We’re working on wrapping up a few projects for you today – pics and details to come! – plus we have a well overdue house crash to share. It feels kinda unnecessary in this case, but we’ll say it out of formality: Meet Nicole (and her smiley son August).
If that picture alone didn’t make you say “Wait, that’s Nicole from Making It Lovely!” then allow us to say “that’s Nicole from Making It Lovely.” You guys know we like to crash homes of all types (we’ve shared nearly fifty of them, from modern apartments and traditional homes to eclectic or retro spaces or crazy bright and colorful ones – each from big bloggers, small bloggers, and not-bloggers-at-all). And since we’ve been internet friends of Nicole’s since we started blogging five years ago (and that’s kind of a long relationship to have without ever having met in person) of course we were thrilled when she invited us over to crash her and her husband Brandon’s iconic Oak Park pad during our Chicago book tour stop last month.
I feel like her home requires little explanation because she has documented it so well herself, but we thought you guys would enjoy seeing some different angles of a house that so many of you already know and love. There’s definitely lots of inspiration for the taking. So, um, here’s her living room…
This room greets you on your left as soon as you step foot inside and the walls are Astor Pink by Benjamin Moore in case you’re wondering. I’ll admit that I was quite nervous about taking pictures of Nicole’s house. I’ve always greatly admired her camera skills so it was pretty intimidating to photograph such a well-photographed home in the presence of the photographer herself. But I survived… with only minor sweating. Nicole has collected so many awesome (I’m trying not to insert “lovely” as my default adjective here) items, it actually ended up being really fun. Oh and the white mirror was from Ballard Designs, the Eames rocker is by Modernica, the coffee table is vintage (picked up this summer at the Renegade Craft Fair) and the tables are vintage too – they were just $10 each.
One of the most interesting things about seeing Nicole’s house in person is how little pink there is. Nicole is a self-professed lover of the color and I feel like I’m always seeing it pop up in her projects. So I guess that created this all-pink all-the-time expectation in my head (despite having browsed her house tour plenty of times over the years). But in reality, many of her rooms are moody, earthy, and warm – including her dining room below, which is located right behind the living room. In fact, the next and only other room you’ll see with pink paint on the walls belongs to her 3-year-old daughter Eleanor.
I love so many things about this dining room. The metal chairs (from Industry West) mixed with the vintage wood table. The sleek light fixture mixed with the wood panel-backed china cabinet. The quirky guy + gal centerpieces (from Floral Art LA). And of course the wallpaper (which is Clacket Lane by Mibo).
We’ve seen Nicole re-imagine her china cabinet a few times over the years, and we were totally digging the fox theme she had going on when we arrived (she scored those guys on amazon). Sherry and Nicole even had discussions about what would be the next “it” animal. Put a fox on it perhaps? I think llamas were tossed out there too.
Right behind the dining room (through the door you can see in the first dining picture) is their kitchen. Nicole and Brandon said they’re working on some changes in there, so we didn’t go crazy with the camera in that particular room. But I thought I’d share this one surprise (to me at least) – there’s a full bathroom back there. Somehow I must’ve missed any mention of it on Making It Lovely (although it later came up in a post after we returned from the crash). Old school green tub = awesome sauce.
Off the other end of the dining room is Nicole’s office – although she doesn’t work at that toddler-sized table you see pictured. That’s just so her kiddos can keep her company while she’s blogging, web-designing, or otherwise putting her stamp on the interweb. The rug is Dash & Albert and the banner was from Catbird NYC (it was cheap so Nicole threw it into her cart to qualify for free shipping).
We loved checking out her monogrammed trophies in person (she’s got a tutorial for them on her blog here). And the yellow lamp is from Crate & Barrel.
Once upstairs, you arrive at their sitting room / library area that I’ve always said is my favorite room whenever browsing her photos online. It did not disappoint in person. Sherry and I kinda wanted to move in. That wouldn’t be awkward at all, right? The curtains are from Anthropologie, the fig tree is from Sprout Home right there in Chicago, and the deep chocolate paint on the walls is Afternoon Tea by Pittsburgh Paints.
I was mostly enamored with that space because of the bookcases (from Ikea, by the way). Nicole and Brandon met working at a bookstore – and the former library employee in me always has a soft spot for shelves upon shelves of books.
Sherry was enamored with this room for another reason. And it rhymes with schmold schmanimals. They were an ebay find. Though I gotta say the brown and white cabinets in this room (which you also saw in her office) are calling my name too. They’re the sadly discontinued Effektiv cabinets from Ikea.
