10 Last-Minute Recipes, Tips and Ideas for Christmas

December 20, 2013 by 18 Comments

Today I'm linking to some past posts at BNOTP that may come in handy with Christmas just 5 days away.  Hope these are helpful as you work to get ready for the big day! Make an Easy 15-Minute Centerpiece for Entry Table or Buffet   Make a Christmas Mice Ornament or Present Topper   Make an Ice Bucket or Wine Chiller for Your Christmas Dinner   Emergency … [Read more...]

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



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, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks, The Holiday Home



Mason Jar Craft: Make a Christmas Lantern

December 13, 2013 by 39 Comments

I love to go on home tours at Christmastime. Years ago when I attended a tour in my home town, one home we visited had pretty lanterns hanging from hooks. They were lining the walkway to the home. I loved how it looked and have always wanted to try my hand at making some for my walkway. I finally got around to doing it this year and guess what? It's easy!  I've made two so far and I love how they turned … [Read more...]

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



Decorating With Preserved Boxwood Wreaths

December 10, 2013 by 104 Comments

Each year I love to decorate my glass front cabinets in my kitchen with little wreaths. I started doing this after seeing it on wood cabinet doors in a kitchen while on a Christmas home tour. It can be hard to find wreaths in this smaller size. I had to search for quite a while to find these many years ago.   I've never been really thrilled with these.  They aren't very full and don't … [Read more...]

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



A Little Eye Candy for Your Sunday

December 8, 2013 by 22 Comments

Love the simple way the windows were decorated in this room! Love the rug, too! Thanks to everyone on Facebook who was trying to help me find it. I love the color and how it doesn't have a band or anything around the edge.  Source   Christy's beautiful snow-covered home...thanks for sharing this beautiful picture on Facebook, Christy!   The cutest Christmas mud room from The … [Read more...]

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



12 Beautiful Staircases To Sneak Down on Christmas Eve

December 7, 2013 by 23 Comments

My last home had a great banister for decorating but unfortunately my current home has a short, rather dinky banister, most of which is hidden behind a clock. If I had a banister, these 12 examples would be high on my list for duplicating. Hope this post provides lots of inspiration for decorating your banister.   The title of each picture below is a direct link to the source for the … [Read more...]

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



10 Christmas Mantels Santa Would Be Lucky to Land Under

December 4, 2013 by 42 Comments

Needing a little inspiration for decorating your mantel for Christmas? This post should get those creative juices flowing!   The title of each picture below is a direct link to the mantel and the blog where it's posted. Click the link to view the mantel in full. Enjoy!   A Mantel Decorated in Soft Whites   Farmhouse Christmas Mantel   Dreamy … [Read more...]

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



Decorate A Lantern For Christmas With Greenery From The Garden

December 2, 2013 by 66 Comments

Welcome to the 253rd Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and an awesome weekend! I worked on Christmas decorations for the front porch and it's basically done, but it feels like something is missing. I'm not sure what just yet, but I'll figure it out and share it soon. So, for today I thought I'd share how I've decorated the gas lantern this year. Throughout the year, the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, The Holiday Home



Christmas Decorating Ideas: Porches, Doors and Windows

November 29, 2013 by 29 Comments

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! With Thanksgiving behind us now, this is the time so many of us get busy decorating for Christmas. It's time to swag that garland, hang those wreaths and spruce up the mailbox. In case you could use a little inspiration, I've pulled together a few pictures and ideas for decorating the outside areas of our homes. Of course, the front of a home is always a fave … [Read more...]

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



13 Wreaths for 13 Windows

November 25, 2013 by 80 Comments

Welcome to the 252nd Metamorphosis Monday! Does this ever happen to you? The Christmas season looms ahead and you say to yourself, I'm not going to decorate as much this year. I think I'll cut back a little. There will be less to take down and put away and it will be less stressful. Yeah, right. That seems to last about a day around here, then suddenly I wake up one morning, a changed woman. … [Read more...]

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



The Christmas Tree Post: 23+ Themed Christmas Trees

January 8, 2013 by 57 Comments

Though Christmas is behind us now, I couldn't end this wonderful tour without putting together a Christmas Tree Tour post showcasing ALL the Christmas trees we saw while visiting Governor Roy and Marie Barnes beautiful home.  Marie told me she puts up 16 trees, 14 artificial and 2 live but there are lots of little ones all throughout the home and on the veranda, too.  Plus, there's the Christmas forest on … [Read more...]

