House Tour
- Our Current Home (The Victorian)
- Our First Home (The Bungalow)
Shop Our House
Services

House Tours

• 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…

Subscribe & Follow

Join Our Mailing List

Leave this field empty if you're human:

Instagram

Instagram post 17862203380538090

I need to prime all of the wood on the other three sides of the room and there are some cracks in the walls to be fixed, but I had to get some color up! It’s that perfect lavender/orchid/lilac pinkish-purple that we were after. E and I are both into it. 💜💕 The ceiling will be painted to match and the trim will be the same color or one shade darker. #thelovelyvictorian #oneroomchallenge #bhgorc

Instagram post 17855875420596906

Eleanor and her color choice in 2013. CUTIE! 💙 She was not interested in recreating this color reveal now at age 10 but rest assured she is thrilled about her new color too. 😂💜
And it’s #oneroomchallenge day! I’ve got an update on the blog, and these fine people do too. We’re at week 3 out of 6!
.
@atcharlotteshouse
@designaddictmom
@mrserikaward
@erinkestenbaum
@girlandgrey
@graymalin
@hommeboys
@ispydiy
@jewelmarlowe
@thelearnerobserver
@nicolewhitedesignsinteriors
@dabito
@oscarbravohome
@place_ofmy_taste
@therathproject
@roomfortuesday
@sgardnerstyle
@carmeon.hamilton
@undecorated_home
@casavilora
Media Partner @betterhomesandgardens
@oneroomchallenge
#oneroomchallenge
#bhgorc

Instagram post 17849709232639706

If the power goes out, my first thought is uh-oh, is it just our house? Is it the block? The neighborhood? Plus, maybe I’m a little nosy, but I want more information to see what happened and to make sure my outage is reported. @comed makes it easy to report an outage by texting ‘OUT’ to 26633 (COMED), and ’STAT’ to check the status. You can also enroll by texting ‘ADD OUTAGE’ to 2633 and you’ll be in the loop at home or on the go. #ad

Instagram post 17847746482666055

The tassels on these new pale blue pillows are so dang cute! 💚 They, and just about everything, are 20% off for the @serenaandlily Friends and Family event (which is ending this weekend, so hop to it).
I was all set to finish this guest room, and then E’s room moved up in priority. But it’s still looking pretty cute!?
.
#SLPartner #thelovelyvictorian

Instagram post 18087079654097129

All of this is on the way out. New paint to come, no more curtain panels, goodbye to the desk and goodbye to this pink dresser and rug. It’s sweet and looks so much like the embodiment of my girl up till now, but making big changes with her as she figures out what represents her style now has been so much fun. ❤️ #thelovelyvictorian

Instagram post 17966132770294621

🎵One of these schemes is not like the other. One of these schemes are changing the design in week 2 of a 6 week challenge.🎵💁🏻‍♀️
Eleanor’s going with lavender after the plan for so long was light blue. OK, time to go in a slightly different direction!
.
The @riflepaperco x @loloirugs has no purple in it, but I think it will still work with the colors in the @fabricut fabrics I’ll be using. Yes? (Personally, I like the new palette better, so I’m excited that E chose it!)
.
Week 2, One Room Challenge friends. Let’s go!
@atcharlotteshouse
@designaddictmom
@mrserikaward
@erinkestenbaum
@girlandgrey
@graymalin
@hommeboys
@ispydiy
@jewelmarlowe
@thelearnerobserver
@nicolewhitedesignsinteriors
@dabito
@oscarbravohome
@place_ofmy_taste
@therathproject
@roomfortuesday
@sgardnerstyle
@carmeon.hamilton
@undecorated_home
@casavilora
Media Partner @betterhomesandgardens
@oneroomchallenge
#oneroomchallenge
#bhgorc

