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 37 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 62 Comments

Welcome to the 300th Metamorphosis Monday! 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 her heart for old homes. In this interview where she was asked about her passion for saving old homes, Nicole explained her … [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



Leyland Cypress Trees Offer Screening And Privacy

October 13, 2014 by 39 Comments

Welcome to the 298th Metamorphosis Monday! Shortly after moving into my home 22+ years ago, we planted a lot of Leyland Cypress trees on either side of our home to provide screening and privacy from the houses on either side. One side of my porch and deck is very private, the other side is kind of close to my neighbor's home. I like my neighbors but there are times when it would be nice to have more … [Read more...]

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



A Spooky Halloween Hutch

September 29, 2014 by 62 Comments

Welcome to the 296th Metamorphosis Monday! Did you have a good weekend? I spent mine getting a few things done here around the house. I also played a little out on the porch, changing the hutch from its summertime look to something fun and just a tad spooky!   Postcards From The Porch Before I share the hutch update, I wanted to say a big thank you to all the lovely folks who took time to … [Read more...]

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



A Screened Porch Addition For A New England Home

September 22, 2014 by 69 Comments

Welcome to the 295th Metamorphosis Monday! When Lori and Bob built their home in 1993, they added a nice, large 14 x 24 foot deck on the back. After moving in they found they never really used the deck because the back of their home faces west and the deck always stayed way too hot to really enjoy. I had the same problem with the deck on my home being way too hot, even though the back of my home faces … [Read more...]

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



Backyard Makeover: Convert A Pond To A Backyard Oasis

September 15, 2014 by 51 Comments

Welcome to the 294th Metamorphosis Monday! In 1999 Liz who blogs at Infuse With Liz and on her garden blog, Sit With Me In My Garden, added a pond to her backyard. The pond eventually grew into a much larger scale project that included a creek with extensive plantings. Liz and her hubby, Dan enjoyed the pond for many years but in spring of 2009 they decided they were ready for a change. The pond, … [Read more...]

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



Concrete Walkway Transformed With Beautiful Cobble-Stone Pavers

September 8, 2014 by 52 Comments

Welcome to the 293rd Metamorphosis Monday! Have you ever thought about making over your front walkway? Often, our walkway is the very first impression visitors have of our home since it's one of first things they see upon arriving. We want our walkway and entrance to always feel inviting and welcoming since it guides our friends and family right up to the front door of our home. Carolyn who reads … [Read more...]

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



Stain Your Deck With An Oil-Based Stain For Longer-Lasting Protection

September 1, 2014 by 40 Comments

Welcome to the 292nd Metamorphosis Monday! Every few years I have my house, porches and decks professionally pressure-washed. Once that's completed, it's usually time to reapply a protective coat of stain to the floor of the decks. This year I decided to try something different. In the past I've always used a water-based stain and I haven't been too happy with how well it has held up, or I should say, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After



A Closet Makeover Marathon

August 25, 2014 by 87 Comments

Welcome to the 291st Metamorphosis Monday! A couple of years ago, I opened up a big ole fat can of worms. Have you ever purchased something because it was a great price or maybe it was on sale, then before you knew it, it ended up costing you a lot more than you had planned? I'm not sure if the project I'm sharing today is one you would want to undertake or if it's more of a cautionary tale. ;) I am … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Closets & Pantries, DIY Organization and Storage, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, My Nest Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Electrical Cord Covers Hide Metal Swing Chains

August 18, 2014 by 59 Comments

Welcome to the 290th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? Hope it was relaxing and fun! I had some friends over for a little cookout on the porch and we had great time together. Speaking of the porch, recently I had it freshened up with a new coat of paint. It had been over 6 years since it was last painted. After the porch was painted, I noticed the covers on the swing were looking pretty … [Read more...]

