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- Our Current Home (The Victorian)
- Our First Home (The Bungalow)
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• Tour our current home, an 1891 Victorian in Oak Park, IL.

• Tour our first home, a 1910 bungalow in Oak Park, IL.

House Tour: Making it Lovely's Oak Park Bungalow

Hello! I’m Nicole Balch.

Designer with a handyman background, renovating our Victorian home in historic Oak Park, IL (just outside of Chicago). Mom of three, fan of pink, keeping busy all around.

More about Nicole…

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Instagram

Instagram post 17848152505845321

Yes, the kids wrecked my favorite linens, but how lovey it is to watch them having fun, being silly, being kids. Worth the rare house-related mishap.

Instagram post 17929983400353991

Now and then. 🖤 #thelovelyvictorian

Instagram post 17873966167540127

This is the entryway tile from yesterday’s consultation in a beautiful greystone. I’m helping so many of you in these lovely old homes around Chicagoland and it is my absolute favorite thing in the world to be doing. ❤️

Instagram post 17870248921564501

Too many washings, too many kids playing on the bed and pulling themselves up with the blanket as a rope, and too many years have all conspired to end my favorite duvet cover. I’ll miss you, pink linen bedding. You were the perfect warmth, softness, and color. #thelovelyvictorian

Instagram post 17897860924413100

I’ve been in my office, finishing up some client work before a holiday break, and my @googlenest Nest Hub has been displaying all of my favorite family photos. I added my ‘Christmas’ album to the mix too, and it’s been so nice to see the kids’ faces and our Christmas decorations and celebrations over the years! 🎄 Live Albums can automatically add photos of people and pets, and it is a delight to see the newly added photos pop up. The Nest Hub is a perfect digital photo frame.
#giftfromgoogle

Instagram post 17848476871778879

They don’t look like much going into the oven, but they’re perfection with the topping. 🖤
Today is the blog hop cookie swap, hosted by @roomfortuesday and @boxwoodavenue! 15 design bloggers are sharing their favorite holiday cookies, and I’ve got the recipe for my chocolate shortbread cookies on the blog. I made these earlier in the week and we’re almost out, so I’ll be looking for my next cookie to try from everyone listed below!
.
@boxwoodavenue
@roomfortuesday
@diyplaybook
@lifeonvirginiastreet
@houseofhipstersblog
@coco.kelley
@jojotastic
@francois_et_moi
@renovationhusbands
@sincerelysarad
@yellowbrickhome
@anitayokota
@houseofbrinson

Instagram post 18078527077159336

I think we’re just about done decking these halls. I’ve been giving away and selling some of our decorations. 🎄 The extra faux-wreath I thought I needed for some reason. The 72’ of garland I’m not excited about using but that someone else was SUPER into. Do I hold onto the tinsel tree I haven’t used in years? Is it time to let all the glittery stuff go? 🤔

Instagram post 18086597581140543

#sponsored Our garage door got a smart update! I replaced the old lock with the new Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt. I can unlock the door from my phone (it works with Key by Amazon, Google Assistant, and the Schlage Home app), but I also just like that I can use the keypad. It’s nice for the kids too so they can grab their bikes from the garage without needing a parent to unlock the door for them! There are different styles and finishes to choose from (MSRP for each is $250). I went with the @schlagelocks Camelot trim in aged bronze, and it’s looking very handsome. A win for form and function! http://bit.ly/35v5ZmC #Schlage #SmartLocks #SmartHome #OpenPossibilities #SchlageDoorHardware #SchlageEncode

Instagram post 17935610551317893

I like the precision of baking. The careful leveling of a measuring cup. Knowing when to use cold, room temperature, or melted butter and the difference it makes. I like arranging for the maximum number of cookies on a sheet before they spread and touch. But mostly I just like baking and eating things made with chocolate. 🙃

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Our 1891 Victorian

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Sources & Paint Colors

Latest Posts

A Lovely Stardew Valley Inspired Kitchen

January 17, 2020

A New Year, A New Decade

January 7, 2020

Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

December 12, 2019

One Room Challenge: Week 6 (My Daughter’s Room Reveal!)

November 6, 2019

One Room Challenge: Week 5 (A Lucky Find)

October 30, 2019

Instagram post 17848152505845321

Yes, the kids wrecked my favorite linens, but how lovey it is to watch them having fun, being silly, being kids. Worth the rare house-related mishap.

Instagram post 17929983400353991

Now and then. 🖤 #thelovelyvictorian

Instagram post 17873966167540127

This is the entryway tile from yesterday’s consultation in a beautiful greystone. I’m helping so many of you in these lovely old homes around Chicagoland and it is my absolute favorite thing in the world to be doing. ❤️

Instagram post 17870248921564501

Too many washings, too many kids playing on the bed and pulling themselves up with the blanket as a rope, and too many years have all conspired to end my favorite duvet cover. I’ll miss you, pink linen bedding. You were the perfect warmth, softness, and color. #thelovelyvictorian

Instagram post 17897860924413100

I’ve been in my office, finishing up some client work before a holiday break, and my @googlenest Nest Hub has been displaying all of my favorite family photos. I added my ‘Christmas’ album to the mix too, and it’s been so nice to see the kids’ faces and our Christmas decorations and celebrations over the years! 🎄 Live Albums can automatically add photos of people and pets, and it is a delight to see the newly added photos pop up. The Nest Hub is a perfect digital photo frame.
#giftfromgoogle

Instagram post 17848476871778879

They don’t look like much going into the oven, but they’re perfection with the topping. 🖤
Today is the blog hop cookie swap, hosted by @roomfortuesday and @boxwoodavenue! 15 design bloggers are sharing their favorite holiday cookies, and I’ve got the recipe for my chocolate shortbread cookies on the blog. I made these earlier in the week and we’re almost out, so I’ll be looking for my next cookie to try from everyone listed below!
.
@boxwoodavenue
@roomfortuesday
@diyplaybook
@lifeonvirginiastreet
@houseofhipstersblog
@coco.kelley
@jojotastic
@francois_et_moi
@renovationhusbands
@sincerelysarad
@yellowbrickhome
@anitayokota
@houseofbrinson

Instagram post 18078527077159336

I think we’re just about done decking these halls. I’ve been giving away and selling some of our decorations. 🎄 The extra faux-wreath I thought I needed for some reason. The 72’ of garland I’m not excited about using but that someone else was SUPER into. Do I hold onto the tinsel tree I haven’t used in years? Is it time to let all the glittery stuff go? 🤔

Instagram post 18086597581140543

#sponsored Our garage door got a smart update! I replaced the old lock with the new Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt. I can unlock the door from my phone (it works with Key by Amazon, Google Assistant, and the Schlage Home app), but I also just like that I can use the keypad. It’s nice for the kids too so they can grab their bikes from the garage without needing a parent to unlock the door for them! There are different styles and finishes to choose from (MSRP for each is $250). I went with the @schlagelocks Camelot trim in aged bronze, and it’s looking very handsome. A win for form and function! http://bit.ly/35v5ZmC #Schlage #SmartLocks #SmartHome #OpenPossibilities #SchlageDoorHardware #SchlageEncode

Instagram post 17935610551317893

I like the precision of baking. The careful leveling of a measuring cup. Knowing when to use cold, room temperature, or melted butter and the difference it makes. I like arranging for the maximum number of cookies on a sheet before they spread and touch. But mostly I just like baking and eating things made with chocolate. 🙃

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