Welcome to the 225th Metamorphosis Monday!
Greetings! Hope your weekend was fabulous! Mine was relaxing, spent with good friends. Unfortunately, my son lives too far away for us to spend Mother’s Day together but at least we were able to talk on the phone. I really should check into skyping, that would be better than just the phone. Do you Skype and if so, do you like it?
HGTV Magazine and a Beautiful Before and After:
This weekend I noticed one of the solar post caps I purchased recently for the deck had a crack in one of the sides. I stopped by Home Depot to exchange it and while I was there, I noticed they had the HGTV Magazine available. I’ve never read that particular magazine but I’ve been curious to check it out. I purchased the May issue and it’s really good. I was impressed with all the great articles and Before and Afters they have featured. I have a feeling this will be one of those magazines I’ll have to save for future reference.
One particular Before and After that really caught my eye was the transformation of this 1940 cottage below. (Images below are from the HGTV online and scanned from the HGTV Magazine article.)
Okay, check this out! Here’s the “Before” of the back of this house. Wait until you see the after! Ready? It’s awesome!
WOW! Is this not absolutely amazing! They gained a screened-in porch on the lower level, an open air porch on the top level and a sunny deck off to the side. So many great spaces to enjoy and entertain! I like how they left the ceiling of the top porch natural. It provides such a nice contrast with all the white. Love those double screened doors on the screened-in porch, too!
Unfortunately, the article didn’t share any close-up pics of the furnishings on the screened-in porch. Wish they had! I’m wondering about the piece I see over on the far left toward the back.
We do get to see the upstairs porch, though and I love it. This is perfect for those non-mosquito days in early spring and fall. I’m guessing it’s like being in a wonderful treehouse.
They mention in the article, when friends are over visiting the open porch is where they prefer to entertain.
And the deck is where they prefer to dine each day when the weather allows. That makes me wonder if the main living areas like the kitchen and living room are on this upper level of the home, too. When you enter the front door of their cottage, maybe you’re already on the upper level. Wish they had shared the floor plan for the inside so we could see how it all fits together. Either way, I love these outdoor spaces!
The deck is furnished with a teak table and chairs from Crate & Barrel. Notice the lanterns hanging from the spokes of the umbrella. They hold candles for evening time.
This metamorphosis truly shows, with a little imagination and creativity you can create amazing outdoor spaces where before it may have seemed impossible. This is definitely going down in the books as one of my most favorite make-overs. I’m pinning it and keeping it in mind for the day I move to my little yellow cottage/dream home. 🙂
Looking forward to the Before and Afters posted for this Met Monday!
Metamorphosis Monday:
If you are participating in Metamorphosis Monday you will need to link up the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on your post name, then just copy and paste the address that shows up in the address bar at the top of your blog, into the “url” box for InLinkz.
In order to link up, you’ll need to include a link in your MM post back to the party so the other participants will have an opportunity to receive visits from your wonderful blog readers.
Please observe these few rules:
Only link up Before and After posts that are home, gardening, crafting, painting, sewing, cooking, DIY related.
Do not link up if you’re doing so to promote a website or product.
Do not link up a post that was just linked last week since a lot of readers will have already seen that post.
Do not type in ALL CAPS. It spreads the links waaaay out.
Let’s try something fun today! Please visit the person who linked before you and after you…that way everyone will get some visits.
Welcome! Thanks for coming to the party!
What a beautiful deck and porch! I love how they have used every inch of the space! I am still sending hugs and prayers to you and Max….hoping for good news about his condition. You know I understand. Hugs…Debbie
Thanks, Debbie. I know you do. ♥
Hi, Susan!! I’m here linking up with you again this week!! Thank you so much for hosting the party on your Beautiful Blog!! I hope you had a Blessed Mother’s Day and I hope you have a wonderful week, as well!! Your deck is Beautiful and so is Max. 🙂
Blessings, Theresa
Hello lovely Susan & Max.
Just popping in to say a big helloey.