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



Overcoming Winter Kill And My Own Personal Version Of Crop Circles

August 11, 2014 by 104 Comments

Welcome to the 289th Metamorphosis Monday! So, remember when that awful ice storm hit Georgia this past winter and paralyzed all of metro Atlanta? It was in the news for days since so many folks were stranded on the interstates and roads, unable to get home for several days.   That ice storm did this to my "just-sodded-last-summer" front yard. I shared these pics on the blog in May of this … [Read more...]

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



A Christmas Story House, Part III: The Living Room

August 4, 2014 by 68 Comments

Welcome to the 288th Metamorphosis Monday! Bob Clark, the Director and a co-writer of the movie, A Christmas Story, had trouble finding funding for this now iconic Christmas movie when he first set out to make it. He had an extensive history of making horror films so none of the production companies felt comfortable funding him in the making of a comedy/family oriented movie. His next movie was Porky's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours, Christmas Movies, Historic Homes, Movie Houses, TV & Movie House Fun, United States Tagged With: , , ,



Screened-in Porch Freshened Up With Paint

July 28, 2014 by 87 Comments

Welcome to the 287th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Monday! Hope you had an awesome summer weekend! I was fretting a bit over mine, wondering how I would be getting a post ready for Met Monday since I dropped my computer off for repairs early on Friday and when last I checked on Saturday, they still haven't gotten around to working on it. I was 4th in line, now 2nd, so hopefully they will be repairing it … [Read more...]

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



A Garden Update

July 21, 2014 by 57 Comments

Welcome to the 286th Metamorphosis Monday! We've been having spring-like weather all this week, crazy weather for the middle of July. The cooler temps have been a nice respite from the heat. The garden I put in around the mailbox several months ago has been thriving in the milder temps.   I thought for this Met Monday I'd share a how's it changed over the past six weeks. Here's how it … [Read more...]

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



How To Repair A Large Hole In Sheetrock Or Drywall

July 14, 2014 by 75 Comments

Welcome to the 285th Metamorphosis Monday! Last December I shared the story behind a mystery alcove located just outside my master bedroom doors. That previous post can be found here: If These Walls Could Talk: A Mystery Alcove. I've always been glad this little alcove was here because it has been the perfect spot for a chest that was once was a changing table for my son when he was a baby. When I … [Read more...]

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



A Beautiful, Enchanting Spring Garden

July 7, 2014 by 65 Comments

Welcome to the 284th Metamorphosis Monday! I don't have a typical Before and After to share today, but I do have a beautiful spring garden metamorphosis. I toured several gardens the weekend of Mother's Day and the one I'm sharing today was completely enchanting. Even the house had that fairy tale feel.   The window boxes across the front were overflowing with beautiful … [Read more...]

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



Keep Bats & Critters From Entering Attics With Screening

June 16, 2014 by 72 Comments

Welcome to the 281st Metamorphosis Monday! Guess where we are? We're in the attic. Hot up here, isn't it? Well, it is June, ya know. See that brown thing over there? Know what it is? Yup! It's a bat.   About a week ago I went up to the attic to check on something and that's when I spied Mr. Bat. When I first saw him hanging there under the small gable window in my attic, I thought … [Read more...]

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



I Broke The Number One Rule Of Container Gardening

June 9, 2014 by 82 Comments

Welcome to the 280th Metamorphosis Monday! I never did much "container" gardening until I added on a screened-in porch.  My old deck was hotter than the hinges of...well, you know. The west sun beat down upon it every single afternoon making it impossible to sit out there. Forget sitting, you couldn't even walk barefoot out there without risking 3rd degree burns on your feet!  And then there was the … [Read more...]

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



Inspiration & Whimsy For The Garden

May 12, 2014 by 48 Comments

Welcome to the 276th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? Was it busy with spring chores are spring fun? Sometimes they are the same thing, aren't they? I have some fun "Before & After" gardening ideas to share today, pulled from a wonderful garden tour I attended locally on Saturday thanks to my friend, Carra who generously shared her tickets when it turned out she wouldn't be able to … [Read more...]

