A Few Garden Updates and A Plant I Wish I Had Never Placed In My Yard!

May 1, 2017 by 77 Comments

Welcome to the 431st Metamorphosis Monday! Happy New Week! Hope you had a great weekend! I spent part of mine working in the yard and I still have so much more to do out there. For the last couple of years I've known that I should trim-reshape the Green Mountain Boxwoods I placed in planters on either side of the front porch a few years back, but I've been worried I would totally mess them up. Here's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Garden, Gardening & Birding, My Nest



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: , , , , ,



Washing Benches at O’Dark:30, Birdie Nesting, Hat Storage and Garden Updates

March 31, 2017 by 54 Comments

I awoke this morning long before daylight. The numbers on the ceiling showed 4:00. Apparently my body is still on Morocco time which is 5 hours later. Ugh. After laying there for about an hour, I gave up on sleep and got on up. So what do you do at 5:00 AM? I gave both the benches on the front porch (and the porch itself) a good wash, they were seriously covered in pollen.   I took this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , ,



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

February 6, 2017 by 266 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



A Music System So Hot, The Remote Caught Fire!

January 21, 2017 by 50 Comments

Ha! That post title will make more sense in just a second. :) I've been a Bose fan ever since I purchased their Lifestyle® 12 surround sound system for my living room over twenty years ago. When something went wrong with the large acoustimass module after many years of use, Bose was still in business (unlike a lot of companies these days) and were happy to assist.   They mailed me a very … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,



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: ,



Getting More Organized in the Office

January 14, 2017 by 120 Comments

Happy Weekend! Did you survive Friday the 13th? ;) I'm not really the superstitious type, but it's always kinda funny when my birthday falls on a Friday the 13th. Saw this online just now and it made me laugh. I've never seen any of the "Friday the 13th" movies, but apparently this covers them all. lol   Yesterday was one of those "Friday the 13th" birthdays and it was a biggie--one of … [Read more...]

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



A Little Porch Decorating to Celebrate the Holidays

December 17, 2016 by 85 Comments

Happy Weekend to you! Hard to believe Christmas will be here in just 9 days! I've had the porch decorated for a while now, but just haven't gotten around to sharing photos of how it turned out this year.   Probably the biggest change for this year are the benches I added to the porch this past summer.   I never realized how much I would enjoy having them here. They are the … [Read more...]

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



Realistic “Beeswax” Resin Candle Covers for the Office Chandelier

December 6, 2016 by 33 Comments

If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you may remember when I changed out all the yellowed, plastic, candle covers on my dining room chandelier for resin covers that look much more like real candles. (Tablescape can be viewed here: Sparkle with a Touch of Whimsy   I love the look of the "dripping wax" sliding down the sides of the faux candles and it definitely beats the look of the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , ,



Planting Tulips and Violas & A Little Christmas Table Shopping

November 21, 2016 by 29 Comments

Welcome to the 408th Metamorphosis Monday! Yesterday I cut and brought in the last of the Limelight Hydrangea blossoms. Can you believe this hydrangea was still producing new blooms! The temps have been dipping toward the freezing point each night, so I knew these last few flowers were about to be gone. Limelight Hydrangeas truly are amazing, giving blooms throughout summer all the way into fall. … [Read more...]

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



Can a Fashion Piece Become a Decorating Accessory?

September 16, 2016 by 49 Comments

If you love handbags, chances are you've collected a few over the years. I don't have a big collection, but the bags I do have I really love and try to care for them as best I can so they'll last and look nice for a long time. Lately I've been doing a little reading about the best way to store a handbag when you're not carrying it. Normally the recommendation is to keep handbags inside a closet away from … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Blue & White Design & Decor, DIY Decorating, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, My Nest 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



A New Chair for My Home Office

August 29, 2016 by 58 Comments

Welcome to the 396th Metamorphosis Monday. I've had several different desk chairs here in my home office over the years. The last one I purchased was this one from Pottery Barn. This is actually my second one of these. The first one I literally wore out. Well, sort of. What happened was the first few weeks/months I had it, I didn't realize that each time I pushed back away from the desk and spun … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room 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



The Metamorphosis of a Limelight Hydrangea

July 4, 2016 by 47 Comments

Welcome to the 388th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Independence Day! Hope you're having a fabulous one! Thanks for sharing all your experiences in the comments on yesterday's post about my Windows 10 update nightmare and the following scam telephone call I received. I learned yesterday from two different readers that someone actually sued Windows over the damage their update caused to their computer … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest



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

June 28, 2016 by 136 Comments

When updating or making improvements to your home, do you ever feel 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. I had been … [Read more...]

