Yay! It Fits!

December 23, 2024 by 24 Comments

Welcome to the 830th Metamorphosis Monday! Eager to get this partially assembled cabinet out of my living room, I spent most of the day on Friday finishing it up. Once assembled, it ended up being two large, heavy pieces. The top half was incredibly heavy! As soon as I reached the part where the top section had to be placed atop the bottom half, I knew I was going to need help getting that done. I still … [Read more...]

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Furnishing The Sunporch & Some Additional Updates I’d Like To Make

October 28, 2024 by 40 Comments

Welcome to 822nd Metamorphosis Monday! A few weeks ago I rented a U-haul to bring up the table and six chairs I had purchased for my cottage home in Ohio, aka, the Dollhouse.   I still need to create a post to share more about that little adventure! The table was the very first thing to go on. It was still in the box that it had arrived in and was placed flat against the front wall of the … [Read more...]

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Another Dollhouse Upgrade—Wish I Had Done This Sooner!

August 30, 2024 by 29 Comments

Over the years, I have really enjoyed having a Ring doorbell at my home in Georgia. It has captured some fun moments, in addition to being handy for knowing when a package has been delivered. Also, if working and the bell rings unexpectedly, I love being able to talk to the person at the door to see who it is and what they need. I've found that it saves a lot of unnecessary … [Read more...]

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



Sharing A Much-Needed Favorite, Porch Update, & How Do I Stop Squirrels From Eating My Roses

April 27, 2024 by 17 Comments

Still working on getting the porch wiped down after its long winter's nap, but thought I'd pop in and share how the new swing chain covers look on the swing.   I kinda wished I had washed them first since the fabric is a bit stiff which makes it stick out a little awkwardly in a few spots, but overall, I really like them! They were a gazillion times easier to put on since they close with … [Read more...]

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A Visit To The Brand New Centurion Lounge in Atlanta, Plus, A Few Porch Updates

April 26, 2024 by 4 Comments

This has been a busy, crazy week. I had a quick trip to visit family in Ohio, and I just returned home on Tuesday. One of the cool things that happened on that trip is I had the opportunity to visit the brand new American Express Centurion Lounge that just opened up a few weeks ago in Atlanta. I had read so many good things about it online, so I was excited to experience it in person. The new Atlanta lounge … [Read more...]

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



A New Addition To The Porch & Some Fun April Fool’s Day Lore

April 1, 2024 by 14 Comments

Welcome to the 792nd Metamorphosis Monday! Met Monday has fallen on April Fool's Day! I'm not much of a prankster and not that keen on having jokes pulled on me, but I received a delightful email from Norma this morning with some fun facts about how April Fool's Day sometimes plays out in France. Norma wrote: Hello Susan, I don't know if you have April Fool's day on April 1st in the U S. I suspect it is … [Read more...]

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My Absolute Favorites For Spring Cleaning The Porches And The Garage

February 28, 2024 by 11 Comments

Update: Just noticed that Talbots has made their 25% off sale even better with 40% off any one item and 25% off everything else. You the code SPRING40 to get 40% off any one item. If you missed my spring favorites post, you'll find it here: Getting a Jump on My Spring Wardrobe, Everything is Currently on Sale. You'll find the Talbots spring sale here: Talbots Spring Sale. The temps here this week have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Repairs and Fixes, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Garage, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , ,



This Year I Ordered My Fresh Greenery Wreath Online & Here’s How It Turned Out!

November 27, 2023 by 39 Comments

Welcome to the 774th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? I hope you had a great one! Have you started working on your Christmas and holiday decor? I spent most of the weekend doing a bit of Christmas decorating and lots of organizing. You may remember a few months back I moved all the Christmas decor I had stored here under the bonus room eaves (including my window wreaths that normally were on the … [Read more...]

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Porch Decorated for Autumn With Hints Of Halloween

October 9, 2023 by 47 Comments

Welcome to the 767th Metamorphosis Monday! I had a bit of fun out on the front porch this weekend.   Having just purchased these black and white striped bench cushions this past summer, this is their first autumn here on the porch.   The cushions are currently on sale in several colors/ patterns here: Bench Cushions and here: Bench Cushions.   Since were only a … [Read more...]