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



Freshen Up a Sunroom With A Garden Inspired Design

May 7, 2014 by 43 Comments

It's springtime, time to dress up those special rooms in our homes where the sun streams in on long summer days. Need a little inspiration to get you going? Oh my, you are in for a treat today because Shirley is sharing her sunroom makeover and it is wonderful! Welcome, Shirley and thanks so much for letting us tour your beautiful sunroom today!   Hello Between Naps on the Porch readers! My … [Read more...]

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



Jazzing Up a Porch For Springtime Enjoyment

May 5, 2014 by 41 Comments

Welcome to the 275th Metamorphosis Monday! I love, love, love how the days are getting longer. Okay, the days aren't really getting longer but you know what I mean. The daylight is staying with us more and more and I just love it! With more daylight hours for playing, it's time to get out there and spruce up our outdoor spaces and that's exactly what Mary and Dave from Front Porch Ideas and More did … [Read more...]

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



A Cure for Sagginess

April 28, 2014 by 103 Comments

Welcome to the 274th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? Hope it was grand! I spent much of my weekend pouring through One Man's Folly, a book I had pre-ordered and have been eagerly awaiting its arrival. I rarely pre-order a book but this one sounded like it was going to be amazing from the articles I had read online. Oh, my gosh...is it ever! Such a wonderful book! I have so enjoyed every … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , , ,



25 Denim Bags & Purses Made From Recycled Jeans

April 21, 2014 by 38 Comments

Welcome to the 273rd Metamorphosis Monday! For this week's Met Monday, I thought it would be fun to share 25 fab Before and Afters. These "Befores" started out as old, out-of-style or too-worn jeans and turned into shiny, new purses and bags. To get the link for a particular tutorial, just click on the title of that post and it will take you to the post where you'll find the link for the … [Read more...]

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



The Evolution of Kitchens Through the Years

April 15, 2014 by 47 Comments

I was looking at some photos recently online showing an original 1940's kitchen. It had been built and installed in 1946 in a home in Adrian, Michigan by Orville Merillat and his wife, Ruth. They built it all by hand since they hadn't started their cabinet making business yet. The Merillats eventually started the Merillat Woodworking Company and it went on to become the biggest cabinet-maker in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After



The Summer Porch: Beach Cottage Decor

April 14, 2014 by 94 Comments

Welcome to the 272nd Metamorphosis Monday! It's been beautiful here so I've been playing out on the porch. This is how the hutch normally looks during the spring and summer months. I usually have a variety of white pitchers displayed along the top and my fave porch dishware, Tabletops Unlimited. Ma Maison by Dario Farrucci, displayed on the shelves.   I get a lot of comments and e-mails … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beachy Tablescapes, Before & After, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks, Seasonal Decor



Build a Cubby Organizer, Pottery Barn Inspired

April 1, 2014 by 78 Comments

If you've been reading Between Naps on the Porch for a while, you know I love organizing "stuff." It's ridiculous how excited I can get over finding cool ways to store those things we need and use each day. It's icing on the cake when storage is actually pretty and decorative in addition to being functional. One handsome storage solution I've been eyeing for a long time is Pottery Barn's Cubby … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decor Knock-offs, DIY Decorating, DIY Organization and Storage Tagged With: , , , , ,



Restoration Of Historic Ski Cabin In Switzerland

March 31, 2014 by 30 Comments

Welcome to the 270th Metamorphosis Monday! Do you have your passport handy? We're heading off to Switzerland this morning to visit our friend, Cornelia! Cornelia has invited us on a tour of her historic 1853 ski cabin located in the Swiss mountains. It's was being restored all last summer and was done in time for this past winter's ski season. You've heard of ski-in and ski-out? This cabin is the … [Read more...]

