Outside

Currently in Second…

Our front porch was slightly ahead in the 48-Hour Challenge, but now we’ve slipped down to second place. I’m not normally competitive, but with our new little one we could really use the $5000 bonus. If you’re so inclined, I’d really appreciate your vote! And please remember that you can vote every day until June 12.
front porch before and after

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

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  • maria
    May 12, 2009 at 10:51 am

    i’ve voted for you every single day, i sooo want you to win. your makeover is the best! love your site. Come on people, vote for Nicole!!! She must win!!!

  • Sara
    May 12, 2009 at 10:54 am

    Voted for you…hope you win! Your porch is SO cute!

  • val
    May 12, 2009 at 11:08 am

    i voted for you!

    Your project by far is the best, and your blog is so very nice. I love visiting, and getting inspiration. Keep up the awesomeness, lady!

  • :::Lyzz:::
    May 12, 2009 at 11:16 am

    I love both your blog and TYH’s. While I love both projects, I think your project is the best of the bunch and had been consistently voted for you everyday since the poll is open. I do hope that you win. We are planning to do our back patio in a while here and your hand painted rug is such and inspiration that I might just have to borrow it. Good luck and hope that $5k goes into your pocket for more inspiring goodness.

  • Nikki
    May 12, 2009 at 11:18 am

    The porch really is fantastic. It comes together so smartly and has a great feel to it.

  • creative*type
    May 12, 2009 at 11:21 am

    voted!

  • Kim
    May 12, 2009 at 11:41 am

    I agree with Lyzz. I LOVE TYH’s blog, I really do, but your project was just better.

  • Elena
    May 12, 2009 at 11:41 am

    I’m all over it!

  • Anna @ D16
    May 12, 2009 at 11:45 am

    I didn’t vote before because BHG wants so much personal info just to register (my home address? really??), but I just went ahead and did it anyway. If they send me junk mail, I’ll forward it to you! :D

    I really do hope you win. Your project is by far the best!!

  • Sarah
    May 12, 2009 at 11:50 am

    wow, when did that happen… I feel like you had such a good lead. I’ve been trying to vote everyday, because I really do love your design the best! I’ve added a post-it note to my work monitor that says “Making it lovely…VOTE!”, so now I won’t forget. Good luck :)

  • christy
    May 12, 2009 at 11:54 am

    You were so far in the lead I thought you were a shoe in! I also agree with Lyzz, I like both blogs but I think yours has way more impact for the money! I really hope you win! I forgot to vote the past couple days, that must be why. ;)

  • Laura Casey Interiors
    May 12, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    New reader- I voted! great job!

  • Leigh
    May 12, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    Aaaack! You have to win! Just voted.

  • {AmericanGypsy}
    May 12, 2009 at 12:09 pm

    Just voted for you! Your porch makes me crave lemonade and late afternoon gossip. Love it!

  • bianca
    May 12, 2009 at 12:18 pm

    Just voted for you, but it’s slightly confusing. It took me a second to figure out that I needed to go to your photo to vote for you.

    Will be sure to vote everyday for you! Good luck!

  • anotherKate
    May 12, 2009 at 12:22 pm

    I too hesitated to vote because of all the personal info, but I discovered that I only had to set up the email/password part and was able to vote without entering my mailing address, etc. Hope that helps rustle up a few more votes, yours really is the best of the bunch.

  • Amanda
    May 12, 2009 at 12:28 pm

    I’ve voted every day as well. Great project! I hope you win!!! :)

  • Mick
    May 12, 2009 at 12:32 pm

    I’ve voted everyday for you. Yours certainly is the best design and use of the $500 budget. You got a lot for your money. I’m even having my husband vote each day!

  • Making it Lovely
    May 12, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    Thank you so much, everyone!

  • VICKI
    May 12, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    I was shocked when I voted today and saw the results. I have voted everyday for you. Yours is my favorite by far.
    I will continue to vote each day.

  • VICKI
    May 12, 2009 at 1:07 pm

    I voted each day for you. I was shocked to see the vote count today. I will continue to vote everyday.

  • Tamikko
    May 12, 2009 at 1:14 pm

    I just voted for you :)
    yours really is the best. I love the pink and green. I’ve added the site to my ‘everyday’ folder in favorites so I can vote every day for the next month.
    Hope you win.

  • Dewi
    May 12, 2009 at 1:24 pm

    I have been voting for you everyday.
    I really hope you win.

