A Beautiful, Colorful Porch Makeover for Summer

July 24, 2017 by 24 Comments

Welcome to the 443rd Metamorphosis Monday! Recently Brenda wanted to update her front porch. It had been a few years since she last decorated this area and felt it was past time for a makeover.   This bench was still super cute, just needed a bit of TLC and some updating.   The chairs, though still comfortable, were really showing a lot of wear. I love the built-in side … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decorating, DIY Repairs and Fixes Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,



Flatware Storage, Delivery Fails and Invisible Splinters

July 10, 2017 by 96 Comments

Welcome to the 441st Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? Hope you had a great one! Mine was really good, though it started out a bit discouraging. On Friday I was expecting the delivery of one of each of the cabinets pictured below. I've ordered two of the cabinets shown in the photo on the right below, let's call it the "drawer cabinet" for the sake of this post since it has drawers. And I've … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Organization and Storage Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Attractive Storage Cabinets for Home, Garage or Basement

July 3, 2017 by 32 Comments

Welcome to the 440th Metamorphosis Monday! Around a year ago I shared a post about five projects I had thought about doing in my home some day, but for various reasons figured I never would. (Read that post here: 5 Projects I Want To Do In My Home, But Probably Never Will.) I guess I should never say never because I did add a small refrigerator to the upstairs part of my home and now it looks like I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Organization and Storage Tagged With: , , , , ,



Decorating Ideas, Games & Party Favors for a Festive Bee-Themed Party

June 26, 2017 by 34 Comments

Welcome to the 439th Metamorphosis Monday! There's 1 day left to enter the giveaway for a $500 Shopping Spree Credit to Noritake China! If you still haven't thrown your name in the hat, you can do that here: $500 Store Credit to Noritake China. Each year Debbie, a BNOTP reader, hosts a "My Favorite Things" Party. In case you missed it I shared her 2017 party in this post: Breakfast at Tiffany's Party … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating Tagged With: , , , , , ,



3 Adorable Bee-Themed Wreaths for Spring

June 19, 2017 by 47 Comments

Welcome to the 438th Metamorphosis Monday! Pssst: There's still time to enter the $500 Shopping Spree Giveaway from Noritake, you'll find the giveaway here: $500 Shopping Spree. A couple of weeks ago I shared Debbie's wonderful "Tiffany" themed party. (If you missed that event, you'll find it here: Breakfast at Tiffany's Brunch.) The Tiffany Brunch was Debbie's third year of hosting her annual "My … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Crafts & Sewing



The Safest Way to Clean a Silk Scarf

June 12, 2017 by 47 Comments

Welcome to the 437th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Monday! Hope your week is off to a great start! For this week's Met Monday, I thought I give an update on whatever happened to the Hermes scarf I bought on eBay, the one that arrived sporting an ugly, oily looking stain in one corner. In a previous post I shared this photo. (See that post here: Washing an Hermes Scarf and Madame Paulette.) This was the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , , , , , ,



A Patriotic Porch & A Refreshing Drink for Summer Gatherings

May 29, 2017 by 62 Comments

Welcome to the 435th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you've had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend. Mine was busy, but fun! This weekend I finally took time to reattach the covers over the swing chains.   I had taken them off this spring to wash once the pollen attack was over, and had just never gotten around to putting them back on. It requires climbing a tall step ladder which always yields … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Independence Day Decor, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , , , ,



A Beautiful Screened Porch Addition With Not One, But Two Porches!

April 10, 2017 by 30 Comments

Welcome to the 428th Metamorphosis Monday! I absolutely love it when you share your "Before and Afters" with me! Recently, I received an email from Eric and Denise who said, "Having followed your site for several years I hesitated to share but thought the time was right to share a small change we made to our second home in NC.  When we bought the house as a foreclosure we knew the moss-covered decks on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches Tagged With: , , , , , ,



A Cute Footstool with Storage Gets a New Look

April 4, 2017 by 38 Comments

A couple of months ago a large tree fell in my back yard, gently laying itself down across the length of the yard.   I'm beginning to think I may have a tree jinx going on because I was on the porch a few days ago and discovered this below! In talking with my neighbors and others in this area, I learned that we had a big storm with 70 mph winds come through about a week before I returned home … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Denim Do Over, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decorating, DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes, In the Garden, Office/Craft/Sewing Room



Hat Storage That’s Both Functional and Decorative

April 2, 2017 by 56 Comments

Welcome to the 427th Metamorphosis Monday! A couple of months ago I purchased this adorable sunhat pictured below. After it arrived, I liked it so much I ordered a second one in the navy-ribbon style. With my hat collection rapidly growing, I decided it was time to find a better way to store them other than just tossing them onto the top shelf of my master bedroom closet where they were impossible to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Organization and Storage, My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , , , ,



Camping in the Sahara Desert, A Moroccan Adventure

March 26, 2017 by 35 Comments

Welcome to the 426th Metamorphosis Monday! It's Sunday evening in Marrakesh. As I type this, I find myself perched on a tiny stool in the corner of my hotel room. The hotel is lovely, but like all the hotels we've stayed in during out time here in Morocco, sans one, the concept of providing patrons with a proper desk, chair and WiFi fast enough to do anything other than access email and Facebook (and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Morocco, Travel Tagged With: , , ,



Decorate a Porch for Spring-Summer Relaxing and Dining

March 19, 2017 by 8 Comments

Welcome to the 425th Metamorphosis Monday! Pssst: I'm posting Met Monday a bit early (Sunday evening) since I'll be traveling much of Monday. Thanks for all the comments you've been leaving on the pictures I've been posting from Morocco on Instagram. If you've missed those, you'll find them all posted here: BetweenNapsOnThePorch on Instagram. Instagram is the easiest and fastest way to share photos, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches Tagged With: , , , , ,



The Safe Way to Wash Wool & Cashmere Sweaters & A Great Book!