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



Periwinkle Blue for a Whimsical Potting Bench

June 20, 2016 by 57 Comments

Welcome to the 386th Metamorphosis Monday! When I ordered this potting bench, I had plans to give it a few coats of marine varnish. (Potting Bench can be found here: Potting Bench.) But somewhere along the way I changed my mind and decided to have a little fun with it. I wanted to paint it, but what color? I searched online for painted potting benches and found a lot of cute ones, but still didn't see a … [Read more...]

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



How I Plant Trees and Shrubs in Georgia’s Red Clay Soil

June 7, 2016 by 35 Comments

Recently someone asked in a comment if I had written a post showing my process for planting shrubs. I was thinking about that today and remembered that I had written a post about 1-1/2 years ago that showed how I planted some Leyland Cypress trees in my back yard. I figured a refresher is never a bad idea, so hope you find this post helpful. I don't have the best luck with keeping indoor plants alive, … [Read more...]

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



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: , , , , ,



Should Burlap Be Removed From a Ball & Burlap Plant, Prior to Planting It?

May 31, 2016 by 49 Comments

Got a question for ya. When you're planting a balled and burlapped shrub or tree, do you remove or do anything to the burlap before planting it? If you've always wondered about that, I have the answer once and for all from one of the most respected growers out there. In the past when I've planted shrubs that were ball and burlap, I've always been told by a well-known, popular nursery with many locations … [Read more...]

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



Landscaping with 4 Varieties of Boxwood Shrubs

May 30, 2016 by 50 Comments

Welcome to the 383rd Metamorphosis Monday! Looking forward to all the wonderful Before and Afters for this Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Memorial Day to  you. This weekend I've been working out front. When I last left you, I had a couple of shrubs in the ground. See them there in the back?   Today, this side looks like this. Yay for progress! So far I've planted 5 Green Beauty Boxwood, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , , ,



Two New Benches for the Front Porch

May 27, 2016 by 196 Comments

A few days ago I blogged about ordering a couple of the Luciana benches from Grandinroad when they were having a good sale on their outdoor benches. (View that post here: Whimsical Garden Bench for the Front Porch)   As mentioned in that previous post, my front porch was built from this photo found in a Southern Homes magazine many years ago. This is the beautiful historic home at Gainesway … [Read more...]

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



Progress is Messy!

May 25, 2016 by 75 Comments

I think it's official, I have just a few too many irons in the fire. lol If I write something completely nonsensical in the next few days, just know it's because there's a lot of stuff going on here and my brain may be on overload. It's good stuff, but it's going to get crazier before it gets better, I'm afraid. Today I went to visit my bushes. If I go to Pike Nursery one more time, they will probably … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: ,



A Whimsical Garden Bench for the Front Porch & Some Landscape Updates

May 23, 2016 by 63 Comments

Welcome to the 382nd Metamorphosis Monday! See that chart below? Yay, for sunshine! Finally, the re-varnishing of the screened porch floor can start tomorrow. It was scheduled for almost two weeks ago, but the weather has not cooperated. Finally, we have sunny days ahead.   Boxwood Shrubs for the Front Yard Landscape While I've been awaiting sunny days, my focus has returned to the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , ,



Makeover a Hutch with a Nautical-Beach Theme

April 14, 2016 by 31 Comments

Welcome to the 395th Tablescape Thursday! Recently I de-pollened the porch and gave it a little spring makeover.   I dressed the porch hutch with my fave porch dishes: Tabletops Unlimited, Ma Maison.   For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I decided to give the hutch a little beach makeover using a dishware I purchased back in right after the porch was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks, Seasonal Decor, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday



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: , , , , , , , , ,



My Favorite Chest Is On Sale & An Update for My Deck

April 8, 2016 by 46 Comments

Yesterday I stopped by Pier 1 to look at their outdoor furniture. I really need to replace the table and chairs I currently have out on my deck. I didn't find the outdoor set I wanted but while I was there, I noticed they have my favorite chest on sale. I purchased this chest a few years ago when I was creating my home office. Back then, I searched and searched for months for a chest to go beside the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , ,



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 Faucet Installation & Some Fabulous Spring Sales

March 23, 2016 by 30 Comments

Whew! What  a day! It started out with mulitple plumbing installations followed by a Leaf Guard Gutter visit mid day to reroute a downspout and ended with getting two estimates, one for hardwood flooring and another for some much-needed landscaping. I think I'm ready for a nap now! lol So, you know that part on the HGTV show, Fixer Upper where JoAnna Gaines always tells the couple whose house they are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kitchen & Breakfast Area



Some Kitchen Updates: A Moen MotionSense Faucet and Soap Dispenser

March 22, 2016 by 24 Comments

I think spring fever has gone to my head! This week I'm getting estimates for tons of things I've been needing to get done. Not sure what all I'll try to do right away and what will have to wait, but tomorrow is the start of a few of the updates. The first update is here in the kitchen. The Grohe faucet I had installed back in 2001 when I completed a modest kitchen renovation, has been acting up over the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, My Nest



I’m Steaming! Steaming Happy, That Is!

March 21, 2016 by 34 Comments

Welcome to the 373rd Metamorphosis Monday! Several years ago my sister gave me a My Little Steamer, steamer. She had a very generous and loving nature and often when she saw something advertised on TV that she thought I could use, she would buy it and surprise me with it on my next visit to her home. At the time she gave me the steamer, I wasn't sure how I would use it, but I thanked her and tucked it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Living Room (Downstairs), My Nest



Install a Long Swing-Arm Hook for Hanging Plants or Bird Feeders

March 1, 2016 by 22 Comments

I have several bird feeders hanging off the pergola that extends over one of my decks. The feeders hang from long swing-arm hangers. The hooks work great for hanging squirrel-proof feeders because the length of the rod helps deter the squirrels. They also keep the feeders out away from the deck, which keeps the decks cleaner and encourages the birds to come dine. Since my decks and porch are a full story … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding, Porches, Porches & Decks



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: , , , , , ,



A New Addition To The Garden: Copper Roof Dovecote

February 23, 2016 by 63 Comments

One of my favorite things to do each spring is to go on the spring garden tours in my area. I love a garden tour every bit as much as I love a great home tour. Over the years while on garden tours, I would often come across these big, beautiful birdhouses. Eventually, I asked someone and found out they were dovecotes. The ones I saw and loved the most were by a company called, Lazy Hill. When I added on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden 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: , , ,



Velvet Drapes for a Paneled, English Country-Style Living Room

February 8, 2016 by 99 Comments

Welcome to the 367th Metamorphosis Monday! Do you sometimes find yourself putting off a DIY job, even though it seems like a small project? Maybe you're waiting until the mood hits or you're finally ready mentally to tackle it. That's kind of where I've been with hanging my drapes here in the living room. I was thinking about this on Saturday, about why I've been putting it off, and I think I know … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY, DIY Decorating, Living Room (Downstairs), My Nest Tagged With: , ,



Ballard Designs Speaks & A Lesson in Drapery Clip Rings

January 29, 2016 by 42 Comments

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend! When I awoke today, I was in the mood to move forward on the drapery project I recently started here in the family room. You may remember this photo where I had draped the green, velvet draperies I found recently in a Ballard Designs Outlet over the tops of my plantation shutters to get an idea how they would work in this room.   The Velvet Dilemma: Ballard … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dining Room, DIY Decorating, DIY Repairs and Fixes, My Nest Tagged With: , , ,



Sewing Velvet: Are My Curtains Sewn Backwards?

January 19, 2016 by 98 Comments

Greetings! How was your day today? Hope it was a great one! Today has been a pretty productive day around here. I have a little update for you about the velvet drapes I recently purchased for the living room. I also have a question for you! You may remember last week I draped the velvet panels I purchased over the tops of the shutters in the living room to give you a little idea how they might look … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Crafts & Sewing, Living Room (Downstairs)



Velvet Drapery Update & A Little Preview

January 9, 2016 by 73 Comments

I'm back with a curtain update, I couldn't leave you hanging the whole weekend. Thanks so much for all your suggestions, including your tips on dealing with wrinkles in velvet fabric that's been folded and creased. You are awesome and I always appreciate hearing your excellent ideas and suggestions! This morning I headed off to the Ballard Designs Outlet. The BD outlets here in the Atlanta area are known … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Living Room (Downstairs), My Nest Tagged With: ,



Velvet Drapes for the Living Room

January 8, 2016 by 51 Comments

For many years I had curtains in my living room. They were never really what I wanted here and always felt a bit too formal for the room.   Back in October, 2012 (wow, has it been that long!) I removed them because I decided I'd rather look at windows with just plantation shutters than look at curtains that I didn't like and didn't suit the room.   After I removed the old … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Living Room (Downstairs)



