You Got Served: Claire Thomas, The Kitchy Kitchen

 

Claire Thomas, The Kitchy Kitchen, is one of those gals who just knows how to pull it together. Be it the perfectly arranged table for entertaining, a vibrant photo worthy slice of savory tart, or a weekend outfit effortlessly pulled together that we're ready to steal straight out of her closet ASAP. All of it...flawless.

She is in a word: fabulous. Not to mention down to earth and totally real.

We knew when putting together this first installment of "You Got Served" that Claire would bring a unique perspective to food styling while being both flamboyant and a classic minimalist. There's no question her time behind the camera directing big commercial shoots has given her the trained eye to hone in quickly on the perfect shot - Claire slammed out this style sesh with lightning speed and focus.

And serving  style? She did not disappoint! Take a look at what she created from the supplied prop box and learn about her styling process and latest obsessions below.

You got served...by The Kitchy Kitchen.

The Rules:

~Subject must choose and work with at least two items and one textile from the mystery box

~Location and surface area up to the discretion of the subject

~One additional textile, prop, and food/botanicals can be selected from the subject's private collection

 

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Do you have a routine or game plan when it comes to styling with props for your photos?

The big question is always black or white.  If I go with a black background, that means rustic wooden surfaces and maybe some textured linens.  White means a white background with a marble surface and clean aesthetic. Once I decide which direction I'm going in, the rest is just playing around.

What's your Serving Style? Brand new/on trend, unique vintage originals, particular colors?

I love playing up texture with food and letting it truly be the star.  I usually hate it when propping gets in the way of the dish I'm trying to highlight, so I like to keep styling simple.  In terms of style, I love Heath ceramics and the style that goes along with that: modern but nodding to the past, clean but still warm.  However, if I'm shooting an amazing vintage recipe I might go for something more period appropriate or fun, it just depends on what the food dictates.

Image credit: Claire Thomas

Do you have a favorite piece in your collection? What's the story behind it?

My two recent favorites are the marble slab from Crate and Barrel for only $50 and then a set of gold plated vintage flatware (pictured above in the floral background croissant photos).  The marble is so versatile and adds a wonderful polish to anything I place on it.  The flatware is just so fun! Gold everything is obviously a recent trend, and I love the warmth and unexpected pop it adds to the frame.

Image credit: Claire Thomas

If you could get a hold of any item for your kitchen or tabletop, what do you currently have your eye on? 

Good question! Other than Heath ceramics everything, I would love to get more Le Creuset pots and ramekins in smaller sizes.  I love shooting food in process, but sometimes shooting a large sauce pan can be less than attractive.  Smaller vessels, in a variety of colors, can go a long way to make a pot of something look wonderful.

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Thanks for styling with us Claire - we love your bold colorful style that is  full of life and your effortless ability to make croissants look festive!

You can find more of this lovely lady over on The Kitchy Kitchen as well as major style inspiration and some behind the scenes action on her  Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest pages. Definitely make sure you check out her ongoing video series, which are a font lovers dream, always a gorgeously shot and a guaranteed pick me up.

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Want more You Got Served!? Catch up on the full on-going series over here!

And definitely make sure to peep how Joy The Baker & Matchbox Kitchen styled from this very same box of props!