February 20, 2017 by 61 Comments

Welcome to the 421st Metamorphosis Monday! A couple of months ago I purchased this navy and white shirt-jacket online at J. Crew. I loved it sooo much, I searched and found last year's version in a different color on eBay. Then I turned right around and purchased a second navy/white one because I was worried I'd never find it again when the first one eventually wore out. That's how much I love this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: , , , , ,



A Much Wanted Shirt Is Found & Spring Wardrobe Updates

February 13, 2017 by 57 Comments

Welcome to 420th Metamorphosis Monday! Did you hear a crazy woman screaming on February 5th? If you did, that was me having a happy fit when Elaine, a reader of BNOTP, e-mailed to say she had seen the birding shirt I've been trying to find forever for sale on Etsy. I leapt over to Etsy and couldn't believe my eyes!  The ad stated that it was brand new and had never been worn. I think it will fit based on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , ,



No Tub for the Master Bath: Good Idea or Regrettable Trend?

February 6, 2017 by 241 Comments

Welcome to the 419th Metamorphosis Monday! A few weeks ago when I was replacing all my surge protectors around the house for new ones, I discovered an outlet in my office wasn't working. I called in an electrician to fix it. While he was here we started talking master bathroom renovations. During our discussion, he told me something really surprising. Did you know that some folks who are renovating … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Baths, Before & After, DIY Decorating, DIY Repairs and Fixes Tagged With: , , , , ,



A Small Beverage Cooler for the Upstairs

January 23, 2017 by 35 Comments

Welcome to the 417th Metamorphosis Monday! I've often thought about adding a small refrigerator to the upstairs for those times when I'm in the mood for a cold drink but reluctant to stop working to go downstairs. Also, going downstairs makes it a little too convenient for snacking, one of the dangers of working from home. Adding a Peloton Cycle to my dressing room just off the master bedroom, gave me … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, My Nest



Revisited: 5 Projects I Want To Do In My Home, But Probably Never Will

January 16, 2017 by 34 Comments

Welcome to the 416th Metamorphosis Monday! Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes and comments on Saturday's post. You are amazing and I truly feel so blessed by your lovely words! As I always say, YOU are the very best part of BNOTP! A while back I wrote an unusual post where instead of sharing some projects I hoped to do in my my home, I shared five projects that I was pretty sure would never … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, My Nest Tagged With: ,



Brad Nailer for a Small Gate Repair & Deer Ate My Violas!

January 9, 2017 by 112 Comments

Welcome to the 415th Metamorphosis Monday! I've been on a mission the last several months, really going all the way back to last summer, to clear out anything and everything that I don't use on a regular basis. That has included going through all the closets in my home. There are 12 closets in this house: 10 upstairs and 2 on the main level. That's not including the eve storage off the upstairs living … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, In the Garden, My Nest, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , ,



My Peloton Cycle, A Healthy Addiction

January 1, 2017 by 67 Comments

Welcome to the 414th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy New Year to you! The dressing area off my master bedroom has been through a couple of transitions over the last few months, one of which was unwanted but has probably worked out for the best. When my father and mother-in-law moved into assisted living about 12-15 years ago, none of their children wanted the beautiful green bedroom set that had been my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Inspire, My Nest Tagged With: , , ,



A Winter Wardrobe Metamorphosis

December 19, 2016 by 55 Comments

Welcome to the 412th Metamorphosis Monday! I have a wardrobe update/metamorphosis to share for this week's Met Monday. Recently I added this cute navy and white J. Crew Buffalo-Plaid, Wool and Cotton Shirt-Jacket to my wardrobe and oh my gosh, did it start something! I've enjoyed it so much, I decided to do a little shopping to see what else was out there that I was missing in my winter … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Fashion & Beauty, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , , , ,



‘Twas The Night Before Christmas, A Visit from St. Nicholas

December 12, 2016 by 72 Comments

Welcome to the 411th Metamorphosis Monday! Light Repair Tip, In Case It's Helpful You know how you hear about those people who are always causing electrical things to break? I'm starting to think I'm one of them. Seriously! Last year, the tree I normally use here in the living room, had an entire string of lights go out. I spent many, many hours trying to fix it, including using one of the light … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , , , , ,



Home & Decor Updates: The Good and The Not-So-Good

November 7, 2016 by 77 Comments

Welcome to the 406th Metamorphosis Monday! I have several small Before and Afters updates I've been wanting to share, so I'm grouping them all together in one post. Before we get to those, a couple of folks emailed and messaged me recently to let me know the Better Homes and Garden dishware that many of us have been collecting over the years, is back in stock again. (Thanks for that!) They have added … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, For the Love of Birds, Garden, Office/Craft/Sewing Room



Erma Bombeck Would Have Loved This!

