Scrolling through graphic designer Amanda Jane Jones's Instagram is guaranteed to spark a little jealousy—could life really be that perfect?! Of course, the answer is no. Off-screen, Amanda's life with her husband, Cree, and two kids is as full of ups and downs as the next person's. If you think they sailed through their apartment renovation like it was nothing, think again. Here, Amanda opens up about what the process was like—including the serendipitous moments, yes, but also the time she couldn't help but shed a few tears.

In 2013, we moved to Hyde Park in Chicago and bought an apartment built in 1912. Original cloth-covered electrical wiring, lead paint chips, mouse holes . . . it was a fixer upper . And the unit next to ours was in even worse condition. It was empty and had been since we moved—windows covered, a constant slow leak dripping into the basement. To be honest, it gave me the creeps. Last year, however, our upstairs neighbors bought it with the hopes of flipping it. As you can imagine, it turned out to be a bigger project than they anticipated. The water damage was so extensive (imagine moldy cottage cheese), both the kitchen and back bedroom walls and floors had to be entirely replaced.

The kitchen needed some major love.

The living room wasn't in the best shape either.