A Little Christmas Holiday Tablescape Inspiration, Can’t Believe It’s Just 2 Weeks Away!

December 12, 2024 by 10 Comments

Welcome to the 846th Tablescape Thursday! I'm currently working on a fun holiday table that I'll be sharing next week. In the meantime, here are a few ideas that I hope you'll find helpful as you prepare your holiday table settings and Christmas Decor. (Click the title of any post to access that post in full.) One of my favorite decorations or centerpieces for a holiday dinner party is a decorative fruit … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , , ,



Found A Christmas Tree, Plus Adorable Gingerbread House, Gingerbread Man Pillows

December 7, 2024 by 15 Comments

Yesterday was a crazy, busy day, but a good one. Though I couldn't fit three large boxes of Christmas ornaments into my SUV for this trip up to the Dollhouse, I decided to take your advice and purchase a tree just to enjoy the lights. This is where it landed, here in the otherwise empty living room. Please excuse the gaps, I just brought the tree into the house yesterday evening and wrestled it into its … [Read more...]

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2 Beautiful New Updates For The Front Porch

December 4, 2024 by 23 Comments

It arrived early! I ordered this wreath from Lynch Creek Farm around November 24th and it arrived this past Monday, well before the original projected delivery date.    I love how it looks; it's exactly like the photo I saw online! I was surprised by how wet it was. LCF must spray them well before they bag them to ship them out. It was so incredibly fresh, like the greenery was picked that same … [Read more...]

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Hanging 13 Wreaths, This Year’s Front Door Wreath & Loading Up The Sleigh

November 25, 2024 by 25 Comments

Welcome to the 826th Metamorphosis Monday! It's been a busy week as I prepare to head north again. I started to hang the wreaths on the windows earlier in the week and found them all painted shut. Even though the painters had the windows slightly raised when they painted the exterior this past summer, the windows still managed to weld themselves shut during the intervening months.   Thankfully, … [Read more...]

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



Introducing A New Member In My Holiday Figural Family—Help Me Name Him!

November 14, 2024 by 61 Comments

Welcome to the 842nd Tablescape Thursday! It was so nice here yesterday, so I couldn't resist placing this table out here on the porch.   My favorite dinnerware to bring out this time of year, Spode Woodland, is currently in Ohio right now, so I thought I'd set a winter-themed table, instead. Besides, I just added a new "character" to my family of centerpieces during my recent shopping trip … [Read more...]

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My Faves For Holiday Entertaining & An Advent Calendar I’ve Stalked For Years Is On Sale

November 13, 2024 by 11 Comments

Are you busy decorating and planning for the upcoming holidays? It was definitely a wake-up call for me when I stopped by HomeGoods a few days ago and found it packed with happy shoppers. It made me realize how close the holiday are upon us! You could really feel the excitement in the air; everyone seemed to be in such a great mood! One of the first things I always look for each year as the holidays … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Table Settings, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Add A Bit Of Whimsy To Your Decor—Especially Love The Holiday Ones!

November 6, 2024 by 24 Comments

Thanks so much for all your thoughtful and helpful comments on my previous post. I read all of them and appreciate so much your input. After I pull together a few more of the pieces that I hope to add to my office, I should have a better idea how I feel about the rug. I'll be sure to share those updates if/when they occur. Again, thanks for all your input and ideas! Now that Halloween has passed and we … [Read more...]

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Dollhouse Dining Room Updates & Mail Served On A Silver Platter ;)

July 25, 2024 by 25 Comments

Welcome to the 826th Tablescape Thursday! I finally figured out why everything is so hectic when I'm here at the Dollhouse. It usually goes like this: Today, I had two appointments scheduled. Just two. I had a shutter company representative stopping by at 8:30 to take an order for some plantation shutters, and later this afternoon I have a meeting/call with a developer to look into a new blog design. That … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Dining Room, Seasonal Decor, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: ,



Happy New Year! So Looking Forward To 2024!