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



A Fabulous Gift-Wrapping and Craft Room

January 7, 2013 by 56 Comments

Welcome to the 207th Metamorphosis Monday!   The last few weeks I've been sharing the amazing metamorphosis that happens each Christmas in the home of Governor and Marie Barnes.  It's been a joy to share their home decorated for this special holiday. This will be our last post, although I may put one together showing all the trees.  Marie decorates 16 trees and I don't think that's counting the fairyland … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours, DIY Organization and Storage, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , , ,



Tour a Beautiful Victorian Home Decorated for Christmas, Part VI

January 1, 2013 by 66 Comments

We're back today to tour the absolutely adorable room Marie Barnes, wife of Governor Roy Barnes, created for her four precious granddaughters.  I was thinking this would be the last post but I may have one more to share with you showing their terrace level with a wonderful "gifting wrapping station."  I had serious envy over that gift-wrapping room! As you enter this whimsical, delightful room Marie … [Read more...]

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



A Cabin Renovation & Restoration on the Russian River

December 31, 2012 by 56 Comments

Welcome to the 206th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently I shared a wonderful Christmas table setting created by Julio who blogs at Beaux Mondes Design.  It was all I could do to not spill ALL the beans last Tablescape Thursday because I was dying to show you more of this wonderful cabin. When Julio and Dan bought their "Russian River Dacha" it was in need of some serious restoration love.  The previous … [Read more...]

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



Tour a Beautiful Victorian Home Decorated for Christmas, Part V

December 29, 2012 by 71 Comments

Happy Weekend!  I don't always post on the weekend but we're smack-dab in the middle of touring this beautiful Victorian home belonging to Governor Roy and Marie Barnes, so I didn't want to leaving you hanging for too long.  If you missed any of the previous posts, you’ll find links to those at the end of this post. Today we'll be touring some of the upstairs bedrooms, but before we head up I'll share a … [Read more...]

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



Tour a Beautiful Victorian Home Decorated for Christmas, Part IV

December 28, 2012 by 17 Comments

This week we’re continuing our tour inside the beautiful Victorian home belonging to Governor Roy and Marie Barnes.  If you missed any of the previous posts, you’ll find links to those at the end of this post. The Barnes home is perfect for entertaining and family gatherings.  The kitchen/breakfast area is open to this beautiful great room.  I love the coffered ceiling!  See the doorway on the left?  The … [Read more...]

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



Tour a Beautiful Victorian Home Decorated for Christmas, Part III

December 26, 2012 by 51 Comments

This week we’re continuing our tour inside the beautiful Victorian home belonging to Governor Roy and Marie Barnes.  If you missed any of the previous posts, you'll find links to those at the end of this post. The Barnes' have a dream kitchen!  The red accents really pop against the cream/ivory cabinets and the black island.  The island is distressed and has red tones showing through in the distressed … [Read more...]

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



Tour a Beautiful Victorian Home Decorated for Christmas, Part II

December 24, 2012 by 29 Comments

Welcome to the 205th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Holidays!  All this week we'll be continuing our tour inside this beautiful Victorian home belonging to Governor Roy and Marie Barnes.  If you missed any of the previous posts, I'll link to them at the end of this post. This beautiful home has been transformed for the holidays.  Marie starts the metamorphosis in August so everything is ready in time for … [Read more...]

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



Tour a Beautiful Victorian Home Decorated for Christmas

December 19, 2012 by 48 Comments

Last week for Tablescape Thursday,  I took you inside the beautiful Victorian home of Governor Roy and Marie Barnes.  If you missed that post where I shared four beautiful tablescapes Marie created for Christmas, you'll find it here: Four Beautiful Table Settings, One Gorgeous Victorian Home. I have so many wonderful rooms to share with you, it's going to take several posts to share them all.  I want to … [Read more...]

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



Decorating the Porch with Cedar Garland and a Snowflake Wreath

December 17, 2012 by 100 Comments

Welcome to the 204th Metamorphosis Monday! For this Met Monday, I'm sharing my front porch decor for the holidays. Once again I used my Pottery Barn Knock-off Garland along with fresh cedar around the door.  (Pottery Barn Knock-off Garland tutorial can be found here: Pottery Barn Inspired Garland Tutorial: Make Your Own for 1/3 the cost.)   One change this year...the cedar garland has … [Read more...]

