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Making it Lovely

House Tours

• Tour our current home, an 1891 Victorian in Oak Park, IL.
House Tour: Making it Lovely's Oak Park Victorian Home
 

 
• 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.

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 post 17912962489390061 Today in pleated lampshade news: I’ve added a new one! This spot in the center of the house has always needed a little more pattern. Recovering the chairs would do it, but they don’t need it yet (not really), and a lampshade is so much quicker and easier. . The lamp is at least a decade old. It used to be one of a pair, but the other was broken in a toddler fit of rage shortly after we moved here (our one major kid-related decor loss). So now I just have the one, but I think it looks better than ever with its new hat. . #thelovelyvictorian
Instagram post 17869634665596474 Three years ago, you weren’t feelin’ these lamps I was excited about. Pleated tapered shades? (Popular responses: 😒🧐) I loved them then, I love them now, and now it seems like everyone else is getting on board with the style! But if you still think they’re ugly, that’s fine too. 😘
Instagram post 17852467981828731 I’m drawing up plans for a new clients’ bathroom and it only includes a shower. And I get it - I’m more of a shower person too. But I could be persuaded to switch! Our antique cast iron tub is nowhere near this deep and clearly I couldn’t resist getting in to try it on for size. 🛁
Instagram post 17848152505845321 Yes, the kids wrecked my favorite linens, but how lovely 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
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Our 1891 Victorian

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Latest Posts

Honor Roll

February 21, 2020
Pink Pants are the Best Pants

Pink Pants are the Best Pants

February 12, 2020
A Lovely Stardew Valley Inspired Kitchen | Making it Lovely

A Lovely Stardew Valley Inspired Kitchen

January 17, 2020
A Winter Wonderland

A New Year, A New Decade

January 7, 2020
Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Drizzled with Chocolate Sauce, Topped with Sprinkles | Making it Lovely

Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

December 12, 2019
Making it Lovely
Instagram post 17912962489390061 Today in pleated lampshade news: I’ve added a new one! This spot in the center of the house has always needed a little more pattern. Recovering the chairs would do it, but they don’t need it yet (not really), and a lampshade is so much quicker and easier. . The lamp is at least a decade old. It used to be one of a pair, but the other was broken in a toddler fit of rage shortly after we moved here (our one major kid-related decor loss). So now I just have the one, but I think it looks better than ever with its new hat. . #thelovelyvictorian
Instagram post 17869634665596474 Three years ago, you weren’t feelin’ these lamps I was excited about. Pleated tapered shades? (Popular responses: 😒🧐) I loved them then, I love them now, and now it seems like everyone else is getting on board with the style! But if you still think they’re ugly, that’s fine too. 😘
Instagram post 17852467981828731 I’m drawing up plans for a new clients’ bathroom and it only includes a shower. And I get it - I’m more of a shower person too. But I could be persuaded to switch! Our antique cast iron tub is nowhere near this deep and clearly I couldn’t resist getting in to try it on for size. 🛁
Instagram post 17848152505845321 Yes, the kids wrecked my favorite linens, but how lovely 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
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