January 1, 2024 by 16 Comments

Welcome to the 779th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy 2024! I hope you had a fun New Year's Eve. I spent it with friends and family which seemed like the best way to kick off the new year. I have two wonderful decor and centerpiece ideas to share with you for this week's Met Monday. My dear friend, Teresa, loves traveling more than anyone I know. She and I have shared some wonderful adventures over the past … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Table Settings, New Year's Decor, New Year's Table Settings



3 Christmas Table Settings, 2 Beautifully Decorated Homes & A Sleigh Coffee Table! ♥

December 20, 2023 by 9 Comments

Ginger's Christmas Table Setting: Such a fun, festive table from Ginger! Ginger wrote, "I retired to the Lake Chapala area of Mexico 13 1/2 years ago where the weather is usually perfect. Here is one of my patio Christmas luncheon tables. There is nothing subtle about Mexico, obviously, and I embrace that."   Brenda's Christmas Table Setting & Christmas Decor: Brenda wrote, "Christmas at … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor



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...]

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



Touring 2 Homes Beautifully Decorated For The Christmas Holidays

December 26, 2022 by 10 Comments

Welcome to the 726th Metamorphosis Monday! I hope as I write this, you are enjoying a warm, relaxing, cozy time wherever you are. It's been super cold here in Ohio over the past few days. I've never lived where I saw negative temps! Notice the "feels like" temp: -31°! That's scary cold! As I type this, it's 17° outside and feels like 8° per the weather app on my phone, plus, more snow is expected today. … [Read more...]

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Can You Guess What Robin Used To Create This Charming Christmas Village For Her Holiday Mantel?

December 2, 2022 by 5 Comments

My son was always a huge Lego fan growing up and he often received a Lego set for birthdays and Christmas, but I never expected to buy a Lego set for myself. Then Lego produced the Home Alone house and they had my full, undivided attention. Ha! I was so influenced by that home when I saw the movie, I know it subconsciously influenced my choice of home--including the one I've lived in for the past 33 years. … [Read more...]

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26 Festive, Beautiful Ways to Decorate & Prepare Your Home for the Holidays!

November 18, 2022 by 7 Comments

I'm so ready and excited to add wreaths to the front of my home! I hope to get that done this weekend. I know a lot of you have started your decorating, many are already done!  It's exciting and fun to have our homes all decorated and festive for the holidays, especially when family we rarely get to see visits us for Thanksgiving. In today's post, I've rounded up 26 ideas that I hope you'll find helpful … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor



A Peacock-Themed Christmas Tree & A Festive Laundry Room

December 22, 2021 by 12 Comments

Recently I shared the beautiful Christmas ornaments, Norma, a lovely BNOTP reader, painstakingly makes each year for her Christmas tree. Each year, Norma chooses a different theme/color scheme for her tree. This year she chose a Peacock them and her ornaments turned out beautifully! (To view a brief tutorial sharing how Norma makes her ornaments, check out this previous post: Handmade Christmas Ornaments … [Read more...]

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The Magic of Christmas Lights, Truly Enchanting!

December 20, 2021 by 20 Comments

Welcome to the 673rd Metamorphosis Monday! My friend, Teresa, and I have had some fun adventures over the past few years, including a trip to Egypt that I don't think either of us will soon forget.   Sadly, we live many states apart but recently we were able to spend a week together at her beautiful home.   Teresa and her hubby, Frank, have their home beautifully lit for … [Read more...]

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25 Beautiful, Festive, Fun Ways to Decorate & Prepare for Christmas

December 6, 2021 by 26 Comments

Welcome to the 671st Metamorphosis Monday! Here they are, rounded up all in one post, some of my most favorite ways to get ready for the Christmas holidays! I hope you find this helpful as you decorate, craft, cook, and prepare for Christmas! You may want to bookmark this post for future reference if you see something you would love to make or do as Christmas draws closer. Also, please feel free to … [Read more...]

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Handmade Christmas Ornaments, Inspired by the Colors of a Beautiful Peacock

December 1, 2021 by 16 Comments

I have a wonderful Christmas DIY decorating idea to share with you today. Norma, a lovely BNOTP reader who has become a friend over the years, makes the most beautiful handmade ornaments and flowers each year at Christmastime.   You may remember Norma from this post when I shared a beautiful table setting she created for friends where she decorated the entrance to her French cottage to look … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, DIY Crafts & Sewing



Decorate a Tree for Your Home Office–Love the Snowman Tree Topper!