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



Preparations for a Christmas Dinner Party

December 15, 2012 by 76 Comments

I'm having a little dinner party for eight this Sunday evening.  I've been busy decorating, cooking and cleaning, decorating, cooking and cleaning.  And, occasionally I've been doing some decorating, cooking and cleaning.  Did I mention I'm having a blast!  I love getting ready for a party, be it big or small. The porch is looking festive.  I'll share more of it with you on Monday for our Metamorphosis … [Read more...]

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



A Plaid Christmas & Lighting the Christmas Trees Via Remote

December 12, 2012 by 93 Comments

Lately I feel a bit like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland.  I picture myself running around the house shouting, "I'm late, I'm late...for a very important date."  I've sort of gotten the cart before the horse this Christmas season.  I have all my gifts wrapped but one, yet I still haven't decorated around my front door. lol  Now what's wrong with that picture! I went shopping for fresh greenery late … [Read more...]

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



Christmas Home Tour by Candlelight

December 4, 2012 by 43 Comments

Saturday I went on a Christmas home tour with friends.  We did the "combination" tour which includes a daylight tour and a candlelight tour.  Each year when we go on the tour, it gives me an excuse to be a total goof ball (like I'm not the rest of the year) and decorate our Christmas chariot for the evening. I always add some faux garland to the cargo/luggage rack thingies on the top of the car.  The … [Read more...]

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



Don’t Throw Out Those Dead Christmas Tree Lights

December 3, 2012 by 90 Comments

Welcome to the 202nd Metamorphosis Monday! Georgia is a crazy place to live, weather-wise.  If you have a convertible you're pretty much guaranteed a few days every single month, even during the wintertime, when you'll be able to throw down the top and enjoy the warm breezes. We're in one of those periods right now.  This was the scene in my kitchen yesterday.  The door to the porch was wide open and it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, DIY, DIY Decorating, DIY Repairs and Fixes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , ,



Christmas Banister Decorations: Create a Fantasy in Lights

November 30, 2012 by 49 Comments

Comment Replies That Never Arrived Recently, I became aware that the hundreds of replies I've made to comments left on posts over the last few months were never delivered to the lovely person who left the comment.  After spending several hours the last few days trying to figure it out, I finally decided to check with my hosting company on the slight chance they could help.  Turns out, they had some box … [Read more...]

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



Decking the Windows with Christmas Wreaths

November 27, 2012 by 56 Comments

Hanging Wreaths on Exterior Windows Sometimes I think I have decorating ADD.  Is there such a thing?  I was out of town much of last week so I'm way behind on my Christmas decorating.  I awoke yesterday when one goal in mind: hang all the Christmas wreaths on the windows outside. When nighttime arrived, not only were the wreaths not up, I hadn't even pulled them out of the hidey hole where they live … [Read more...]

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



Christmas Decor and Holiday Parties

November 23, 2012 by 38 Comments

How was your Thanksgiving?  Are you in a turkey coma?  Are you heading out to brave the Black Friday crowds?  If you get a steal today, leave me a comment and tell me what it was?  I don't usually head out on BF.  If I do it's usually late in the day when the real frenzy is over and the early birds are back home in bed recovering! Lots of folks have already started decorating for Christmas big time.  If … [Read more...]

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



Deer Head with Rosemary Wreath

August 27, 2012 by 90 Comments

Welcome to the 188th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Monday to you!   For this Metamorphosis Monday I'm sharing a couple of fun updates here in the office.  Okay,  here's the "before" picture for this little office tweak.   Do you see the changes?  Something has been added and something has been taken away.   The clock is gone for now.  I loved it but the shape felt wrong for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , ,



Brumby Hall: Tour the Upstairs of This Historic Home

January 3, 2012 by 13 Comments

In early December I had the opportunity to tour Brumby Hall while on a Christmas Historic Home Tour in Marietta, Georgia. One of the homes open during the tour was Brumby Hall. I previously shared a tour of the downstairs of this beautiful home HERE and a tour of the two dining rooms HERE. In case you missed those previous tours, here's a brief history of this historic home. In the previous posts, we … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours, Historic Homes, Home Tours, The Holiday Home Tagged With: ,



