It’s been two weeks since we packed up the old studio and moved into the new space. Time has flown, but the transition has been exciting and productive. While we’re still settling in, finishing a few DIY projects like building workspace tables, and unpacking boxes, I wanted to share the “before” photos of the studio so we have a baseline to compare with as the space evolves.
Note: these images are unstaged. I took most of them the day after moving in—some before we even started—so they show the raw, unstyled condition of the space. I’ll be decorating and sharing many more photos as the makeover progresses.
The new studio spans two levels, which gives us plenty of room to spread out. The upstairs reads like a bright white box—perfect for shooting—while the downstairs contains the main workspace, kitchen, bathroom, and a storage closet.
Main workspace
The main workspace is flooded with natural light from multiple windows, which makes it a joyful place to work. It’s fairly open to the rest of the lower level and is where we’ve set up most of the tables and do the majority of our crafting. Storage is minimal at the moment—there’s only one closet behind the kitchen and it’s already full—so finding versatile freestanding storage solutions is a top priority.
Before moving in, I had a few updates completed, like removing ceiling fans and painting the baseboards white. Those small changes helped the area feel brighter and more open. You can spot those differences in the photos: some were taken just before we moved and others right after we started arranging furniture.
The major limitation downstairs is the original dark concrete floors. The building is a 1930s factory with historical elements, and the landlord won’t allow altering the concrete. While I don’t hate the floors, I would prefer something lighter—ideally painted white or covered with wood—but those options aren’t permitted. For now, I’ll use area rugs to warm the space. The good news is the upstairs features white floors, so we get a nice contrast between the clean, bright upper level and the more industrial lower level.
Kitchen
The kitchen has good bones and a number of planned improvements. Short term it’s functional, but the long-term plan includes removing the tall partition wall on the left to extend the countertop, upgrading cabinets, replacing the sink and appliances, and installing a tiled backsplash. The current hanging track lighting isn’t ideal, so I’ll be redesigning the lighting to create a more cohesive and attractive workspace.
Upstairs
Upstairs will serve primarily as a shooting area, so I plan to keep most of it intentionally minimal and open. I’ll add storage along the half wall by the stairs and beneath the raised platform so the main floor remains uncluttered. When I first toured the unit, the upstairs had black floors, a semi-enclosed closet, and an odd platform. Before we moved in, I had the floors, baseboards, and platform painted white and a railing installed for safety.
The platform is simple but useful: it’ll make a great backdrop for tabletop photos thanks to all the natural light from the windows. Underneath the platform I’m storing extra furniture and large props for now, and I’m planning custom shelving to better utilize the space.
At the moment I don’t have photos of the bathroom or storage closet because I don’t expect to change them right away. If that changes, I’ll add more before-and-after photos later.
Questions and suggestions welcome—what would you do with this space? Any favorite storage solutions, DIY projects, or styling ideas you’d like to see? I’d love your input as we plan the next steps.