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



A Beautiful Addition To The Front Porch, Can You Guess What It Is?

June 19, 2023 by 42 Comments

Welcome to the 751st Metamorphosis Monday! Quite a few years back I added two benches to my front porch.   If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you may remember this porch below. I came across this home/porch many years ago in a Southern Homes magazine and it was the inspiration for the front porch that I had added to my home back in 2008. Notice the benches on the inspiration porch. I … [Read more...]

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Spring Porch Dreaming

March 5, 2023 by 37 Comments

Welcome to the 736th Metamorphosis Monday! I was super toying with the idea of giving my screen porch a good scrub down this weekend, but pollen season is ahead so I'm trying to decide if I should just wait. Knowing me, I won't be able to stand not cleaning it, especially since today it was 71° out, and over the next two days, the temps will hit 78 degrees.   I had a dental issue pop up this … [Read more...]

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Answering Your Questions & A Big 40% Off Summer Sale

June 28, 2022 by 2 Comments

Thanks so much for all the lovely comments you left on yesterday's post sharing Mary Anne's porch addition. She appreciated your sweet comment so much! A few of you were asking how Mary Anne's new screened porch attaches to her home so she took some additional photos trying to capture that for you. Mary Anne said, "Below is the front of a typical Saltbox style house, which I made a little bit atypical by … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches



Deck Becomes Screened Porch with Seating and Space for Dining/Entertaining

June 27, 2022 by 21 Comments

Welcome to the 700th Metamorphosis Monday! This porch-loving woman sure does love it when you share your beautiful porches and outdoor spaces with me! I get so excited when I get an email from a lovely BNOTP reader with photos of a wonderful, relaxing, outdoor space they've created for their home. Recently I received an email from Mary Anne who said, "A few months ago I mentioned to you what an … [Read more...]

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New Screen Doors with a Whimsical Dragonfly & Moon-Stars Design

April 18, 2022 by 52 Comments

Welcome to the 690th Metamorphosis Monday! These screened doors have been tucked away in my garage, patiently waiting to be installed for two years now.   They were built to replace the doors you see on either side of the screened porch below.   Naughty mice (rats?) made their own door one cold winter when they decided to homestead inside my large gas grill. … [Read more...]

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Coming Updates for the Screened Porch, Along with the Master & Hall Baths

March 27, 2022 by 43 Comments

Welcome to the 687th Metamorphosis Monday! I was hoping for this week's Met Monday, I'd be able to share the two screened doors I had custom-made a couple of years back, installed out on the porch. Unfortunately, when the contractor and his crew arrived to install the doors, we discovered the doors were a tiny bit too snug for the openings.     When I ordered the doors, I had … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Baths, Bedroom (Master), Before & After, Porches



2 Great Ways to Hide Those Unattractive, Metal Swing Chains

April 14, 2021 by 5 Comments

Recently when I shared how I've decorated the porch for spring, I received an email asking about the covers I have over the chains of the porch swing.   You got a closer view of them in this photo showing the large egg wreath I hung on the porch for Easter.   I've written a couple of posts over the years sharing in more detail about these covers which are really just electrical … [Read more...]

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Build the Porch of Your Dreams

April 11, 2021 by 31 Comments

Welcome to the 637th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Porch season is almost year-round here in the south. If you live further north and design your porch with a fireplace, you may even be able to enjoy some time on the porch during the wintertime. The design of my screened porch was kinda serendipitous, coming together after several months of talking with … [Read more...]

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A Screened Porch and Hutch Decorated for Spring and Easter

April 4, 2021 by 54 Comments

Welcome to the 636th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Happy Spring! Happy Easter! It was so pretty here this weekend, I couldn't resist playing a bit on the porch. We're in the height of pollen season now so I gave the porch a good cleaning before decorating it for spring and Easter. Hope you enjoy this little porch makeover!   I love tulips, they are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Easter Decorating, Porches, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Nancy’s Beautiful Porch Addition Helps Keep The Snow at Bay

March 1, 2021 by 31 Comments

Welcome to the 631st Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! I love it when I open up my e-mail Inbox and find emails like this one I received recently from Nancy, a reader of BNOTP. Nancy wrote: Dear Susan: I hope all is well. I'm one of your fans and blog subscribers. I have owed you this thank you letter for a long time. I moved into my current house 5 years ago in … [Read more...]