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



Beautiful Guest Bedroom Makeover

March 16, 2014 by 35 Comments

Welcome to the 268th Metamorphosis Monday! Pssst: Met Monday is going up a little early this week. Next week we'll return to our normal schedule and MM will go up on Monday morning before 10 AM. Recently I was chatting with Laura via e-mail and she  shared some pictures of her guest room makeover. I thought it was wonderful and asked if she would let me share it with you. Fortunately, she said, yes! I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After Tagged With: , ,



The Best Way to Protect & Care for Outdoor Wood Furniture

March 10, 2014 by 85 Comments

Welcome to the 267th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a great weekend! This weekend I was busy adding a bit of protection to the Pottery-Barn-Inspired potting table I made recently. I'm hoping to move it up to the deck soon for spring planting and summer parties and I really don't want to see it become weathered and damaged over the years.   I've never before had to worry about protecting … [Read more...]

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



Decorating the Porch for Spring

March 3, 2014 by 93 Comments

Welcome to the 266th Metamorphosis Monday! This weekend was so nice here, especially Sunday. I threw open both doors to the porch and spent some time enjoying our 70+ degree weather.   I did a little pre-spring cleaning, dusting off a few things in anticipation of the warm days to come.   Recently, I came across this little bird feeder in Lowes. It has a rope attached and when … [Read more...]

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



Dining in the Library: When Dining Rooms Are Libraries, Too!

February 24, 2014 by 69 Comments

Welcome to the 265th Metamorphosis Monday! Thank you so, so much for all the sweet words of congratulations yesterday! If being a grandmother is just half as amazing as you've described, I am in for a wonderful journey! :) I was a bit preoccupied this weekend. Truthfully, I had trouble focusing on anything. I know you understand.  So, I don't have a Before and After from here in my home to share. I … [Read more...]

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



Battery Organization and Storage

February 17, 2014 by 80 Comments

Welcome to the 264th Metamorphosis Monday! I have a mini-met for this Metamorphosis Monday, something that's so simple but has me pretty charged. (Har, har...couldn't resist.) I get just as excited about the little improvements I make around here as I do the bigger ones. Do you do that, too?  This was my battery storage system--a gallon size baggy. Pretty sad, huh?   Whenever I needed a … [Read more...]

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



Build a Garden Shed From a Child’s Play Gym Set

February 10, 2014 by 34 Comments

Welcome to the 263rd Metamorphosis Monday! Recently, I came across a Before and After online that just blew me away. Angela who blogs at UnFussy Fussiness had a large play set in her backyard that her children had sadly outgrown and were no longer using. Shouldn't it be against the law or something for our children to do that? They grow up way, way too fast! Angela decided it was time to do something … [Read more...]

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



Gail Claridge’s Country Meadow Equestrian Ranch

February 4, 2014 by 52 Comments

What do you see in this picture below? Just an ordinary old barn, right?   Gail Claridge, an Interior Designer and the owner of Gail Claridge Interiors in Westlake Village, CA envisioned much more for this modest 50+ year old barn. Much more! Talk about a transformation! As amazing as this exterior looks, it doesn't compare to the inside! Let's go inside and take the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Historic Homes, Home Tours



Fireplace and Mantel Makeover

January 27, 2014 by 54 Comments

Welcome to the 261st Metamorphosis Monday! I have an exciting Before and After to share for this Met Monday! This is one I think a lot of folks have contemplated for their own home. Michael, the blogger behind the popular blog, Rattlebridge Farm, purchased a beautiful home a while back and she's been busy renovating it. One feature she wasn't too crazy about was the brick fireplace in the living … [Read more...]

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



Mr. Rooster Grows a New Tail

January 20, 2014 by 62 Comments

Welcome to the 260th Metamorphosis Monday! So, I'm kind of late in sharing this, like a whole year late. The pictures vanished into never-never land in my computer but I came across them this weekend and thought this may be helpful if you have a ceramic something-another hanging around your home in need of repair. About a year ago I purchased a large white ceramic rooster online. Unfortunately, when … [Read more...]

