live there forever! such a nice room looks like a kitchen suplly store where everything is within reach