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



So Whatever Happened to Those Peeling, Bubbling Columns…

December 28, 2020 by 25 Comments

Welcome to the 622nd Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Last October, I shared some photos of my front porch columns and the developing issue I've had with them over the past year. It has been quite a few years since the porch was last painted. Trying to remember--I think I may have had it painted once since it was added on in 2008, but maybe it was just pressure … [Read more...]

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



A Christmas Porch

December 7, 2020 by 49 Comments

Welcome to the 619th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! I had so much fun this weekend decorating the front porch for Christmas.   It was just starting to get dark outside as I finished, so I hurriedly grabbed my camera from inside and snapped a few pics before all the light was gone.   As I snapped, it got darker and darker and that magic … [Read more...]

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Ruth’s Summer Backyard Oasis

June 29, 2020 by 15 Comments

Welcome to the 596th Metamorphosis Monday! How can it be summer already, where did spring go? It's all going by way too quickly. I want it to slow down so we can enjoy every moment of our warm weather days! Since we are all spending so much more time at home these days, I was thinking recently about how important it is to make those places we like to hang out during the summer as relaxing and … [Read more...]

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Turning Lemons into Lemonade: New Doors for My Screened Porch

June 22, 2020 by 35 Comments

Welcome to the 595th Metamorphosis Monday! You know that old saying, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade? Well, today's Before and After is definitely a case of me trying to turn some pretty sour lemons into some delicious lemonade. But before I pour you a glass of lemonade, I want to share some napkins I'll be using later this week in a patriotic table setting, in case you are in need of napkins … [Read more...]

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This is What Happens to a Porch When You Abandon it for 3 Months! It Ain’t Pretty!

June 15, 2020 by 72 Comments

Welcome to the 594th Metamorphosis Monday! It was a long drive back home, but it actually passed quickly as I listened to the book, My Friend, Anna: The True Story of a Fake Heiress, via Audible. I think the book is going to be made into a movie. Actually, it would probably make a better movie than it did a book--the book definitely drags at times where I think the movie would be pretty … [Read more...]

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Beautiful Screened Porch with Seating, Dining, Sliding Windows, Even a Vented Grill

May 25, 2020 by 25 Comments

Welcome to the 591st Metamorphosis Monday! One of the things in life that makes me the happiest is when I get an email from a reader saying they have added a screened porch to their home and found my previous posts about my porch to be helpful. Recently Nancy emailed to say, "As we were building our porch, we tried to incorporate the 9 things you recommended. We were able to include all 9 things plus a … [Read more...]

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3 Ways to Decorate a Hutch for Spring and Summer

April 22, 2020 by 21 Comments

From reports back home, I know my screened porch is covered in this stuff right now. Ugh.   I'm trying to imagine it looking more like this, though.   There's a hutch on the porch that I always love decorating for spring and summer.   This is the dishware I most often use on the porch: Ma Maison by Tabletops Unlimited, designed by Darrio … [Read more...]

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Marie’s Beautiful Screened Porch Addition with Before & After Photos

August 11, 2019 by 37 Comments

Welcome to the 550th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently I received an email from a Marie, a BNOTP reader. Marie saw the photos I've shared of my screened-in porch and decided to add one to the back of her home. This was the area where Marie decided to add on her porch.   Marie shared a few photos in her email showing the process of building the porch.   It appears in the photo … [Read more...]

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Life in a Summer House, Step Inside a Cozy, Screened-in Gazebo

June 3, 2019 by 38 Comments

Welcome to the 540th Metamorphosis Monday! This weekend was a busy one! I tend to be a home-body and will often spend my weekends at home unless a friend calls to lure me out. On Saturday, a friend picked up tickets to The Secrets Gardens of Avondale and off we went on a wonderful garden tour. That was followed by seeing Henry VIII at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse on Sunday with another group of … [Read more...]

