My Life The Victorian House

To Task

I’ve been doing little things around the house — replacing a broken latch, touching up wall scuffs and dings, swapping out light switches, and securing loose window panes. That sort of thing. The stuff that gets neglected as you get used to a cabinet door that doesn’t quite stay closed or marks down the hall that you don’t notice as much anymore. I keep a running list to-do list, and I grabbed everything I needed at the hardware store over the weekend and got to work.

We haven’t *not* been mid-project since we moved in three and a half years ago. Slowly, tools, paint, and supplies have migrated from the basement up to the third floor, to the point where I need to set aside a full day just to bring things back down and get it all in order again. Other stuff is taking over too. So much stuff! The kids’ clothes need sorting to be set aside and handed down. We have a surplus of lamps that I should probably sell or donate. I’m trying to keep the beds made, the toys put away, and the house in order. Little things — normal things — but they’re good distractions from stuff like the big hole we had to cut in the bead board of the bathroom ceiling.

Anthropologie Open Market Boho Bed Pillow

I’m taking back the house, one task at a time. The bathroom can wait. I’ve gotten good at not looking up.

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  • Suzi (The Pillow Studio)
    February 7, 2017 at 11:44 am

    Good for you! My list feels endless… maybe I need to start to tackle it. (Or a bathroom). :)

    • Making it Lovely
      February 8, 2017 at 2:00 pm

      It totally feels endless here sometimes!

  • Marty@A Stroll Thru Life
    February 7, 2017 at 12:11 pm

    Oh I do understand. We have a dozen or more little projects that need finishing.

    • Making it Lovely
      February 8, 2017 at 2:01 pm

      Those little projects are so easy to put off in favor of the bigger ones. (Or in favor of sitting on your sofa, ha!)

  • Hannah @ The Homesteady
    February 7, 2017 at 12:11 pm

    I love little tasks like this, especially in the winter. It feels so productive and good to spend time in service to one’s home.

    Unrelated: I had seen your website redesign earlier, but I must have forgotten because when I clicked through from my aggregator to comment, I appreciated its freshness all over again! It’s beautiful.

    • Making it Lovely
      February 8, 2017 at 2:02 pm

      Thank you! I like tinkering around with the design from time to time, but I’m happy with the way it’s looking now.

  • Grace
    February 7, 2017 at 1:07 pm

    I have been on a productive kick lately, too. It has been wonderful to refresh some neglected spaces. On a side note: I love that pillow. Where is it from? I don’t remember seeing it before!

    • Making it Lovely
      February 8, 2017 at 2:04 pm

      Isn’t it a good one? It’s from Anthropologie. On a queen sized bed, it’s the only decorative pillow you need. I hadn’t shown it on the blog until now, only on Instagram as I was working on the guest room. The bedding is all white with just a little embroidery for detail, and the pillow makes the whole bed look amazing!

  • Katrina
    February 7, 2017 at 2:25 pm

    I hear you about not looking up: we have a giant, messy hole in our kitchen ceiling that needs to wait until spring to be repaired. Blah.

    • Making it Lovely
      February 8, 2017 at 2:05 pm

      We’re waiting until spring too. We have to go up and out through the roof probably to replace another section of the plumbing stack. Blah.

  • Peggi
    February 8, 2017 at 5:46 am

    Because these tasks are boring, I forget how great it can feel to have them done! Also, ooooohhhhh, pretty pillow (throw?). Nice that your outfit coordinates with it. ;-)

    • Making it Lovely
      February 8, 2017 at 2:06 pm

      I do match, don’t I!? Ha! I like a very particular palette. That happens pretty regularly!

  • Deb Pickett Ramsthaler
    February 8, 2017 at 9:08 am

    A house is NEVER finished. I’ve lived in mine for over twenty years and believe me when I tell you there are still tasks that always get pushed to the bottom of the priority list.

    • Making it Lovely
      February 8, 2017 at 2:06 pm

      Yep. One thing gets finished, another appears and moves to the front.

  • Jennifer C
    February 8, 2017 at 10:14 am

    Girl. I am sorry to say it, but you sound really sad (Sad!) :( I wonder if this house is just too much for you? It seems like so many of your posts lately have taken on this really defeated, and almost depressed tone. Believe me, I get it – I have a really old house too, and they are beasts, but it just seems like maybe you’d be better off cutting your losses here? I am a huge fan of your aesthetic and a total fan so please don’t take this comment the wrong way!

    • Making it Lovely
      February 8, 2017 at 2:09 pm

      I reread, and I suppose I do come across as a bit sad. I’m not, but it does feel a little overwhelming right now. If we moved though, we would likely be looking for a fixer-upper (even moreso than this house was), which could be amazing, or it could be completely crazy!

  • Allison F
    February 8, 2017 at 2:26 pm

    IF you have any ceiling fixtures that would fit a two story entryway Id love to see them :)

  • JenW
    February 9, 2017 at 7:05 am

    I am the queen of procrastination…but am always so surprised at how little time it takes and how ACCOMPLISHED I feel when I tick off a couple small things from the to do list.

    The big little one I need to do: wash the walls in the “time out” corner. Our 7yo doesn’t near as much time as he used to there, and I looked at the buttery yellow walls recently and they are FILTHY from small hands! LOL! We’re planning to repaint sometime in the next year…but I really should take care of that corner now.

  • Kate K
    February 9, 2017 at 7:07 am

    Hey there! Can I ask where that pillow came from?