Elegant Dining in Brumby Hall

December 29, 2011 by 30 Comments

Welcome to the 175th Tablescape Thursday! Early this morning I posted a tour of the downstairs of beautiful Brumby Hall.  If you missed that tour, you'll find it here: Brumby Hall.  For Tablescape Thursday, I'm taking you into the dining rooms.  Yep, Brumby Hall has two dining rooms, probably due to its function as a special events facility now. This dining area was at the very back of the home. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Historic Homes, Home Tours, Tablescape Thursday, Tablescapes Holiday Tablescapes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , ,



The Upstairs Family Room Decorated for Christmas

December 26, 2011 by 40 Comments

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

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



Tour the Historic Whitlock Inn

December 16, 2011 by 25 Comments

Recently, a friend and I went on a Christmas historic home tour in Marietta, Georgia.  Included in the tour was the beautiful Whitlock Inn.  This Victorian home was built in 1900.  A brief history found online states, "One hundred and ten years ago, the M.G. Whitlock House, the famous 150 room Marietta resort, burned to the ground. Before the Civil War, it was a popular showplace for tourists taking the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours, Historic Homes, Home Tours, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , ,



Colonial Williamsburg at Christmas

December 14, 2011 by 55 Comments

Recently, my friend, Mary, visited Colonial Williamsburg.  While there she took photos of some of the wonderful outdoor Christmas decorations she saw on Duke of Gloucester Street, which is the main road through Colonial Williamsburg.  I have never been there during the Christmas season, but I do so want to go.  Have you ever been at Christmastime? Mary said, "The arrangements go up right after … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Historic Homes, Home Tours, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , ,



Christmas Porch with Triple Wreaths

December 12, 2011 by 70 Comments

Welcome to the 151st Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Holidays!  Hope your weekend has been grand!  I've been busy finishing the last bit of Christmas decorating for the front porch.  Come a bit closer and check it out.   I usually use pine garland around the door for Christmas, but last year I had to buy enough to go around the door twice because it was sort of skimpy looking.  So this year I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, DIY, DIY Decor Knock-offs, DIY Decorating, Porches, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , , ,



Christmas Historic Home Tour in Marietta, Georgia

December 9, 2011 by 33 Comments

Last Saturday I went on a Christmas (historic) home tour in Marietta, Georgia with a friend.  We had so much fun! The weather was great...not too cold, just cloudy.  I took a lot of exterior pics and was able to capture bunches of pics inside two beautiful homes included in the tour. I'll share the interior shots soon, but for now, here are the sights we saw along the way.   The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours, Historic Homes, Home Tours Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Beautiful Christmas Banister

December 7, 2011 by 48 Comments

Recently, my friend Joy sent me a few pics of  her banister decorated for Christmas. When I saw the photos, I gasped!  It's covered in hundreds of ornaments and took several hours to create...worth every moment! I asked Joy how she created this stunning look and she said, "It's two strands of garland wrapped in three strands of 100 lights. I work each strand individually and wrap it with the garland … [Read more...]

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



Pottery Barn Christmas Garland Tutorial

December 5, 2011 by 70 Comments

Welcome to the 150th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you've had a wonderful weekend.  I've been busy with more holiday decorating and today a friend and I took a local Christmas home tour.   I took some pics on the tour and I'll be sharing those sometime soon. In the meantime, I'm sharing the start of my Christmas porch metamorphosis with a link to a tutorial in case it's one you would like to copy for your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, DIY, DIY Decor Knock-offs, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , , ,



How To Hang Wreaths on Exterior Windows for Christmas

November 30, 2011 by 234 Comments

Greetings! Hope your week is going great!   The porch isn't decorated, yet.  This is an old pic from a past Christmas showing the wreaths across the front of the house.   Wreaths hung on windows across the front of a home has to be my most favorite Christmas decoration of all.  I've been hanging them on my home now for around 28 years, first at our old house and for the last 21 … [Read more...]

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



A Few Seasonal Updates Around the House

November 28, 2011 by 46 Comments

Welcome to the 149th Metamorphosis Monday! Greetings!  How was your Thanksgiving?  I hope it was wonderful and you got to spend lots of time with family.  I drove 8 hours to Ohio to visit with my son and daughter-in-love-to-be.  I miss them and cherish the time we get to spend together.  I snapped this pic of a house near by.  I loved this particular photo because you can clearly see the American flag … [Read more...]