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



A Lamp for the Recently Added Console and a Spring Porch Update

March 25, 2019 by 38 Comments

Welcome to the 530th Metamorphosis Monday! Spring has really come to Georgia. The Bradford Pear trees are in full bloom and the daffodils are beginning to wane, having bloomed for weeks now. Spring flowers and warmer temps have a way of motivating us to get going on some of those repairs and projects we've been putting off. A few months ago I shared how mice or rats had decided to create little doors … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , ,



A Wreath Switcheroo: Staying With a Natural Green Wreath From Now On

December 17, 2018 by 32 Comments

Welcome to the 516th Metamorphosis Monday! A week or two ago I shared how the porch was decorated for Christmas. You may remember I wasn't thrilled with how this ornament wreath looked against my red door. I'm using it elsewhere, it looks great out on the screened porch.   So, here's how the porch looks now.   I was a little worried at first about the performance of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Porches, Porches & Decks



Finally Doing It–I’m Adding a Security Camera to My Front Porch

November 28, 2018 by 46 Comments

I've been thinking about adding a security camera to my front porch for a long, long time. Fortunately, I've never had a package or anything go missing from my porch, but a camera could come in handy for that, as well. The main reason I've been wishing to add a camera is in hopes of avoiding unnecessary interruptions. So often when I'm working in the office or somewhere in the house, I'll hear the doorbell … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Porches Tagged With: ,



Fall Wreath Idea, A Porch with a River View & Dreamy Fashions Inspired by Fashion Week

October 3, 2018 by 17 Comments

I have quite a few fun things to share today, starting with this beautiful fall wreath Carol created for her front door this year. Carol said, "I saw your fall wreath and wanted to share with you my fall wreath. I am always finding something new and I add to it every year, so it has morphed into this now." I love this idea! What a great way to update an older wreath. I especially love the monogram … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Porches, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: , , , , ,



The Perfect Spot for Leaf Peeping & A Creative Way to Repurpose Vintage Crab Pots

September 3, 2018 by 19 Comments

Welcome to the 501st Metamorphosis Monday! Did you have a great weekend? Hopefully, you have today off and are enjoying a long, 3-day weekend. I usually post during the weekend, but this weekend I gave myself the full weekend off and worked on some things here inside the house...mostly just a lot of organizing and cleaning. I guess that's not exactly taking the weekend off, now that I think about it. … [Read more...]

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A Few Porch Updates & A Garden Seat Makeover

July 9, 2018 by 46 Comments

Welcome to the 493rd Metamorphosis Monday! Did you go out of town for the July 4th week? This past week always seems like a big week for travel. This weekend has been a productive one for me as I've worked on a few things I've been putting off for a while. One chore I had been procrastinating on was giving the wicker seating group a good cleaning. I've had the two chairs and the settee (all made of … [Read more...]

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



51 Reasons You Need a Screened Porch

May 29, 2018 by 40 Comments

  1. Spring 2. Summer 3. Fall 4. Winter (depending on where you live) 5. Shade 6. No mosquitoes 7. No flies 8. No bugs. Period 9. Your dog will thank you 10. Your cat will thank you   11. Ceiling fans swirling overhead 12. Soft music + breezes and birdsong = heaven 13. Rainstorms 14. Sweet tea tastes better on a porch 15. Coffee tastes better on a porch 16. Wine … [Read more...]

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Tips for Cleaning Pollen Off a Screened-in Porch & A Feeder for Dried Mealworms

April 9, 2018 by 67 Comments

Welcome to the 480th Metamorphosis Monday! Yesterday I had a comment from Mark who said: Have a similar porch to yours and we love it already. It is coated in pollen. Do you ever hose yours off??? What is your cleaning routine? We are in NC and the pollen is 3 ft thick 🙂 There is not an easy way for water to run off, like yours, but wondered what you normally do. Normally when I'm using the … [Read more...]

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



The Hunt for a Pretty Spring Wreath

March 26, 2018 by 51 Comments

Welcome to the 478th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently I was watching a YouTube video where the vlogger had just purchased a large, floral wreath for her front door. It had huge hydrangea blossoms all around it, and I loved it. Update: It may have been peonies now that I think about it!  I checked to see if I could order one online for my front door, but was unable to locate the shop. The vlogger had … [Read more...]