October 31, 2016 by 84 Comments

Welcome to the 405th Metamorphosis Monday! Imagine you arrive home one evening an hour or so before nightfall. As you pull into your driveway, you glance over and see something rather shocking. Your next door neighbor is outside in her front yard, merrily vacuuming the lawn while grinning and laughing maniacally. Do  you: A. Smile, wave and act like everything is normal Or B. Call the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden Tagged With: , , ,



Deck Makeover: A Covered Porch & Room for Dining and Entertaining

October 17, 2016 by 29 Comments

Welcome to the 403rd Metamorphosis Monday! A while back I shared a great idea Terry and her hubby Mark had come up with for their deck that would allow more time spent out doors. Sometimes the summer heat can just be too much and forces us to abandon our decks and patios and head inside. But Terry and Mark found a way around that by setting up a screened, tent-like structure on their deck . It created a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches Tagged With: , , , ,



Decorate Your Porch for the Autumn Season

October 10, 2016 by 40 Comments

Welcome to the 402nd Metamorphosis Monday! Linda has a beautiful 3-season porch that I've shared before here at BNOTP. It's so much fun seeing how she decorates it for the seasons and holidays. When we last visited Linda, her porch was all set for summer, decorated in a wonderful navy and white nautical theme. (See that post here: Nautical Decor & Tablescape)   With the arrival of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, Halloween Decor, Halloween Holiday Home, Porches, Seasonal Decor



Decorate Your Porch for Autumn & Halloween

October 3, 2016 by 58 Comments

Welcome to the 401st Metamorphosis Monday! How was your first weekend of October? When the calendar says "October" I guess there's no denying fall is here. Everything is still lush and green here in Georgia but I know that's about to change. Blog Update This weekend I had a big update come across for my blog. After the update had completed, the slider that's normally at the top of the blog was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, Halloween Decor, Halloween Holiday Home, Seasonal Decor



A Recycle-Upcycle Idea and a Limelight Hydrangea Update

September 19, 2016 by 62 Comments

Welcome to the 399th Metamorphosis Monday! If you follow Between Naps on the Porch on Instagram, HERE or have subscribed to Postcards from the Porch, the free BNOTP newsletter, you'll have seen this photo shared from a recent visit to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Currently they have a delightful Chihuly exhibit in place all throughout the garden and it's beautiful. Every corner you round reveals a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, In the Garden Tagged With: ,



Create An Autumn Porch That Will Invite Guests To Linger

September 5, 2016 by 65 Comments

Welcome to the 397th Metamorphosis Monday! Even though it's still nice and warm here in Georgia, the mornings are feeling wonderfully cool. I come downstairs each morning and throw open the doors to the screened porch and let the cool morning air fill the house. Some days are so nice now, I can leave the doors open all day.   This weekend I went ahead and hung my favorite fall wreath … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks, Seasonal Decor



Taper Tipper: Easiest Way To Trim Down the Base of a Candle

August 8, 2016 by 43 Comments

Welcome to the 393rd Metamorphosis Monday! Recently I shared this summer table setting for Tablescape Thursday. Thanks so much for all the lovely comments you left on that post--appreciated those so much!   The centerpiece for that table was all about candles, lots and lots of candles. (Tablescape can be viewed here: Romantic Candlelight Dinner on the Porch)   In that post I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decorating, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Fall Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Winter Tablescapes Tagged With: , ,



The Intern: Jules’ Home

August 1, 2016 by 45 Comments

Welcome to the 392nd Metamorphosis Monday! Recently we took a tour of Ben's (played by Robert De Niro) brownstone home in the movie, The Intern. If you missed that tour, you'll find it here: Ben's Brownstone in the movie, The Intern.   Today we're going inside the home of the character, Jules Ostin (played by Anne Hathaway) and her husband, Matt, played by Anders Holm. The Intern featured … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Movie House Tours, Movie Houses Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Master Bedroom Flooring Updates & Some Furniture Rearranging

July 11, 2016 by 61 Comments

Welcome to the 389th Metamorphosis Monday! Pssst: Did you know BNOTP is on Instagram? You'll find my latest Instagram posts here: Between Naps On The Porch Recently I shared a mini-disaster I discovered in my master bedroom. While vacuuming that room one day, I lifted up the seagrass rug and discovered it had been deteriorating underneath and the rubber latex backing had welded itself to my hardwood … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, My Nest



How to Remove Deteriorated Rug’s Latex Backing Stuck on Hardwood Flooring

June 28, 2016 by 129 Comments

When updating or making improvements to your home, do you ever feel sometimes like you take three steps forward, only to take two steps back. You get a few things done and start to feel like you're making some headway, while unbeknownst to you little gremlins are at work messing something else up. I tell ya, home ownership is not for weenies! Recently, I had hardwood flooring installed in my guest room. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, My Nest Tagged With: , , , ,



GE Slate Appliances Showcase the Beauty & Not the Fingerprints

June 15, 2016 by 34 Comments

Stainless steel appliances have been a really popular choice for kitchens over the last few years. It's a great option for some kitchens, but it wasn't quite the look I had in mind when I completed my modest kitchen renovation a few years back.   Since there were not a lot of other choices besides stainless steel back then, I went with a white finish for all my appliances. White has worked … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating Tagged With: ,



