A renovation becomes much easier to appreciate when you can look back and see exactly how far a space has come. This bathroom had been lived in and loved by the same family since 1974, and by the time we moved in it carried a very recognisable 1990s feel—practical, familiar, but tired. Documenting the transformation was about preserving the story of a room that had finally caught up with the rest of the home.
After
Before
How the Space Changed.
The original bathroom had all the hallmarks of its era: patterned tiles, older fittings, and a layout that worked but didn’t feel particularly calm or cohesive. Over time, the room had become more functional than enjoyable. Updating it meant stripping everything back to its bones and rebuilding a space that felt lighter, warmer, and more reflective of how we live now.
The new design introduced softer colours, cleaner lines, and a mix of textures that make the room feel more grounded. Gold fixtures add warmth without being overpowering, and the plants and natural elements bring a sense of life that the old bathroom never had. It’s still practical, but now it feels like somewhere you’d actually want to linger.
Before
After
Why the After Photos Matter.
Renovations are easy to forget once you’re living in the finished space. The chaos fades, the dust settles, and the 'before' becomes a distant memory. Having clear after photographs anchors the whole journey. They show:
- The contrast between what was inherited and what now feels like home.
- The small details—textures, colours, light—that you don’t always notice day to day.
- The atmosphere of the finished room, which is often the hardest thing to describe in words.
- The emotional shift, not just the visual one.
For anyone planning their own renovation, seeing a transformation laid out visually can make the process feel less abstract. It helps people imagine what’s possible, even in a room that feels stuck in another decade.
Before
It lets you:
Photographing the finished product documents a memory, perspective, and appreciation.
What documenting a renovation gives you.
- Look back and see the value in the work you put in.
- Notice the craftsmanship and choices that might otherwise blend into the everyday.
- Share the journey with others in a way that feels honest and grounded.
- Celebrate the character of a room that finally feels like yours.
Feeling of Space.
For me, capturing interiors and lifestyle spaces is rooted in exactly that—showing the feeling of a space, not just the objects in it.
Renovations can be overwhelming while you’re in them, but looking at the before-and-after side by side makes the whole process feel worthwhile. What part of your home do you think will surprise you most when you look back at its transformation?