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



Decorate with Wreaths Inside

November 11, 2011 by 44 Comments

Although Thanksgiving is still two weeks away, I'm already thinking about Christmas.  I have even started decorating a little inside.  I want to start early this year so I can really enjoy the holiday season in full.  There have just been too many years in the past where I felt I had just put the decorations up when it was time to take them back down. One  of my favorite things to decorate inside with at … [Read more...]

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



Colonial Williamsburg Apple Tree Tutorial

December 27, 2010 by 55 Comments

Welcome to the 101st Metamorphosis Monday! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope your holidays have been wonderful! Recently, I created a Colonial Williamsburg style, apple tree centerpiece for our Christmas dinner table setting. See that table setting here: Christmas Tablescape with Colonial Williamsburg Apple Tree Centerpiece   I've had several requests in the past for a tutorial … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, DIY, Tablescapes Holiday Tablescapes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: ,



Christmas Tree Illuminated with Real Candles

December 20, 2010 by 64 Comments

Welcome to the 100th Metamorphosis Monday! Wow! Can you believe it's the 100th Metamorphosis Monday?! Thanks so much for coming along on this fun journey with me week after week. Can't wait to see what the next 100 Met Mondays will bring. Metamorphosis Monday: Christmas in Switzerland Each year Cornelia and her family head out into the beautiful forest of Switzerland along with a forester. They … [Read more...]

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



A Feather Christmas Tree in the Guest Room

December 19, 2010 by 46 Comments

I took a few pics this evening of the little tree I always place in the guest room at Christmastime. It's a feather tree I found at Michael's one year. I love having the tree already lit for my guests (family) when they enter the room. It's a little surprise that I hope feels warm and welcoming. All the lights are off in this pic and only the tree is lit. It looks like it's on fire, doesn't … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, My Nest, The Holiday Home Tagged With: ,



German Christmas Pyramids

December 14, 2010 by 14 Comments

German Christmas Pyramids: Have you ever seen those tall, multi-tiered Christmas pieces with the little figures on each level? Often there are candles surrounding them and and they spin around and around. I've seen them over the years and knew they were usually made in Germany...but that was about the extent of what I knew. It turns out they are actually called German Christmas Pyramids. Cornelia who … [Read more...]

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



Christmastime at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion

December 13, 2010 by 47 Comments

Welcome to the 99th Metamorphosis Monday! Hi Everyone! It's been snowing off and on all day here in Georgia. Nothing serious, though...just a few flurries. It's really pretty to watch...from inside! I don't have a "metamorphosis" to share today in my own home, so I'm taking you into the heart of Buckhead for a little tour of some of the rooms in the Georgia Governor's Mansion all decked out for … [Read more...]

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



Christmas Home Tour: Tour A Beautiful Folk Victorian

December 11, 2010 by 51 Comments

Last weekend a group of friends and I attended a local tour of historic homes all decked out for the Christmas season. I shared some pics from that tour recently and today I'm taking you back inside to show you all the delightful details I wasn't able to capture before! Thank you to Tracey and Scott for letting me take you on a tour of their beautiful home decorated for Christmas. A little … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours, Historic Homes, Home Tours, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , ,



Christmas Historic Home Tour…More Photos

December 7, 2010 by 20 Comments

Wow! I've been having the best time visiting all the gorgeous homes decked out for the holidays! While we continue visiting the 483 Deck the Halls links for yesterday's Metamorphosis Monday, I thought I'd share a few more of the pics I took on a recent Christmas Historic Home Tour I attended. Love this bed/swing on the front porch of this home... I loved the lanterns on the front … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours, Historic Homes, Home Tours, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , ,



Decorate Your Porch for Christmas

December 6, 2010 by 109 Comments

Welcome to our Deck the Halls party and the 98th Metamorphosis Monday! I can't wait to see all the wonderful holiday decorating you've been doing in your home! A couple of weeks ago, I shared a Pottery Barn hack where I made and decorated my porch columns in garland very much like the PB ornament garland, but for less than half the price. (You can read that post HERE and you'll find the tutorial to … [Read more...]