Immediately to the right of those gold deer is Eleanor’s room. She’s about a year older than Clara and we were all sad that Clara couldn’t join us for this leg of the trip. Those two would’ve had a blast.
The bed and bedding were from Land Of Nod. Nicole has quite the knack for stylish arrangements, so the collection of art and objects above Eleanor’s bed was no exception. My favorite is the little banner that says “Just Be Cool.” I feel like our toddler could use that reminder every so often…
Brandon and Nicole’s bedroom is cozy and warm, and kinda made me want to lay down and read a book. Luckily for them I resisted and continued taking photos instead.
The star of this room is the light fixture, which I had been eager to see in person since I first saw it posted on her blog a couple of years ago. It’s the “Edison Light” from Pottery Barn. And the botanical print behind it on the wall is from Fab.com.
At the opposite end of the upstairs from Eleanor’s room is her brother August’s domain. He was actually playing in there, so I tried not to interrupt too much by shoving my lens in his face. After all, he had just met me about an hour before. So instead I captured some of the awesome details that make me want to shop where Nicole shops. How cool are those pixel fire flowers by a local crafter?
And this embroidered venn diagram clock by another local crafter rocked my socks (and reminded me that I ought to bone up on my marksmanship skills if I intend to survive the zombie apocalypse).
Continuing the theme of foxes, Sherry was drawn like a moth to a flame when it came to this animal-based lamp (she’s been known to obsess over them).
In fact, she even made me take a closer photo of it (it’s from Target in case you need one too). Put a fox on it is sounding more and more promising. What do you guys think? Is it official?
As fun as it was to see Nicole’s house in person, the most fun part was seeing Nicole herself. It was just so refreshing to finally all be in a room together to chat, catch up, talk shop, swap parenting stories, and otherwise enjoy a couple hours of being real life friends, not blogosphere colleagues. Oh and you can read her recap of our visit here on her blog too.
Plus, I confirmed my suspicions that their dog Murray is pretty much Burger in a larger body. I mean, c’mon – is that not a Burger face right there?
So a big thank you again to Nicole, Brandon, Eleanor, and August for inviting us over to their house and being kind enough to entertain my wannabe photographer skills. Now if we can just get Nicole to write a book and include Richmond on her tour we’ll be all set for a sequel to this fun…
Psst- Do you dare to keep this house crashing party going? You can check out dozens more here.
In LOVE with the Edison fixture! *swoon*
Aren’t the living room walls Wild Aster?
Yup! Such a pretty color.
xo
s
I definitely think Fox is the new Owl! After that… squirrel? beetle?
I’m okay with that! They’re so cute!
Foxes are definitely in right now. It kind of makes me sad as I did a Fantastic Mr. Fox theme (thanks Wes Anderson) for my son that I started 2 years ago. Initially, it was a nice challenge to find cute fox things for his room – now foxes are everywhere. So instead of feeling unique, it kind of seems blah now (although I still love his room).
Yup, fox it is. I have an orange pillow with a fox on it that I scored from Target this fall.
Lovely home. I’m on board with the llamas! And that is definitely a Burger face!
Yay! It’s so fun to see a familiar house at different angles. Thanks for showcasing it!
Of course! A huge thanks to Nicole for having us!
xo
s
So exciting! And I love that pooch!
their house is amazing. what i like even MORE is that it’s in OAK PARK! that’s my dream neighborhood. frank lloyd wright extravaganza! please tell me you visited his home and studio while you were there!??!
I wish! We didn’t have much time in any of the tour cities, so it was pretty much eating and sleeping and signing with two house crashes that we managed to squeeze in (over a dozen stops!). Here’s hoping we can go back and really explore Chicago!
xo
s
I actually overheard someone saying to her friend last year (in all seriousness), “foxes are the new owls.” I’m really hoping for hedgehogs, though.
Haha, I’ve loved hedgehogs forever! Good call!
xo
s
Ooooowee! I lurve hedgehogs! Moose are pretty cool, too.
Ooh, hedgehogs are cute too!
lol, it was probably me. I earnestly have said that in public more than once. hey it’s true!
Hahah!
xo,
s
I love everything about this post. Just from the style of both of your homes, it’s obvious that you would be friends :)
Wow! I love seeing Nicole’s house from different angles. It is such a happy place. I’m such a big fan of her blog and her style. She’s a jack of all trades that is for sure!
And I have the Edison light too (largely inspired by Nicole)! It’s quite the conversation starter. It’s in my living room. I did a post all about it here: http://www.gohausgo.com/2012/02/edison-installed/
It looks awesome! What a stunner!
xo
s
Emily, I remember when you got the Edison light too! It looks so good.