November 29, 2021 by 14 Comments

Welcome to the 670th Metamorphosis Monday! Every year, my friend, Teresa, decorates a Christmas tree for her home office/study.   It's filled with a mix of colorful, fun ornaments, many collected during Teresa's many travels around the world.   I love a full tree, one filled with a plethora of ornaments. It makes it even more special when the ornaments carry so many memories … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor



11 Favorite Christmas Decor Books + Two On My Wish List

November 28, 2021 by 7 Comments

Do you have any favorite Christmas or Christmas-decor-themed books that you love pulling out this time of year? I have several that I always relish looking through to get the ideas flowing for my holiday decorating. I've gathered all my favorites together below in case you could use a bit of inspiration for your Christmas or holiday decor. The only one I was hesitant to include in this post was Martha … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Home Tours, Christmas Recipes, Christmas Table Settings, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



New Purchases for the Holidays & An Item You Asked About is Back

November 2, 2021 by 7 Comments

Before I forget, wanted to let you know this adorable Christmas Vacation Wrapping Paper is back in stock. I had several folks ask me about it last year and I couldn't find it in stock at that time, but it appears to be back for this year. This has to be my favorite Christmas wrapping paper ever!   I love the whimsical design plus, it's really nice quality paper. There's also a lot of paper on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds 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: , , , , , , ,



A Beautiful Idea to Keep Those Spirits Up Through the Cold Winter Months

January 8, 2021 by 23 Comments

These long dark days of winter can sometimes feel a bit drab. Personally, I'm not too prone to feeling sad or depressed during the winter because I love snuggling up inside reading, puzzling, or just plotting little decor updates for the spring season. But I know winter can be hard on a lot of us, especially after the rush of the holiday season has passed and we put away all the holiday decor. Sandra, a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Seasonal Decor Tagged With:



Beautiful, Festive Tables from Kansas, Maine and Mexico!

January 2, 2021 by 21 Comments

Thanks so much to all the lovely readers who shared their holiday tables with me over the past few weeks! Before we say goodbye to Christmas for another year, I thought I'd share some of the lovely tables the BNOTP readers shared with me over the last few days. Sheri's Christmas Table Setting with a Beautifully Hand-Crafted Centerpiece Sheri, who lives in Kansas, created this beautiful table for her … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes



Jackie’s Beautiful Home Decorated for Christmas & Her Putz House Collection

December 26, 2020 by 23 Comments

A few months back I shared some photos of Jackie's beautiful home decorated for Halloween. If you missed that post, you'll find it here: Decorate for Halloween.   Today Jackie has invited us back for a little Christmas home tour. Sadly all the Christmas home tours in my area were canceled this year. I hope they will be back again next year since I truly missed them. Thanks so much to Jackie … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor



A Cozy Christmas Table Setting Dressed with a Johnson Brothers China That’s Been Tempting Me for Years

December 22, 2020 by 37 Comments

I have a very special table to share with you today! Jackie recently shared photos of the beautiful table she created for her kitchen and it has stolen my heart! Love everything about this table starting with the wonderful antler chandelier hanging above. I've always wanted an antler chandelier made with shed antlers for my paneled family/living room.   For this cozy table setting, Jackie … [Read more...]

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Delightful Christmas Train Village & Decorating the Living Room for Christmas

December 14, 2020 by 23 Comments

Welcome to the 620th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! A few months back I shared Jackie's beautiful home all decorated for Halloween. The Halloween decorations are long gone now and Jackie has her home beautifully decorated for Christmas. I love her decorations here in the living room! Do you see the extra special decoration there in the center of the coffee … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor



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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Decorate for Christmas with Whimsical Christmas Pillows

December 5, 2020 by 20 Comments

Do you love decorating with pillows? I really love it when a pretty decor item is also functional and pillows definitely fall into that category. In addition to lamps, cozy throws, art, and books, I love, love, love using lots of pillows in all the rooms of my home. They can add so much whimsy, not to mention a ton of cozy during the fall and winter months. I guess in a way, they are like the scarf or … [Read more...]

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25 Beautiful Ways to Decorate & Dine for Christmas + An Insanely Awesome Christmas Punch

November 30, 2020 by 26 Comments

Welcome to the 618th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! How was your Thanksgiving? I hope it was awesome! My son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons were here so that made it extra special. I need to do a post sharing some of the things I did differently this year, especially regarding the turkey. Both my son and dil commented that this year the food was the best ever and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours, Christmas Movies, Christmas Napkin Folds, Christmas Recipes, Christmas Table Settings Tagged With: , , ,



Spreading Bits of Christmas Whimsy Throughout Your Home

November 18, 2020 by 22 Comments

I'm currently in the "overwhelmed" stage of holiday decorating--you know, that stage where you have everything out, yet nothing is really finished yet. I know it will get better but at present, it looks like utter chaos in the upstairs family room where I've pulled out all the decorations. The downstairs living room isn't looking any better since the tree is in the process of being decorated. We're going … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor