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



Dining Room Upgrade: Add Picture Molding Beneath a Chair Rail

January 13, 2014 by 89 Comments

Welcome to the 259th Metamorphosis Monday! I don't have a major Before/After to share this week for Met Monday, but I do have one I'm resurrecting because it has been on my mind recently.  My son and his wife recently bought a new home so paint, hardwood flooring and other "home stuff" has been a hot topic in all our conversations. And can I just say, I'm loving it! It's so much fun to talk "house" stuff … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Dining Room, My Nest Tagged With: , , , ,



Organize Charging Cables with Cable ID Labels

December 30, 2013 by 53 Comments

Welcome to the 257th Metamorphosis Monday! My Before and Aftert today is a minor change here in the office. It's a small update but one that has made life a little easier. I love those kinds of tweaks, sometimes they can have the biggest impact. (Psst: If you're new to reading BNOTP, you can see the Before and After for the office in this previous post: Creating a Home Office)   See that … [Read more...]

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



Screened-in Porch Decorated For Christmas

December 16, 2013 by 136 Comments

Welcome to the 255th Metamorphosis Monday! This weekend I played out on the porch, decorating it for the Christmas season.   The trees are all bare now, definitely looking like winter on the porch.   A view from the other end...   I used things I already had for the most part. The table was decorated simply with live greenery, a sweet glittery deer, … [Read more...]

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



Decorating the Front Porch for Christmas

December 9, 2013 by 79 Comments

Welcome to the 254th Metamorphosis Monday! For this week's Met Monday, I'm sharing how I decided to decorate the porch for Christmas this year. But first, let's take a quick look at the previous three years. For Christmas, 2010 I purchased a fir wreath and pine garland and embellished both with magnolia leaves from the magnolia tree in my front yard. It was also the first year I decorated the columns … [Read more...]

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



Decorate A Lantern For Christmas With Greenery From The Garden

December 2, 2013 by 66 Comments

Welcome to the 253rd Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and an awesome weekend! I worked on Christmas decorations for the front porch and it's basically done, but it feels like something is missing. I'm not sure what just yet, but I'll figure it out and share it soon. So, for today I thought I'd share how I've decorated the gas lantern this year. Throughout the year, the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, The Holiday Home



13 Wreaths for 13 Windows

November 25, 2013 by 80 Comments

Welcome to the 252nd Metamorphosis Monday! Does this ever happen to you? The Christmas season looms ahead and you say to yourself, I'm not going to decorate as much this year. I think I'll cut back a little. There will be less to take down and put away and it will be less stressful. Yeah, right. That seems to last about a day around here, then suddenly I wake up one morning, a changed woman. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, The Holiday Home



Beautiful Kitchen Makeover: Simple Changes with Dramatic Results

November 18, 2013 by 37 Comments

Welcome to the 251st Metamorphosis Monday! I have a fabulous kitchen renovation to share! Julie who blogs at Creating This Life, recently shared some great Before and After pics of her kitchen. Julie's home was 9 years old when they moved in. They took their time before renovating which gave them some time to figure out exactly what they liked and didn't like about their kitchen. BEFORE The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After



How to Paint Doors Like a Pro

November 4, 2013 by 68 Comments

Welcome to the 249th Metamorphosis Monday! One of the most basic DIY jobs we face at one time or another is painting. We've all painted a room or two in our time, haven't we? Paint truly has the ability to transform a space taking it from so-so to sooo beautiful! I've never been afraid to paint walls but doors have always been a bit of a mystery for me. More than once I've painted a door to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks



Kitchen Renovation: Great Ideas For Small-Medium Size Kitchens

October 28, 2013 by 65 Comments

Welcome to the 248th Metamorphosis Monday! This week I have another fabulous kitchen renovation to share. Toni took her relatively small kitchen and accomplished two amazing feats: 1. She made it feel and look much larger 2. She converted every square inch in her kitchen into usable, hard-working space. If you have a small to medium size kitchen and you've been wanting to update it and make it much … [Read more...]