    I’m inclined to think some people have been accidentally voting for the other porch, your porch never comes up first in the lineup, when clicking thought I bet people coming from you website intending to vote for you inadvertently vote for the other porch.

    It does not make one bit of sense that the other porch pulled so far ahead of you and the bar-b-que couple when they were third for over a week ????

  • Dewi
    May 12, 2009 at 1:26 pm

    ^^^^^^^^^ WOW, that is some mess i made typing fast and not rereading!!
    Sorry

  • Julie Anne
    May 12, 2009 at 1:29 pm

    I’ve been voting for you daily every day but the first…

    I had the same hesitation about registering with BHG that Anna from D16 did – but I purposely spelled my name wrong and will now conduct an experiment to see how much junk mail I get from the “planted name”!

    Totally worth it to add votes to Team “Making it Lovely” – Nicole, Brandon, and Eleanor!

  • Kara @ KSS
    May 12, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    I just voted for you!

  • erin
    May 12, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    while i love both you and TYH, your painted porch rug is the best! i’ll continue to vote for ya!

  • sarah beth
    May 12, 2009 at 1:32 pm

    I do believe that yours is the best, and if the prize money helps you out with your little Princess, I am happy to vote for you!

  • robin
    May 12, 2009 at 1:55 pm

    i voted! i’ll use their daily emails as a reminder to come back and keep voting! haha it is worth it, you guys so deserve it because your porch really is the best!

  • SaraSophia
    May 12, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    Voted for you ma’am! Your design is the best anyway. I’d have voted for you even I hadn’t been stalking your adorable blog for months now:) Good luck and I really hope you win<3

  • Linley
    May 12, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    I’ve been voting for you everyday. Your’s is really the best :)

  • Rachel Denbow
    May 12, 2009 at 2:48 pm

    Just placed my vote for your beautiful porch. Not sure why it would be slipping to the boring one in first place. Yours is outstanding!

  • Christina
    May 12, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    CAn I just say your design leaves the others in the dust

  • Kerry (the seventy tree)
    May 12, 2009 at 3:51 pm

    I too have placed a vote! Been following your projects for a while now. Your porch was sooo good. I want a porch too…no one does the porch thing like that in the UK. Boo. And at full term too!!! Congratulations on your baby girl. She looks so sweet.
    Happy days to you
    Kerry.

  • sophiefair
    May 12, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    just voted — you really did achieve the most with the budget. and you are in the lead again — or at least you were a minute ago.

    go team lovely!

  • sophiefair
    May 12, 2009 at 4:00 pm

    oh, and i would have had to vote for you anyway — i have an eleanor too! she’ll be 12 soon, and is such an amazing kid. i wish you as much joy from your eleanor as i have had from mine.

  • Michelle
    May 12, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    I just needed a reminder, I suppose! I voted once, and then forgot! Perhaps you could put a little reminder at the end of your posts. (I tend to ignore sidebars…)

    The project is lovely, and would have gotten my vote even if I DIDN’T just love your blog.

  • Manvi
    May 12, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    Nicole,
    You had my vote as soon as I saw your finished porch. loved it. I have been meaning to do a post to encourage voting for you. I will draft and save it before I leave for buenos aires tom. good luck!

  • Darlene
    May 12, 2009 at 4:26 pm

    VOTED!!!! Good Luck : )

  • Liesbeth
    May 12, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    Done! I’ll try to remember to vote daily!
    Groetjes from Belgium,
    Liesbeth

  • Sara
    May 12, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    Registered and voted! Good luck!

  • Desiree Fawn
    May 12, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    I just voted!
    I’ll to remember to vote each day!

  • elle moss
    May 12, 2009 at 6:25 pm

    Ill vote! it looks amazing :)

  • elle moss
    May 12, 2009 at 6:26 pm

    voted!

  • Tracy
    May 12, 2009 at 6:41 pm

    hey there, I’ve been voting for you too but the last few days, I haven’t :p So I voted today! I hope you win!! Love the front porch.

  • pj
    May 12, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    i’ve been voting for you everyday. Your project is by far the best! and bravo to you for this very classy, low-key reminder to vote

  • Tory
    May 12, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    I’ve been voting for your project everyday since the voting opened. Yours is by far the best. The others are a bit of a snooze! Your style and personality really show through. Great job, as always!!

  • Jo
    May 12, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    I’ve been voting for you every day. Your makeover was by far the most creative, stylish and well, just useful!

  • Kristin
    May 12, 2009 at 8:05 pm

    You have got my vote! Hope you win! love this project.

