Before, after and encore

May I share my after photographs? Here they are – from nearly an year ago! I finished painting late in November, was out of myself with joy, and then went away, came back, and was not that happy with what I saw. The version hereunder is the one past correction/ The topic however is how likely we are to know the outcome in advance?

 

A successful design story is when we see a space and we know what it really needs, and then a design is considered and produced, and the place comes to life exactly as planned. So, it is the moment for before and after photographs, and for hefty comparisons to the original design … except that it doesn’t work quite like that. Or at least not for beginner designers. For a start, it is so hard to know what is going to happen exactly… like in my mauve kitchen I knew for a fact that a lighter colour, will bring more light, and space, and that the edges would be smooth and soft.

In the same time I ignored:

•         My pinkish window frames, clean of mauve paint, but pinkish nonetheless, would stand out… in the sense of not clean, unfinished piece of joinery
•    The tiling above the sink and cooking range will no longer be a contrast colour, but complementary. What is worse – a complementary, dirty looking colour, with very uneven joints..
•       Etc. no need to give a full description to the disaster.

The moral from the story is, that while for a beginner before/after photographs tend to encourage a lot. And when 80% of what we expect comes true, it is a very good reason to rejoice. But in the same time, it will take a lot of practice, rough experience, experimenting, until 100 % designed project is a 100 % reality. So, for as long as one is not launched professionally, and still on the learning curve – I’d rather call them before, after and encore pictures.

The last one means that the after photographs are “work in progress” – just be happy about what is achieved, take a bow, and consider encore. Especially since the experience may provide the sadly missed big picture ideas. And especially since experience is never lost – ideally the more is practiced, the fewer “encore” ideas there will be.

But for the time being, my “after” photographs only mean – phase one complete, start designing phase two, now that you have a better idea where the original suggestions are taking you!

Or as some wise people said – let the room grow on you.

Now, with respect to other rooms (more important, less important) I have a strategy devised, and this will be presented in a next blog.

In the meantime, have you noticed:

·      My photographs are not professional – nevertheless. I need to document what is happening and there is no more objective way? Or is there?

·      The encore list is part of a site survey – have you tried to do so yourselves? To what result? What do you find important in a site survey?

·      What matters more: skill or vision?

These are just a few of my questions about becoming a professional designer. And a blogger? Don't know which one is less successful right now ...