The Upstairs Living Room Window Seat Just Got A Much Needed Update

April 30, 2024 by 19 Comments

A few days ago, I made a small update/repair here in the upstairs living room, aka the bonus room or FROG.   It turned out so well, I thought I'd share it in case you find it helpful. When I moved into this house so many years ago, the upstairs living room already had window seats under all the windows.   There's storage built in under each of the window seats. The two dormer … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs) Tagged With: , , , ,



Renovating 4 Spaces In My Home, And It’s Happening All A Once! Yikes!

October 17, 2022 by 56 Comments

Welcome to the 716th Metamorphosis Monday! The next few weeks are going to be pretty busy around here. I just had a new hot water heater installed and this week I have two different electrical companies coming out to give me estimates on adding additional lighting for the staircase that leads down to my basement/terrace level.  Hard to believe when this home was built around 1982, the only lighting … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Basement/Terrace Level, Before & After, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs)



Fortnum & Mason Hamper As a Side Table, Great Place to Hide Throws & Pillows

September 12, 2022 by 44 Comments

Welcome to the 711th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Monday! I hope your week is off to a fabulous start! A week or so ago I shared the arrival of a Fortnum and Mason Hamper I had purchased, along with the goodies that I chose to go inside. I ended up creating my own bespoke hamper to get the size hamper and the contents I really wanted.   When I first placed my order for one of their hampers, I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, DIY Organization and Storage, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs) Tagged With: , , ,



Art for the Upstairs Hallway: The Beach Girls by Hilarie Lambert

March 7, 2022 by 41 Comments

Welcome to the 684th Metamorphosis Monday! A few years back I added a little blue chest to this corner of my upstairs living room.   This room has a beachy/nautical feel because of how it's decorated with lighthouse prints and shells collected while vacationing in Captiva, Sanibel, and Hilton Head Island many years ago. Though I loved the chest here, I eventually moved it to the hallway … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs) Tagged With: , , , ,



All This Furniture Moving–What Has Happened to Me?!

November 8, 2021 by 50 Comments

Welcome to the 667th Metamorphosis Monday! I've never been one to move furniture around but I've done that more in the last couple of years than all the previous years combined. Many, many years ago, 1994 to be exact, I fell in love with the soft colors in this room featured in Traditional Home. I love old clocks so the beautiful Bornholm tall-case clock in this room definitely caught my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs) Tagged With: ,



Another New Lamp for the Upstairs Living Room

September 13, 2021 by 48 Comments

Welcome to the 659th Metamorphosis Monday! Looking at this older photo of the upstairs living room/bonus room/frog makes me want to move the grandfather clock back to this room. I may do that today, I miss seeing it here. But that's not why we're in this room today. Notice the large brass lamp at the end of the sofa.   Here's one more photo taken from the opposite end where you can see the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, Lighting, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs) Tagged With: , ,



2 Beautiful, New Lamps–Unique in Color and Size, Crazy About Both!

August 23, 2021 by 46 Comments

Welcome to the 656th Metamorphosis Monday! Thanks so much for all your input on Friday's post! Appreciate all of your suggestions so much! After three weeks in Ohio, I'm back home now. The weekend was spent unpacking, going through mail, washing clothes, and all the catch-up stuff that usually needs to be done after a few weeks away from home. The two lamps I ordered prior to my trip arrived and I'm … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Bedroom (Master), Before & After, DIY Decorating, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Lighting, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs)



Would You Do This? A Big Change for the Upstairs Living-Bonus Room!

May 17, 2021 by 67 Comments

Welcome to the 642nd Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! In Saturday's post, I mentioned that I was contemplating making a pretty big change here in my upstairs living/bonus room.   This room is a bright, airy room with four windows: two windows at the end and two dormer windows that face the front of the house.   One … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs) Tagged With: , , ,



Sometimes Small Changes Can Make Your Heart Happy

December 11, 2020 by 37 Comments

A few weeks ago I shared a little addition to my office space. If you look closely, you can just see it there to the side of my left monitor.   I'm not sure how, but I came across this clear tissue holder online and loved it. I liked how modern it looked, which is surprising since I normally don't care for modern decor pieces. I liked that it didn't fight the other patterns/colors in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), DIY Decorating, DIY Organization and Storage, Living Room (Downstairs), Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), Office/Craft/Sewing Room



Loved This Lamp So Much, I Bought It Twice!