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



Hunt-Themed Christmas Mantel

November 29, 2010 by 87 Comments

Welcome to the 97th Metamorphosis Monday! Christmastime is such an easy time to find a Before and After to post with all the holiday decorating we have going on in our homes. This week I'm sharing some changes I made to my mantel in the family room today. Here's a Before pic I took earlier today: I usually wait and decorate the mantel a bit closer to Christmas using scraps from a local tree lot … [Read more...]

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



Pottery Barn Inspired Garland Tutorial-Make Your Own!

November 23, 2010 by 102 Comments

For Metamorphosis Monday, I shared this wonderful photo from a Pottery Barn Catalog and a little info about how I was inspired to re-create a similar look for my front porch for less than half the price of the PB Garland. As promised, I'm back today with a tutorial on everything you need to know to make this ornament-covered garland for your home. Before we get started, let me torture you with a couple … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decor Knock-offs, DIY Decorating, Porches Tagged With: , , , ,



Pottery Barn Christmas Garland Knock-off

November 22, 2010 by 153 Comments

Welcome to the 96th Metamorphosis Monday! Today has been a crazy day! It started with me cutting a deep 1 inch gash through the underside of my wrist while trying to open a can of kitty food. Please, if you ever start peeling back the metal lid on cat food or any can with a pull tab, and it gets stuck, don't decide to pull even harder. Trust me on this! Just stop and use a can opener. When the lid … [Read more...]

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



15 Minute Holiday Centerpiece

November 19, 2010 by 58 Comments

Beautiful Christmas Centerpiece or Table Decoration, Ready in 15 Minutes: To get you in the mood for a little holiday decorating, I'm sharing a super easy and inexpensive decorating idea. In fact, this is so simple and easy to do, you could create it the day of your holiday party or family gathering in just 15 minutes using a few items available at the grocery store and from your yard. Ya gotta love … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Tablescapes Holiday Tablescapes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , ,



Natural Greenery Christmas Mantel in Southern Living Idea House

November 16, 2010 by 56 Comments

Recently a friend and I toured the Southern Living Idea House in Senoia, Georgia. Senoia is a very small town about an hours drive from Atlanta. We were allowed to take pics inside since the home had already been published. :) I took a bunch of pics but I wasn't able to get full views of many rooms because there were always a gazillion people around. I have too many pics to share them all in one post … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Gardening & Birding, Home Tours, In the Garden, Nature, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , ,



Party Planning: An Ornament or Gift Exchange Game Your Guests Will Love

November 10, 2010 by 26 Comments

Ornament/Gift Exchange Game: I'll be honest with you, I normally don't like games at parties because they always take so long and I'd much rather just stuff my face and visit with my friends. But this game is different. It's a super-fast game, literally.  It's over in about 3-5 minutes and it leaves folks laughing. It really is a lot of fun! Here's how it works: In the invitation, I always ask folks … [Read more...]

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



Pre-Christmas Preparations

November 5, 2010 by 44 Comments

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

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



After-Christmas Shopping

January 4, 2010 by 69 Comments

Welcome to the 51st Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you've had a fabulous start to this new year, 2010! You've all given me a great start, filled with lots of smiles and giggles. I've been having soooo much fun reading your comments on Saturday's post, especially the ones where you shared some of your own 2009 bloopers.  That was such a fun post to create and since your responses were equally as fun, I think … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Entry/Foyer, My Nest Tagged With: ,



The Ultimate Christmas Ornament Storage

December 26, 2009 by 30 Comments

Looking for the ultimate Christmas ornament storage? Over ten years ago, I purchased these two, fabric-covered, ornament storage boxes. I was impressed with their good looks, their sturdy construction and that they come with acid-free archival paper. Here's a view of the inside... I really like how the interior panels adjust to fit the size of the ornament. Their website states: "The … [Read more...]

