Up the stairs…
This will be our bedroom.
The closet has amazing potential. Also, there is a random sink inside that doesn’t work. Yay!
There is no central air in the house, but there are transom windows above each of the doors off the hallway for air circulation.
Here’s the second bedroom on the second floor. We think this one will be for August.
And here’s the last bedroom on the second floor, most likely Eleanor’s. I did have to reassure her that we could add some blue to the room, because she really liked the stripes that August got.
And the house even comes complete with another porch upstairs, like the one off of my office. It’s small, but charming.
* Edit: In an earlier version of this post, I mentioned the location of the porch in relation to the other rooms. I’ve since come to the conclusion that it would be better omit that information.
77 comments
Denise
Hello! Beautiful hoeme! Stumbled across your blog while searching on Pinterest for nice looking sliding closet doors. Could you share with me where yours came from? The ones in your bedroom…
keapdx
Is that an exit light hanging from the ceiling fan? If it’s glass it might be worth saving/selling. Somebody took the trouble to steal exit lights like these from the church I attend. We caught him, but not before he’d managed to sell most of what he stole. Check out vintage exit lights on ebay…
But sorry for the rant, I just get a visceral reaction whenever I see those lights! What an amazing house! I can hardly wait to see how you bring it to beautiful life.
Making it Lovely
What kind of person steals from a church?!
I didn’t realize those lights were so sought after though. We have three different glass exit lights scattered around the house. There’s a small red one by the front door that I don’t like, but Brandon thinks is really cool. The movers were here earlier today, and I overheard each guy talk about how cool it was too, as they spotted it.
Jane
Is that a plump mannequin in the corner of the porch?
Making it Lovely
It was left here by the previous owners. I like it!
Maria G.
Wow, this is really something. I’d certainly call it a dream-house. It looks very similar to my own style. I can’t but ask where did you get those lovely radiators? You made a lot of photos because you’re proud of it or just because you’re good photographer? :)
Nicole L
Transom windows – swoon! […]
Ann M
though I’ve followed you religiously for years, I feel so out of touch, as I’ve been a bit lost since Google Reader went away.
All I can say, as I start to catch up is WHOAAA!!! SUCH INCREDIBLE NEWS!!! Your home isn’t even a diamond in the rough – it’s polished and ready to wear!!! HUGE congratulations and thank you for letting us live vicariously through your exciting new chapter! So, so exciting!
begoña
I think this is the most beautiful house ever, and I really mean it. Stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could move in right away and wouldnt ever leave, seriously. It’s… I have no words, beyond beautiful.
Your house made me think. When I surf the web searching for the perfect house I always think about the things we need and things that are practical. Stuff like eatin in kitchen, three bedrooms, storage and stuff like that. And that’s fine but, the things that make you love your house arent the things you need, they are the things that make it unique, special, different than the rest. Like that little porch with the colorful glasses, the beautiful wood, those curve windows… You’re so lucky, you have a house you love. Take care of it, please, you have a treasure
Making it Lovely
We see ourselves staying here for a long, long time. We feel very lucky.
Kelly
What a gorgeous house! I love all of the woodwork. I’m wondering if the closet with the sink was maybe a bathroom before — it seems unusual to have a walk in closet in a house of that era.
Can’t wait to see what you do with it — it certainly is large enough and old enough to keep you busy for a long time!
Christina
It’s bautiful!! But, is there an EXIT sign hanging from the fan in the master bedroom? Does it light up?
Making it Lovely
Yes. In RED.
Magda
I’m absolutely amazed with the house, rooms, space, everything. I live in Poland when the standard (2+2) family like yours has ca. 50-60 square metres flats at their disposal, which I believe is difficult to imagine.
I’m sending hugs from tiny flat in Warsaw, dreaming of a house like yours:)
Xxxx
MelD
Such a beautiful house – doesn’t it make you feel utterly minimalist and like you want to put almost nothing in it to spoil its perfection?!
;)
It doesn’t even seem to need any redecoration except for the wallpaper in the office…
Making it Lovely
Yes, and yes. ;)
Carly
This house is absolutely amazing! So much character!
Can’t wait to see what you do with the place :)
Catherine
Seriously, Nicole, this house is fabulous. I also really like that dressmaker’s form on the small porch. I hope you will keep it!
Making it Lovely
I like it too! I don’t know if it will stay where it is, but it will be used somewhere.
kat
Wow, I love the space already. Really can’t wait to see what you will do with it!!
Jan
What a gorgeous house Nicole. I can’t wait to see what you do with it.
MamaBear
I can’t believe how gorgeous your new house is! I’m drooling over these pictures. I’m not exaggerating when I say I cannot wait to see how everything comes together. Congrats again!!