A Change of Mind

June 13, 2016 by 30 Comments

Welcome to the 385th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? Something very weird happened to me this weekend. I think I must have gotten a knock on the head. ;) Remember the potting bench that I ordered recently?   I had planned to give it a few good coatings of this marine varnish.   It's the same thing I used on this potting table that lives downstairs under my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden



A Front Yard Makeover With Boxwood Shrubs, Benches & Copper-Roof Dovecote

June 6, 2016 by 109 Comments

Welcome to the 384th Metamorphosis Monday! A while back I started a big makeover for my front yard landscape. Bushes were removed and transplanted to the back yard and a Japanese Waterfall Maple was transplanted to another area of the yard. The tree is doing well in its new home, as are the shrubs that were transplanted to the backyard.   It's taken me a while to add shrubs back. I had … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Before & After, For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , ,



Hardwood Flooring for the Guest Room: A Reveal

June 3, 2016 by 90 Comments

Happy Friday! How was your day? Mine was especially wonderful because I became a grandmother for the second time! My son and dil welcomed their second son early this morning. Mom, Dad and Baby are all doing great. My son shared several videos with me today and I can't wait to hold him in my arms. No matter how old I get or how often it happens, I am always completely awed and amazed by the miracle of a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Before & After, Blue & White Design & Decor, My Nest Tagged With: , , , , ,



After 8 Years, It’s Time!

May 9, 2016 by 60 Comments

Welcome to the 380th Metamorphosis Monday! It was a busy weekend around here. The porch that normally looks like this...   ...and like this...   ...looks like this today. Ruh-roh! Something's up!   The hutch that was full of dishes, now looks like this.   All the dishes are here on the breakfast table. What is going on around here?! After 8 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Porches Tagged With: , , , , ,



Screened Porch Updates: Welcome Spring!

April 11, 2016 by 58 Comments

Welcome to the 376th Metamorphosis Monday! The past couple of weeks have been busy ones. With friends coming to stay for a few days, I threw it into high gear and cleaned all those places that never seem to make it to the top of the cleaning list...things like shutters and molding. During my cleaning frenzy, even though the pollen siege wasn't quite over, I wet a tissue (a la Mom) and tried to get … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,



Granite That Looks Similar To Carrara Marble: Bianco Romano

April 1, 2016 by 33 Comments

Thanks so much for all the awesome suggestions and information you left on Wednesday's post about the bathroom update/renovation I'm starting to plan. It has been so helpful! If you're thinking of updating a bathroom anytime soon, I really recommend you check out the comments on that post because there are tons of great ideas and information about what to avoid in that post. You'll find that post here: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY, DIY Repairs and Fixes



Shopping for Bathroom Vanities: A Guest Bath Renovation

March 30, 2016 by 98 Comments

I'm currently in the planning stage of a bath renovation. My bathrooms are all over 30 years old, so it's time. The bath I thought I'd start with is the upstairs hall/guest bath. The toilet has been replaced (see that post HERE) and now I'm looking at vanities. (Update: I've called this a guest bath in this post since that's how it is being used in my home now. But for future families living here, it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Baths, Before & After, My Nest Tagged With: , ,



A Visit to Marie’s Beautiful Home for Easter

March 27, 2016 by 30 Comments

Welcome to the 374th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you've had a wonderful spring weekend! I'm putting Monday's post up a bit early since I'll be away from my computer tomorrow for much of the day. Recently when I visited with my friend, Marie, I so enjoyed seeing all of the beautiful decorations she had put up for spring and Easter. Her mantel was decorated with a egg garland in the colors of spring: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Easter Decorating, Easter Holiday Home



Burberry Scarf: Fake vs Real & How to Avoid Getting Scammed

March 14, 2016 by 103 Comments

Welcome to the 372nd Metamorphosis Monday! Back in early February, I decided to add an iconic piece to my winter wardrobe, something I've been wanting for many years: a Burberry scarf in the classic heritage check. Since Burberry was still offering the free monogramming they had offered during the Christmas holidays, I decided to go ahead and have them monogram it. After I placed my order, just for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: , ,



A Waterproof Wicker Outdoor Lamp For The Porch

February 29, 2016 by 59 Comments

Welcome to the 370th Metamorphosis Monday!   When I added a screened porch onto my home in 2008, I knew I wanted to light the porch at night with just lamp light, no overhead lighting. I love the ambiance lamps give to a space. Once the porch was complete, I ran around the house borrowing lamps from various rooms until I could purchase lamps that felt suited for a porch, particularly a porch with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Porch Questions: Porch Season Is Almost Here

February 22, 2016 by 83 Comments

Welcome to the 369th Metamorphosis Monday! Right now the porch looks like this, minus the green leafy backdrop.   But sometimes it looks like this, only not this dark. My photography skills weren't the greatest when that photo was taken.   Summer of 2014, I took down the sheers when I had the porch freshened up with a new coat of paint. After the painting was done, I decided … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , ,



A Visit to the Ancient Mayan Ruins of Tulum

January 25, 2016 by 35 Comments

Welcome to the 365th Metamorphosis Monday! Today's Before and After takes us on a trip back in time, all the way back to the 13th century. In November while "Sailing with the Scotts," I had the opportunity to visit Cozumel pictured below.   Once we docked in Cozumel, a big group of us took a ferry to the city of Playa del Carmen, Mexico.   In Playa del Carmen, it was the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Mexico, Travel



