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July 29, 2026

WHY I DIDN’T BUILD THE DRESSING STUDIO I PLANNED

Hey pretty girl! Welcome back to the blog!

Sometimes the best ideas don’t happen because everything goes according to plan.

Sometimes they happen because nothing does.

For the past few months, I’ve been dreaming about converting one of our guest bedrooms into a custom dressing studio. I envisioned floor-to-ceiling storage, beautiful built-ins, custom lighting, and a space where I could get dressed, film content, edit photos, write blog posts, and create without feeling like I was constantly moving from one room to another.

As someone who lives alone while balancing a full-time career, blogging, content creation, calligraphy, and all of the behind-the-scenes work that comes with running Pretty Prim & Proper, I thought it would be the perfect solution.

I wasn’t just designing a closet.

I was designing a space that would make creating a little easier.

FROM THE ARCHIVEs

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THE REALITY CHECK

Like most home projects, it started with excitement.

I measured the room. Drew layouts. Collected inspiration photos. Met with contractors. Requested estimates. Planned electrical work. Researched materials. I had finally convinced myself that this was the right investment.

Then reality showed up.

The estimates were much higher than I expected. Scheduling became increasingly difficult. Communication was inconsistent, and every conversation seemed to create another obstacle instead of moving the project forward.

I kept telling myself that once construction started, all of the frustration would be worth it.

Then came the moment that changed everything.

The contractor I had selected was scheduled to come to my home.

Hours passed.

Nothing.

No phone call.

No text message.

No update.

Then, at 8:11 that evening, there was a knock at my front door.

He had finally arrived—without warning.

I didn’t answer.

Not because I was being rude.

Because I was done.

By that point, I wasn’t excited anymore. I wasn’t inspired anymore. I was simply trying to force a project that had become far more stressful than enjoyable.

ASKING A BETTER QUESTION

That experience made me step back and ask myself something I probably should have asked from the beginning.

What problem am I actually trying to solve?

At first, my answer had always been, “I need a dressing studio.”

But after sitting with it for a while, I realized that wasn’t really true.

What I needed wasn’t another closet.

What I needed was a creative space.

A place where I could work.

A place where I could photograph outfits.

Film tutorials.

Wrap gifts.

Practice calligraphy.

Style tablescapes.

Edit videos.

Brainstorm ideas.

Store props.

Welcome new editors.

And simply enjoy creating.

Once I realized that, everything changed.

A NEW VISION

Instead of tearing apart an entire bedroom, I’ve decided to customize something I already own.

My IKEA PAX wardrobe system will receive a makeover with trim, shelving above the units to maximize storage, and molding to give it the appearance of custom built-ins.

The guest bedroom will become something much bigger than a closet.

It will become Pretty Prim & Proper Headquarters.

I’m envisioning an antique armoire filled with beautiful pieces, decorative shelf brackets to display upcoming outfits, a timeless console, and a DIY vanity that will serve as both my workspace and my getting-ready station.

Will it look different than my original vision?

Absolutely.

Will it cost less?

Thankfully, yes.

But what excites me the most is that this new plan actually reflects the way I live and work far better than my original idea ever did.

A LESSON I DIDN'T EXPECT

It’s funny how often we convince ourselves there’s only one right way to accomplish a goal.

Sometimes we become so attached to the picture we’ve created in our minds that we stop noticing when life is gently nudging us toward something better.

I won’t pretend I wasn’t disappointed.

I was.

I had spent months imagining this project.

But somewhere between the contractor delays, the unanswered phone calls, and the unexpected frustration, I found something I wasn’t looking for.

Clarity.

Pretty Prim & Proper has never really been about closets.

Or clothing.

Or beautiful homes.

It’s always been about creating a life that feels intentional, welcoming, polished, and deeply personal.

This new space reflects that vision so much better.

WHAT'S NEXT

Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing every step of the process here on the blog—from customizing the wardrobes and hunting for the perfect antique pieces to building my vanity and styling the room until it truly feels like the creative home Pretty Prim & Proper deserves.

I have a feeling this space is going to become one of my favorite rooms in the house.

Not because it’s the biggest.

Not because it’s the most expensive.

But because it represents something every creative eventually learns:

Sometimes the project you end up building is better than the one you originally imagined.

I’d love to hear from you.

Have you ever started a home project—or really any project—with one vision, only to have it completely change along the way?

Did the new plan end up being better than the original?

Tell me your story in the comments. I have a feeling I’m not the only one who’s had to pivot.