My Little Photoshop Secret (Let’s Just Keep This Between Us!!)

Today’s topic may seem a bit strange, but I just HAVE to share this with you (although I hadn’t intended to originally).

Matt and I purchased our condo from a couple who were using it as rental property. Unfortunately, the people who were living here had fallen on difficult times financially, and were being evicted for nonpayment of rent. So when we got our keys and walked into our condo for the first time, it was a complete mess. The renters had obviously been living here for a few days with no electricity and no running water, and they also left in a hurry, leaving much of their stuff behind.

But I was anxious to get in here, take some “before” pictures, and get started on the remodeling/redecorating. I was so anxious, in fact, that I didn’t take any time whatsoever to clear off countertops or throw away any of the junk that had been left behind. Literally within minutes of getting our keys, I was taking “before” pictures.

I’ve always regretted my hastiness, because this is the picture I got of the “before” kitchen:

And while that truly is the way it looked when we walked in, it’s not quite the “before” I wanted people to see. I want people to see the “before” finishes and fixtures, but this picture is all about the clutter.

So this past week, I sent the photo over to my mom. Have I told you about her? She’s an absolute magician when it comes to Photoshop. She’s retired now, but she used to be self-employed as a photographer (a very talented one, at that!), and she also did photo restorations for people. People would bring their really old, cracked photos to her, and she would make them look perfect. Or people would bring family photos where one person had closed their eyes, and she would “open” the eyes. I mean, really amazing stuff!

So I just knew she could help me. And indeed, she did! Where I had failed to clear off the countertop, my photo magician mother did it for me.

Pretty amazing, huh?

Of course, I hadn’t intended to ever show you the original “before” picture. After all, the whole reason I had her do that was so that I could have a better “before” picture to show you–one that focused on the finishes and fixtures rather than the clutter. But when I saw her incredible work, I just couldn’t help myself.

So there you have it–my Photoshop secret. From now on, when I show the “before” picture of my kitchen, and the countertop is all clear, you’ll know my secret. Let’s just keep this between us, okay?

Speaking of my kitchen, I’m hoping to get the rest of my tiling done this weekend! What about you? Any grand plans for the weekend?