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A Patriotic Porch & A Refreshing Drink for Summer Gatherings

May 29, 2017 by 62 Comments

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

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



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

April 10, 2017 by 30 Comments

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

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Decorate a Porch for Spring-Summer Relaxing and Dining

March 19, 2017 by 8 Comments

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

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Organize and Keep Your Entry Tidy with a Stylish Boot Tray

January 30, 2017 by 51 Comments

Welcome to the 418th Metamorphosis Monday! This past summer when I was out digging and planting shrubs every day, I was coming in and out of my front door a lot.   The front door is normally the door I go out when I'm checking the mail or doing any gardening in the front yard, including vacuuming up acorns. :)   During all that gardening this past summer, I began to notice a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Organization and Storage, In the Garden, Porches 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



A Porch Hutch Decorated for Autumn

November 3, 2016 by 40 Comments

Welcome to the 424th Tablescape Thursday! I didn't get a chance to set a table this week so I thought I'd share how I dressed the porch hutch a few weeks ago.   I pulled out some of my most favorite autumn/fall dishes and combined those with cute, pumpkin-shaped soup bowls.   The leafy glassware is from Dollar Tree several years ago. I love using it in table settings this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fall Tablescapes, Porches, Seasonal Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , , ,



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

October 17, 2016 by 29 Comments

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

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Decorate Your Porch for the Autumn Season

October 10, 2016 by 40 Comments

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

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



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



Nautical Decor & Tablescape for a 3-Season Porch

June 30, 2016 by 41 Comments

Welcome to the 406th Tablescape Thursday! For this week's Tablescape Thursday, we're off for a visit to Linda's beautiful 3-season porch. You may remember Linda's porch from this previous post where I shared all the details about how she and her hubby converted their outside patio area to a mosquito-free space they enjoy all year around: An Ordinary Patio Becomes a Beautiful Three-Season … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beachy Tablescapes, Porches, Seasonal Decor, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday 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: , , , ,



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...]

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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: , , , ,



After 8 Years, It’s Time!

May 9, 2016 by 60 Comments

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

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



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: , , , ,



A Dream Outdoor Summer House & Gardening Shed

March 8, 2016 by 25 Comments

I love being outdoors, listening to the birds chirping and feeling the soft breezes as they stir through the trees. I've been known to go outside and spend the entire day there, either digging in the yard or just whiling around the hours on the porch completely lost in a good book. Recently, I came across the most wonderful outdoor space, truly a dream garden. I'm pretty sure when we pass on one day, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY, DIY Decorating, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Porches Tagged With: , , , ,



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

March 1, 2016 by 26 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: , , , , , ,



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: , , ,



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: , , , , ,



Decorate the Porch in Tartan for Christmas

December 21, 2015 by 35 Comments

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

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



A Small Change Can Have a Big Impact

December 14, 2015 by 67 Comments

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

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



A Red Christmas Door

December 2, 2015 by 66 Comments

Just popping in with a few photos of my front porch progress. I took these photos this evening after dark to give you an idea of how things look at night. The porch doesn't feel complete just yet; it needs a little greenery around the bottom of the urns and a little something else, but it's getting there.   In years past, I've alway hung the garland lower on the door as seen in this photo … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Porches



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:



Decorate a Porch or Sunroom for Autumn

October 19, 2015 by 21 Comments

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

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



Refreshing The Porch For Autumn Joy

October 12, 2015 by 35 Comments

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

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



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



A Screened Porch Addition, No Haints Allowed!

July 27, 2015 by 36 Comments

Welcome to the 339th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently I received the nicest e-mail from Gloria. She recently added a screened-in porch on to the back of her home and it turned out beautifully! Gloria said, "I found you and your blog in 2012 when I was doing my research to convert a deck on the west side of my house to a screened porch.  My husband and I never used the deck because it was just too hot … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Porches 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



In The BNOTP Library: Porch Parties

May 30, 2015 by 1 Comment

I love, love, love Denise Gee's books. This is the second one I've shared, the first being Southern Cocktails. Her books are always my go-to source when I'm planning a summer party and want to serve a special party drink to surprise my friends.   In the BNOTP Library: Porch Parties: Cocktail Recipes and Easy Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining Author: Denise Gee   3 Things I Like … [Read more...]

