A Few Porch Updates & A Garden Seat Makeover

July 9, 2018 by 45 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 Metamorphosis Monday, DIY Paint & Stain, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , ,



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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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...]

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



A Patriotic Porch & A Refreshing Drink for Summer Gatherings

May 29, 2017 by 61 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 Metamorphosis Monday, Independence Day Decor, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , , , ,



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

April 10, 2017 by 30 Comments

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

Filed Under: Before & After Metamorphosis Monday, Deck, Porch, Patio Before & After, Porches Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Decorate a Porch for Spring-Summer Relaxing and Dining

March 19, 2017 by 8 Comments

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

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



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...]

Filed Under: Before & After Metamorphosis Monday, Deck, Porch, Patio Before & After, Porches Tagged With: , , , ,



Decorate Your Porch for the Autumn Season

October 10, 2016 by 38 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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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 Metamorphosis Monday, DIY Decorating, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks, Seasonal Decor



Nautical Decor & Tablescape for a 3-Season Porch

June 30, 2016 by 38 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 108 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), Bedroom Before & After, Before & After, Before & After Metamorphosis Monday, 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...]

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: , , , ,



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 Metamorphosis Monday, DIY Paint & Stain, 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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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: , , , ,



An Outdoor Space Designed for Dining and Relaxing by the Fire

April 4, 2016 by 24 Comments

Welcome to the 375th Metamorphosis Monday! Thanks so much for all your well wishes on Friday. Sunday was the big turning point. I awoke on Sunday still feeling pretty rough, but about midway through the day I began feeling much better. From your comments, it sounds like there's some kind of bug going around. Thanks again for your kind words on Friday, they really helped! For this week's Met Monday, I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After Metamorphosis Monday, Porches, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: , , , , ,



A Dream Outdoor Summer House & Gardening Shed

March 8, 2016 by 24 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 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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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, most especially … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, DIY, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decorating, DIY Tabletop, 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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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 25 Comments

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

Filed Under: Before & After Metamorphosis Monday, 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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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 Metamorphosis Monday, DIY Decorating, DIY Furniture, DIY Sewing, Porches, Seasonal Decor



How To Refurbish A Rusted Old Bistro Set

October 5, 2015 by 48 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 Furniture, DIY Paint & Stain, 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 71 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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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 Metamorphosis Monday, Porches



A Screened Porch For Ocean Breezes

May 29, 2015 by 9 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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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



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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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 94 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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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 Metamorphosis Monday, 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: Gardening & Birding, Gardening Before & After, 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: , , , ,



Electrical Cord Covers Hide Metal Swing Chains

August 18, 2014 by 59 Comments

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

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How Much Does It Cost To Build A Front Porch

August 6, 2014 by 86 Comments

When I first moved into my home over twenty years ago, it did not have a front porch. It looked very much like all the other homes in my neighborhood. In the early 80's when the homes in my neighborhood were all being built, porches were just not important to builders. I guess they thought no one really cared about them anymore. Over the years as I welcomed friends and family into my home, I began to … [Read more...]

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Screened-in Porch Freshened Up With Paint

July 28, 2014 by 84 Comments

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

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Has To Get Worse Before It Gets Better

July 11, 2014 by 63 Comments

That woman you see, the one walking around muttering and looking distracted...yeah, that's me. I know it has to get worse before it gets better but I still don't especially like it. The porch that normally looks like this...   ...currently looks like this. I just keep reminding myself, chaos is a sign progress is being made. The porch has weathered well for the past six years despite being … [Read more...]

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



Tree Form Tardiva Hydrangea Adds Privacy and Screening To The Deck

May 28, 2014 by 62 Comments

Every year I spruce up the deck a bit for the spring/summer season. I've delayed this year because I've been getting estimates for having the porch and decks pressure washed and painted and it didn't make sense to buy plants and fill up all the pots if they were all going to have to be moved, come painting time. Once plans for a Memorial Day cookout got underway, I threw caution to the wind and started … [Read more...]

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After The Party

May 26, 2014 by 72 Comments

Welcome to the 278th Metamorphosis Monday! It's 4:00 on a Sunday afternoon. Three friends will be arriving for a cookout in one hour. Everything is ready. Somehow the party faeries have all conspired in my favor and I'm actually running ahead of schedule. There may even be time for a few minutes on the porch alone before the guests arrive. I open the refrigerator to pour myself a cold drink and OMG, I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks



Jazzing Up a Porch For Springtime Enjoyment

May 5, 2014 by 41 Comments

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

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A Cure for Sagginess

April 28, 2014 by 103 Comments

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

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



The Summer Porch: Beach Cottage Decor

April 14, 2014 by 94 Comments

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

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



Decorating the Porch for Spring

March 3, 2014 by 93 Comments

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

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



Screened-in Porch Decorated For Christmas

December 16, 2013 by 136 Comments

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

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



Decorating the Front Porch for Christmas

December 9, 2013 by 79 Comments

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

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



Christmas Door Ideas: Decorate with Triple Wreaths

November 11, 2013 by 55 Comments

Welcome to the 250th Metamorphosis Monday! So, I was thinking this weekend, what can I share with you for Met Monday? I'm working on a few things around here, but nothing really Met Monday worthy. Ummmm, what to do? I have this fat, bulging folder on my computer labeled "Post About." It's where pictures and ideas go to marinate, often forgotten but always patiently awaiting their day to shine. If … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Porches, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , ,



Ideas and Inspiration for Your Thanksgiving Celebration

November 8, 2013 by 53 Comments

Happy Friday! Are you looking forward to the weekend? Any fun plans for a little leaf ogling or cider sipping? Have you finalized all your plans for Thanksgiving? If not, you're going to like today's post!  I'm excited to be joining in a fun Thanksgiving party put together by Laura who blogs at Top This Top That. The other lovely ladies participating in today's "Better Late Than Never" … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Porches, Seasonal Decor, Thanksgiving Decor, Thanksgiving Holiday Home, The Holiday Home



Getting Stuff Done & It Feels Good!

November 5, 2013 by 36 Comments

Doesn't it feel good to finally get "stuff" done that's been needing to be done for ages? I know, the list is always endless, but at least I can finally check a few things off. Yesterday, I left you with a painted screened door, but before it could be installed it needed to be re-screened.  It just barely fit into the back of my SUV, but thankfully it did and off we went to the screening … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks



How to Paint Doors Like a Pro

November 4, 2013 by 68 Comments

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

Filed Under: Before & After, Before & After Metamorphosis Monday, DIY Paint & Stain, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks



The Witch is In!

October 14, 2013 by 81 Comments

Welcome to the 246th Metamorphosis Monday! I last posted about the front porch when it got a good bath and was relieved of all that yucky mildew and dirt it had accumulated during the intense rains we had all summer. Afterwards, I dressed the door with a fall basket. With October almost half over, it was time to change out the basket for something with a bit more of a Halloween … [Read more...]

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



Beautiful Victorian Home Aglow for Halloween

October 8, 2013 by 38 Comments

A couple of weeks ago we visited Marie's beautiful Victorian home to see how she had decorated for Halloween. The porch was festooned with lit garland and fun Halloween bunting. It was great seeing it in the daylight... ...because it gave us a chance to really see all the fun details awaiting guests and trick or treaters. But we wondered, "What does it look like at night?" Several of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Halloween Decor, Halloween Holiday Home, Porches, The Holiday Home



Goodbye Mildew and Mold, Hello Shiny Clean Porch!

October 7, 2013 by 63 Comments

Welcome to the 245th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently I shared an update to the front porch area of my home when I added two boxwood topiaries on either side of the porch. From a distance the porch looked pretty clean in the photos. If you look closely though, you'll see grayish streaks on the columns and the molding around the door. This spring and summer has been the wettest I've ever known … [Read more...]

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



Fall Color for the Front Porch

September 24, 2013 by 51 Comments

Still waiting for a bit cooler weather to transplant the Japanese maple and to landscape around the porch, but at least the porch is a happy place!  Can't wait to get those shrubs in around it. It shouldn't be long now. We've been waiting for some cooler days and I think they are here. In the meantime, I'm trying to imagine the Georgia red clay splashed up onto the brick is a lovely fall accent. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks, Seasonal Decor



Decorate Your Porch for Halloween

September 23, 2013 by 64 Comments

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

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



Paint Your Porch Ceiling, Haint Blue

September 20, 2013 by 90 Comments

When I added a screened porch onto the back of my home five years ago, I was very tempted to paint the ceiling haint blue. For years I had seen homes all over the south with porch ceilings painted a soft, sky blue. I ultimately decided it wouldn't work for my porch because of the gable ceiling. You  may remember this home from our tour of Isle of Hope just outside Savannah Georgia. It's sporting a … [Read more...]

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Beautiful Front Porch Addition and Garden Oasis

September 16, 2013 by 74 Comments

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

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



Decorate in White for Fall

September 10, 2013 by 65 Comments

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

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



Porch Lighting: Create a Cozy Atmosphere with Lamps

September 9, 2013 by 67 Comments

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

Filed Under: Before & After, Before & After Metamorphosis Monday, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks



A Brick Walkway Redesign

September 3, 2013 by 63 Comments

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

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



Boxwood Topiaries for a Traditional Landscape

September 2, 2013 by 84 Comments

Welcome to the 240th Metamorphosis Monday! How's your Labor Day weekend going? I hope you're having a fun one! Well, it took some doing but I finally found a couple of matching boxwoods for the planters I purchased recently for the front porch area. Remember these large containers I purchased a couple of weeks ago?  They replaced the too-small concrete pots that had been there for … [Read more...]