Such a beautiful home, and so quirky! I love seeing people’s personalities come out in their decor!
I’m really loving the picture rail shown in several rooms. It looks like she has some stuff actually hanging from it. Is it original to her home?
I think it is! That neighborhood (Oak Park) is known for it’s original craftsman homes/details! It was an amazing house!
xo
s
I really love Nicole’s style. Everything has it’s place and it all makes sense. He eccentricities in the busts and little art finds are fantastic. It was good to see different angles on things I already know.
I love everything about their design decor. While reading this, I immediately looked up at my dining room ceiling to see if I could do that same light fixture. haha!
These house crashers are so creative…it makes me come up with so many ideas!
What a great place. I’m in love with the guy + gal centerpieces and I would love to have the schmold schmanimals (LOL).
Actually I would pretty much like to have everything including the cute puppy!
I have the Edison fixture, and sooo glad I bought it when I did! They are no longer available from Pottery Barn, though eBay has some decent-but-not-exact knock offs. I have it in my dining room. When I sold my house, the light came with me. That was non-negotiable, haha. It works just as well in my apartment and really makes my new space feel like HOME.
I love that!
xo
s
I love it! I have never heard of her blog before but it looks like one I will definitely be adding to my list. I hope she has more photos of the built in shelf wall in her son’s room…we are remodeling and have two rooms with low walls like that and I need some good ideas for it! :) And I loooove the foxes in the china cabinet, who knew I was a fox fan? I didn’t! I love how she has pink in the main living area!
Oh yes, she has tons more photos and angles and projects over on her blog. So glad you found her :)
xo
s
A bunch of us in line to meet you guys in Chicago geeked out because we saw her, too. She was gone by the time I got up there, but it was like a two-for-one blog celebrity day! (Really three-for-one since you and John are separate people.) :)
That’s so funny! She signed some books (since she’s one of the ten bloggers we spotlighted) so we thought that was so much fun!
xo
s
I love that this post has turned into an animal love fest…wait…
I’ve always loved Nicole’s style. So retro but updated retro. Make sense? Plus she lives in Oak Park which a beautiful ‘burb with gorgeous homes!
Oh man, I am COVETING that Edison light. Amazing.
So is Murray imitating John or vice versa? I feel like they have the exact same facial expression!
Hahah! I think John was the one channeling Murray but you can’t always be sure…
xo
s
Just have to say, I was watching Secrets from a Stylist today while getting ready for work and Emily used those same exact gold deer for a special holiday episode! I love them so much and to see them twice in one day is crazy!!
That’s so funny!!
xo
s
I love the house crashing, but I really thought you guys would feature houses that are maybe not as well know in the blogging community.
We just love to share the love, so we don’t want to hold back or discriminate based on any sort of blog readership (whether you have a bunch of followers or you don’t even have a blog, if you have an awesome home full of inspiration, we’d love to crash it!). Many of the almost-fifty homes that we’ve shared on our House Crashing page are from folks who don’t even have a blog or who have small just-starting-out blogs – we just love sharing them all! Inspiration is everywhere :)
xo
s
So fun to see her house from your perspective. I am totally on board with the foxes. Move over owls! We don’t give a whoot anymore. Har har. Couldn’t. help. myself.
You did a great job putting a “young house love” spin on the photographs!
Nicole’s blog is fantastic, but I enjoyed seeing photos from a different point of view, if that makes sense :)
OMG that’s SUCH a burger face! Hilarious! Long lost cousins?
Beautiful! There is so much I love in this house that it’s hard to pick my favorite. I would have to say though that I am swooning over those book cases too.
Love that painting behind Nicole in the first picture!
Lovely home, lovely visit!
I could totaly see that edison light fixture (or similar) over your dining table.. Worth the splurge for something you’d see when you first walk in.
Oh yeah it’s gorgeous! We’d love something linear/orb-toned like that! Stay tuned…
xo
s
Pseuderanthmum incendia. I die. But it’s ok. I have infinity lives left.
Hahah!
xo
s
When I was reading about August’s room and the venn diagram clock came up, all I could think was “Like the band name!” hahaha – that post was awesome. Also, did Nicole happen to share where the wooden tool playset (see picture of John and Murray) was from? My boys would love that. Thanks!
Hahah! My band!!! As for the wooden tool set, I’m not sure – maybe she’ll pop in and answer questions when she has a moment?
xo
s
The wooden tools are from another Renegade Craft Find: A Summer Afternoon.
Thanks Nicole!