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



5 Denim Projects Made with Repurposed Jeans

October 26, 2013 by 8 Comments

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! Thought I'd share what's been cooking over at Denim Do Over this week. Here are last week's posts, all made from repurposed denim, usually old jeans.  You'll find a link to the tutorial in the post, showing how to make each project. Don't sew? Many of the projects at Denim Do Over are no-sew projects! Do you have a denim project you would like to see featured … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Denim Do Over, DIY, DIY Crafts & Sewing



Transform and Update a Lamp with a New Shade

October 22, 2013 by 19 Comments

Marty is one of the best bargain hunters I know and after reading today's post, I think I need to start visiting the thrift stores more often. There are definitely some awesome deals to be found. I'm excited to share this guest post from my friend and fellow blogger Marty, from the blog A Stroll Thru Life.  At the end of the post you'll find a link to Marty's blog where you'll find lots of inspiring … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After



Kitchen Goes Light and Bright with Painted Cabinets

October 21, 2013 by 58 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Before & After



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...]

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



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...]

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



Halloween Decorating and Dining

September 30, 2013 by 56 Comments

Welcome to the 244th Metamorphosis Monday! Holiday Before and After: Since tomorrow is the 1st day of October, I thought it would be fun to share some older posts filled with lots of Halloween decorating inspiration and ideas. This photo and the next one are from Pottery Barn a few years back. I love this porch!   Doesn't this make you want to paint your door orange just for the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Halloween Decor, Halloween Holiday Home, The Holiday Home



Decorate Your Porch for Halloween

September 23, 2013 by 64 Comments

Welcome to the 243rd Metamorphosis Monday! Thanks so much for sharing so many great "blue" colors for painting a porch ceiling "haint blue" in the comments on the recent haint blue post. I'll try to create a post soon sharing all the ones you named in the comments and on Facebook. That should come in handy for anyone trying to find the right shade of blue for a haint blue porch ceiling. My friend … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Halloween Decor, Halloween Holiday Home, Porches, The Holiday Home



An Autumn Mantel and Fire Screen

September 18, 2013 by 75 Comments

It's been a while since I've posted a fall mantel, the last time was late September 2011. I only have one fireplace, thus one mantel in my home and it's in the den, a room with honey-colored judges paneling. (Picture below from last year, just after Christmas.)   Photography is always a bit of a challenge, even with a tripod. The walls just soak up all the light.   This is how … [Read more...]

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



Beautiful Front Porch Addition and Garden Oasis

September 16, 2013 by 74 Comments

Welcome to the 242nd Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Monday! How was your weekend? It was beautiful weather here and you can definitely tell fall is on its way. The temps were really mild, even kind of cool at times. It was perfect weather for getting some outdoor projects done. I'll be sharing those before too long. In the meantime I have a fabulous porch addition to share!   Between Naps on the … [Read more...]

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



Decorate in White for Fall

September 10, 2013 by 65 Comments

It's late summer and the temps are still warm here in the south, but in the evenings there's a hint of fall in the air.   Yesterday I shared a new lamp I had just added to the porch. It's painted one of my fave colors, a soft green. I love the color combination of green and white. It feels so fresh and so alive.   I have a hutch here on the porch and it's painted in the same pretty … [Read more...]

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



Porch Lighting: Create a Cozy Atmosphere with Lamps

September 9, 2013 by 69 Comments

Welcome to the 241st Metamorphosis Monday! Five years ago when I replaced my seen-better-days-deck with a screened-in porch, I purchased white wicker furniture, including a wicker swing for this space.  I couldn't really find any lamps I liked so I just decided to use lamps I already had thinking I'd eventually replace them with something better. It's only been in the last couple of years that I've … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Lighting, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks



A Brick Walkway Redesign

September 3, 2013 by 63 Comments

In my front yard, there lives a Southern Magnolia, Grandiflora. And grand she is! I didn't place her here. Even with my limited knowledge of gardening, I know better than to plant a Southern Magnolia 10 feet out from a house. (Remember when the yard looked like this?)   Let's take a little ride in my time machine. The year is 1989 and we are house hunting or "trying out houses" as Chip who … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Gardening & Birding, Home Tours, In the Garden, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks