There is nothing glamorous or pretty about today’s post. In fact, it’s pretty uninspiring. But it’s the truth and I am keeping it real. In doing our latest room makeover for our daughter, I realized that some of my readers who are not bloggers may think it is easier than it is. I never want to give the false impression that things magically happen or that the house doesn’t look like a bomb went off. Things get ugly. Things get messy. In fact, I have been living with a mess and piles for over two weeks now. Does it drive me crazy? Some days it does. I have done this long enough to know that the mess and disorganization is all a part of it. I know that within a matter of a couple of more weeks, all will be well. For example, My daughter’s room {with the door shut} is in full makeover mode and our hallway, laundry room, and children’s bathroom have become a dumping ground. I should have snapped a photo when the bookshelf was in the hallway. That was a fun couple of days. Here are a few phone photos taken to show you how we are currently living. 
Our home is modest in size so I don’t really have a spare bedroom to toss everything when I am in makeover mode. We were without laundry for a couple of days as we couldn’t even get to it. Oh, and then there is the playroom which has become my daughter’s makeshift bedroom while paint is drying. That’s a whole other bomb site. And it takes a long time to sort through it all. Eventually, it all gets sorted into keep, donate, or trash. The hard part, of course, is the keep. Do we keep it in her room? Do we box it up and store it? Does it go in the playroom? That is the stage we are in right now. 
If there are any firefighters out there, I know I am breaking a million rules with piles in front of doors. I am sorry. I will move them. Today I cleaned out their bathroom so they could actually use it! Progress! And I am okay with all of this as it’s been such a fun room makeover and she really is transitioning from little girl things to bigger girl items! It’s time to sort through it all. 
I know that blogs sometimes make things look magical. Here is the before photo and here is the magical after photo! But even with my design clients, things get messy! You should see the day of an install! It’s craziness until the dust settles. So if you are wondering if your disaster is normal, it is! And that is all part of the process. It’s sort of like running a marathon. You have to be up for it and know it will be a bit of a push. And in the end, you feel like you have really accomplished something. And yes, that is me passed out on my daughter’s bed. Hubby came in and found me like this when I realized I needed to paint the ceiling for a third time! 
I am a huge believer a home needs to reflect the families that reside within them. They need to be beautiful and organized so that you can enjoy your life without feeling overwhelmed. And when working on projects like these, embrace the chaos and know that it too shall pass! Pump up the music and get things done one small pile at a time. And if anyone is up for tackling this mess with me, please don’t hesitate to stop on by! … go forth and tackle a project
Love a real post! I keep thinking of doing something to our bedroom – you have inspired me to act.
Grandma has a big old house with a spare room and attic, so if you want to ship precious mementos East, I can store them. 🙂
It always gets worse before it gets better! Can't wait to see how it turns out. Thanks for keeping it real.
Isn't this the truth! I always think I should take a picture of what is behind me when I take the beauty shot. xo Kristin
Love that you fell asleep on Riley's bed! Too funny. Sometimes you just have to crash where you are 🙂
Even your mess looks pretty! I guess pink girly mess is much easier on the eye than my boys superhero, ugly bad guys, monster messes while I sort through their rooms. Sally xx
I couldn't agree more with your last paragraph!! And thanks for keeping it real! Haha. And I agree with Simply LKJ–it always gets worse before it gets better! 🙂
I wish I lived close enough to help you. You could keep up the decorating and I could do laundry and meals and carpool and other stuff. the picture of you face down on the bed says it all but it is so refreshing to see young women enjoying their homes and families the way that you do. It really makes me wish I could help out. Can't wait to see the pictures though! and your daughter will have such a beautiful bedroom. Peggy Sullivan
Thank you for keeping it real. Can't wait to see how the room turns out.
Yes, thank you for keeping it real! It makes me feel better about the disaster my house was last week while painting my son's room.
Speaking of paint, what paint color is your hallway? I love that shade of tan!
Love how authentic this post is! It is so true, there is often so much chaos until it is all done and everything has its place. I think the mess makes us appreciate the cleaner times! I wish I could come and help, however being all the way from the land of Oz doesn't give me much luck! Keep up the good work as a sensational blogger and a passionate mumma. It really is very inspiring 🙂 xx
If I lived closer I would be happy to help you! Love the photo hubby took of you. I can't to see the reveal of Riley's room.
I love this post so much! Girl, if you could see my basement right now – you would start crying! Piles and piles everywhere – I'm embracing it as I sit on the couch and stare at it all – ha!
Loved your post a lot….
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Hi Courtney! I just discovered your blog a couple of days ago and am really enjoying it! This "behind the scenes" post really touched me… I am a new blogger (went "live" in February only). I blog because I require a platform to document my need to create. But I am starting to realize how labour intensive each post can be! We redid our kitchen last summer and for the last two months, I have been trying to take pictures in order to blog about the reno. Well, last weekend was the first weekend in months where the kitchen was clean enough to even begin thinking about taking pictures. All that was left was some scrubbing, some purging, some staging, and chasing kids out of the room while I photographed… phew! But I got my photos! 🙂 And now, there's that little issue of actually writing the post…
Thank you for the "keeping it real" moment…
Thank you for another essential article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a complete way of writing?
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