A Visit to Positano Italy, A Beautiful Hillside Town on the Amalfi Coast

January 18, 2016 by 63 Comments

Welcome to the 364th Metamorphosis Monday! Today's post is about the metamorphosis of a picturesque seaside village located in Italy on the Amalfi coast. Through the good and the bad it has survived, and today it's a bustling village where tourists flock from all over the world. Ever since I saw the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun, I've wanted to visit Positano. I finally got my chance when I traveled to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Italy, Travel Tagged With: , , , ,



A Metamorphosis of the Animal Kind: Baby Elephants Playing and Feeding

January 11, 2016 by 39 Comments

Welcome to the 363rd Metamorphosis Monday! My metamorphosis this week is an unusual one, one of the animal kind. During my week long visit to Africa back in September for a photographic safari, on my last day there before my flight late that night, a guide took me to several fascinating places. I visited a bead factory where I didn't buy anything but was super tempted.   I toured the home … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Before & After, Kenya, Travel Tagged With: ,



The Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour

January 4, 2016 by 25 Comments

Welcome to the 362nd Metamorphosis Monday! Happy New Year! How were your holidays? I hope you were able to spend them with those you love most. I was away for a while, visiting my son, dil and grandson. It was wonderful seeing them! Unfortunately, the trip back home was an adventure, and not in a good way. I'll share that story very soon, complete with pictures, because there are lots of lessons to be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours, Historic Homes Tagged With: , , , ,



Happy Holidays!

December 28, 2015 by 15 Comments

Welcome to the 361st Metamorphosis Monday! How were your holidays? Did you have a great Christmas?  I hope it was wonderful! I'm taking off  a few days here at the end of the year to spend with family, so posting may be a bit lighter this week than normal. I don't have a Met Monday post today since I've been celebrating the holidays with family, but I'm still posting the party link-up this week in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After



Decorate the Porch in Tartan for Christmas

December 21, 2015 by 35 Comments

Welcome to the 360th Metamorphosis Monday! Last summer I shared Linda's beautiful porch as it looks during the summer in this post: Patio Becomes a Three-Season Porch   In October I shared how it looks during the fall months: Decorate a Porch for Autumn   Linda has transformed it again for the holidays and it's a winter wonderland with lots of great accent pieces pulled … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Porches Tagged With: , , , ,



A Small Change Can Have a Big Impact

December 14, 2015 by 67 Comments

Welcome to the 359th Metamorphosis Monday! Have you ever noticed how we sometimes develop blindness to something in our own home? We walk right by it every day and after a while it just blends into the landscape of our homes and we don't see it anymore. I know I've done that many times over the years. Recently I shared a picture of my porch decorated for Christmas. While working on that post and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: ,



7 Christmas Porches

November 16, 2015 by 25 Comments

Welcome to the 355th Metamorphosis Monday! Ahoy Matey! As  you read this, I'm somewhere out floating in the Caribbean, hopefully NOT in the Bermuda Triangle!!! ;)  I'm off sailing with the The Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott on their "Sailing With The Scotts, Ultimate Design Cruise." I have lots of posts ready for you this week. If I can find a Wifi connection, I'll also share some photos … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With:



20 Ways To Make Your Christmas Merry & Bright

November 9, 2015 by 55 Comments

Welcome to the 354th Metamorphosis Monday! Christmas is just 45 days away and I've noticed lots of folks are Pinning and Instagramming Christmas ideas for inspiration. At the top of BNOTP, you'll find a category called, Holiday Home. Under Holiday Home, you'll find a subcategory called, Christmas. Under Christmas you'll find lots of decorating ideas, house tours, crafts, movies, recipes, tablescapes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , ,



Chills in Sorrento

October 26, 2015 by 50 Comments

Welcome to the 352nd Metamorphosis Monday! While we were staying in Sorrento, on afternoons or evenings when we were out touring or were just free to explore on our own, we would often walk the short distance to a nearby market area where we could shop and dine. About a block away from our hotel, there was a bridge that had to be crossed to reach the shopping/dining areas. We merrily crossed over it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Italy, Travel Tagged With: , , , ,



Decorate a Porch or Sunroom for Autumn

October 19, 2015 by 21 Comments

Welcome to the 351st Metamorphosis Monday! Earlier this year in June, I shared Linda's beautiful 3-season porch. You may remember that this space was once a concrete pad with just a pergola overhead. Linda and her hubby transformed it into a porch they now enjoy almost all year-long.   They kept this room and the adjoining living room light and bright by using a clear, acrylic roof … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Halloween Decor, Halloween Holiday Home, Porches, Seasonal Decor, Thanksgiving Decor Tagged With: , , ,



Refreshing The Porch For Autumn Joy

October 12, 2015 by 35 Comments

Welcome to the 350th Metamorphosis Monday! I'm super excited to share a wonderful autumn porch makeover by my friends, Mary and Dave at Front Porch Ideas and More. This makeover has lots of great ideas including no-sew pillows, a DIY table runner and an outdoor furniture makeover done on a budget. Here's Mary now to share how she and Dave, with the help of their darling granddaughter, Millie, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decorating, Porches, Seasonal Decor