I hope you can pop along to join in our latest Cake Stand Giveaway, which is rather fab.
We’d love to see you.
Sending lots of love.
Paul
Morning Susan, you asked about Skype, it is wonderful so much better than just talking on the phone. My brother lost his wife at the beginning of the year and he and I are on Skype at least twice a week. He lives about 70 miles away so it is a good way to see how he looks and if he is looking after himself and it feels like he is in the room with me. Our sister lives in Australia and we have had three way conversations but unless we pay we cannot see each other but we can on a one to one basis.My sister has walked round the house with her laptop so I can see where she lives and her living accommodation!! My husband has an aunt in Australia and we often talk to her on Skype. Of course the only problem is the time difference like it would be if I spoke to you on it. They are about 8-10 hours ahead and you are 5-6 hours behind GMT. I know my neighbour has her daughter in Australia and it is a great way for her to see how her grandchildren are growing up. Best wishes, Jackie in Surrey UK.
That deck addition is a beautiful transformation of that house. Such a difference it makes. Don’t you know they are loving their deck! I hope the doctors have good news for you and Max about his chemo. I know that he is very precious to you. We love our furbabies. I had a great trip to south Louisiana and have pictures to share with you. Will try to do that this week.
Susan,
Thank you for the update on Max, dear friend!!!
My heart goes out to you, dear one. I continue my prayers for you as you face difficult days ahead!
Thank you for hosting Metamorphosis Monday each week!
What an amazing transformation of this home and the outdoor living space!!!
Thanks for sharing!
Fondly,
Pat
You must get set up on skype. It will change your life. I live in Italy and my family is in California. Recently my 75 year old mother was able to pop in on my daughter’s 14th birthday, meet all her Italian friends. We laugh in my family because we are all a bit bookish we get on Skype and just like to talk about who has a different hair style.
I love you blog
Natalie
Hello Susan,
I’m glad to contribute to Max’s fund and hope all goes well for his future. He is just a darling kitty and every photo you show brings up the tears. Hang in there and just pray all these “green” and good thoughts brings him back to good health again. Hugs, Mandy
What an amazing porch and deck! I am drooling! Thanks for hosting! Life to the full! Melissa
That is an amazing transformation! Beautiful space to live! Hoping all goes very well with your Max. Yes, I Skype with my parents who live 1,000 miles away and it is great. I especially love to see their smiles and expressions. So worth the time and effort.
Thanks for hosting! Hope you have a wonderful day! Blessings, Gloria @The Resourceful Gals
What a fantastic metamorphosis ! It’s really a new home.
Thanks for sharing.
I don’t use Skype anymore because it’s caused a lot of troubles to my netbook. It’s drived it very slow.
So I still use MSN or live chat on Facebook.
From France, I wish you a great week.
Blessings
Amazing porch transformation! Thank you for hosting Susan. Little Bit
Beautiful spaces indeed…I Love the framing..just adds so much to the character of the porch…I myself have always wanted a sleeping porch..maybe one day…I sure you get good news about Max…will send a shout out to the man upstairs that he makes it through this….Hope you have a WonderFul day!!
I Skype all the time and I love it. My husband travels and we spend the evening together that way. We put it on Skype or whatever it is called for the ipad and act like we are in the same room together. It’s fantastic. Hope you will give it a try. It puts you so much closer to the person.
Susan thank you so much for hosting today. Your Max is adorable and I pray his chemo gives you much more time together. Thanks for posting about the mag. I have been curious as well. I’ll have to grab a copy. What a transformation. Have a lovely Monday!
Thanks so much for the party! That deck transformation is amazing! I love the use of the heavy timbers and wood trusses/ceiling. They give it so much character and interest. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful day!
I love this porch and deck area, what a difference! Thanks for showing the magazine. I’ve seen it in the stores but wasn’t interested enough to purchase. Maybe I will give it a try.
I hope things go well for Max. I know this is hard on you.
