Managing time has never been my strong point. I resist prioritizing like the plague. I admit, I trick myself into thinking that I’m organized by keeping dozens of running lists, on all sorts of pads and scraps of paper. I start with a solvable list of maybe six to-do items, I accomplish four then transfer the other two unfinished items to a new list where I’ve added several more new items. So the lists mutate and multiply, but never disappear! Aaaaaa! I do make sure that the shop is always looking lovely, but with all of the buying, selling, bookwork, decorating, refinishing, etc. I don’t have a minute to spare for the homefront. You remember my living room that won the contest for Better Homes and Gardens magazine? Here’s a reminder photo. This is what it looked like in January:

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And here’s what it looked like in May:

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How would you like to sit and have a relaxing spot of tea with me in my designer dining room:

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The entryway and the guest room (please, be my guest!):

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And lastly, my bedside (why are my dreams so busy?):

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That’s Marcel’s extra bed on the right that he sleeps in from time to time. There’s a googly eyed Mother’s Day card on the nightstand. I know… I’ll insert a close-up here for levity:

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So you would think that I’d get tired of living this way, that I’d put my foot down and cry out, "This can’t go on!" But you’d be wrong my friend. Here are a few updated photos that I took a mere fifteen minutes ago, starting with the award winning living room:

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I’d love to have you over for a yummy pesto dinner, but I’m afraid we’ll be eating al fresco as this is the state of my dining room:

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And let’s check in on the entry hallway and guest room:

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And my bedside (slightly better!):

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Maybe I should just move out! One benefit is, now that I’ve come clean so to speak, I will be challenged to make amends and show you the "after" photos. The good news is that through all of this Marcel is happy and thriving. We spent the day at the beach yesterday. Now that’s good prioritizing!

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27 responses to “Beautiful Shop = Chaos at Home”

  1. Crystal Avatar
    Crystal

    Looks like my husband came to visit! He leaves messes like that behind him all the time. 🙂 Seriously though, I don’t know how Mom’s can work outside their homes and take care of a home and family besides. The family/home is a job and a half itself. Mrs. Brady had it made. xo

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  2. Di Overton Avatar

    How refreshing and honest. Good on you girl. Life’s too short to carry a duster everywhere.

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  3. Veronica TM Avatar

    marcel looks so happy! i love your prioritizing.

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  4. Ingrid Avatar
    Ingrid

    Sylvie..I couldn’t agree more with Veronica..I’d say your priorities are right on.

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  5. Laurie G. (morningk) Avatar
    Laurie G. (morningk)

    Thanks for the real life pics, it’s refreshing. I can totally relate and these made me feel more at ease about my place too 🙂

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  6. Steffi Avatar

    Very nice pictures!And your son looks really happy!

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  7. claudia Avatar

    i think we can all relate, love your sofa anyway! how is the shop coming along? any pics of it? 🙂

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  8. Sylvie Avatar

    Merci Crystal! I don’t know, I think that whole Brady thing was a bit creepy. Who would want that Alice hanging around all day!
    You’re so right Di. That gives me an idea…duster slippers!
    Big hugs Veronica and Ingrid!
    Hi Laurie G.! Love your new sewing basket, on Flickr.
    Thank you so much Steffi 🙂
    Bonjour Claudia! How’s Paris treating you? The shop is blossoming big time! Merci for asking 🙂

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  9. michelle Avatar

    I just have to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for posting these photos! I know I’m not the only one now!

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  10. Sylvie Avatar

    Hi Michelle –
    You’re WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME!!

    Like

  11. charlotte Avatar

    Ah! I LOVE these photos!!!!
    Maybe I should post some photos of what the rest of the house looks like apart from the kitchen and living room!
    Full of boxes. At least your clutter is pretty and interesting.
    And the drawers in our bedroom chest don’t shut because they are from England and swell up in the New Zealand winter! I’ve been locked out of my drawers all winter now and had to survive on three changes of clothes!!! Thank god spring is on the way.
    And nice to pop over here from Veronica’s blog 🙂

    Like

  12. lindsey Avatar

    This post amuses me so much. Thanks for the levity! I wanted to let you know the table I bought from you has finally been rebirthed. Pics are on the http://www.architheque.net site. I adore it, so thanks for providing the “good bones”!

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  13. Sylvie Avatar

    Charlotte, you are the sweetest 🙂
    Lindsey you are a genius. I’m so glad that you’re the one who got that table from me and had the eye to see it’s true value.

    Like

  14. paola Avatar

    Thank you. You’ve must made me feel so much better about myself 🙂

    Like

  15. Carolina Avatar
    Carolina

    I love your honesty! Its nice to know that I’m not the only one with a crazy home.

    Like

  16. sheree (sheree's alchemy) Avatar

    Dare I admit, I can relate!!! It just gets messed up so quickly! And I always have something I’d rather do…….
    Your boy is adorable–definitely looks like a happy guy.

    Like

  17. pinkychong Avatar
    pinkychong

    Just visiting your blog for the first time and was ready to be overwhelmed by your perfect style and beauty. So refreshing to be bowled over by both your perfection and imperfection! You are even more stylish, inspiring and beautiful than I expected. Thank you for sharing your love of life and all your treasures to us! I always felt that my “in-between the seasons” clutter was going to reek havoc on my toddler son, although my neat freak husband has told me to relax. You’ve won me over, I going to be a regular reader for life!

    Like

  18. Lilia Meredith Avatar
    Lilia Meredith

    Ohh girl, looks like my home at the moment minus the cool stuff! I just love that living room!-hugs Lilia

    Like

  19. G Avatar

    This is the most refreshing post on any blog, no less a design oriented blog that I have ever read! I just came here from SF Girl by the Bay where I was wowed by your achingly beautiful shop pics. Sorry to live in New York in this case.
    I’ll just never show this to my husband as I often snipe about our general state of disorganization in my quest for design nirvana. He points out most homes with children don’t look like magazines. Then again, maybe I will show him this 🙂 Kudos to you.

    Like

  20. Anna H. Avatar
    Anna H.

    Wait! Did you sneak in to my house and take photos?
    Thank you for sharing this — it makes me feel good that I’m not alone in having a chaotic house!

    Like

  21. colleen Avatar

    Hi Sylvie, we met when I bought the beautiful french desk from you. You should see it now, it’s in my shop, Saffron and Genevieve. Anyway I love your blog and especially these photos. We are not bad people for living like that 🙂 I ended up here from paper pony, then sfgirlby bay (so sad about her dog) took me to you. Great job!

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  22. amanda Avatar

    Oh!! I LOVE your prioritizing!! And your honesty is quite beautiful, too.

    Like

  23. Pat Mher Avatar
    Pat Mher

    Oh God bless you girl! A great design head, with two feet planted firmly on the ground. Made me feel sooooo much better about my usual reality.
    Your honesty is sooo appreciated, and you still have an amazing home.
    Keep on keepin’ on.
    Pat

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  24. Jen R Avatar

    I have some very smilar pictures on my blog!! We LIVE in our houses …right???? I LOVE my avalanche of magazines that I have to slide over in the morning to get out of bed…right??
    Good for you. Jen R

    Like

  25. leslie Avatar

    you know what? i posted your lovely room (shower curtain idea) on my blog last june. and here you have a link to my blog in your sidebar. yay for blogs! yours is great.

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  26. Window Treatments Avatar

    I never would’ve even considered that idea, but those blue cushions on the sofa are so unique!

    Like

  27. Aimee Avatar

    🙂 glad to see I am not the only one with mess. Thanks again for the vote on our messy room contest entry.

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