Christmas Tree Shopping Tips, Hanging Wreaths on Windows & A New Addition to the Bedroom

November 14, 2020 by 43 Comments

A few years back, the Christmas tree I had been using for many years lost a big section of lights. I spent hours and hours over several days trying everything to get the lights working, replacing fuses, using a little handheld device to try and detect which light or lights were not working, all to no avail. Since the tree was pretty old, I guess the lighting has just deteriorated over the years. Realizing I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor



Planning Ahead for Christmas: Wreaths on Windows, Snack Center for Delivery Personnel & Lots of Holiday Inspiration

October 26, 2020 by 51 Comments

Welcome to the 613th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! When my son was small, I worked in his elementary school library as a Media Parapro for five years. Unfortunately, I pretty much stayed sick with a cold or virus the entire five years since I spent my days interacting with young children all day long--handling the books they checked out and returned, reading to … [Read more...]

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



Delight the Little Ones with a Christmas Bedroom Makeover

December 23, 2019 by 64 Comments

Welcome to the 569th Metamorphosis Monday! Merry Christmas and the most happiest of holidays to you! Today I'm sharing a fun, whimsical makeover I semi-completed for my grandsons' bedroom recently. I say semi-completed because the artwork I ordered to go above their beds wasn't the quality I expected and had to be returned. I've also ordered a different lamp and will share how it looks once it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Son's), Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, My Nest Tagged With: , , , , , ,



A Christmas Makeover in the Making

December 9, 2019 by 33 Comments

Welcome to the 567th Metamorphosis Monday! Pssst: If you're joining Met Monday today, please mention the Met Monday party and link back to it in your blog post so those who are participating today will have a chance to receive visits from your readers. Blog parties, including Met Monday, only work when everyone joining the party shares a link to the party in their post. Thanks so much to those who always … [Read more...]

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



23 Ideas for Decorating for Christmas + A Delicious Punch for Holiday Parties

December 3, 2019 by 14 Comments

Here they are, all in one post, my favorite ways to get ready for the Christmas holidays! I hope you find this helpful as you decorate, craft, cook and prepare for the holidays! You may want to bookmark this post for future reference if you see something you would love to make or do as Christmas draws closer. Also, please feel free to pin any of the images to Pinterest if you find that helpful for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , ,



How I’m Hanging the Christmas Stockings From the Mantel This Year & More

November 23, 2019 by 35 Comments

If you saw my house right now, you would think I was one brick shy of a full load. Lol, maybe I am! I get started on one project, like decorating a tree, and about 1/3 of the way in, I get bored. I stop, start vacuuming or go grocery shopping or start cleaning the screened porch. A few hours later, I'm back working on the tree. There's so much that I want to do and have completed before family arrives, I … [Read more...]

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Decorating for the Holidays & Ironing the Wreath Ribbons

November 18, 2019 by 35 Comments

Welcome to the 564th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? Are you busy getting ready for visiting family and Thanksgiving? Since I do have family coming for Thanksgiving this year, I've divided my "To-Do" list into two basic parts: Decorating and Cleaning. I spent the latter part of last week and the weekend working on some of the decorating. I hope to finish that in the next two-three days, … [Read more...]

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



Two Fun Sleeping-Bed Ideas for Visiting Children During the Holidays

November 16, 2019 by 31 Comments

I have the strangest problem right now: in a house with two guest bedrooms, I am lacking the type of guest sleeping quarters that I really need. How can that be? I have a guest room with a full-size bed.   And I have an upstairs family room with a queen-size sofa-sleeper which sleeps great per my son and daughter-in-law. In fact, when they are here visiting, they always prefer it over the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Thanksgiving Decor, Thanksgiving Holiday Home Tagged With: , , ,



An Autumn Fireplace & A Realistic-Looking Artificial Christmas Tree

October 23, 2019 by 18 Comments

My daughter-in-law, Nancy, has the fireplace all decorated for autumn. In the evening the flameless candles glowing in the fireplace are sooo pretty, much cozier and inviting than photos can really show. For many years the chief decoration in front of the fireplace was a baby gate, but with the youngest now 3 years old, the baby gate is no longer needed.   I asked Nancy where she found the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Halloween Decor, Seasonal Decor 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



The Star Was Too Big, But at Least the Presents are Wrapped

December 14, 2018 by 56 Comments

Christmas is just 11 days away! Wow, this month is flying by! I have the presents all wrapped, but I'm doing something a little different this year. I don't think I'm going to add bows to the presents, well at least not right now. If I do, they will all get crushed when I pack them into my SUV to head north for Christmas. Maybe once I arrive, I'll add some bows then. That sounds like a good … [Read more...]