7 Beautiful Bedroom Makeovers by Designer, Katie Rosenfeld

August 31, 2015 by 27 Comments

Welcome to the 344th Metamorphosis Monday! Every now and then I come across a designer whose work is so unique and so cleverly done, I think to myself, this is a designer I could just turn loose in my house and say, do your thing! I don't give up control easily, I'm a bit of control freak when it comes to my home, but Katie's work makes my heart sing! In an interview I read at Coastal Living, Katie … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After



Packing For An African Safari

August 24, 2015 by 68 Comments

Welcome to the 343rd Metamorphosis Monday! This isn't exactly a metamorphosis but in a way it is since it's a drastic change from how I would normally pack for vacation or a trip. I guess you can call it a luggage metamorphosis. When I travel to Africa in a few weeks, I'll be traveling via "light aircraft" on two different occasions. On the smaller planes, suitcases with pull-handles and wheels are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Before & After, Kenya, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , ,



1960’s Kitchen Gets a Dramatic Makeover

August 10, 2015 by 43 Comments

Welcome to the  341st Metamorphosis Monday! Do you ever come across a kitchen makeover that just stuns? This Cape Cod home located in Harwich Port, Massachusetts hadn't been updated in many years. It has been renovated throughout and is now available for purchase.   The entrance is really pretty and inviting with a basket of  greenery on the door. I was just thinking how I haven't had a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After Tagged With: ,



A Sweet Bungalow Gets a Full Renovation

August 3, 2015 by 38 Comments

Welcome to the 340th Metamorphosis Monday! This morning as I was filling the birdfeeders, I could hear laughing and shouting coming from the street in front of my home. After I finished with the feeders, I went back inside and peered out the front window to see what all the excitement was about. Parents and children were gathered on the sidewalk, eagerly awaiting the arrival of a big, yellow … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After Tagged With: , ,



A Beautiful Victorian Home Rises From The Ashes

July 20, 2015 by 42 Comments

Welcome to the 338th Metamorphosis Monday! In 2008, the unthinkable happened. A storm came and lightening reduced this beautiful Victorian home to charred rubble. The owners, Christy and Don, began a new, determined to rebuild their home following the design of the original house as their guide.   It took two full years to bring it back, but oh my gosh, is it wonderful!   I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Historic Homes, Home Tours, New Old Homes Tagged With: , ,



Chip and Joanna Gaines Turned a Frog Into a Handsome Prince

July 6, 2015 by 74 Comments

Welcome to the 336th Metamorphosis Monday! Do you ever watch the HGTV show, Fixer Upper starring Joanna and Chip Gaines? Whenever I watch Fixer Upper, I'm always amazed by some of the houses they take on to renovate. The foundation can be slanting, the electrical can be a mess and they dive right in! Their business, Magnolia Homes, has won several awards. Magnolia Homes is described as offering … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After Tagged With: , , , , ,



An Ordinary Patio Becomes A Beautiful Three-Season Porch

June 29, 2015 by 76 Comments

Welcome to the 335th Metamorphosis Monday! I'm so excited because I have such a treat for you today! Recently, Linda and her hubby added a three season porch to the back of their home. Linda said, "Recently, my hubby enclosed our outdoor area. Formally, this space was a raised concrete patio that had a pergola over it."   "He always hesitated to enclose it because he didn't want a roof … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches Tagged With: , , ,



A Beautiful Screened Porch and Deck Renovation

June 22, 2015 by 36 Comments

Welcome to the 334th Metamorphosis Monday! Shortly after Anne and her husband, Mike, moved to Birmingham, Alabama, they decided to renovate their screened-in porch and deck. The original porch and deck were smaller than what they wanted for their home. When completed, the renovation ended up doubling the size of their porch and deck!   Construction began and in the photo below you can see … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches Tagged With: , ,



A Secret Garden Party and You’re Invited

June 15, 2015 by 53 Comments

Welcome to the 333rd Metamorphosis Monday! When my son and daughter-in-law moved into their home a couple of years ago, they inherited a beautiful backyard. The older couple who previously lived there were avid gardeners and they had created a secluded paradise that was the talk of the neighborhood. The cares of the day vanished the moment you entered this lovely garden.   Nancy and Chip's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Porches, Spring & Summer Tablescapes Tagged With: ,



A Screened Porch Haven for Warm Summer Days

June 8, 2015 by 33 Comments

Welcome to the 332nd Metamorphosis Monday! Suzy who blogs at Worthing Court , moved last summer into a home built in the mid-90's. It was in need of some updating so gradually she's been renovating it room-by-room. One of the rooms Suzy couldn't wait to makeover was her screened-in porch. Initially, it was a  mixture of miscellaneous outdoor furniture that Suzy had left over from her previous … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches



Great Camera For Travel: Sony Cyber-shot RX100

June 1, 2015 by 58 Comments

Welcome to the 331st Metamorphosis Monday! Whenever you plan a trip, especially if it's your first time traveling to another country, it's inevitable that you're going to need to buy a few things. Fortunately, my shopping list is pretty short. The main items I need before heading off to Italy in the fall are: Secure travel purse √ Comfortable walking shoes that aren't sneakers (I've been told by … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Photography, Travel Tagged With: ,