Kristin
What a gorgeous house! I am coveting your doors! Looking forward to see what you do with the place.
Marissa
Wow. This is my favorite house in the history of house blogs! What a lovely place to raise your family!
I’ve been reading through the comments on the new house posts (to see if you added additional details in your responses), and I read a rather sarcastic comment about your decision not to share the precise layouts of your house… Not sure why, but the comment has continued to annoy me over the past few days. So I just wanted to say that I really applaud your choice to balance your family’s safety while creating a blogging livelihood. I always worry when I see bloggers share very detailed layouts and kids’ sleeping locations. Even with a top notch security system, I don’t think it’s wise or even necessary.
And on a similar note, as much as I love reading the little tidbits you share about your kids, I also appreciate your decision to respect their privacy and childhood by minimizing their presence on your blog. You’re a great mom (I’ve used some of your parenting tips– in fact, you’re directly responsible for my learning how to take a daily shower and get dressed with a newborn), and I hope the snarky comments don’t get to you.
So bravo for finding the right balance between parenting and blogging.
Making it Lovely
Thanks, Marissa. And I’m so glad I’ve been able to help in some small way!
Klara
Wauw your new house is like a dream house, it is very beautiful
Jill
Your new house looks so beautiful, and complete. I’m surprised you didn’t want a home with more potential for change but I’m sure you will do an amazing job decorating. Still hope you are able to keep your modern style in spite of the age and so much wood in the home.
Making it Lovely
I initially thought that we would find more of a diamond in the rough, fixer-upper of a home. Then we fell in love with this one. It’s going to be fun to work on though! My style won’t be changing too much, but there will be a shift. I’m really excited about it.
Katie
Wow, this home is amazing! I can’t wait to see what you do with it!
Jesse
Such a beautiful house! You guys scored big time. Can’t wait to see what touches you are going to put on it. I also noticed the Exit Sign :)
Rachael
Is that an exit sign on your ceiling fan, or am I just seeing things?
Making it Lovely
Yep. It makes the room glow red.
chris
Such an amazing place and in such good condition, too. No wonder you were so excited to get this place!! I am looking forward to seeing how you make it even more lovely.
Rachel
This is so lovely! Did you check to see if you have a Jumanji game tucked away somewhere? Totally reminds me of that house.
Jess
Loving the potential of your new home! A piece of (unsolicited) advice – look into a blackout shade for your gorgeous closet. Relentless sunlight on clothing = fading.
Making it Lovely
Thanks, I’ll have to remember that.
Julia at Home on 129 Acres
I love the transom windows. Such a nice traditional feature… and functional too. What’s the height of the ceilings? They look decently tall, particularly the shot of August’s room.
Making it Lovely
I don’t know where my measuring tape is right now (in a box, somewhere), but I think they’re about 9′ high. The ones on the first floor are 9’6″, so maybe they’re the same upstairs too?
Crissy Perham
I don’t know you except from you wonderful blog, but I am so stinkin’ excited for you and your family! What a beautiful house and I just love knowing that you will keep it alive for many more years to come! Congratulations and I can’t wait to follow the move!
Stephanie
Gorgeous! I love the wood (it’s in such good condition!), the radiators (how I miss them), and I actually really like the blue striped wallpaper. Congrats on the new house!
Laurie
The light in the stairwell is amazing! It’s hard to see in the third picture and the depth perception is mocking me I think but there is a strip of wood near the door. Is that protecting a corner on the wall? It looks like a nice detail.
Joke about water closet here.
I love the sewing form! It looks like a nice chunky figure like mine. I have always wanted one of those to use for fitting sweaters I’m knitting so that they actually fit my figure when I wear them.
Making it Lovely
“Joke about water closet here.” Ha!
Yes, there are wood pieces protecting the plaster wall corners in a few spots. And isn’t the dress form great? I like it a lot.
Jodi
absolutely magical!
amy j.
LOOOOOVE this house. It’s like that rare find all of us dream of in an old house. Can’t wait to see how you decorate it!
Btw, have you ever lived with radiators before? WARNING…they get SCALDING hot…they will run you out of a small room in the winter and the kids definitely will have to be warned about getting too close. You can get a bad burn from a hot radiator. Also, be sure to put little pans underneath the valves where the steam comes out…they will drip from condensation on the metal and damage your floors. Also, be aware they are loud (whistling noises as the steam comes out) and they can clang also…scary if you don’t know about that fact when it happens for the first time in the middle of the night in an old house : ). It is GREAT heat though and you definitely won’t have dry skin during this coming Chicago winter! : )
KJ
I was wondering about the radiators, too, but it looks like they are hot water and not steam. I loved the short hot water radiators in my old place and would sit on them after coming inside from shoveling snow to warm up! They never get hot enough to harm someone. My new place has wall-mounted radiators, so no more warming bench for me. I once lived in an apartment with steam radiators and, besides the one night the living room one hissed for 40 minutes straight and turned my entire apartment into a rainforest, I enjoyed the extra humidity.
amy j.