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If You’re Feeling Behind Right Now, Hope This Makes You Feel Better

December 4, 2018 by 59 Comments

If you're feeling behind right now, know that you're not alone. I feel a little like that guy on the old Ed Sullivan show (dating myself here) who is up on stage spinning 20 dinner plates at one time. I think that's the way my brain works best, though. I'll start a Christmas decorating project, get 2/3rds of the way in, starting feeling a bit bored and start another one. Last night, determined to get the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas



Pottery Barn Inspired Christmas Garland: Bigger and Better Second Time Around

December 3, 2018 by 48 Comments

Welcome to the 514th Metamorphosis Monday! I had hoped to do an update on the installation of the Ring Doorbell today, but I need one more part to fix an issue it's having. Hopefully, the part I've ordered will arrive this week, then I'll be able to complete that final post. So watch for that coming up real soon.   Pottery Barn Inspired Christmas Garland Gets an Update Many, many years ago … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas Tagged With: ,



A Family Christmas Mantel & The Best Cyber Monday Shopping Finds

November 26, 2018 by 24 Comments

Welcome to the 513th Metamorphosis Monday! My sweet daughter-in-law, Nancy, has been sick the past few days with a yucky cold, but this weekend she was feeling much better and started pulling out the Christmas decorations. It was so much fun seeing my grandson's reactions to the trees, lights and pretty decorations. There were a lot of Ooohhs and Ahhhs and WOWs! One of the areas that saw a makeover … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Thanksgiving Decor



As Requested: Instructions & Resources to Make a Beautiful Colonial Williamsburg Fruit Fan for Christmas

November 5, 2018 by 36 Comments

Welcome to the 510th Metamorphosis Monday! I awoke this morning around 4:00 am. I would say I'm still on Egypt time but I was doing this even when I was in Egypt. I wonder if that's why I got sick, not getting enough sleep. I don't know what's up with my body wanting to wake up so ridiculously early every day, but I wish it would stop. I'm still sick but feeling better each day. Thankfully, the fever … [Read more...]

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



Thinking Ahead to Christmas: Colonial Williamsburg Style Door Idea

October 22, 2018 by 31 Comments

Welcome to the 508th Metamorphosis Monday! I had an interesting start to my morning! I awoke around 4 am Egypt time and was laying in bed thinking about my Met Monday post when the power went out. I noticed it immediately because the A/C stopped and everything went very dark. It's a weird feeling to be on the top (5th) floor of a hotel and have all the power go out. Fortunately, I knew where my phone … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, DIY Crafts & Sewing Tagged With: , , , , ,



Nature-Themed Woodland Makeover for a Beautiful Paneled Study

January 15, 2018 by 38 Comments

Welcome to the 468th Metamorphosis Monday! The last few days I've been away visiting family. A week or so ago, I wasn't sure I'd be able to make this trip since I was still quite sick. But the antibiotic worked so well, I was fine to make the drive to see family and celebrate a late Christmas with my grandchildren since we weren't able to be together at Christmastime. The weather turned snowy so I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor



Christmas in Cologne, Germany

December 24, 2017 by 38 Comments

Welcome to the 465th Metamorphosis Monday! Merry Christmas! Since Met Monday falls on Christmas Day this year, I'm putting this post up a bit early. I guess my Before and After this week is a travel one since I'm spending Christmas in a way I've never done before: floating down the Rhine River stopping every so often to visit the Christmas Markets and historic sites we find along the way. The … [Read more...]

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



A Whimsically Decorated, Fantasy Porch for Christmas

December 18, 2017 by 61 Comments

Welcome to the 464th Metamorphosis Monday! I'll be leaving soon to visit the Christmas Markets in The Netherlands, Germany and France. I plan to post some while I'm away provided the ship has WiFi that will let me upload photos to a post. The biggest issue I've found when traveling in the past is that it seems everyone on the ship tries to access the wi-fi at once, which pretty much brings it to a crawl. … [Read more...]

