Making it Lovely

Category: Press

  • Up for the Challenge: Part Five

    My last post for the Better Homes & Gardens 48-Hour Challenge went up today, and it’s all about how we’ve been enjoying our front porch since it’s completion. I have to say, we’ve been enjoying it very much. :)

    On the Front Porch with Eleanor

    Murray likes to spend time out front with us too.

    On the Front Porch with Eleanor and Murray

    Several neighbors have dropped by to offer their congratulations while we sit out front, which is very nice. Of course it was hard to be subtle about our new arrival when we had a six foot tall stork on the front lawn.

    The Stork Came to Visit

    There’s still plenty of time to vote for your favorite project at BHG.com. If you like the way our porch turned out, you can vote once each day for it!

  • Chicago Tribune: “The Home Page”

    What a nice Mother’s Day surprise… I’m in the Chicago Tribune Magazine today! I even got a mention on the cover, right below Simon Doonan.

    Chicago Tribune Magazine, May 10, 2009

    Chicago Tribune Magazine, May 10, 2009

    Chicago Tribune Magazine, May 10, 2009

    Chicago Tribune Magazine, May 10, 2009

    Thank you, Chicago Tribune, and thank you Lisa Cregan (who interviewed me for the article waaay back in December). I’m honored!

  • Up for the Challenge: Voting is Live!

    Just a quick note to let you know that you can now vote for your favorite project at BHG.com’s 48-Hour Challenge!

    Front Porch

    You can vote once each day, and the project with the most votes will receive a $5000 bonus. *We’re keeping our fingers crossed!*

  • Up for the Challenge: Part Four

    It wasn’t easy, but we’ve finished the front porch for the Better Homes & Gardens 48-Hour Challenge! The whole project was completed for $500, using materials exclusively from The Home Depot.

    Front Porch

    Painting the porch rug freehand while very pregnant was a little harder than I expected, but I’m beyond thrilled with the way it turned out! That and the hanging divider that we made really personalize the front porch.

    Front Porch

    Brandon spray painted the table and chair set that we bought pink. The set was nice enough on its own (it was a dark brown/gray color), but you know I just had to bring some pink in somewhere. And again, it helped to personalize the design a bit more.

    Front Porch

    Such a cheery spot for lunch…

    Front Porch

    The extra two chairs from the set are over by the front door. And I love that lilac between them, but I’m planning to put it in the side garden at some point because it’s supposed to grow to 10′ tall.

    Front Porch

    So there you have it — the finished front porch! At times I wondered how we would get it done, especially as the baby’s due date came and went, but we did it. Soon you’ll be able to vote for your favorite project (and I can only hope that it’s ours!). In the meantime, be sure to check out everyone’s finished projects and read more about our experience working on the front porch at BHG.com.

    Front Porch

  • Up for the Challenge: Part Three

    In my third post for Better Homes & Gardens’ 48-Hour Challenge, I talk about how my plans for the front porch quickly changed when we went to buy our furniture.

    When I first started planning our project, I had chosen two wicker chairs, a metal table, and a wooden glider. I had even created a digital mood board to see how everything would look together! Then we saw a great deal on a table and chair set that I hadn’t seen online, and suddenly the look went in a whole new direction.

    48-Hour-Challenge Plans

    You can read more about the shopping trip and the last-minute switcheroos over at BHG.com…

  • Up for the Challenge: Part Two

    My second post for the 48-Hour Challenge is up! This week I described the planning process and talked a bit about what we’re going to do on the front porch.

    Gathering Ideas for the Front Porch

    Check it out!