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Making it Lovely (Blog)

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Making it Lovely (Blog)

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Making it Lovely

I was deep in bicycle research mode since Eleanor

I was deep in bicycle research mode since Eleanor wanted a new, larger bike for her birthday. She got it, I rode it, and the contrast between that and my old bike was stark. I had been wanting a new bike for the past few years, but it hadn’t felt quite so urgent as it had lately. Research mode intensified.

I didn’t know a ton about bicycles besides knowing what I like visually. Differences in brakes, gears, materials - I know a little. More now than I did this time last week. I wanted a Dutch-style bike with a step-through frame. Maybe a @linusbike Dutchie or @publicbikes C7? The @retrospec Beaumont is priced so much lower - was that a decent contender?

Then an actual Dutch bike - this bike - popped up for sale in a Chicago biking FB group I’m a part of. It’s a Gazelle NL. I’m not sure if there’s a longer, more descriptive name for it because it’s not matching anything exactly in my searches, but that’s what it says on the side. It was bought in 2011 from @jclindbikes, and I’m the second owner. I would love to add a rear rack. Maybe swap out the basket at some point too. And can I add skirt guards to really up that ‘flowers in the basket, dress in the breeze’ fantasy? I don’t know, this bike is more sturdy and practical than dainty and cute.

I just brought it home tonight and rode for about an hour. I love it.

I showed you my initial plans for the kitchen a wh

I showed you my initial plans for the kitchen a while back. The exact finishes weren’t locked in at that point, but of course they have been by now and supplies have been arriving. Progress is being made!

I tried my hand at a photo-realistic rendering of my model to give you an idea of the finalized design. (Not bad! Passable if you’re scrolling by real quick. 😘)

#makingitlovely #thelovelyvictorian #designwithbrizodeltachicago #kitchendesign #sketchup #supodium

Freshly painted beadboard and antique plumbing fix

Freshly painted beadboard and antique plumbing fixtures. ❤️
#makingitlovely #thelovelyvictorian

Piled everything over here to dust the coffee tabl

Piled everything over here to dust the coffee table and I kinda like it. Traysure.

❄️ #thelovelyvictorian #makingitlovely

❄️

#thelovelyvictorian #makingitlovely

I really should find something better than a bathm

I really should find something better than a bathmat to keep these two from scratching up the headboard while they birdwatch, but at least everything matches. Including the cats.

Quick Room Scheme Process. A look at how a family

Quick Room Scheme Process. A look at how a family room with built-in bar is coming together!

I’m hoping to have the bathroom walls all fixed

I’m hoping to have the bathroom walls all fixed up by the end of the day tomorrow. There are spots like this corner that I put together so long ago and still love, and then spots like the bathroom that have been untouched until now. A slow renovation and slow decorating doesn’t make for quick paced reveals, but it makes for a home that continues to make me happy. 🖤 #thelovelyvictorian #makingitlovely

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