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



Winter Wonderland

December 8, 2017 by 80 Comments

Snow: some people love it. Some, not so much. I'm afraid I fall into the "not-so-much" category. Wish I could send it all to my son, dil and grandchildren...they love this cold, white stuff.   It snowed off and on all throughout the day.   Earlier in the day I came out long enough to get the snow off the boxwood shrubs and to snap a few pics.   Notice the … [Read more...]

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



Making Progress and Visiting Bluebirds

December 6, 2017 by 44 Comments

Happy Days! I'm sooo much better! Yesterday was the turning point. I'm way behind on my decorating from being sick for the last ten days, but I got a tremendous amount done today. I purchased a wreath, hung garland around the door, added more ornaments to the tree, wrapped all the presents except two, set a table for Tablescape Thursday, photographed it and had a repairman out to make a few minor repairs. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home



Christmas Decorating & Gift Wrapping Update

December 4, 2017 by 49 Comments

Welcome to the 462nd Metamorphosis Monday! In a previous post here at BNOTP, I shared how I'll be wrapping my Christmas gifts this year. This adorable wrapping paper was my inspiration. (Wrapping paper is available here: Wrapping Paper.) I love this cute design so much, I ended up purchasing four rolls. Each roll comes with a lot of paper, love that!   For my present topper this year, each … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home Tagged With: , ,



A Decorated Tree & Whimsical, Fun Gift Wrapping Idea

November 20, 2017 by 65 Comments

Welcome to the 460th Metamorphosis Monday! The tree is decorated, all except for a pretty topper. The star that I've been using is literally falling apart, plus it has always been a pain to position since it's so heavy. I know the tree probably looks rather simply done, compared to the way trees are decorated in magazines these days. I just prefer a simpler look that let's you see more of the tree. It … [Read more...]

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



My Favorite Christmas Decoration of All

November 18, 2017 by 29 Comments

Yesterday I finished decorating the tree and hung all the wreaths up on the windows. Seeing the wreaths on the windows is my favorite Christmas decoration of all. Just love the look of wreaths in windows so much! It will be after Thanksgiving before I'll hang garland since I always like to use fresh garland around the door. I'm looking forward to sharing the porch all decorated for Christmas real … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home



It Was Worth the Hunt, Love This Christmas Tree!

November 15, 2017 by 126 Comments

Thanks again for all your suggestions on where to look for a great Christmas tree. Over the past week, I have visited Home Depot, Lowe's, Hobby Lobby, Old Time Pottery and a semi-local place (it was an hour away) called M.C. Twinklins. In the end, the tree that stole my heart was the GE Canadian Just Cut Tree with Easy Light Technology. The Easy Light Technology is the new technology where each section … [Read more...]

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



10 Unique Gift Ideas and An Awesome Sale!

November 11, 2017 by 32 Comments

Yesterday I bought a Christmas tree. It's still in its box in the back of my SUV. I have a couple of more places I want to check before I unbox it and put it up. I like it much better than the Balsam Hill tree I purchased recently, and it was half the price! I'm not sure I'll ever buy another tree without first seeing it in person. Hope to share it with you all decorated real soon. 10 Unique Gift … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Table Settings, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , ,



This Fraser Fir Christmas Tree Isn’t What I Expected

November 7, 2017 by 236 Comments

Update, December 3, 2019:  I'm adding an update to this post today, two years after I first published this post. I just looked at the 1-star reviews at the Balsam Hill website, and two years later they've still never posted my 1-star review. If you look at the 1-star reviews there, you'll see a big gap between the years/dates of the negative reviews. Since they've never published my review, I am highly … [Read more...]

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



A Time Saver, A Comfort Addition & A Bit of Whimsy for the Christmas Holidays

November 1, 2017 by 40 Comments

Hope you had a fun Halloween evening! I had a lot of Trick or Treaters, as usual. I think it grows every year. I had over 75 last year so I purchased even more candy this year. I lost count, but I think I exceeded last year's numbers. The ones who are trick or treating for the first time are so adorable! Halloween has always been one of my most favorite holidays because I have such good memories of Trick … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, DIY Organization and Storage Tagged With: , , ,



How Santa Prepares for the Big Night, Christmas Eve

December 23, 2016 by 24 Comments

When Marie decorates for Christmas, she includes a bit of Christmas in every room. The master bedroom has beautiful green walls and red draperies so it looks especially beautiful at Christmastime.   A pretty tea set is ready for when the mood hits for a spot of tea.   Each room in Marie's home gets its own Christmas tree. The living room and master bedroom are the only rooms … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home



