Brandon and I have taken on a lot of projects since moving into our home in 2007, and last year was no exception. Here’s what we tackled around the house in 2010.
I rearranged my office. Then I added a new mirror above my desk, and a groovy zigzag rug. Then I neglected to do anything else and haven’t shown you the space since. I shall rectify this in 2011.
The front entryway got a makeover. I later made airy new curtains to let more light in to the space.
We cut a hole in our hundred-year-old door to allow our cats access to the basement. We should have done it sooner.
I put together a comprehensive DIY Painting Tips and Tricks Guide.
The bedroom was redone in greens and grays, and it now features the most awesome chandelier ever.
Who knew a dish rack and a $5 glass bottle could make a kitchen sink so much cuter?
Our roof sprung a leak, so we had to spring for a new roof. We made the most of a bad situation by addressing our second floor’s heating issues and chose a white roof to reflect the sun.
We solved one of our biggest storage dilemmas and organized our stacks of CDs.
I showed you how to make inexpensive custom-sized roller shades for your windows.
I explained why I’m painting the wood trim in my home. Then I took forever but finally finished painting the trim white in the dining room. I still have to paint the ceiling in there, and paint the trim in the living room and my office though.
I also showed you how I arranged my white ceramics collection with step-by-step photos.
I mixed white plates with fun metallic options to show you how to set a holiday table with a several variations.
Pantone’s color of the year totally validated my living room.
We started remodeling our unfinished basement to make room for my studio, along with a laundry room, half-bathroom, play space, and storage area. Finishing the basement will also allow us to turn the current studio into Eleanor’s new bedroom, and then update Eleanor’s nursery for the new baby.
So that’s what was happening around the house in 2010, and I have a lot more in store for 2011! C’mon already basement. I’m ready for you.
42 comments
Annie
The living room colors are great. The print on the wall, however, overpowers the room. Its colors are both much more vibrant (yellow) and light-sucking (black) than any other colors in the room, and on top of that, its graphic has a scale that is much larger than other prints in the room. You have a tendency to over-tinker with your designs. You get a room just right, but then start fussing around and go a step too far. I’d find another print–actually a set of prints–for that wall. And paint the dining room’s ceiling and area above the chair rail. The white is too, too much!
gwen
i love your home!
btw, where did you get your alphamagnets?
Jacquelyn
Love seeing the updates all in one spot! AND the Edison Chandelier – I want one too!
bonjouryall
The video…. the first years.
Love it. Just absolutely love it.
Beautiful blog. Fresh ideas.
Nice.
-Wendy
Katherine
Your house is beautiful! I wish I had an excuse to buy that chandelier. Serious interior design lust.
Janice
Hi,I really love ur works. inspiring and impressive! how do u ever go about managing your work and the babies? Just by reading ur updates render me breathless! U sure have loads of energy! on an another note, I would like to know where u got your ampersand display and the “eat and drink” standing with your ceramic collection? Do share :) n keep up the good work!
Making it Lovely
I did a Day in the Life post a while back that you might enjoy. Things have changed a lot since then though — It’s amazing how fast babies grow into toddlers, and our day is pretty different now!
The huge ampersand in my office was from Pottery Barn, and the ‘eat and drink’ letters were a gift from my mother-in-law (from a shop in Des Moines).
HollyP
You’ve done amazing work at your house. I still flip every time I see the dining room wallpaper!
I wish PB made a smaller scale Edison lamp. After seeing it again on your blog I’m thinking about it for my dining room, but 10 bulbs in an 11 x 11 room might be overkill.
Making it Lovely
My bedroom is only 12×12, and if you subtract the freestanding closet, it’s more like 10×12!
HollyP
Really? I guess MrP and I will be checking out PB online tonight…
Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife
I love all that you’ve done! I can’t wait to see what you are up to in 2011!
Sarah
I love it! Where did you get the red and white fabric that’s at your front door?
Making it Lovely
From IKEA (and it’s actually orange and white).
laura @ the shorehouse
Awesome recap! Even if it does make me feel like a total slacker. :-)
misshotcakes
your house is amazing.
for some reason, in your room, the piece I love the most is the red phone! :)
gorgeous job Nicole :)someday I’ll get my act together and paint using your guide.
PriscilaPetersDecor
The dark hard wood floor is my dream floor! Stunning
Laura Gaskill
Happy New Year Nicole!! I love seeing all of the projects from the year together like this, what a great idea :) You (and Brandon) deserve a big pat on the back – or maybe a massage is more like it after all of that paint-scraping and painting? Cheers to another year of Making It Lovely, and to your growing family! xoxo Laura
Jacinta @ modelmumma
It’s been so fun to watch you transform your house! I have been inspired so many times but finally I did something about it (thanks for the motivation of a new year too) and started paiting the timber door frames and skirtings throughout my house. I’m only up to the primer but it looks so much better already!
Can’t wait to watch the rest of your place transform and tackle my own too!
Making it Lovely
Awesome! I’m glad you’re liking the result so far.
Wendy
all things beautiful!! looking forward to reading all about your 2011! Happy New Year!
Dottie
That is such an amazing list. You should be so very very proud of yourself. Oh, and you did it all with a baby in tow and for more than half of the year, pregnant to boot!
Well done, lady! Well done!
PS: Indoor cat door ROCK! We did that one too and we love love love it!
Just Live Simply
I really adore your unique style. It’s always refreshing to see it! Thanks for sharing all you do, looking forward to following you in 2011.
Kristen
adrianne
Amazing! Such an inspiration!
hayley blease
hello nicole, I read your blog through my reader and I now have to take the time to come and say hi. What you achieved last year is awesome, and your home is beautiful! I cannot wait to see what you do with your new studio space. x
Brandi
You have a beautiful home and I love your living room! You got so much done in 2010!
emily
Nicole – where did you get the bedside lamps in your bedroom? Thanks!
Making it Lovely
Pottery Barn.
Jana
Absolutely LOVE your home. It is beautiful and fun. I fantasize about the day we purchase our first home and I can go to work making it my own. In the meantime I will live vicariously through all the great homes in the blogosphere….including yours!
Tanya
I’m a relatively new follower of your blog. I just love your home because it looks so cheery and cozy. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you do in 2011!
~Tanya
dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com
Rebecca
Can’t wait to see your home continue to evolve in 2011. Happy New Year!
CJ
I can’t wait to see more pictures of your office! By far my favorite room! Well.. maybe until the basement is done!
Cynthia
I love your house! I recently made a window bench in my family room area and had a seat cushion made. I just need to add a bunch of pillows and I love the two pillows you have in your living room shown in this post. Would you be able to tell me where you got them? Thanks!
Making it Lovely
The polka dot pillow is from Hable Construction, and the floral one was an old Thomas Paul design.
Suburbansider
I have just discovered your blog and I Love it, Love it!!
I am back tracking through all of you pages at every chance I get.
I think what you have done with your home is absolutely beautiful, colours especially, and inspiring and the fact that you guys do it all your selves.
Thank you!
p.s i love portishead too
Kate
Looks great! I love those curtains in the first image.
Van
Your home is LOVELY indeed, love this recap, and I look forward to reading and being inspired by your progress into 2011.
Your clear photos also inspire me to take better pictures :)
Jessica
wow, you are amazing (have any free time to come to my house?? ;))
Absolutely gorgeous & unique while still maintaining a “home-y” feel…btw, that wallpaper is fabulous!
Mandy Ford
Love seeing all of the updates and decorating ideas. Very inspiring!
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