  • Hal
    May 12, 2009 at 8:26 pm

    Ok OK I registered and voted today!

  • kribss
    May 12, 2009 at 9:34 pm

    it was between you and tyh, i voted for you because yesterday i was jonesing to do some decorating. your style + taste match mine so much better plus you have the baby card- kids are damn expensive!!

  • AussieMum
    May 12, 2009 at 10:50 pm

    I just registered and voted! Hope you win!

  • Michelle
    May 12, 2009 at 11:11 pm

    Hi Nicole,

    I love your blog. I am new to Oak Park and you are very inspiring! I hope you win, and your baby is beautiful. I voted, and I will keep voting everyday!

  • Emily
    May 12, 2009 at 11:28 pm

    I voted, I also had my boyfriend vote & my Mom too! I’ll be sure to vote agin tomorrow! Good luck & congrats on your beautiful baby girl!

    ~emily

  • Lauren
    May 13, 2009 at 12:53 am

    I voted for you too….and blogged for others to do it as well!

    http://the-little-goat.blogspot.com/2009/05/cast-your-vote.html

  • Jo
    May 13, 2009 at 1:40 am

    Yay! You’ve pulled out front again. I’ve sent the voting page to friends so they too can vote every day, hopefully a few Aussie fans can help you take this thing out!

  • Lily Grace
    May 13, 2009 at 2:17 am

    I liked the other porch one better. But I do read your blog and your project was great, too.

  • madeleine huttenback
    May 13, 2009 at 2:23 am

    YAAAAYYY We’re in the lead!!!! Go Baby GO!

  • Jo in NZ
    May 13, 2009 at 5:40 am

    196 votes ahead at 10.40pm NZ time!

  • Beth
    May 13, 2009 at 6:54 am

    Ok, this post of yours finally got me to register to vote – and when I went on this morning (day after your post) you’re back in first! I must admit I read your blog and TYH almost daily, even going back and reading archives often – but I think your porch outdoes theirs, so you’ve got my vote now, too.

    And to all those people skeptic to enter all that personal info just to vote, some of the above commenters are right, you don’t have to, just your email and password. Worked for me, too!

  • D
    May 13, 2009 at 6:55 am

    Been there, done that.

  • kristen
    May 13, 2009 at 6:57 am

    i wasn’t gonna vote because of all the personal info they wanted, but i did it anyway (is that the only way you can see the results, or am i dumb?!) and voted for you! your project is the most personalized, and makes the most sense! love it sooo much!

  • Audrey
    May 13, 2009 at 7:52 am

    Looks like you’re back in the lead, Nicole! Congrats!

  • michelle
    May 13, 2009 at 7:57 am

    just voted again!
    wednesday morning & you are in the lead by 200 votes! :)

  • Agnes
    May 13, 2009 at 8:53 am

    I have been voting as much as I can!!! Good luck!!! xoxo

  • dana
    May 13, 2009 at 9:26 am

    i voted for you!! will keep voting. :)

  • danielle
    May 13, 2009 at 10:29 am

    i’m voting for you!! :)

  • Nuit
    May 13, 2009 at 10:34 am

    Voted twice :) will go in and vote again this week. Yours is without a doubt, the BEST!

  • cliona
    May 13, 2009 at 11:00 am

    Just voted for you :)

  • Jess
    May 13, 2009 at 11:03 am

    Wooo!! You’re now 200 votes ahead!

  • Rosa
    May 13, 2009 at 11:10 am

    Just voted. Your porch looks awesome. Good luck.

  • Bryn
    May 13, 2009 at 11:26 am

    Your porch is absolutely amazing and by far my favorite – and the fact that you hand painted it while 9 months pregnant! You HAVE to win! I’m going to vote for you everyday :)

  • kathleen
    May 13, 2009 at 11:33 am

    I’m voting for you every day…good luck!

  • Tina
    May 13, 2009 at 12:56 pm

    I LOVE your porch!! I just registered to vote and will make sure to vote everyday. My husband and I just bought a 106 year old home so I am looking for decorating ideas. I am loving your pictures of your home and your beautiful baby daughter!!!

  • Roberta
    May 13, 2009 at 1:19 pm

    Just voted! Hope you win!

  • anh-minh
    May 13, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    Yay! It looks like you’re back in the lead (where you definitely deserve to be). Good luck, Nicole!