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



Paint Your Front Door Heritage Red or Peacock Blue

August 7, 2013 by 66 Comments

Recently, I had my front door freshened up with a new coat of paint.  The final coat of paint went on day before yesterday.  We ran into a little problem but finally found the solution...more on that in a sec. I stayed with my beloved, Benjamin Moore "Heritage Red."  I still love that color for a front door. Since the front door was being repainted, I decided to make a few changes.  I decided to remove … [Read more...]

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



A Gardening “Before and After”

July 24, 2013 by 29 Comments

Wow, crazy day! This post was suppose to be up hours ago but so much has happened today, I'm running way behind.  I've decided to go ahead and sod the back yard at the same time the front yard is being done.  Since the job has grown, we've decided to wait and start it on Monday. Monday will be prep day and Tuesday will be install day, barring no more rain. The sod farms can't cut sod when it's standing in … [Read more...]

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



Outdoor Outlet Switcheroo and A Brown Mulch Decision

July 23, 2013 by 62 Comments

So, I have this outdoor outlet that's been bugging me. When ever I take pics of the front porch for zay blog, it always sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb. The outlet that was original to the house had quit working. When I purchased a new outlet, I thought a white outlet would be a nice change and look good with the white porch. Bad idea. I now realize I basically want the outlet to just … [Read more...]

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Decorate a Porch in Victorian Style

June 25, 2013 by 46 Comments

Yesterday we saw how Amy completely transformed a little used patio into a fabulous screened in porch.  Today I'm back with another wonderful patio to porch transformation, although this one was done with Victorian flair. Renee, a reader of BNOTP shared some lovely pictures of her porch addition. Is this not enchanting?! The lantern and the lovely silhouette draw you in. I want to follow that path and … [Read more...]

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Screened-In Porch Addition: Patio Becomes Screened-In Porch

June 24, 2013 by 56 Comments

Welcome to the 230th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently, I received an email from author, Amy Gamet. She shared some exciting news.  Amy's husband had just completed work on their new screened in porch.  In the picture below you can see how the back of their home looked before work had begun. Before: Construction was just getting underway in the picture below.  The brick wall surrounding the patio … [Read more...]

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A Tabletop Greenhouse for Growing Herbs

June 3, 2013 by 80 Comments

Welcome to the 227th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Monday! Hope your weekend was wonderful! Today for Met Monday, I'm sharing a small update out on the porch.  I don't often change things out here since I'm pretty happy with it, as is.  If I make a change something else usually has to leave. A while back I made an update to the small oval table under the Summer Breeze sign.  You may remember, it got … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After Metamorphosis Monday, Gardening & Birding, Home Tours, In the Garden, My Nest, Nature, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Beautiful Porch & Deck Additions: Amazing Transformation

May 13, 2013 by 62 Comments

Welcome to the 225th Metamorphosis Monday! Greetings!  Hope your weekend was fabulous!  Mine was relaxing, spent with good friends. Unfortunately, my son lives too far away for us to spend Mother's Day together but at least we were able to talk on the phone. I really should check into skyping, that would be better than just the phone.  Do you Skype and if so, do you like it? HGTV Magazine and a … [Read more...]

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Fill Those Summer Pots and Planters Without Blowing the Budget

May 10, 2013 by 89 Comments

This past Sunday I managed to get a little planting done before the rain started back.  Most of the planting took place on the deck off to the right of the porch, the one with the bottle tree. Come spring, I'm always looking for ways to spruce up and add color and life to the deck without spending a whole bunch.  Bottle trees are a great way to add color and liven things up and they require no … [Read more...]

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Solar Post Caps for the Decks

May 3, 2013 by 66 Comments

Exhausted!  That describes me today. Every year or two I have a company come out to pressure wash the decks and screened-in porch.  The process is exhausting but everything always looks great once it's done.  I had to take the sheers back down.  I also covered up the outdoor speakers and the table since it was too large to really move anywhere. The outdoor wicker was moved onto the deck. Table … [Read more...]

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Cover Metal Swing Chains for a Softer Look on the Porch

April 22, 2013 by 77 Comments

Welcome to the 222nd Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend?  We had nice weather here and I decided it was time to get to work on priming the new screened door out of the porch.  While I was priming it, I had a "uh-duh" moment.  I wish it had been an "Ah-ha" moment, but unfortunately it wasn't.  No, it was definitely an "uh-duh" moment. I suddenly realized in the midst of priming, there was … [Read more...]

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