Create a Hot Cocoa Bar for Winter Entertaining

December 22, 2015 by 61 Comments

Happy Holidays to you, dear Friends! We're out on the porch today and I know it's a little chilly. Don't worry though, I have just the thing to warm us up. Step right over here and belly up to the bar--the Hot Cocoa Bar, that is. :)   I've been envisioning a Hot Cocoa Bar for years out here on the porch, but I could never quite gather together all the bits and pieces I needed to create it, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, DIY, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decorating, Porches, Porches & Decks, Winter Tablescapes Tagged With: , , , , ,



Adding a Touch of Tartan to the Kitchen

December 18, 2015 by 72 Comments

In today's post, I'm sort of getting the cart before the horse. lol Yesterday I posted a table setting for Tablescape Thursday here in my breakfast area. In that post I shared this photo. I liked the contrast viewing the all white, serene table setting juxtaposed against the colorful, red plaid shade of a lamp I had just added to the kitchen. That picture sparked a good many questions and emails asking … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kitchen & Breakfast Area, My Nest Tagged With: , , , ,



A Christmas Tree at Last

December 16, 2015 by 58 Comments

Several folks have asked when I was going to share my Christmas tree for this year. Well, I finally called "uncle." Where does that phrase come from anyway? lol   After spending 3 hours one night changing a million fuses, two hours another night examining a million bulbs, and an hour a third night fiddling and fussing, I finally gave up (for this year) on trying to get the lights to work on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Living Room (Downstairs), My Nest 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: ,



A Bathroom Update & Perfume Storage

December 7, 2015 by 90 Comments

Welcome to the 358th Metamorphosis Monday! Please note: If you subscribed for blog post updates and they are no longer arriving in your Inbox, check your junk or spam file, especially if you use hotmail or yahoo mail. I recently changed services for delivering email updates and that always throws off the email servers for a bit. If you find an email in the junk/spam folder, mark it as "not spam" or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), DIY Organization and Storage



Decking the Halls…and the Beds…and the Sofas

November 17, 2015 by 31 Comments

I've always loved pillows, have them all throughout my house. The last few years I've started collecting Christmas pillow and oh. my. gosh...there are some really cute ones out there. The "Love" pillow I purchased one year after Christmas is actually a Christmas pillow, but I think it's perfect to pull out again in February for Valentine's Day.   The Love pillow is currently on sale with free … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Bedroom (Master), Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Living Room (Downstairs), Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest Tagged With: , ,



7 Christmas Porches

November 16, 2015 by 26 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:



Bringing Home A Bit of Tuscany To My Kitchen

November 2, 2015 by 66 Comments

Welcome to the 353rd Metamorphosis Monday! Almost every day sees some kind of metamorphosis in our homes right now with the holidays here. I absolutely love this time of year! Halloween has always been one of most favorite holidays because it's filled with so many smiles and so much laughter. I hope your Halloween was a lot of fun this year. I have a small Before and After to share in my kitchen. It's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Italy, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, My Nest, Travel Tagged With: , , , , ,



Awesome Deal for Preserved Boxwood Wreaths

November 1, 2015 by 58 Comments

I don't normally post on Sundays but I came across a deal this weekend that expires today, so I'm sharing it in a quick post just in case it's helpful in your upcoming holiday decorating. Update added 11-2-15: It looks like they still have the 10% off deal going on, which is great! Tip: If it shows the wreath is out of stock for your store, click in the box that looks like this one below and you'll be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Entry/Foyer, My Nest, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: , , ,



How To Refurbish A Rusted Old Bistro Set

October 5, 2015 by 51 Comments

Welcome to the 349th Metamorphosis Monday! This cool fall weather has me itching to get outside and do a little sprucing up. Lately I've been noticing the bistro table I love to use for outdoor dining was starting to show its age.   I normally use a tablecloth when dining here but the rest of the time the table is uncovered for everyday use.   This set is made of metal. When … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY, DIY Decorating, DIY Photography, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Porches, Porches & Decks



An Inspiration Update For My Home Office

July 29, 2015 by 21 Comments

Yesterday afternoon I made a little update here in my home office.   You may remember seeing this large decorative clock on the wall in previous photos. (This photo was taken back around Halloween one year so ignore the pumpkins.) I like this clock but I purchased it mainly to help fill that big blank wall. I've always wanted to do a gallery of photos there, instead.   Maybe … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , ,