A Christmas Fantasy Home Tour

December 21, 2016 by 45 Comments

I've received a few comments asking if I'd be posting some photos of my friend, Marie's home decorated for Christmas. Marie and I got together recently for some last-minute Christmas shopping and I snapped some of her beautiful home decorated for the holidays.   In this photo from a previous year, you can see how beautiful it looks lit up at night. Today we're going inside the turret seen on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours



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



‘Twas The Night Before Christmas, A Visit from St. Nicholas

December 12, 2016 by 72 Comments

Welcome to the 411th Metamorphosis Monday! Light Repair Tip, In Case It's Helpful You know how you hear about those people who are always causing electrical things to break? I'm starting to think I'm one of them. Seriously! Last year, the tree I normally use here in the living room, had an entire string of lights go out. I spent many, many hours trying to fix it, including using one of the light … [Read more...]

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Bringing Home the Tree: Christmas Table Setting

December 8, 2016 by 96 Comments

Welcome to the 429th Tablescape Thursday!   After bringing home a tree in the back of their red truck last week for the living room, Mrs. Deer realized she still needed a tree for their screened porch.   For this trip to the tree farm, Mr. Deer decided to drive his new wagon that he had just gotten for Christmas.   This week's table is a cozy one for two, hope … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tables for Two, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Found! Adorable Red Christmas Truck & Station Wagon with Tree & Wreath

December 3, 2016 by 50 Comments

What a crazy day yesterday, can you believe that on December 2nd, 23 days before Christmas, there's no garland to be found in any of the Home Depots or Lowe's garden centers near my home! It's all sold out except for a couple of strands that were all withered looking and dry. After visiting three stores without any luck (one Lowe's and two Home Depots) I decided to try Pike Nursery, the same place I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home



Shopping for the Best & Most Realistic Artificial Christmas Tree

November 28, 2016 by 106 Comments

Welcome to the 409th Metamorphosis Monday! I'm having a tree dilemma this year. This is the tree that I normally set up in my living room.   And this is the tree I usually set up in my kitchen. Both trees were purchased many years ago in a Home Depot Expo during a big sale they had going on Black Friday. They have served me well for around 10 years now, but the last couple of years they … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Inspire Tagged With: , , ,



13 Favorite Ways to Get Ready for the Holidays

November 15, 2016 by 23 Comments

Here they are, all in one post: 13 of my favorite ways to get ready for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays! Hope you find this helpful as you decorate, craft, cook and prepare for the holidays! Click on the BLUE title below to access that post for more details. Follow Between Naps On The Porch on Instagram for more of my holiday posts: BNOTP on Instagram Turkey Napkin … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home



An Enchanting, Magical, Interactive Experience

November 14, 2016 by 64 Comments

Welcome to the 407th Metamorphosis Monday! I have the most beautiful, fun and enchanting thing to share with you today. It's not exactly a metamorphosis but in a way it is because after I "play" with it, I feel so relaxed. If you're not already in the mood for Christmas, it will definitely put you in the mood! This weekend, my friend, Sheila, shared the cutest thing I've seen in a while! Have you ever … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Inspire Tagged With: , , , ,



Christmas Pillow Crazy & Shopping at T.J. Maxx Online!

November 1, 2016 by 46 Comments

Hi! My name is Susan, and I think I have a Christmas pillow problem. ;) Just in case you suffer with this affliction, as well, I thought I'd share my collection and a few of the new ones I just picked up this year. This year is turning into a fabulous year for us Christmas pillow lovers because they are everywhere and they are delightful!   Starting with those I've collected over the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: ,



5 Delightful Ways To Get Ready For Christmas

October 28, 2016 by 47 Comments

1.  Snowflake Swizzle Stirrers I came across these "Swizzle Stick Ice Molds" in Williams-Sonoma recently and bought one set to try them out.   Here's how they looked once frozen...cute!   They would be great for serving a mixed drink, or really any drink for the holiday season. I tried them out in some cranberry juice. No, I don't have my Fa La La plate out yet, just … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Inspire