Wow, that Edison light fixture is STUNNING!! Cue the drooling…
I love their living room couch! Do you know where they got it?
Here’s hoping she drops in with that info for ya soon! Or you can pop over to her blog for more info :)
xo
s
The couch is “Jasper” from Room and Board. We’ve had it for six or seven years and it has held up really well.
I can’t find that gold fox lamp with the black shade on Target’s website and I pretty much NEED to have it. Do you know if it’s a recent purchase?!
Oh man, maybe try ebay? Anyone seen it?
xo
s
I got the fox lamp a few months ago, but I think it was part of a limited edition Target collaboration. (Patch NYC, maybe?)
There’s so much to love in this house! I think my favorite part is that each room seems to have a really awesome light fixture to go along with it — lots of statements in this home! Love it! Thanks for the fun tour!
So fun to see these different angles of Nicole’s pad! Great crash :)
I am still swooning over her living room (my pink-loving self has always loved it!), but that sitting room/library looks SO cozy.
are you kidding me right now??? that is the cutest happiest little home i’ve ever seen!
Right?! We had so much fun there! Nicole and her sweet family = awesome. It was so great to finally meet them!
xp
s
I want to move in right now!
Love seeing her home from another point of view! Such a fan of Nicole, and I was thrilled to meet her in person at your book stop through Chicago!
As for the “it” animal, I could’ve sworn it would be the fox, too! So for this past weekend’s Chicago Renegade Fair, I painted a fox and made prints – but they didn’t move. Rather, the giraffe and manatee made waves!
No way! So interesting!! Anyone else have hard animal data for us? Hah! I love it.
xo
s
Love this house! Especially that little library area, how cool is that space!
And about foxes…funny cuz I was looking at West Elm stuff today and look at this…
http://www.westelm.com/products/felt-fox-laptop-holder-d361/?pkey=call-sale&cm_src=all-sale||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-
http://www.westelm.com/products/fox-cookie-jar-d365/?pkey=call-sale&cm_src=all-sale||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-
Kinda loving these!
Fun!!
xo
s
I love that she has toys in her living room. It’s nice to see such relaxed style.
Ohhhh I have been waiting for this post :)
I love the other Chicago B.E.A.N.’s and their home is indredible! That edison light, the bookcases, and all the subtle details are so beautiful.
It is so cool to see my house through your eyes! Thank you for taking time to stop by while you were in Chicago. Really, it was just so good to finally meet you both and have a little time to talk in person.
p.s. I’ll work on the whole book tour to Richmond thing. I need to write a book first though, eh?
Haha, yeah that would be awesome! Come on down!
It was amazing to get to hang out IN YOUR HOUSE! So funny and surreal. You guys are so sweet to have us over and we’re so grateful. Stop by anytime!
xo
s
Ok and this…
http://www.westelm.com/products/ceramic-fox-speaker-d206/?cm_src=AutoRel
I think I’m in love.
So cute!
xo
s
You know what I love about this, aside from two of my favorite interior design bloggers coming together? The fact you showed us Nicole’s house at different angles. It’ refreshing to see the house you’ve been following for years shot differently. Of course for you two it’s even cooler to see the house you’ve been following for years in person! Haha!
Oh yeah, it was so surreal! And it really did feel different in person. The tall ceilings were amazing!
xo
s
YAY! Love all three of you. I read both your AMAZING blogs and I’ve been so anxious for this post. I’m a Chicago gal myself and was so sad that I missed the fact that you were in town. Seriously? Where the heck was I when that was announced? Need to get my head out of the gutter. So, I was just happy to read along with Nicole about her experience and even better seeing all three of you together. Her house is awesome and you did as great of a job showing it off!!!
Aw thanks Jen!
xo
s
Ha Jen! It made me laugh out loud to think of your head being in the gutter instead of in the clouds!
so fun to see this! i love when internet friends get to meet in real life. and so great to see a different point of view of nicole’s space.
and yes. foxes are totally the “it” animal of the moment. no doubt.
Hi Sherry and John, I love reading your blog daily, but for the past two days posts have been very hard to read on my iphone because they have a lime green and white Richmond SPCA logo behind them repeating all the way down the page. The SPCA background doesn’t appear when viewed on my laptop. Just wanted to give you a heads up.
So sorry Katherine, that’s just a smart phone glitch so if you clear your cookies/cache/data it should clear right up! Wish it was something we could fix on our end!
xo
s
Thanks, Sherry…will do!
That seriously looks like Burger!! It kinda freaks me out…. in a good way=)
Hah! Dog twins.
xo
s