Welcome to the 247th Metamorphosis Monday! I love the way Candy described her kitchen renovation to me in a recent email. She said, "The entire renovation took 5 weeks, it was like having a baby, uncomfortable while it's happening but the end result was worth it." Haven't we ALL felt like that during a renovation? Even a small redo makes me anxious and uncomfortable, especially when it's … [Read more...]
Sunday, You’re So Good to Me
October 20, 2013 by 29 Comments
Sunday, time to sit back and relax a little. You've worked hard alllll week. A good book... ...and a "Rustic Retreat" candle, I'm totally addicted to the scent. They can be found in Walmart but don't buy them all because I'm going back for a few more. ;) Then there's this: Loved it so much... I went back for more. I also bought the Caramel … [Read more...]
Halloween Table Setting with a Lantern Centerpiece
October 17, 2013 by 65 Comments
Welcome to the 266th Tablescape Thursday! It's rainy and little chilly out today so we're tablescaping in the breakfast room. This table setting started out with super practical glasses but I changed them toward the end to these pretty amber glasses from Noritake. Love these silly plates... I found these cute Blueberry & Thyme lollipops in Marshalls and tucked … [Read more...]
Fabulous Books and A Birthday Celebration!
October 15, 2013 by 25 Comments
It's Here! Mario Buatta Fifty Years of American Interior Decoration arrived and it's big and beautiful! It's 1 and 3/4 inches thick, over a foot tall, 9 3/4 inches wide and 432 pages long! It's filled from cover to cover with big beautiful pictures of Mario Buatta's stunning work over the past 50 years. If you're a Mario Buatta fan, this book is a must … [Read more...]
The Witch is In!
October 14, 2013 by 81 Comments
Welcome to the 246th Metamorphosis Monday! I last posted about the front porch when it got a good bath and was relieved of all that yucky mildew and dirt it had accumulated during the intense rains we had all summer. Afterwards, I dressed the door with a fall basket. With October almost half over, it was time to change out the basket for something with a bit more of a Halloween … [Read more...]
Everything Old is New Again
October 12, 2013 by 59 Comments
Have you ever been out shopping and saw something that instantly reminded you of a scene from a movie? Or, maybe it reminded you of something from your childhood? Recently while shopping in HomeGoods I saw this lemon tree. It instantly took me back to two Doris Day/Rock Hudson movies we've toured here on BNOTP. Do you remember this scene from the 1961 movie, Lover Come Back. Carol (Doris) … [Read more...]
Quoth the Raven, Nevermore!
October 10, 2013 by 85 Comments
Welcome to the 265th Tablescape Thursday! When I created a fall mantel in September... ...mischievous ravens took up roost among the books, candlesticks and antlers. (Mantel can be viewed here: An Autumn Mantel and Fire Screen) Then they threw a Halloween party out on the porch and invited all their friends! Some nerve, huh? At least … [Read more...]
Prepping a Room for Paint: It’s Easier Than You Think
October 9, 2013 by 23 Comments
I have always loved the almost instant makeover paint can give a room. But before the painting, there's always the part that we tend to dread--the prep work. It reminds me of gardening, all we really want to do is plant pretty flowers, but if we don't prepare the soil first, chances are the flowers are not going to look pretty for very long. I used to be intimidated by the idea of repairing a hole or a … [Read more...]
Beautiful Victorian Home Aglow for Halloween
October 8, 2013 by 38 Comments
A couple of weeks ago we visited Marie's beautiful Victorian home to see how she had decorated for Halloween. The porch was festooned with lit garland and fun Halloween bunting. It was great seeing it in the daylight... ...because it gave us a chance to really see all the fun details awaiting guests and trick or treaters. But we wondered, "What does it look like at night?" Several of … [Read more...]
Goodbye Mildew and Mold, Hello Shiny Clean Porch!
October 7, 2013 by 63 Comments
Welcome to the 245th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently I shared an update to the front porch area of my home when I added two boxwood topiaries on either side of the porch. From a distance the porch looked pretty clean in the photos. If you look closely though, you'll see grayish streaks on the columns and the molding around the door. This spring and summer has been the wettest I've ever known … [Read more...]