Filed Under: BNOTP Library, Porches Tagged With: , ,



A Screened Porch For Ocean Breezes

May 29, 2015 by 10 Comments

What better place to have a screened-in porch than at the beach! When Carla and her hubby were building their beach home, Carla came across BNOTP. Carla said, "We just finished our house at the beach last summer. While we were building, I found your blog, and you convinced me that we needed to make our back porch bigger. I am SO glad we did!"   I asked Carla for a tour of her wonderful … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beach & Lake Homes, Porches



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



In The BNOTP Library: Decorating Porches and Decks

May 19, 2015 by 4 Comments

The book I'm sharing from my library today is one I purchased back in January 2008. That was during the time construction was underway for my screened porch. I was buying just about every "porch" book I could find during those days, looking for ideas and inspiration as I decorated my porch addition.   In the BNOTP Library: Decorating Porches And Decks: Stylish Projects for the Outdoor … [Read more...]

Filed Under: BNOTP Library, Porches



A Screened Porch Addition For Dining, Relaxing & Enjoying The Garden

May 19, 2015 by 27 Comments

A few years ago Susan and Mark decided to add a screened-in porch onto the back of their Pennsylvania home. Susan said, "We are empty nesters, aside from having four cats. About two years ago I decided that it would be nice to have a screened in porch. We could sit on the porch and enjoy our yard, as my husband loves to garden. He plants flowers, herbs, and some vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Porches



In The BNOTP Library: Pleasures of the Porch

April 3, 2015 by 4 Comments

With warm weather here at last (we hit 80° today and it's 74° as I type this at 10:00 at night) I have all things "porch" on the brain. Time to share another favorite porch book!   In the BNOTP Library: Pleasures of the Porch : Ideas for Gracious Outdoor Living Author: Daria Price Bowman 3 Things I Like About This Book: Pleasures of the Porch is another great porch book filled … [Read more...]

Filed Under: BNOTP Library, Porches Tagged With: , , , ,



In The BNOTP Library: On The Porch

April 1, 2015 by Leave a Comment

The book I'm sharing today is one I purchased back in April 2007 when I was just starting to make plans for adding a screened porch onto the back of my home. It would be a full year before my porch was complete...just in time for its first summer of fun!   In the BNOTP Library: On the Porch: Creating Your Place to Watch the World Go By Author: James M. Crisp 3 Things I Like About This … [Read more...]

Filed Under: BNOTP Library, Porches 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: , ,



A Beautiful Outdoor Oasis For Entertaining

February 25, 2015 by 23 Comments

Cold, what cold? In my mind it's summertime. We're out on the deck, the sun is shining and the hamburgers and hotdogs sizzling on the grill smell heavenly. Did you hear that? It's the doorbell, barely heard over the beautiful music emanating across the porch and decks on this gorgeous summer day. Friends are arriving and the fun is just beginning. Time for partying and playing outside again. Okay, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Porches, Seasonal Decor 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: , , , , ,



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: , ,



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: , , ,



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: , , ,



Night Sounds From The Porch

September 16, 2014 by 64 Comments

I absolutely adore owls! They are sooo beautiful! Last night I was working late in the office when I heard two Barred Owls in the trees out back. I grabbed my camera and ran down to the porch to see if I could capture their hoots for you.   I thought about using my phone to record them but I knew my camera would pick up the audio much better. Unfortunately, you can't see anything because it … [Read more...]

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



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: , , , , ,



Beautiful Screened Porch, Deck And Pergola Addition

August 26, 2014 by 38 Comments

Recently, I received a lovely comment from Maryanne who reads Between Naps On The Porch. She shared that she had loved the porch I added to my home a few years ago so much, she added one like it to her home last year. My ears perked up, I absolutely love hearing from folks who have added porches to their home. I asked Maryanne if she could share some photos so I could share them with you. She did and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Porches Tagged With: , , , ,