Kitchen Counters: What To Keep Out and What To Put Away

July 1, 2015 by 119 Comments

Back around 2002, I gave my kitchen a mini-renovation. At that time I had the cabinets painted white, added glass to the front of eight cabinet doors, added under-cabinet lighting, new backsplash, had granite counters installed and replaced the stove, microwave and sink. Since my kitchen isn't overly large, I've made a conscious effort over the years to keep the countertops cleared off and as clutter free … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kitchen & Breakfast Area, My Nest Tagged With: ,



My Living Room Is Hiding A Secret

June 16, 2015 by 46 Comments

My living room is hiding a secret. It's just a little secret, nothing earth shattering.   See that area behind the seating group, the one with the built-in cabinetry and bookshelves? The secret is underneath the tall lamp I have there. Can you guess what it is?   It's this! Did you guess you would find a sink under there? The sink still works, I ran a little water in it again … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Living Room (Downstairs), My Nest Tagged With: , , , ,



Goodbye Winter Bedding, Hello Spring!

May 4, 2015 by 72 Comments

Welcome to the 327th Metamorphosis Monday! This has been one of the coolest springs I remember having in a long time. I'm not complaining, it's been wonderful, but the chilly nights have had me holding onto my winter bedding a little longer than I had planned.   If you were reading BNOTP this past winter, you'll remember I purchased tartan bedding to use during the fall and winter months. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), My Nest 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: , ,



Whimsical Art For The Office

March 14, 2015 by 79 Comments

Greetings this fine March day! How is your weekend going? Unfortunately, I've been super sick all week with what I was pretty sure was a sinus infection. Actually it's been going on a couple of weeks but got a lot worse this week. When I started running a fever on Wednesday while creating a St. Patrick's Day table setting for Tablescape Thursday, I finally decided it was time to go to the doctor. It had … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , ,



Pillow Talk: Sleeping On Your Side Can Cause Facial and Chest Wrinkles

March 10, 2015 by 108 Comments

It took me a while to realize it, but now I get it. The pillow you sleep on each night is every bit as important as the mattress you sleep on. If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you may remember that last November I purchased a new mattress set. It had been a very long time since I last bought a new a mattress and I was long overdue for a new one.   I've been very happy with the … [Read more...]

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



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: , ,



Behind the Scenes with “The Beast”

March 3, 2015 by 53 Comments

When I embarked on the journey to have a bedskirt made, I made the decision pretty early on to have it custom-made by an experienced seamstress. That turned out to be a very smart decision. By the time it was completed, my seamstress, Elizabeth, had begun affectionately referring to it as "The Beast."   Elizabeth is a professional seamstress and makes window treatments and bedding for … [Read more...]

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



No More Faking It

February 16, 2015 by 104 Comments

Welcome to the 316th Metamorphosis Monday! Thanks for sharing all the wonderful stories about your Barbour jackets in the comments on Friday's post. I had so much fun reading those. If there's one thing I've learned during the process of researching and finally buying a Barbour coat is that Barbour coat owners love and are passionate about their coats. They talk about them like you would a trusted and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), DIY Decorating, My Nest, Valentine's Day Decor, Valentine's Day Holiday Home 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



A Christmas Present For Your Future Self

January 30, 2015 by 76 Comments

Have you ever started a project thinking you could knock it out in a few hours, only to find it took more like a few days? That's how the revamp of my Christmas storage went this year, but now that I'm done, it was totally worth it. My Christmas decorations, except for the Christmas trees, are all stored here in the upstairs family room.   This quirky F.R.O.G. (finished room over the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, DIY Organization and Storage, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest Tagged With: , , , ,



It Was The Best Of Times, It Was The…

January 28, 2015 by 49 Comments

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." Recognize that partial quote? It's from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens and the rest of the sentence, the part we rarely hear, goes like this: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room



Ready For Spring Planting

January 19, 2015 by 46 Comments

Welcome to the 312th Metamorphosis Monday! Thanks so much for all the comments left on my last post. I read each one, not just once, but several times. Your prayers, encouragement and individual stories have been a true blessing and they have brought me much comfort over the last few days. So many of you well-know the heartache of losing someone very close to you. I'll be returning to that post to read … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Repairs and Fixes, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest



It’s Flag City Around Here!

January 12, 2015 by 48 Comments

Welcome to the 311th Metamorphosis Monday! If you are participating in Met Monday (a blog party that's all about Before and Afters) please don't forget to include a link in your post back to today's party so your readers will find the other participants who have also linked up. Please do not link up a post you've just previously linked up in the last 2-3 weeks since readers will have already seen that post. … [Read more...]