Replace Your Deck With a Fabulous Screened Porch

May 25, 2015 by 26 Comments

Welcome to the 330th Metamorphosis Monday! Have a deck that you rarely use? Maybe it gets the "way-too-hot" west sun like mine did. Or, perhaps when you head outside, blood-thirsty mosquitoes move in and do their best to turn you into their personal buffet. This past March Cindy decided to replace her deck (shown below) with a fabulous screened-in porch.   Cindy said, "Our porch was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches



Fast & Easy Juicing For The Lazy Cook

April 27, 2015 by 81 Comments

Welcome to the 326th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! I'm  sharing an edible "Before and After" for this Met Monday. I love to eat but don't necessarily enjoy cooking unless it's for a party or a gathering of friends or family, then I do look forward to cooking. But if it's just me, I'm more prone to grab a handful of nuts or eat a piece of salmon and call it a meal. Recently I've … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Recipes Tagged With: , , ,



Transplanting a Waterfall Japanese Maple

April 20, 2015 by 59 Comments

Welcome to the 325th Metamorphosis Monday! My Before and After this Monday involves this Waterfall Japanese Maple. It's a success story with a disturbing twist. I planted the maple here about 15+ years ago when it was very, very small. It turned out to be a bad spot for it because it grew much more quickly than I expected and soon overshadowed the shrubs, which had to be removed. When I was having … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest Tagged With: , ,



Froggy Fountain Repair and Makeover

April 6, 2015 by 51 Comments

Welcome to the 323rd Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Spring! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! I spent part of the weekend bringing the plants I had wintered over in the garage, out onto the deck. I'm pushing it a bit since the rule of thumb here is to always wait until after April 15th to plant annuals since there's always a possibility of a freeze before that date. What is the first date recommended for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden Tagged With: , , ,



Expand The Size Of A Small Home By Raising the Roof

March 23, 2015 by 61 Comments

Welcome to the 321st Metamorphosis Monday! In a lot of neighborhoods around Atlanta, it's not uncommon to see a small, older home purchased for its location, then renovated or enlarged to meet the needs of the family. I don't have a photo of the "Before" of this 1944 home but it's undergone a 25 year renovation including a "roof lift" that turned it into a story and a half home.  The design was done so … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After



How To Remove Odors From A Bag, Purse or Tote

March 16, 2015 by 103 Comments

Welcome to the 320th Metamorphosis Monday! Earlier this past winter when I was working on my winter bedding and was deep into all things plaid...   ...I came across this picture of the Pendleton Weekender bag. It was love at first sight! There was just one problem. The bag hasn't been available for over two years. It was last sold in stores back in 2012. Drat! Don't you hate it when you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods



The Porch Hutch Gets a Makeover For Spring and Summer

March 9, 2015 by 49 Comments

Welcome to the 319th Metamorphosis Monday! This has been the wackiest week with 75 degree temps on Wednesday, snow on Friday and back up to 70 on Sunday. Has the weather been this up and down where you live, too? With the warm temps returning yesterday, I spent some time out on the porch cleaning a little and getting it ready for  the warm days ahead. After cleaning the dust and grime of winter off … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: , ,



Creative Ideas For Repurposing Bottles and Jars

March 2, 2015 by 75 Comments

Welcome to the 318th Metamorphosis Monday! At some point every summer, I will make a Peach Bourbon Trifle to either take to a party or for one I'm hosting here on the porch. I found this delicious recipe in an old Southern Living magazine many years ago. When I make the trifle, I always use Blanton's bourbon. You can see it in the background of this photo taken when I posted the recipe a few years … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Crafts & Sewing Tagged With: , , , ,



How To Repair Chipped or Missing Window Glazing

February 23, 2015 by

Welcome to the 317th Metamorphosis Monday! A few years ago I had the exterior of my home painted, actually it's been about 6 years now. Wow, time has flown by! I was outside filling up my bird feeders recently and noticed something hanging down above one of the windowpanes in the bay window of my breakfast room.   On closer inspection I could see the glazing had cracked away from the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes Tagged With: , , , ,



DIY Burlap Bunny-Ear Napkin Rings For Your Spring Table

February 9, 2015 by 63 Comments

Welcome to the 315th Metamorphosis Monday! Last year I saw these cute burlap bunny-ear napkin rings in a cataglog. Ummm, that started the wheels a-turning. I saved the picture to my computer thinking I might try to DIY them some day.   With spring just 5-6 weeks away, I decided to start working on them now so they will be ready for a spring or Easter tablescape.   I already … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decor Knock-offs, Easter Crafts, Easter Holiday Home, Easter Napkin Folds, Easter Table Settings, Easter Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes Tagged With: , , , ,



Corral Those Charging Cables With A Charging Valet

February 2, 2015 by 52 Comments

Welcome to the 314th Metamorphosis Monday! I love wireless devices and the freedom they afford us, but that freedom has to take a pit stop every now and then to recharge. I think I may finally have a system I'm happy with for handling the pit stops when they occur. A little over a year ago I shared a solution for managing all the little charging cables on my desk in that semi-hidden area where the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Organization and Storage, My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room



Beautiful Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation

December 29, 2014 by 41 Comments

Welcome to the 309th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your holiday? Did you spend it with family? Did Santa bring you a new toy or two? :) I was with family in New Hampshire for the week so there was a fair amount of time spent in airports, on airplanes and in rental cars on the way there and back. The in-between part with family was wonderful, though.   I loved my time in New Hampshire. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,



