My messy little packrat

Why is it some kids just aren't born with the "neat gene"? I'm a fairly organized person and I tend to like things clean, neat, orderly.  So how is it I end up with a daughter that is a total packrat and could care less if things are a mess?  Quite obviously the child has never heard the term "less is more".  She seems to think "more is more" and just for good measure, let me throw in the fact that she does think her space is organized.  Perhaps to her it seems that way.  To me, I tend to want to sneak in (when she's not around) with a big garbage bag and go on a wild purge session.   Ok, I confess.....I have!

Now we have yet to agree on the design and re-do of her room, so I'm opting for one step at a time.  Have I mentioned the child has an opinion about everything? Kind of like her mother I suppose.  We picked a wall color and painted the room a peach when we first started.  She has decided that she wants white, green and hot pink to be her additional colors.  so - while not what I would pick, I am trying to work with her on her color choices.  Guess it's fair to say we started working on her space this weekend.  Step 1, attempt to get rid of some of the mess by getting her a desk.  Off to IKEA for something that a) worked with our selected colors (IKEA always has white, right?) b) was inexpensive and c) would work in the space we had.

I give you her before shot - fair warning it's a mess.....

And after I found the perfect little desk at IKEA and her father came over and helped with the assembling of the desk, the after shot:

BTW, never believe IKEA sales people when they say it's very easy to assemble.  It took 2 college grads giving it our best college try to put it together.  I could have never done it solo.

So - I'm amazed by the fact that not only was she thrilled with the desk, but she very neatly put everything in her 2 drawers in a orderly fashion and helped me clean the room.  It's a start!

To date we have:

Wall color - painting and trim done
Blinds installed
Green rug found and down
White desk

Next up: change out the bed (from a single to a full size), find bedding, rearrange layout of the room, DECLUTTER.  I'm hoping that the tidy white desk is going to inspire her to like a more streamlined look.  However I would not place a bet on this ever really happening.  I think the "more is more" look somehow suits her in an odd sort of way and hey....I figure they eventually grow up and move out :)