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



Christmas Dinner at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion

December 23, 2009 by 65 Comments

Welcome to the 70th Tablescape Thursday! Can you believe Christmas is almost here? What do we call today, this day before Christmas eve? Is this Christmas eve, eve? (If you are reading this on Thursday, it is officially, Christmas Eve.) As I write this, I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my family for the holiday. I've been grocery shopping and cooking...and thinking about you, the readers of BNOTP. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours, Historic Homes, Home Tours, Tablescape Thursday, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , ,



Historic Homes Decorated for Christmas

December 22, 2009 by 37 Comments

Did you get a chance to visit the wonderful "Before and Afters" posted yesterday for Met Monday? If not, scroll down and check them out once you are done reading today's post. You will come away inspired by all the creative projects and home improvements that are taking place in Blogland! My friend, Bonnie, had the opportunity to go on a wonderful historic home tour recently in Campbell, California. She … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Historic Homes, Home Tours, Tablescapes Holiday Tablescapes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , , , , ,



Decorate for a Traditional Christmas

December 21, 2009 by 82 Comments

Welcome to the 49th Metamorphosis Monday! Today is the last Metamorphosis Monday before Christmas...so I thought I'd share a few pics of the metamorphosis my home goes through each year around this time. I love wreaths...can you tell? I tend to decorate very traditionally...just love the Christmas reds, greens, and golds. (Warning: This post is picture intensive.) Hope you enjoy! This pic was … [Read more...]

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



Decorating for Christmas

December 14, 2009 by 82 Comments

Welcome to the 48th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you've had a fabulous weekend! I've been busy finishing my Christmas decorating, inside and out...so, I'm exhausted, but in a good way. So happy to have it all done...now I can just enjoy! For this Met Monday, I'm sharing a metamorphosis that took place on my front porch this weekend. Here's the summer view... Ok, ready for the "After?" Before I … [Read more...]

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



No Such Thing…

December 2, 2009 by 41 Comments

Some people believe in elves! Have you ever heard of such a ridiculous idea?! I mean, everyone knows there is no such thing as an elf! But, if there was such a thing as an elf... They would certainly never be caught baking. What a silly, silly idea.... Elves baking, indeed! Next thing you know, someone will say they make gingerbread houses! Yep...definitely no such … [Read more...]

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Make a Greenhouse from Old Discarded Windows

November 30, 2009 by 89 Comments

Welcome to the 46th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I've been out of state visiting my son and his sweetie. It was a whirlwind trip and so much fun. My son gave me a tour of the law school he's attending, as well as a tour of the wonderful historic building where he works with a local firm. We did a little shopping on Black Friday and went to see A Christmas Carol on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, DIY, DIY Crafts & Sewing, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,



Mark Ballard Decorates for Christmas

October 3, 2009 by 64 Comments

Have you ever met someone and after only five minutes in their company, you knew you just loved 'em. Well, that was my reaction the first time I ever met Mark Ballard. Mark Ballard is an artist, designer, decorator, speaker, author, columnist, chef, television personality and has been described as "a true Renaissance man with a Southern flair!" I had the pleasure of seeing Mark in person when he … [Read more...]

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



Williamsburg Apple Tree Centerpiece for Your Christmas Table

December 30, 2008 by 62 Comments

Welcome to the 19th Tablescape Tuesday! When I posted a Christmas tablescape a few weeks ago, I received several questions about how I made the fruit tree centerpiece. Even though Christmas is over, I thought it might be helpful to see how it's made, just in case you would like to make one next year. Honestly, I think this would be beautiful for any occasion, not just Christmas. So for this Tablescape … [Read more...]

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



Christmas Table Setting, Cottage Style

December 23, 2008 by 70 Comments

Welcome to the 18th Tablescape Tuesday! Christmas is only two days away...hard to believe! This is an exciting Tablescape Tuesday for me because two very special ladies, who are also dear friends of mine, have graciously agreed to let me post some of their wonderful holiday tablescapes. You most likely know them from their beautiful postings on Rate My Space...they are Carol, Cedwards55 and Linda, Mom of … [Read more...]

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



Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree…

December 22, 2008 by 70 Comments

Over the years, I've added a tree here and there, throughout the house. This one is in the family room and it's decorated with just glass-blown ornaments. A few of the ornaments on this tree...you can see the beaded garland that drapes the tree... One of the Christopher Radko ornaments... Since I have kind of a "hunt" theme going on in my judges paneled family room, I decided to carry that theme … [Read more...]

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



Mischievous Christmas Mice

December 21, 2008 by 57 Comments

I caught them...in the act! It's Michael's mice! Last night I curled up for a good read of that wonderful Christmas classic by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Sipping on a steaming mug of hot chocolate, with a crackling fire close by, I must have dozed off. I couldn't believe my eyes when I awoke! After stuffing themselves silly with tea and scones all night at Gollum's, these two … [Read more...]