Instagram post 17864976211498302

The One Room Challenge begins today! Did you guess that I’d be working on my daughter’s room? We had already been talking about a makeover, so when the chance to do the ORC came along, it was a natural fit.
.
At first I thought it might be too easy. A bedroom? Just one room!? Well... it is the ONE Room Challenge. So we’re doing it. ❤️ This gives me more opportunity to really focus and make it an amazing space for her.
.
Today’s post has ALL the before pics and info for you. It’s a cute room filled with personality, but Eleanor’s ready for a change and I’m having so much fun dreaming it all up with her.
.
OK, off to see what everyone else is up to too! ✨ Here’s the list:
@atcharlotteshouse
@designaddictmom
@mrserikaward
@erinkestenbaum
@girlandgrey
@graymalin
@hommeboys
@ispydiy
@jewelmarlowe
@thelearnerobserver
@nicolewhitedesignsinteriors
@dabito
@oscarbravohome
@place_ofmy_taste
@therathproject
@roomfortuesday
@sgardnerstyle
@carmeon.hamilton
@undecorated_home
@casavilora
Media Partner @betterhomesandgardens
@oneroomchallenge
#oneroomchallenge
#bhgorc

Instagram post 18103963315005716

Don’t worry, we’re not moving. Not yet at least! (But it was fun showing you that amazing Oak Park house in Stories.) I still have PLENTY to do around here. Like maybe someday I’ll fix the beadboard walls up in this bathroom? 🤦🏻‍♀️ #thelovelyvictorian

Instagram post 18003815440259115

Wood is coming back into fashion again. Have you noticed? Kitchens with wooden cabinets, paneled walls in dining rooms and home libraries, wooden vanities in bathrooms - all showing up with more frequency. I’m happy to see it and I think it’s beautiful, but I I will admit it IS limiting. (Not that limits are necessarily bad!) Show of hands please. Let’s say my entry was your entry. Do you take a paintbrush to the woodwork? 😬 #thelovelyvictorian

FOLLOW @MAKINGITLOVELY

Our 1891 Victorian

Take the Tour

Sources & Paint Colors

Let’s Work Together

Design Services

Latest Posts

One Room Challenge: Week 3 (Adding Interest)

October 16, 2019

One Room Challenge: Week 2 (The Design Plan)

October 9, 2019

One Room Challenge: Week 1 (My Daughter’s Room)

October 2, 2019

Style: Fall 2019

September 18, 2019

Our Tried and True Bath and Body Favorites

September 9, 2019

Where to Next?

• BROWSE BY CATEGORY •
• MORE INFORMATION •
- About
- Contact
- Services
• HOUSE TOURS •

Instagram post 17862203380538090

I need to prime all of the wood on the other three sides of the room and there are some cracks in the walls to be fixed, but I had to get some color up! It’s that perfect lavender/orchid/lilac pinkish-purple that we were after. E and I are both into it. 💜💕 The ceiling will be painted to match and the trim will be the same color or one shade darker. #thelovelyvictorian #oneroomchallenge #bhgorc

Instagram post 17855875420596906

Eleanor and her color choice in 2013. CUTIE! 💙 She was not interested in recreating this color reveal now at age 10 but rest assured she is thrilled about her new color too. 😂💜
And it’s #oneroomchallenge day! I’ve got an update on the blog, and these fine people do too. We’re at week 3 out of 6!
.
@atcharlotteshouse
@designaddictmom
@mrserikaward
@erinkestenbaum
@girlandgrey
@graymalin
@hommeboys
@ispydiy
@jewelmarlowe
@thelearnerobserver
@nicolewhitedesignsinteriors
@dabito
@oscarbravohome
@place_ofmy_taste
@therathproject
@roomfortuesday
@sgardnerstyle
@carmeon.hamilton
@undecorated_home
@casavilora
Media Partner @betterhomesandgardens
@oneroomchallenge
#oneroomchallenge
#bhgorc

Instagram post 17849709232639706

If the power goes out, my first thought is uh-oh, is it just our house? Is it the block? The neighborhood? Plus, maybe I’m a little nosy, but I want more information to see what happened and to make sure my outage is reported. @comed makes it easy to report an outage by texting ‘OUT’ to 26633 (COMED), and ’STAT’ to check the status. You can also enroll by texting ‘ADD OUTAGE’ to 2633 and you’ll be in the loop at home or on the go. #ad