April 25, 2020 by 45 Comments

If you've been reading Between Naps On The Porch for a while, you know I'm a crazy lamp lady. I don't remember when my love of lamps started, but at some point many years ago, I discovered how much prettier, cozier and better the rooms in my home looked by lamplight--the more lamplight, the better! Overhead lighting can make a beautiful room feel cold and sterile--pretty much the opposite of cozy. For … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Bedroom (Master), DIY Decorating, Living Room (Downstairs), Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), Office/Craft/Sewing Room, Porches & Decks



A Blue Painted Chest for a Beach-Themed Upstairs Family Room

September 9, 2019 by 64 Comments

Welcome to the 554th Metamorphosis Monday! I'm not sure why, but every time I order any kind of furniture from Amazon, my local UPS always delivers it busted up and damaged. Remember the multiple ordering attempts I made when trying to get cabinets for my garage? I ended up ordering them via Walmart and had them delivered to my local Walmart Market where I picked each cabinet up in my SUV and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs) Tagged With: ,



Hang a Little Painting Where It Will Surprise and Delight

July 25, 2018 by 34 Comments

Earlier in the spring I shared this wee painting of one of my tablescapes. (View this little teascape in detail here: St. Patrick's Day Tea.) The painting was a surprise painting done by a lovely artist and reader of BNOTP named, Fifi. After she let me know she had created the painting, I purchased it from her but never got around to having it framed.   Life got in the way and I never got … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest Tagged With: , , , , ,



How to Get a Sample of Any Paint Color, Even Older Colors No Longer Available

October 30, 2017 by 41 Comments

Welcome to the 457th Metamorphosis Monday! Have you ever come across a great paint color online, perhaps on a blog or on Pinterest, only to discover it's an older color that's no longer available? I often get emails or messages from BNOTP readers asking how they can get the color formula for the yellow paint I've used in so many rooms of my home.   This yellow is an older Duron color … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, Dining Room, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Entry/Foyer, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest Tagged With: , , , ,



A Gazillion Little Tweaks

September 4, 2017 by 52 Comments

Welcome to the 449th Metamorphosis Monday! I really didn't know what to name today's post because I've been like a frantic little bee ever since returning from Ireland. I've been buzzing all over this house, working to tie lots of little loose ends together. You would think it was spring...this urgency to get things spiffied up around here. Maybe it's the early morning waking hours that has me so … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Organization and Storage, Living Room (Downstairs), Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs)



Superga Sneakers, A Favorite of Kate Middleton

June 10, 2017 by 40 Comments

I'm declaring this the summer of the sneaker! lol I don't know what's gotten into me, but I'm on a sneaker tear. I think I could live the rest of my life wearing only Sperry Topsiders and Superba Sneakers! Recently, after reading the book, Classic Style, I added a pair of Stan Smith sneakers to my shoe wardrobe.   You can read more about these legendary sneakers in this previous post: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs) Tagged With: , , , , , ,



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: , ,



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: , , , ,



A Garden Seat for the Frog

October 23, 2013 by 45 Comments

Not that kind of frog, although he is totally cute! Source Have you noticed how ceramic garden seats seem to be available everywhere now? I remember years ago seeing them in decorating magazines but I could never find any back then, at least not at a price I was willing to pay. Last spring I was on a quest to buy a garden seat for the screened porch.   I found this one with a pretty … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest



My Fave Yellow Paint Colors: Duron Sugar Cookie and Duron Tea Biscuit

July 19, 2013 by 73 Comments

One of my fave paint colors I go to time and time again is an old, old Duron color called Sugar Cookie.  There's a little story how I first discovered this color. Many, many years ago, through a job I had at the time, I met a delightful lady who was the wife of a professional coach for a local university.  I can't remember now if he was a footfall or basketball coach.  Anyway, when I visited their home, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Dining Room, DIY, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Entry/Foyer, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , ,



The Morning Room

April 29, 2013 by 73 Comments

Welcome to the 223rd Metamorphosis Monday! Do you have a room in your home that's your absolute favorite spot to be in the early morning? My upstairs family room is that room for me. You may recognize the next 2-3 pictures since I've shared them before here on BNOTP.  This room is a cheerful, bright room, but early in the morning it's truly a sunny, happy spot to be.   One of the reasons this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Inspire, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest



Garden Seat, So Versatile for the Home or Garden

April 17, 2012 by 33 Comments

As the years pass things wear out, my ideas for a room in my home may change, or I find something better for a space than what's currently there.  Does that happen in your home, too?  It gives us an opportunity to "freshen up" and revive our rooms, giving them new life. A while back, just for fun, I created a "wish list" board at Pinterest.   It's a virtual pin board where I can store a picture or idea … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Blue & White Design & Decor, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest, Nature, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: ,



The Upstairs Family Room Decorated for Christmas

December 26, 2011 by 40 Comments

Welcome to the 153rd Metamorphosis Monday! Merry Christmas!   I have just a quick "Before and After" to share for this Met Monday.   I added a few holiday touches to the upstairs family room this year and never got around to sharing those.  As always, I hung a little wreath on the grandfather clock.   This year the armoire got a bit of lit greenery and I moved the feather tree from its … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest, The Holiday Home Tagged With: ,



Bamboo Rug for the Upstairs Family Room

September 19, 2011 by 59 Comments

Welcome to the 139th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Metamorphosis Monday!  How was your weekend?  I've had a fun one.  A friend and I attended an auction, something I haven't done in ages.  Didn't buy anything but I captured a few pics I'll being sharing later. Metamorphosis Monday: For this Met Monday, I'm sharing a small metamorphosis in my upstairs family room.  This room is often known as a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Home Tours, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest Tagged With: , , , , , , ,



Pre-Christmas Preparations

November 5, 2010 by 44 Comments

My upstairs family room, "Before" And, now...Yikes! Scary, isn't it? Don't worry...I'm not getting out the Christmas decorations, just yet. Well, actually I am getting them out...but just to sort through them. It's time to get rid of some stuff that I just don't use anymore. I'm ready for a few new things this year. See those little storage doors... Halloween is on the … [Read more...]

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



A Little Addition to a Dormer Nook

March 15, 2010 by 83 Comments

Welcome to the 61st Metamorphosis Monday! Last week I shared a metamorphosis in my guest room. It went from this... ...to this, with the addition of a secretary between the windows. Recently, I made another small change (Mini-Met) that I'm sharing for this Met Monday. I had two little blue bird watercolor pictures hanging underneath the wall shelf on the right wall in that room (look at the pic … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest Tagged With: , , ,



Built-in Book Shelves for the Upstairs Family Room

August 17, 2009 by 216 Comments

Welcome to the 31st Metamorphosis Monday! My Met Monday post is a little different this week. The "After" hasn't occurred yet, but I thought I'd share my "Before" and my "After Wish" with you, just in case it gives you some ideas for a similar area in your home. This is the view as you enter from the hallway into my Upstairs Family Room. (To see more of this room, click here:  Upstairs Family Room.) … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Organization and Storage, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest Tagged With: , , , ,



Old Bound Newspapers Become End Table

May 11, 2009 by 84 Comments

Welcome to the 17th Metamorphosis Monday! Many, many years ago, The Macon Telegraph and News decided to dispose of all the old copies of their past publications/newspapers. Apparently, news organizations used to keep copies of their old papers by binding them into large "books." Each bound volume, shown below, had about three months worth of newspapers. I had six of these large books stored for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY, DIY Decorating, Home Tours, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest Tagged With: ,



Bonus Room Makeover: From Bonus Room to Family Room and Spill Over Space for Guests

April 20, 2009 by 63 Comments

Welcome to the 14th Metamorphosis Monday! Update: Sorry about the darkness of some of the photos in this post. I plead ignorance since these were taken during my early blogging days before I learned to take better photos. :) For this Metamorphosis Monday, we're going for another ride in the time machine, back again to 1991, just before we actually purchased and moved into our house. This time our time … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest Tagged With: , ,



A Trip in my Time Machine: Here we come, 1921!

September 25, 2008 by 31 Comments

Remember these from my Bonus Room posting a few days ago? They are bound copies of old newspapers from the Macon Telegraph and News, the local newspaper in Macon, Georgia. My sister, Glenda, saved them from being destroyed when they were being discarded. I turned them into an end table for the bonus room. :-) Thought I'd share some of the advertisements and articles that were published in some of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Decorating, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest Tagged With: , ,



Bonus Room Becomes an Upstairs Family Room

September 18, 2008 by 55 Comments

A fter a little tease,  it's time for the reveal. A little background first... In Georgia, when a builder finishes the room above your garage, your home is said to have a "bonus" room. When I first walked through this house, that was to become my home, I was happy to see it did, indeed, have the oft desired bonus room. Then, surprisingly, the room sat almost empty for 3-4 years years while I stewed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest Tagged With: , , ,