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Decorating with Wreaths for Christmas

December 20, 2008 by 67 Comments

I'm not sure what it is about wreaths, but I just love them! I think it's their "wholeness"...the way they feel so complete. The circular shape is said to represent eternity--no beginning and no end. When I first moved into my current home 18 years ago, I continued a tradition I had started at my previous home...that of hanging wreaths outside on the windows at Christmas time. I was the only one in my … [Read more...]

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Decorating the Front Porch for Christmas, 2008

December 18, 2008 by 61 Comments

Today, I'm sharing a bit of my outdoor Christmas decorations. If you come see me, as you pull into the driveway, you'll see the Lazy Hill Dove Cote on your immediate left. Sadly, there are no bluebirds nesting there this time of year. But stay tuned...they just may be back in the spring since they nested in there three times this past spring. If you would like to see some cute pics of the bluebirds feeding … [Read more...]

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



Christmas Decorating on the Porch

December 13, 2008 by 46 Comments

I'm coming up for air!  I've been running around like a chicken with it's head...well, you know... getting ready for the neighborhood cookie party. Last count...expecting around 25 people. I've been grocery shopping, vacuuming, cleaning, cleaning some more, dusting...did I mention I've been cleaning! I've been de-furring the chairs...Max has his favorite spots for his afternoon naps and I don't think my … [Read more...]

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A Christmas Tree for the Porch

December 11, 2008 by 110 Comments

I've been busy this last week decorating for Christmas and preparing for the neighborhood Ladies Cookie Party that will be at my house Sunday afternoon. Even though the weather is a bit chilly for hanging out on the screened-in porch, I thought I'd dress it up a bit since it's visible from inside. And maybe, just maybe, Sunday will be nice enough to venture out for a bit. Last week was in the 30's and today … [Read more...]

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



Christmas in Miniature, A Sweet Dollhouse

December 8, 2008 by 93 Comments

While out antiquing in December two years ago, I came across a wonderful old doll house. The exterior was already decorated for Christmas with garland strung across the banister rails and wreaths on several of the windows. It stole my heart but it was priced at $250, so reluctantly, I walked away. All during Christmas I kept thinking about the house. I knew absolutely nothing about dollhouses, having … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Home Tours, My Nest Tagged With: , , , , ,



Stairway Banister Decorated for Christmas

December 4, 2008 by 66 Comments

During the month of December, I will be posting more pics of some of the holiday decor I have in my home. But today I wanted to share pics of a wonderfully decorated staircase that belongs to a good friend of mine, Joy. Joy lives in the beautiful state of Oregon. Unlike me, she actually enjoys cold weather and that white stuff we so rarely see here in Georgia. Can you believe she gets out and goes … [Read more...]

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



A Plate for All Seasons

November 29, 2008 by 59 Comments

In my kitchen, I have a little plate holder that for years held a red and white "rooster" plate. A while back I decided to make it more than just a plate holder with a decorative plate...now it's a fun way to mark the changing of the seasons, as well. So when February rolls around, it's time to think about cupid... And as it get closer to Easter... Once Easter has past, it's time to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Easter Decorating, Easter Holiday Home, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, My Nest, Seasonal Decor, Thanksgiving Decor, Thanksgiving Holiday Home, The Holiday Home, Valentine's Day Decor, Valentine's Day Holiday Home Tagged With: , ,



Decorating for Christmas

November 20, 2008 by 44 Comments

Over the years, I've collected a good many vintage Christmas ornaments. I had originally planned to have a "vintage" tree, but this year I decided to group a few of them together in a footed glass container here in the family room. Instead of the expected tassel...I hung a little berry wreath from the key. Merry Christmas! … [Read more...]

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A Feather Christmas Tree for the Guest Room

November 13, 2008 by 64 Comments

Recently I found this cute feather tree at Michaels.  Wasn't sure how I'd use it but once I got home, I knew just the place. I placed the tree in my Guest bedroom. When I have guest during the holiday season, I always plug it in just before it gets dark. That way, when my guest are ready to retire for the evening, they are greeted by this view as they enter the room. Last year, I bought this … [Read more...]

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