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



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: , , , ,



Decorating The Porch For Christmas

December 12, 2014 by 77 Comments

One of my favorite places to decorate for Christmas is the front porch. It's the first "room" friends and family see when visiting , and at Christmastime it's so much fun to make it feel extra special and inviting.   When decorating, be it inside or out, I always love a mix of fresh greenery and faux. Fresh greenery gives you the scent while faux gives you the look you want while saving you … [Read more...]

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



Decorating With Preserved Boxwood Wreaths

December 1, 2014 by 51 Comments

Welcome to the 305th Metamorphosis Monday! My kitchen cabinets saw a little transformation this weekend. Do you ever decorate with preserved boxwood wreaths? I love fresh greenery and use it a lot at Christmastime but I love the preserved wreaths here on the glass cabinet doors in the kitchen. I've been decorating the cabinets this way ever since I saw this done on a Christmas home tour in Madison, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, My Nest 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



Christmas In The Bedroom

November 25, 2014 by 59 Comments

This morning I shared one of my favorite holiday books by Mary Carol Garrity, Christmas At Home. Looking through that book again put me in the mood to do a little Christmas decorating. The guest bed was warmed up and made festive with a strand of red mitten garland.   You may remember the garland from when I decorated the screened porch last Christmas. (Christmas Porch post can be viewed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Bedroom (Master), Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, My Nest



The Mysterious Ways Of Duvets

November 24, 2014 by 103 Comments

Welcome to the 304th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? Hope it was a great one! Mine was busy. Unfortunately, there was a lot of "spinning my wheels" kind of stuff going on but in the end it was worth it because I learned some things I know will stick with me. You may remember I've been working on a little bedding makeover for the master bedroom.   A few days after I shared … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), My Nest



A French Duvet I Couldn’t Leave Behind

November 21, 2014 by 70 Comments

It's been a while since we stopped by one of my favorite haunts, A Classy Flea. My timing today wasn't the greatest since they just had a huge Holiday Open House about a week ago. I didn't make it to the open house and I wasn't sure there would be anything left when I stopped in today. I found a few things to share and picked up a couple of things for myself. One of the things I purchased was a kind of … [Read more...]

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



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: , , , , , ,



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: , , ,



Replace Your Old Doorbell For The Upcoming Holidays

November 7, 2014 by 24 Comments

Happy Friday! Got any special plans for the weekend? Will you be doing any DIY projects around the house or maybe decorating for the holidays? Speaking of DIY projects, about a month ago I completed a small upgrade that I'm super excited to share today. I've noticed from time-to-time over the years that my doorbell was looking pretty decrepit. I tell ya, doorbells get no respect. lol They get installed … [Read more...]

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



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



Eye of Newt and Toe of Frog, Wool of Bat…

October 15, 2014 by 97 Comments

Eye of newt and toe of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog... Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble. Macbeth (Act IV, Scene I) ~William Shakespeare Eeek! It's like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's movie, The Birds! Only, in this case it's The Bats! I've had this image saved on my computer for a year or two. I've always wanted to duplicate the look on my front porch for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Halloween Crafts, Halloween Decor, Halloween Holiday Home, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , ,



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: , ,



Goodbye Squirrel Highway

October 10, 2014 by 32 Comments

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on whether I should move the Savannah Holly I planted recently back a little toward the house, or leave it where I had planted it. In case you missed that post, I planted a Savannah Holly tree at the right corner of my home as kind of an anchor plant for that end of the house. The landscape plan created by a landscape designer last year indicated the tree should be … [Read more...]

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



The Landscape Plan

October 8, 2014 by 39 Comments

Last September, after a summer spent reclaiming my front yard from the overgrown jungle it had become, I consulted the services of a local garden nursery and had a landscape plan created. I thought you might enjoy seeing it so I'm sharing it in today's post. To get a closer look, press CTRL + a few times on your keyboard. Once you're done viewing the plan, press CTRL 0 (zero) to return to normal. When … [Read more...]

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



Need Your Opinion: 8 Feet vs 10 Feet

October 6, 2014 by 118 Comments

Welcome to the 297th Metamorphosis Monday! Greetings! How was your weekend? This weekend was a productive one around here. I was able to get all the Savannah Holly trees in, although one may need to be moved. I need your help to decide. I hired someone to help me get all the trees planted and I worked alongside him digging the holes and helping the entire time. I'm sore today, but it's a good … [Read more...]

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



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: , ,