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Need Some Decorating Help?

Hey Chicago and Oak Park area readers… Do you have a room in your home that you’d like me to help you decorate? If so, I’d love to hear from you!

A $1500 budget will be provided by my sponsor, American Express, but applicants should be willing to put in a little work (e.g. painting) and agree to have the decorating process documented. If you would like to be considered, please fill out the form below. I’ll take applications through Friday, October 14th.

* I am no longer accepting applications, and am now going through the hundreds that were received. I will let you know who has been chosen as soon as I’m able! *

Sources & Paint ColorsNeed design help? Let's work together.

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  • Megan
    October 10, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    So wait, is this for free?!

    What a brilliant idea! Wish I lived in Chicago…

    • Making it Lovely
      October 10, 2011 at 5:56 pm

      Yes, free! A sponsor will provide the budget.

  • Lis
    October 10, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    Well, I do believe one of my dreams (has a chance, at least) can come true.

    A question: Will *we* need to be photographed? ;) I am perfectly fine with my shack being plastered on the net, but not my ugly mug. I just don’t want to waste your time with entering if that’s the case!

    What an exciting opportunity for the person who is chosen!

    • Making it Lovely
      October 10, 2011 at 9:43 pm

      No, I suppose the people getting the makeover don’t need to be photographed… though it might be nice for people to see who the room belongs to.

  • Miranda
    October 10, 2011 at 6:28 pm

    Awww, man! If only I lived in Chicago. If you ever decide to do any e-design sign me up!

  • Brooke
    October 10, 2011 at 6:39 pm

    If I pay to fly you to SF can you do my place even though I don’t live near you? Boo hoo I want to do this sooooo bad!

    • Making it Lovely
      October 10, 2011 at 9:44 pm

      If I didn’t have the little ones, I’d take you up on that! I loved spending time in SF last year.

  • Tara
    October 10, 2011 at 6:59 pm

    If you would expand your area to include Madison, WI, I am soooooooo game!!!!

    • Making it Lovely
      October 10, 2011 at 9:45 pm

      It’s hard for me to travel far because of the kids.

      • Christina
        October 12, 2011 at 5:37 pm

        oh, but wouldn’t you love a trip to England, wink wink…. sigh.

  • Katie
    October 10, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    Are you sure you don’t want to travel 2 hours south to Urbana? I would be ALL over this … :)

  • Cathy
    October 10, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    This might be the best news I’ve heard today!!! We have a few rooms that need some help, so once we decide, I’ll be applying!

  • Erin P.
    October 10, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    I wish you could head on up to WI (Racine…not too far from Chicago!) But I look forward to seeing the makeover you give someone!

  • Jennifer L
    October 10, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    I am so excited! We just applied! How fun, come inspire our 1897 farmhouse in the city.

    • Making it Lovely
      October 10, 2011 at 9:44 pm

      Yep, I got your application! Neat house.

  • megan
    October 10, 2011 at 8:59 pm

    Grand Rapids, MI isn’t so far away! And we have great furniture up here! …ah, well… Good luck to your Chicagoland readers.

  • The Maiden Metallurgist
    October 10, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    It was pretty hard to pick a room- but we did! Fingers crossed…

  • em
    October 10, 2011 at 10:37 pm

    I sent one in… :) I’m sure you’ll have tons of applicants, but I’d love your help! Thanks for the opportunity!

  • Catherine
    October 10, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    Oh this is so exciting! I will take some photos and submit mine tomorrow. After I wake up from dreaming about winning the makeover, of course ;)

  • Danielle
    October 10, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    Where did you get the material or curtains in above image. Love it!

  • Amy
    October 10, 2011 at 11:43 pm

    This is a fun offer. Thanks for the possibility!

  • Dolly
    October 11, 2011 at 1:26 am

    Makes total sense that this is just for your area! But when the snow is piled high on every side of the road next winter — wouldn’t you rather be in Hawaii? I have a suite that would be a perfect palate for you to play with and I have childcare and lodging! Get tempted.

  • Ginylle
    October 11, 2011 at 4:12 am

    Dear Nicole,

    I think it is a great idea that you offer your advices for practice. I am so sad I live in France (wait…not really :D Better said, I am so sad you propose it only for Chicago): I am pregnant and it’s time for me to think about the room for the baby…I would have been so happy to take advices from you !

    Wish you a lot of fun in this experience !

    Virginie

  • melvel
    October 11, 2011 at 4:33 am

    Darn, my brother and his family just moved out of Oak Park in September! I wish this was extended to Geneva, IL, since they just moved to a new house there.

  • Tequila b
    October 11, 2011 at 6:37 am

    Will you do a small condo/apartment in west Chicago suburbs?

  • Emma
    October 11, 2011 at 6:49 am

    Hi Nicole, I love the curtain fabric you have in this room, do you mind me asking where you bought it? Thanks :o)

  • Allison
    October 11, 2011 at 7:28 am

    Heh, I live in Amsterdam so a bit far out of the required range, but I’d love to have entered! We moved this summer with a 2-month old baby and our place is still looking pretty disastrous (though it’s a 2-floor apartment from the 1930s, so I know it could be super cute). I count it a huge achievement that we’ve gotten everything out of boxes!

  • tosha
    October 11, 2011 at 9:58 am

    Ahhhhh!!! If only I lived in Chicago. Sighs.

  • Sarah
    October 11, 2011 at 11:02 am

    I would love your help with our 1910 condo in Lakeview – our dining room is a mess!

  • sarah
    October 11, 2011 at 11:09 am

    Hi Nicole! I live in Boston, so no dice on the decorating, but was wondering where the curtains in the picture were purchased? Thanks!

  • Alli
    October 11, 2011 at 11:12 am

    I just applied (I’m not sure how long my husband will last without a couch)! When will the winner be announced? Thank you for providing this opportunity, Nicole!

    • Alli
      October 11, 2011 at 11:54 am

      Oh, also should confirm suburban residents are eligible. Thanks again!

      • Making it Lovely
        October 11, 2011 at 11:55 am

        The suburbs are fine! I’m in Oak Park, just outside of Chicago.

      • Alli
        October 11, 2011 at 12:02 pm

        Perfect; thanks for the speedy response. When will the winner be announced?

      • Making it Lovely
        October 11, 2011 at 12:08 pm

        I’ll need the weekend at least, and I’ll probably follow up with a few people. I should have a person selected by the end of next week.

  • Make and Do Girl
    October 11, 2011 at 11:27 am

    this is a really cool idea for a sponsor project. can’t wait to see what you come up with!

  • Nathalie
    October 11, 2011 at 1:02 pm

    Yes! Just what we need for our place! I’ll be entering tonight!

  • victoria
    October 11, 2011 at 1:12 pm

    done! I’m so excited!! I hope my photos are good enough to give a good representation of the space.

    • victoria
      October 11, 2011 at 1:24 pm

      I totally forgot to talk about my inspiration. Can I just add a link? If not, please delete –
      http://pinterest.com/iamvika/playroom-ideas/

      • Making it Lovely
        October 11, 2011 at 1:25 pm

        Got it!

      • Kathy
        October 11, 2011 at 2:04 pm

        What a great idea, Nicole. Can’t wait to see what you do with the lucky winner. And Victoria, I LOVE your inspiration board. Spice racks as forward facing book racks! Genius!

  • Nathalie
    October 11, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    Can we only do one entry? can we submit two entries for two separate rooms?

    • Making it Lovely
      October 11, 2011 at 1:22 pm

      I’ll only choose one, but people are welcome to submit different rooms. Several people have done so already, submitting photos of two different spaces in their application.

      • Nathalie
        October 11, 2011 at 2:05 pm

        Great, thank you! would you prefer both rooms in one entry? Or as separate entries?

      • Making it Lovely
        October 11, 2011 at 2:36 pm

        One entry would be preferred.

      • Nathalie
        October 11, 2011 at 4:09 pm

        And done! crossing fingers. Thank you!

  • Beth
    October 11, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    Friend from Colorado just turned me on to your blog. I just submitted for the room re-do. Right around the corner in Oak Park. Not a Frank Lloyd Wright, but in the district. Sooo excited to hear who you pick and thanks for the awesome opportunity.

  • christine
    October 11, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    Trying to submit an application – it says my file photos are too large/otherwise having trouble. Can you provide me an alternate way to submit them to you? Going to send you my details anyway. Please let me know what else I can provide to try to get in on this fantastic opportunity!
    Cheers!

    • Making it Lovely
      October 11, 2011 at 2:39 pm

      I’ve removed the ‘required’ status for the photo attachments in the form. If you can’t get your photos to go through, submit the rest of the form and I’ll email you for pictures.

  • brooke
    October 11, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    I need basement studio help, but I am about 3 hours away… :(

  • Danielle
    October 11, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    Yay! I live in Oak Park and just submitted an application! You’d be so close to home :)

  • Dianne
    October 11, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    YIPPPEEE!!!! It certainly pays to live in the Chicagoland area. Will capture some pics tonight and get my application submitted tomorrow. I could certainly use your help in our TV/family room.

    Dianne

  • Danielle
    October 11, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    forgot to add my inspiration board too…
    http://pinterest.com/derryone/dining-room-inspiration/

  • Whitney@somethingbroughtyouhere
    October 11, 2011 at 7:23 pm

    Wow, I wish I lived close! Is Utah close enough??