DIY Hot Cocoa Sign for a Hot Chocolate Bar: A Tutorial

December 25, 2015 by 38 Comments

A couple of days ago I shared a Hot Cocoa bar I created out on my screened porch. The bar area included a sign I made that was inspired by a sign I had seen floating around blogland a few years back. After not having any success locating a similar sign, I decided it was time to head downstairs to my basement workshop and make my own. (Inspiration sign and detail views of the Hot Cocoa Bar can be seen in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, DIY, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decor Knock-offs, DIY Decorating, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Winter Tablescapes



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 Christmas Tree at Last

December 16, 2015 by 58 Comments

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

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



Decorating the Chariot for Christmas

December 4, 2015 by 36 Comments

Happy Friday! I'm sooo excited this evening because tomorrow I'll be doing one of the things I most love doing this time of year: I'll be heading out with friends for a nearby Christmas home tour. Each year when we attend this particular tour, we almost always buy their "combo" ticket which includes seeing three homes by daylight and three by candlelight. I love both types of tours but the candlelight … [Read more...]

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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



Looking For Some Christmas Decorating Inspiration

December 1, 2015 by 31 Comments

Greetings to you! How has your day been going? Before we get into today's post, I have a little update: I changed over to a new email service on November 12th, and I'm starting to hear from a few folks who aren't getting their email updates when a new post is up here at the blog. If you haven't been receiving those, please sign up again using the subscribe box at the end of this post. Or, e-mail me at … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours



Decking the Halls…and the Beds…and the Sofas

November 17, 2015 by 31 Comments

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

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



7 Christmas Porches

November 16, 2015 by 26 Comments

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

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



Awesome Deal for Preserved Boxwood Wreaths

November 1, 2015 by 58 Comments

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

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



A Christmas Present For Your Future Self

January 30, 2015 by 76 Comments

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

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



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: , , , , ,



Dreaming Of A White Christmas

December 10, 2014 by 38 Comments

Do you sometimes wish you had 10 homes to decorate? lol Okay, not really, but every now and then I do see something that makes my heart skip a beat and has me dreaming and thinking, what if? I love color and I know I wouldn't be happy if I wasn't surrounded by it in my home, especially at Christmastime. But oh my goodness, this home is so soft and beautiful, it does have me dreaming of decorating all in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Table Settings



A Summer House On A Christmas Home Tour

December 8, 2014 by 51 Comments

Welcome to the 306th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? Go on any Christmas home tours? Did you do a little Christmas decorating? I finished decorating the front porch and I'm looking forward to sharing that soon. This weekend I attended the Marietta Pilgrimage and though pictures weren't allowed inside the homes, I have a few to share of some of the outside spaces that were transformed for … [Read more...]

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



Decorating With Preserved Boxwood Wreaths

December 1, 2014 by 51 Comments

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

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



Christmas In The Bedroom

November 25, 2014 by 59 Comments

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

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



Warm, Cozy Escapes

November 14, 2014 by 28 Comments

It's cold out and I'm craving warmth. All I can think about these days are soft, merino-wool socks, cozy cable-knit sweaters, warm wool throws, libraries with fires blazing in the fireplace, flannel sheets, down duvets, hot chocolate by the fire and great books for reading on those way-too-cold nights. When fall comes around, I want to spend my days in rooms like Ralph Lauren's Bedford home library. I'm … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: , , , , , , ,



15 Ways To Make Your Christmas Festive & Beautiful

November 12, 2014 by 40 Comments

Every year I say I'm going to get my wreaths up on my exterior windows earlier in the season so I can enjoy them longer and this year I finally managed to get it done! Yipee!   I'm so excited to have them up early enough to really enjoy them for a nice long time. The days always pass so quickly this time of year, don't they?   My landscaping across the front is on hold as I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Napkin Folds, Christmas Recipes



Little Girl’s Bedroom Decorated for Christmas

December 24, 2013 by 21 Comments

Last Christmas I shared this adorable bedroom in Marie's home. This is a room she furnished and decorated specifically for her granddaughters when they stay overnight. It was all decorated for Christmas when I took this photo last year.   The tree in the cupola looked like this last year, Christmas 2012.   Marie and I got together a few days ago and though it was already dark … [Read more...]

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



Victorian Home Lit Up for Christmas

December 21, 2013 by 28 Comments

Happy Weekend...the last weekend before Christmas! I've received a few comments here and on Facebook asking if I'd be sharing my friend, Marie's home decorated for Christmas again this year. We've both been so busy we hadn't had time to get together but we finally had a chance to go play yesterday. We spent the day touring a beautiful historic home in a nearby town, having lunch and doing a little … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours, The Holiday Home