That is an awesome transformation that house went through. I haven’t bought the magazine yet, but I think I’ll give it a try. HGTV sure has grown! I wish you the best with Max…..It’s such a heartbreaking thing to go through.
So hope Max gets better and better! Thanks so much for hosting Susan…
Blessings,
Cindy
Susan, I love this porch! It seems they used every inch of space. It’s a perfect compliment to this home! Thanks for sharing it and hosting another great link party! Praying that Max will be so much better soon!
That is an awesome transformation that house went through. I haven’t bought the magazine yet, but I think I’ll give it a try. HGTV sure has grown! I wish you the best with Max…..It’s such a heartbreaking thing to go through.
Wow! What an amazing transformation! Thank you for hosting. Have a happy week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
So very sorry about your kitty, Susan. Hope Max is better soon. 🙁
Oh, Susan you must Skype! It’s so much better than a phone call! You have an iPad…there’s also face-time…check them out! My son currently lives in Japan…and we face-timed last nite…it was like he was right there in front of me…gotta try it! Great porch too…gorgeous! 😉
Wow, absolutely beautiful transformation!! Just gorgeous.
Kim, thank you so much for hosting the party and sharing that amazing before and after. It’s nice to dream about having something so beautiful.
Liz
Sorry, Susan, I have no idea why I said “Kim”. I’m lost in a world of hurry this morning. Sorry about that!
Liz
Beautiful pic of Max. Love the porch makeover. Thanks for hosting.
I had to give up on Skype because it continually made my PC crash, but it’s great when it works right.
I *love* HGTV magazine and have been a subscriber since it first began. It’s one of the few I renew and look forward to. Not so sure about those umbrella candle lanterns. Tried that once and we had dead bugs falling onto the table. Healing wishes to Max ….
Your porch makeover is gorgeous Susan!
Sweet Max I am so sorry to hear about you being so sick.Keeping you in our prayers sweet one <3
I always feel like I am late to the party.When does it go live Susan?
Thank you so much for hosting!
xx
Anne
Thanks, Anne. It usually goes up late Sunday night or first thing Monday morning. I try to put it up as soon as the post is ready.
Great makeover. Love the additions. I hope Max gets better and stronger….Christine
I do understand…our sweet chocolate lab has cancer. It is really hard on me, as she has been mine since she was a puppy and is now 7…but, our two little girls just LOVE their “Millie Monster.” We love our furbabies, too!
Julie
Thanks so much for hosting, Susan!
I hope Max makes a recovery, he is a cutie. Thanks for hosting this week, Laura
Such a nice renovation of their home…looks wonderful! My prayers continue for dear Max and for you! Thank you for leaving no stone unturned in order to provide him with the best treatment possible! He is worth every nickel and then some! God bless you all!
Wow ! What an improvement. Looks wonderful and such a fun space. -I hope your furry baby is fine. My dog is almost 14 and I am going through some issues also with him. It is so sad to get older. We just love all our babies. Prayers for little Max.
That is one hellish roller coaster and I hate it for you. Max buddy, sending only good thoughts your way! And OMGosh! Another gorgeous outdoor space. I am envious! I need to win a lottery or find a lamp to rub to get some wishes, dang. SMH, ya’ll never cease to amaze me.
Continued prayers for Max and for you dear Susan. I too love this porch remodel. I think I may need to run out a pick up a copy of the magazine. Thanks for hosting another week and blessings, Patti@OldThingsNew
Glad to have an update on Max, Susan. I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this…thank you for continuing to host and to give us all inspiration. ~Zuni
Hi,
2nd time around joining you with your MET meme. Cool! That old house looks like ours §:-) and GH murmured directly when I SOL (shout out loud), WANNA LIKE THIS!
Hope Max health well get better soon and hope you take care of yourself. Have a chillaxing Monday & the rest of the week.
Enjoy,
/CC girl
Oooooh, what I loved the most in this post is to see your sweet Max like so many times before and I’m so happy to know he is doing so much better and hope you do too, my friend! Hope you had a nice Mother’s Day. Beautiful house and porch from your friends. Have a healthie new week.