P.S. To regulate the heat in the rooms/closet etc…just close the valve. You probably won’t want all that humidity in the closet.
Carrie Lea
Are you sure your closet wasn’t a water closet originally?
The sink in the closet is pretty cool. You could fix it and wash your face and brush your teeth every night in the closet. (I really don’t know why I think that is cool)
I, too, hear the siren song of the little porch. I suddenly want one so bad!
Making it Lovely
I think it was actually a bedroom, originally. I’m not sure who added the vanity sink, but it’s not unheard of. (It just isn’t terribly common.) I actually do want to get it working so I can wash up there before bed!
Mary
That’s what my Mom believes it is. I showed her the photos, and she said that back then a closet would not have windows. I don’t believe they had walk in closets like we do. Most ppl, I would think would use an armoire. Small closets were common, but not large ones.
Jo
Oh transom windows, I swoon.
I’d convert that closet into a bathroom since you’ve got the plumbing already there (or do you, since the sink doesn’t work?) And then use a his and hers free standing wardrobe for your clothing. A master bathroom is soooo worth it.
Making it Lovely
It may become a bathroom someday. I want to poke around and see what’s going on with the plumbing, but I need to find our tools first.
Laura @ Rather Square
What kind of view do you have from the porches? Is it shaded by trees, or are you looking into the neighbor’s house? (Love the dress form!)
Making it Lovely
Kind of a 50/50. There are curtains on the porch on the neighbor side for privacy. (And I love the dress form too! I was happy that it was left behind.)
ememby
These posts are making me so excited to see what you so with the house – what a great space! So much cool character and loads of potential with your great eye for style!
Christine@DecorumDIYer
I am in love with the wood details in your home. You are so fortunate to have lovely wood trim that is in great condition – no need to paint. I especially love the fine, period appropriate lighting fixtures throughout your home. This home is just so you. I am thrilled for you and can’t wait to see how you incorporate your modern design elements with this time capsule of a home. Simply gorgeous.
Jessica
The state of those floors make me swoon.
Making it Lovely
They aren’t perfect, but they’re in pretty good shape.
Asia
I am loving the wood work and the windows are fantastic! No bathroom upstairs?
Making it Lovely
There is! There’s a bathroom on each floor. I shared the second floor bathroom here.
jenn from much to my delight
This house is magical. It makes me want to move out of NYC immediately, and I feel like that very rarely. I can’t even imagine how much fun you’re going to have making this house even MORE lovely than it already is.
Lisa
[…] You have an amazing house! Can’t wait to see what you do with it, your last home really was a constant source of inspiration (especially your library landing).
Molly
So pretty! […] I’ve always wanted an upstairs porch […], so I could be outside & upstairs at the same time! So happy for all of you. :)
Jen @ RamblingRenovators
Your house is GORGEOUS and all that wood – I. Die. Love love love the transom windows.
I’m curious… do you think your decorating style will change given the more period look of the new house?
Making it Lovely
I think my style has already been changing, and this house is going to fit with where I was already heading. It won’t be unrecognizable, compared to our first place though.
Christa
The New home is beautiful!!! Looks very well maintained. I am confused about the exit sign on the fan in your bedroom… I can not wait to see this home transformed ever so lovely as you do!
Making it Lovely
I am confused about the exit sign on the fan in my bedroom too. ;)
AshleyM
Random sink removed to make jewelry area? So fun no matter what!
I really want to buy a house with *character* before I die. A life list item, I think. Your kiddos will have AMAZING memories of living here. My best friend lived in a Victorian in Arkansas and she loved it.
Making it Lovely
Brandon grew up in a Victorian too, a lot like the one we live in now! He has fond memories of it.
Jenn @ Home Style Report
I can’t believe how big the rooms are! The woodwork and floors are beautiful!!!!
Kathryn
So much more space for August! And closets. Actual closets. Pretty ones at that.
Jaime
This place looks incredible! I am half jealous, half super excited to see what you do with such amazing space and potential! It will be beautiful, no doubt, and such fun as well!
Kamilla
WOW!..
That space looks amazing! I really love my tiny flat, but oh my, my head dreams of a place like that right now!
Can’t wait to see what you turn that place in to :)
Comments are closed.