From the beginning of February 2007, all photography/retouching work stopped and for 6 weeks, Emma spent every day working on getting the studio fit for prim and proper ladies! Emma wasn't alone in the renovation, she had a number of helpers - her mother and father donated every spare minute, (and some funds!) when they weren't doing their day jobs as did 3 of her closest friends, Andy, Paul and James. It was a hard, HARD 6 weeks but throughout she learned some valuable DIY skills, patience and how not to leave her mother alone for even one second unsupervised, otherwise, some important wall, object or tool will get demolished, painted or destroyed! On the 17th March, the studio was complete and opened for it's first shoot! The below images will hopefully give you a sense of what it started out like, the effort it took and the making of a studio miracle. Emma apologies for the below images being watermarked but unfortunately people keep pinching them and using them on the internet without asking. |
These images are © and are not to be downloaded, modified, stored or used in any way without Emma's permission.
The viewing, the mess, the task ahead!!! |
Helper no.1 (mother) looking worried |
Fantastic window in need of some TLC |
Removal of the old plaster to expose the lovely brick and stone |
Helper number two (James) attacking the plaster in a cloud of dust |
A plaster free wall |
The original floorboards covered in muck, grime and 200 year old oil from the cotton |
Wall looking very good after myself and James applied two coats of PVA, a very tedious job indeed!! |
Again, the wall and window looking a thousand times better. Window cemented around the edges |
The fabric ceiling (courtesy of mum) is up but looks like a parachute, seriously needs adjusting! AND LIGHTS, almost forgot the lights!! |
Walls have been insulated; the MDF has been put up by moi, helper number 1, 2, 3 and a variety of other fantastic people |
Another random picture of it looking like a dump/tornadoed newsagents! |
Helper no.1 tucked away in the corner adjusting the brilliantly made and bespoke curtains and frill (again, courtesy of mum). A horrible temporary light featured there, until I find the perfect chandelier |
2 of the 3 curtains |
We have working lights... |
And a slightly better ceiling! |
No.1 perfecting/defacing the floor! |
The floor after it's date with mr. industrial floor sander, helper no.1, no.2, no.4 (Andy) and 2 wire brushes. Yes, there really was wood under that black grime! |
Helper no.3 (Dad) helping me paste the backing paper |
Helper no.1 inspecting the backing paper |
Getting there |
Finally done!!! |
My first attempt at wallpapering helped by no.1 |
Not bad! Not bad at all!!! |
Papering complete, time for the 9 ft blinds!! Blinds that no.1 had to make from 3 because I could not get custom blackout blinds from anywhere in that length! Any why oh why are they only available in blue or white??! |
No.1 and no.3 hard at work, no.5 (me) taking the pictures and supervising (no seriously, I worked my butt off for a month and a half wrestling with boards, jigsaws and sanders to get this finished) |
Finishing touches |
Finishing touches with a different view |
The studio is now filled with exciting props, furniture and many more goodies.
I would like to say a big "thank you" to everyone involved in the making of a studio miracle, especially my Mum & Dad,
James, Andy and Paul. I would still be staring at metal walls and a grotty floor now if it weren't for you
guys... thank you, from the bottom of my heart (the beers are on me)!!!
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