FABBY
Thanks so much for hosting!
KC
I would suggest getting Skype. My daughter travels quite a bit internationally, and before we had Skype, it was so hard to communicate. Now I have Skype on my computer, and she has it on her smart phone. It is so wonderful to be able to see and hear her. The wonders of modern technology!
Hi Susan, thanks for the Party…Christine from Little Brags
I love the porch, but your porch is really better.
Wishing you a belated Mother’s Day. It is really hard not to be close to our children when holidays come round. Did you ever watch the old Jane Wyman movie called so big? There are two versions – there is one with Barbara Stanwyck, but I prefer the Wyman version. It is about a mother raising her son alone. It is so touching. It always brings a tear to my eye yet very uplifting.
Wowza, that is some transformation! I can’t even begin to think about how gorgeous the inside of that house must be now! I haven’t seen HGTV magazine before… hmmm, something else to look into 😀
Hugs,
Beth P
Susan, Thanks for hosting! Have a wonderful week.
Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos
Just a side note to one of the comments in your article. I subscribe to HGTV magazine and it is my favorite one. They have so many good ideas for inside and outside of your home. Definitely worth the money!
Cass, that is great to know. I was really impressed with the May issue so it’s nice to know it’s consistently a good read.
Oh, Susan,
I always love home extensions because they mean more rooms and more rooms mean more…
decorations! 🙂 And that extension sure is a great improvement!
To think that I already liked the “Before”! lol
BTW, Susan, I love your modesty! You have a gorgeous screened-in porch and two (or even three?) open air porches/sunny decks yourself, but you really think it makes sense that YOU pinned that article for your (next) dream home! HA! I’d say HGTV Magazine should publish an article about the “Before” and the “After” of your beautiful home! Or did they already and I missed it?! 🙂
Susan, that umbrella did remind me of your new ones. Are you happy with them on your porch?
~Hugs to you, dear Susan, and please give sweet Max hugs and kisses for me!~
I’ll always continue to pray for you and him. ♥
Cecilia
Thanks, Cecilia! You are a sweetie! No, hasn’t been in a magazine. HGTV did want to use it for their Rate My Space TV show but I couldn’t do the filming at the time they wanted, then the show was cancelled before we could set a new date. I do like the umbrella I found a while back at Pier 1 but I just haven’t used it, yet. Thanks for the prayers for him Cecilia…appreciate that!
Wow! That is simply amazing! Thanks so much for hosting!!
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
Oh, Susan,
that’s too bad!
Someone else should write about your home’s great porch and decks additions, for sure!
Their readers would be pleased, too! 🙂
(Susan, I thought it was two umbrellas… but now I think it was Marie who purchased
two umbrellas… :-))
Marie actually purchased four I think…she has a lot of tables in her back yard.:)
Wow! What a difference. I still have you and Max in my prayers. laurie
So happy to be back to your parties…thank you for hosting!
When my daughter spent a year in England, we could talk computer to computer for free so it saved me a lot in long distance charges. Now that everyone has iPhones and iPads, Facetime is the easiest way to go.
Love the porch.. Prayers for Max. We’ve had 4 Labs and 6 cats, so I know what you are going thru. He is beautiful!
I have my iPad and use FaceTime to talk to my daughter and granddaughters.
It saves me long distance phone charges, and we can talk as long as we like..I love being able to see everyone.
Sending love to you as you await the Drs testing results. Praying the chemo has worked.
Flossie
Hi Susan! This is EXACTLY how I’m planning the back of my house! I need to get someone to build the roof over our upper deck and then hubby and I are going to do all the rest! Thank you for this inspiration! It helped me to solidify that I’m definitely going to keep the upper deck open!
Tracy, if I ever have home where I can do this design, I would do it in a skinny minute. I love it, too! Take before and after pics so we can see! 🙂
Hi, clicked on this blog from 2013 from a link on today’s blog. This patio is still relevant. Great makeover and wonderful inspiration. I would love a deck like this!