  • Anna A.
    October 11, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    Just wanted to make sure my app went through? (it was for my little sister) – thanks! :)

  • emilyjmwi
    October 11, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    I just applied! I’ve got a tiny, new to me vintage studio in Lakeview that would really look amazing after your touch!
    Looking forward to seeing this unfold!

  • Jane
    October 12, 2011 at 2:26 am

    Wow! you should convince Amex to send ou to Melbourne, Australia and then you could help me with my house!
    I guess that’s unlikely though so I will look forward to seeing the photos of the lucky winner!!

  • Molly
    October 12, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    I wish I lived in Oak Park!! I guess Seattle is too far away for a field trip.

  • Lizzie
    October 12, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    Aww nuts! So bummed, I’m in Los Angeles. Our bedroom is pretty lackluster. Good luck you lovely Chicagoans!

  • Brian
    October 12, 2011 at 9:25 pm

    NICOLE!!! My wife Elizabeth and myself live in Oak Park! I’m posting this so she has to take pictures and submit our story for the raffle. We’ve got a great old apartment on Pleasant street that looks out onto Mills Park. Our living room desperately needs some attention! (We’re currently using my old college couch) anyways, I think you’ll be able to do some awesome stuff with our space. Look out for Elizabeth’s submission!

  • Lisa
    October 12, 2011 at 9:29 pm

    So much fun! Just sent in my submission. Let me know if you have any questions, want more pictures or want to see what the room looked like before we did some work 2 years ago.
    Fingers crossed!

  • Amanda T
    October 13, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    Hi! I sent in our submission and I am so excited about the idea of this. We are very nearby in Oak Park. Also, I love little ones, so I could put in both elbow grease and time entertaining the little ones. You would have complete free reign to add pink wherever needed ;) We are a blank slate. Thanks for considering our little place.

  • sangeetha
    October 13, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    Hi! I put my application up this morning. I am following up here just incase it did not go through or you want to contact me (fingers tightly crossed)! Thank you for giving us this oppurtunity.

  • Keelin
    October 13, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    Wow! What a great opportunity! I just submitted our living room! it is a large space, but being university-provided housing, it just doesn’t feel like “us”. I’m afraid our pictures make it look a little too “put together” though…I promise it is uglier in person!

    This is a great adventure for whoever wins! If it isn’t us, I’ll look forward to seeing the pictures of the wining room anyway!

  • Lisa
    October 13, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    Wow, this would be a dream come true! I’ve been following your blog for several years now, and I would love to have your expert eye and help in finishing the dining room in my new apartment!

  • Nicolette @ Momnivore's Dilemma
    October 14, 2011 at 12:01 am

    I submitted my application a few days ago. The photos were being fussy, so I couldn’t upload them. Fingers crossed!

    I’m on the NW side of the city, and the “fronchroom” I subbed hasn’t been touched since 2003…

    :)

  • Jennie
    October 14, 2011 at 12:09 am

    What an awesome opportunity! I just submitted our future nursery. Please let me know if you have any questions or need better pictures (I could take some this weekend in natural light – as I’m sure you know living in Chicago, it’s already dark by the time we get home from work!).

    I just think this would be so much fun for whoever is lucky enough to win! Fingers crossed it’s us!

  • Mary
    October 14, 2011 at 4:06 pm

    Oh, how I wish I lived in Chicago. My living room/dining room is in some DESPERATE need of some actual STYLE!!

  • Pernilla
    October 14, 2011 at 9:01 pm

    Our master bedroom has so many possibilities yet need some serious help. With one very active 2 year old son and another boy on the way, this also will need to double as a nursery (and mama retreat from all things testosterone). I can imagine you get some awesome and wonderful deserving entries, I am glad to be considered and no matter who wins I can’t wait to check out the results!

    Come help inspire the master bedroom/nursery in our 1939 french colonial (It has a round window and a vaulted ceiling. I was in love at first sight.)

  • Megan
    October 14, 2011 at 10:07 pm

    Super excited! We just submitted our sorry excuse of a bedroom!

  • Sarah S
    October 14, 2011 at 11:29 pm

    I just entered my application in the nick of time :) Thanks so much for the contest! My master bedroom is in boring, blah shape and has so much potential!! :)

  • Kimberly
    October 15, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    Where did you get those curtains? They’re perfect for my bestie’s new place.

  • Jamie Lee
    October 16, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    A girl can dream!

  • Julia
    October 16, 2011 at 6:49 pm

    I just love those curtains, where ever did you find that fabric?
    JUST KIDDING! I just couldn’t help myself….hehe he.

    I can’t wait to see what comes out of this project. Looking forward to the blog post and pictures.

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