The internet, particularly instagram, has become one of the most incredible places to share and consume beauty of all kinds. I am beyond amazed by the sheer volume of talent, creativity, and fantastic design that is happening all over the globe! In an instant, I can see the most incredible staircases, a cliffside modern house, or intricately embroidered wallpaper installed in some faraway dreamy bedroom… then it’s gone!

After a while, I began to have this nagging thought… ‘What is behind that finished photo?’

Usually, this thought would creep in during one of my own work days… onsite… working closely with a team tasked to execute on a design we had created, solving through with a tradesperson, a conflict that hadn’t been identified when plans were drawn, or visiting a workshop of one of the many incredibly talented artisans who create these bespoke finishes that we specify so often… I would think, what a shame it was that THIS part of the project is rarely shown, yet THIS part of the project is inextricable in achieving that ‘Finished Photo’. 

 Then… I started getting attitude about it.

I really started to almost resent the fact that these images were hailed for their beauty but nowhere was the real acknowledgement of the TIME and effort of so many that allowed this photo to exist. Seeing so much design work circulating in this instantaneous fashion, made me feel as though the whole ‘process’ of creative design was being taken for granted, or worse, made to seem as if it all was just so easily achieved!

Anyone who has worked in this industry can attest to just how long it takes to get those heart-stoppingly beautiful images… they will usually always tell you just how many people it took to get to that photo as well. And, like me, I bet one of the things they love to talk about or explain (if ever asked) is HOW it all came together!!  

And so, I give you ‘Behind the Finished Photo’, where we explore the deeper layer to achieving incredible design…

The grit beneath the decoration that allows the Finished Photo to exist.