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The 6 Year Evolution + A Tribute

Okay, technically, this October it will be 6 years in our current home. (So, really, it’s more like a 5 1/2+ year evolution, but who’s counting?) We started this little virtual home well into our home’s evolution (we’d been living here for not quite 2 years), but as we became more in synch with our merging tastes and style, rooms went from bold orange to soft green, from navy blue to barely pink. Remember the video tour we took after 4 years here? Whoa.

Next week, we’ll be starting demo on the new home (and there are still so many what ifs and what happens when…), so while we’ll still be living here while we begin work over there, we have begun our packing. Art is down, boxes are being stacked, and our media wall is (sadly) empty. It’s surprisingly thrilling to fill those cardboard boxes – I realize this is purely the organizer in me – but it’s just downright sad, too. Bittersweet. Our new adventure gives us the chills (we could just scream; we’re so excited), but it wouldn’t be right to leave this home without a proper tribute. A look back.

THE LIVING ROOM. Our home started as a recently rehabbed beige box; if you’ve been here from way back, you’ll know we were the first owners to take occupancy in our unit since the building was gutted. After moving in, we painted the walls bright – including that kelly green accent wall. From there, we toned it down by continuing the soft minty-blue, swapped furniture, installed The Wall and finally, removed the floating shelves for a more streamlined photo ledge.

THE ENTRYWAY. That kelly green wall (Behr’s Chlorophyll) also continued into the entryway. Ultimately, we nixed it for a chalkboard wall – the perfect spot for our weekend to-dos and notes to each other. (And you’ve watched that small art continue to grow and grow…)

THE BEDROOM. After moving the placement of our bed from under the window and against the wall (giving us juuust enough space to get a dresser), we broke up the orange with a stripe of soft green. It didn’t stay a stripe for too long, a decision that was made while Scott was out of town. On a whim, I had to paint.

THE STUDIO. More so than our main living area, the studio has been tweaked more times than any other room in our home. What started as our “afterthought” room turned into a navy office with bike storage. But when The Pet Shop picked up, Scott suggested we make it my room – and he gave me free reign to design it as I wished (lucky, lucky girl). Thus, the studio was born. (I’m going to miss this room the most.)

THE PATIO. In the warm summer months, we like to think of our patio as an extension of our home – a bonus room! The more colorful, the better, we think. Every year, we’re amazed at just how big of a difference planting a few flowers can make – that bold rug and (many, many) throw pillows help, too.

For almost 6 years, we’ve poured love into this home. We experimented with colors, patterns, and too many furniture makeovers to count; some hits, some misses. We used wallpaper for the first time. We expanded our family of 3 to a family of 4. And silly us, we thought of leaving Chicago altogether, but through a blurry haze of wanderlust, we finally realized that this is where we should be. We’ve laid our roots here.

But as my work-from-home business grows (as indicated by the piles of shipping supplies that have since spilled into the hallway over the last 6 months), as our desire grows (and grows!) to foster friends for Jack and a future full of possibilities and unknowns lie ahead of us, now was our time. It was right for us.

Next big step, here we come.

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  • Nina6.27.13 - 8:06 AM

    So inspirational in your petite space. I can’t wait to see what you can accomplish with more room! Also to see Jack in his new yard! Good luck with the move.ReplyCancel

  • What an awesome tour, it probably does feel a little bittersweet moving on but look what you’ve done with the place! I can’t wait to see what you do in the new house, best of luck packing and moving!ReplyCancel

  • Jillian6.27.13 - 9:27 AM

    *tear*… is your wallpaper in the hallway still there? I can’t see it in your most recent entryway photo.ReplyCancel

  • Kim6.27.13 - 9:49 AM

    Thank you, ladies!

    Jillian, yup, it’s still there. The new tenants moving in were happy with it, so it stays!ReplyCancel

  • Carolyn6.27.13 - 10:44 AM

    Please tell me where that bed is from! I’ve been hunting one similar and with the trend of upholstered headboards, wood bed frames are few and far between.ReplyCancel

  • Brittany6.27.13 - 10:50 AM

    This is so weird, since I’ve read this blog for a long time, but I really recognize that patio set up….and it just hit me that I think we live (well lived) in the same building!ReplyCancel

  • Kim6.27.13 - 10:57 AM

    Carolyn, we purchased it YEARS ago on Overstock – it’s called the Vermont: http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Vermont-Queen-size-Bed/1440346/product.html

    Brittany, small world! You don’t live in the building anymore?ReplyCancel

  • What an awesome look back! You guys did so much in 6 short years. I will be fun to see how you mold your new space!ReplyCancel

  • Brittany6.27.13 - 11:06 AM

    Well I still do, but you guys won’t for much longer. We’re technically not the exact same building, more like neighbors (we’re directly over the bike shop). Unless I’m completely wrong and my neighbors just happen to have that same rug/patio set up, which is also possible.ReplyCancel

    • Kim6.27.13 - 11:12 AM

      Brittany, gotcha! We are neighbors then – but only for a teensy bit longer!ReplyCancel

  • Brittany6.27.13 - 11:16 AM

    Cool, well if I see you on the patio I’ll wave hello!ReplyCancel

  • Zandi6.27.13 - 11:48 AM

    i LOVE this post. seeing the evolution of spaces is my absolute favorite thing in the world / helps calm me down when i’m frustrated with why my space isn’t perfect right away. i cannot wait to see what you guys do with the new place/ all your new space!!ReplyCancel

  • Julia @cuckoo4design6.27.13 - 2:14 PM

    This as fun to see!ReplyCancel

  • Helen6.28.13 - 1:49 AM

    I got emotional reading this. I have never felt so happy for someone I have never met. Can’t wait to see your next phase with your little family.ReplyCancel

  • Kim6.28.13 - 9:02 AM

    Thank you all so much!

    Zandi, I agree – nothing happens overnight! I get frustrated at times too, so I enjoy a good side-by-side as well!

    Helen, such a sweet comment. Made my day.ReplyCancel

  • Tina S.6.29.13 - 9:06 AM

    The kelly green wall is what drew me in from AT in the first place. I’ve loved the evolution of the place over the years too. I cannot wait to see the new evolution in your home!ReplyCancel

  • InativeSpeaker6.30.13 - 4:49 AM

    I felt very emotional reading this, 6 yrs struggle really pays off well. Best of luck for further activities.ReplyCancel

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We’re Kim + Scott, Chicago based content creators behind the Home + Lifestyle brand Yellow Brick Home.

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