  • Jessi
    May 13, 2009 at 3:48 pm

    I’ve been voting for you as part of my everyday morning routine, who wouldn’t vote for a fellow Chicagoan not to mention your BEA-utiful transformation? I am wondering though, what are you dreaming of doing with the $5K? Or do you not want to jinx yourself by pre-spending the cash-ola, as I like to call it.

  • Susan - Jubilee Furniture Co.
    May 13, 2009 at 3:50 pm

    I, too, didn’t want to leave such detailed personal information – but am now registered and voted for your beautiful porch – and will do so every day! You and Brandon created a wonderful spot.

    More importantly you two created a beautiful daughter. Congratulations!

    I was also excited to see you, your house and your blog featured in the Tribune magazine section in Sunday’s paper. How exciting! Jubilee Furniture even got a mention. :-)

    Lots of wonderful things happening for you which is great since you sure work hard. Good for you!

    Hope you’re finding time to rest!

  • kris
    May 13, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    Voted for you! I hope you win. I can’t believe you painted that floor by hand with a baby so close to being delivered. That’s dedication to your craft. Also, congratulations! Your baby daughter is beautiful.

  • Nat Nat
    May 13, 2009 at 4:52 pm

    Voting everyday!

  • Bonnie
    May 13, 2009 at 5:06 pm

    I notice that you are now back in first place. I hope my votes have helped. I read the article in the Sunday Trib and just had to “look you up”. We have an Arts and Craft (1921) in Crown Point, IN and I have loved it for the twenty years we’ve lived here. Love what you are doing with your home. Congratulations on beautiful Eleanor!

  • Chantal
    May 13, 2009 at 5:06 pm

    Hi Nicole, I would love to vote for you (because your porch really deserves it) but I have to register first and as I’m not living in the States, the website doesn’t accept me… now isn’t that a pity… BH&G should change that. I’m sure you have more visitors from outside the States…!!
    Good luck, really hope you win!!

  • Katlyn
    May 13, 2009 at 5:35 pm

    I just voted again….hopefully first place tomorrow!! =) GOOD LUCK!!

  • nm
    May 13, 2009 at 9:34 pm

    Your entry is so nice and you really deserve to be among the top choices. I also saw the entries of other participants and deciding who will win is surely hard because all of you have great concepts.

  • harp
    May 13, 2009 at 11:17 pm

    I love both blogs as well but honestly beleive you deserve to win!!! Will vote for you everyday until June 12!

  • Tarnya
    May 14, 2009 at 12:05 am

    have voted for you. congrats on the baby and hope you win!! all the very best. xx

  • Jody Pham
    May 14, 2009 at 2:23 am

    voted! you deserve it!

  • hafsa
    May 14, 2009 at 7:44 am

    jst voted for you! :)

  • Making it Lovely
    May 14, 2009 at 9:21 am

    Thank you, thank you! Every vote counts… it’s a close race!

  • Katie
    May 14, 2009 at 9:23 am

    I voted…and will go back as many days as I remember until the deadline to vote again!!! Great job on the porch, it’s beautiful, fun and creative (of course!!) and a belated CONGRATS on your beautiful baby girl : ) Hope you WIN!

  • kenzie
    May 14, 2009 at 1:26 pm

    Just voted for ya!

  • Uchenna
    May 14, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Hi Nicole! Greetings from the Philippines! Congratulations to you and your husband, your baby girl is absolutely adorable!

    Good luck on the contest, registered at BHG just so I could vote for you. Hoping you’d win. Your project was best of the group. Come on people, let’s vote everyday!

    Cheers Nicole!

  • Chantal
    May 14, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    Don’t know what happened but all of a sudden I’m registered and can vote. So of course I voted for you! You’re # 1 again, YEY!!

  • Laurie
    May 14, 2009 at 7:50 pm

    Voting every day! You are in the lead once again :)

  • Terrah
    May 14, 2009 at 8:07 pm

    Voted! *fingers crossed* You should win by that detailed floor ALONE.

  • Fifi Flowers
    May 15, 2009 at 2:07 am

    That is a HUGE difference!

  • Rachel B.
    May 15, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    You can count on my vote from now until June 12th! Love your new porch!! I seriously want to come by and shoot some polaroids of that awesome pink table!

  • Zoe, Conversation Pieces
    May 15, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    I’ll be voting – I do love a good before and after :)

  • Gwendolyn
    May 15, 2009 at 7:10 pm

    +1 vote!

  • Kate
    May 17, 2009 at 11:18 am

    Your makeover is SO the best! I voted for you- had to leave a fake address- but I voted for you nonetheless!

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