It’s All In The Details

December 15, 2014 by 67 Comments

Welcome to the 307th Metamorphosis Monday! Greetings! How was your weekend? Do anything fun? I finished up a bit of my Christmas shopping and was happy to get that done. So, you know how I've been working on curing my floppy-flange problem? lol That sounds really weird, doesn't it? For anyone who missed that post, I've been working on improving the appearance of the pillows for my winter bedding. I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, My Nest Tagged With: , , , ,



A Summer House On A Christmas Home Tour

December 8, 2014 by 51 Comments

Welcome to the 306th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? Go on any Christmas home tours? Did you do a little Christmas decorating? I finished decorating the front porch and I'm looking forward to sharing that soon. This weekend I attended the Marietta Pilgrimage and though pictures weren't allowed inside the homes, I have a few to share of some of the outside spaces that were transformed for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours Tagged With: , , ,



A Cure For The Floppy Pillow Flange & Adorable Scottie Sheets

November 28, 2014 by 36 Comments

Happy Black Friday! Did you brave the crowds and go shopping today? Since I don't do crowds or traffic (avoid both like the plague) I stayed home and worked on a few things here. Anyone score any amazing deals? I have something I'm super excited to share today because it was another one of those big AH-HA moments. The more I learn about bedding, the more I realize how little I know! Do you ever feel that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, My Nest



Dressing The Bed In Tartan: Ralph Lauren Inspired

November 18, 2014 by 149 Comments

The makeover I've been working on in my bedroom feels very timely with all this cold weather we've had come in so early this year. You may remember my inspiration is this bed dressed all in Tartan by Ralph Lauren. I don't know why Ralph Lauren likes plaid fabric so much but I'm so very glad he does. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought about mixing different plaids or tartan patterns if I hadn't … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, My Nest, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: , , , , , ,



A Dream Fairytale Cottage Comes To Life

November 17, 2014 by 58 Comments

Welcome to the 303rd Metamorphosis Monday! Have you ever thought of downsizing to a smaller home? Tonita who blogs at Shabby Chic Tiny Retreat first got bit by the small-house bug when she walked into a tiny straw bale home at the California State Fair. Giving up her cell phone, Tonita took that money and began to save a $100.00 each month. After 7 years she had saved up enough to buy her own small … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Storybook Cottages Tagged With: , , , ,



Decorate Your Mantel For Fall and Thanksgiving

November 10, 2014 by 63 Comments

Welcome to the 302nd Metamorphosis Monday! This weekend I decided it was time to give the living room mantel a little makeover for fall and Thanksgiving. This can be a fun room to spruce up for autumn because the warms tones in the judges paneling and the jewel tone colors of the fabrics always make a great backdrop for fall decorating.   Normally the mantel has a few books and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Living Room (Downstairs), Seasonal Decor, Thanksgiving Decor, Thanksgiving Holiday Home Tagged With: , , ,



The Power of the Pillow

November 5, 2014 by 66 Comments

Well, I think I've made a final decision about my bedding. I should know very soon but I'm 99% sure I'm going with the bedding I shared from Williams-Sonoma Home in yesterday's post. So what has moved me further along in that direction?   This little tartan pillow is to blame. A few days after I ordered the bedding, I revisited the WS website to gawk at it again. In the midst of my gawking, I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, My Nest, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: , ,



Create a Winter Retreat With Tartan Bedding

November 4, 2014 by 92 Comments

So, apparently landscaping the front yard wasn't a big enough project to take on this fall. Somehow I've also embarked on a little makeover in the master bedroom. Here's how my bedroom has looked for the last 10 years. I still love this bedding but I've always dreamed of having both a "winter" look and a "summer" look for my bedroom. These colors are great for spring and summer but they have always … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, My Nest, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: , , , , , ,



They Only Look Like Ornaments…

November 3, 2014 by 121 Comments

Welcome to the 301st Metamorphosis Monday! Pssst...come over here a second, I want to show you something. We're in the Christmas section of Wal-mart...what do you see? Looks like ornaments, right?   I'm seeing something else. Those antlers, the ones in a circle shape there on the top row...   To me, those look like great napkin rings...   ...for a Christmas … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Fall Tablescapes, Thanksgiving Holiday Home, Thanksgiving Table Settings, Thanksgiving Tablescapes, Winter Tablescapes



Rehab Addict’s Nicole Curtis Bungalow Makeover

October 27, 2014 by 61 Comments

Welcome to the 300th Metamorphosis Monday! Wow, 300 Met Mondays...where have the weeks and years gone! Oh second thought, let's not think about that, too scary! lol Do you ever watch the show, Rehab Addict on HGTV? I don't catch the show as often as I would like but I always love seeing the latest old home Nicole Curtis, the star of the show, is saving from demolition. Nicole has a big soft spot in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Historic Homes



Gardening Challenges And A Wacky Idea That Just May Work

October 20, 2014 by 131 Comments

Welcome to the 299th Metamorphosis Monday! I have something kinda wacky to share this week. You'll either think it's the most brilliant thing you've ever heard or you'll think it's completely NUTS...pun intended! But before I share my wacky plan, here's what I've been up to...planting Double Mint Gardenias. So far I've had two planting sessions and I still don't have all five of them in, but I'm making … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden