My Life Press The Blog The Victorian House

A Look Back at 2015

2015: Year. Of. Many. Rugs. (Kidding! Sort of.)

Living Room with Blue Loloi RugMoroccan Pink and White Beni Ourain Rug

It was also the year my sister got married, I taught at Columbia college, and I did a few TV spots for WGN and WCIU (Chicago stations). I also worked with two publications — first, when I styled the coffee table three different ways for Make it Better Magazine, and then when the house was featured in the Christmas issue of HGTV Magazine.

Making it Lovely's Home Featured in the Christmas issue of HGTV MagazineMaking-it-Lovely-Make-it-Better-Magazine

Around the house, we’ve been in maintenance and repair mode. Rewiring is underway now. The carpeting in the bedroom closet was removed and replaced with solid oak, and I haven’t written a post about it yet but the hallway flooring was just finished this week too. Outside, we dealt with a few issues: removing wood rot from the railing, addressing the peeling paint near the furnace vent, and having a few window sills and plinths replaced. I also wrote about our attempts at pruning, and growing grass in the shade of our “beautiful mature ash tree.” I loved that tree. Sadly, the village removed it last month because of emerald ash borer.

Repairing Subfloor and Replacing Wood FlooringMature Ash Tree, Lost to Emerald Ash Borer

We finished Calvin’s nursery earlier this year when he was just a couple of months old. It took a while because we had to knock down walls and reconfigure the hallway to turn the second floor’s former kitchen into a bedroom. Doors were moved, plumbing was taken out, walls were added, wallpaper was stripped, walls were painted. Big changes! I also continued my monthly photo project with Calvin, but instead of sharing them here every month I switched to quarterly updates. Of course the most fun ones are when there’s a full year to look back at.

Calvin's NurseryCalvin's Monthly Baby Pictures Series

We got a new bed, a new-to-us table, and swapped out the lighting in the double parlor. Plus there were all of those aforementioned rugs (not all of which were mine to keep). Two steps forward, two steps back. But mostly forward! Hey, sometimes done is better than perfect. (I need to remind myself of this often.)

Vintage Red Console TableDouble Parlor Pendant Lights

I had fun adding drawing and painting into my posts, putting together some tips on designing with tile, and continuing to add to my Making it Yours series. I still love all of these clothes from a few months ago when all the fall collections came out (I wore that tie back trapeze dress yesterday and felt cute), but 2015 is also the year I accidentally dressed like Velma. Jinkies!

Sketching DesignsAccidental Velma

And with that, I’m signing off until the new year. Brandon is taking Eleanor and August to see Star Wars today, we’ll be preparing to host family for Christmas, and then the plan is to enjoy a little time off. Just the five of us, plus a rotating crew of electricians. (I’m just glad the work is moving along.)

Thank you for being here, and happy holidays, everyone! Can’t wait to see you again in January!

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

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  • Staci
    December 22, 2015 at 12:20 pm

    Enjoy your break! Merry Christmas :)

  • Lindy
    December 22, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    Please let us know how your kids did with the new Star Wars movie, my son is a die hard Star Wars fan and wants to see it but I was afraid it would be too scary for him. He is only 4 but will be 5 soon.

    • Making it Lovely
      December 22, 2015 at 12:30 pm

      Brandon went to see it with his sisters a couple of days ago — he wanted to see it before bringing the kids to determine if it would be too scary. They’re there now. He had some concerns but thought they’d be all right. I’ll let you know!

  • Erin @ thh
    December 23, 2015 at 7:10 am

    Man, you all had a busy year! Enjoy your break & Merry Christmas!

  • Marcee ... ILLINOIS
    December 23, 2015 at 6:31 pm

    Best holidays to you and your family Nicole! Give us more great things to see in 2016! Hoo-hoo-hoo ….. Happy : )) Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

  • Jeanne
    December 31, 2015 at 11:01 am

    Love, Love, Love Your Blog. Thanks for the Inspirations!
    Happy New Year!
    http://doodlet.me/2015/12/reflections/

  • Stephanie
    January 4, 2016 at 5:59 pm

    What a year, Nicole. Congratulations to mastering it so perfectly. Your posts are so inspiring, your home so lovely and your kids so cute. To an amazing New Year. I’m excited to read your blog in 2016.
    xx, Stephanie aka FrauSchmitt