Instagram post 17847746482666055

The tassels on these new pale blue pillows are so dang cute! 💚 They, and just about everything, are 20% off for the @serenaandlily Friends and Family event (which is ending this weekend, so hop to it).
I was all set to finish this guest room, and then E’s room moved up in priority. But it’s still looking pretty cute!?
.
#SLPartner #thelovelyvictorian

Instagram post 18087079654097129

All of this is on the way out. New paint to come, no more curtain panels, goodbye to the desk and goodbye to this pink dresser and rug. It’s sweet and looks so much like the embodiment of my girl up till now, but making big changes with her as she figures out what represents her style now has been so much fun. ❤️ #thelovelyvictorian

Instagram post 17966132770294621

🎵One of these schemes is not like the other. One of these schemes are changing the design in week 2 of a 6 week challenge.🎵💁🏻‍♀️
Eleanor’s going with lavender after the plan for so long was light blue. OK, time to go in a slightly different direction!
.
The @riflepaperco x @loloirugs has no purple in it, but I think it will still work with the colors in the @fabricut fabrics I’ll be using. Yes? (Personally, I like the new palette better, so I’m excited that E chose it!)
.
Week 2, One Room Challenge friends. Let’s go!
@atcharlotteshouse
@designaddictmom
@mrserikaward
@erinkestenbaum
@girlandgrey
@graymalin
@hommeboys
@ispydiy
@jewelmarlowe
@thelearnerobserver
@nicolewhitedesignsinteriors
@dabito
@oscarbravohome
@place_ofmy_taste
@therathproject
@roomfortuesday
@sgardnerstyle
@carmeon.hamilton
@undecorated_home
@casavilora
Media Partner @betterhomesandgardens
@oneroomchallenge
#oneroomchallenge
#bhgorc

Instagram post 17864976211498302

The One Room Challenge begins today! Did you guess that I’d be working on my daughter’s room? We had already been talking about a makeover, so when the chance to do the ORC came along, it was a natural fit.
.
At first I thought it might be too easy. A bedroom? Just one room!? Well... it is the ONE Room Challenge. So we’re doing it. ❤️ This gives me more opportunity to really focus and make it an amazing space for her.
.
Today’s post has ALL the before pics and info for you. It’s a cute room filled with personality, but Eleanor’s ready for a change and I’m having so much fun dreaming it all up with her.
.
OK, off to see what everyone else is up to too! ✨ Here’s the list:
@atcharlotteshouse
@designaddictmom
@mrserikaward
@erinkestenbaum
@girlandgrey
@graymalin
@hommeboys
@ispydiy
@jewelmarlowe
@thelearnerobserver
@nicolewhitedesignsinteriors
@dabito
@oscarbravohome
@place_ofmy_taste
@therathproject
@roomfortuesday
@sgardnerstyle
@carmeon.hamilton
@undecorated_home
@casavilora
Media Partner @betterhomesandgardens
@oneroomchallenge
#oneroomchallenge
#bhgorc

Instagram post 18103963315005716

Don’t worry, we’re not moving. Not yet at least! (But it was fun showing you that amazing Oak Park house in Stories.) I still have PLENTY to do around here. Like maybe someday I’ll fix the beadboard walls up in this bathroom? 🤦🏻‍♀️ #thelovelyvictorian

Instagram post 18003815440259115

Wood is coming back into fashion again. Have you noticed? Kitchens with wooden cabinets, paneled walls in dining rooms and home libraries, wooden vanities in bathrooms - all showing up with more frequency. I’m happy to see it and I think it’s beautiful, but I I will admit it IS limiting. (Not that limits are necessarily bad!) Show of hands please. Let’s say my entry was your entry. Do you take a paintbrush to the woodwork? 😬 #thelovelyvictorian

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Bloglovin RSS

©2007-2019 Making it Lovely Inc. All Rights Reserved.