Welcome to the 827th Metamorphosis Monday! It was a long drive back to the Dollhouse but listening to a book definitely helped pass the time. The weather was great the whole way and traffic was really good to me on this trip up. I tend to overdue a bit on these trips back to the Dollhouse, as I always squeeze in as much as humanly possible into my SUV, so the loading and unloading is quite the workout. I could barely move for the first two days after my arrival and my shins/calves have yet to recover. Ha!
This beautiful package was awaiting me when I arrived. My dear friend, Teresa, just returned from a wonderful trip that included a stop in London where she visited Fortnum & Mason. I would love to have been a mouse in her pocket. If/when I ever make it back to London, I’d love to see F & M in person.
Inside that beautifully wrapped box, I found all these yummy goodies, plus the cutest mug that I’m sharing a bit further down in this post.
If you’re looking for a last-minute, one-of-a-kind gift for that hard-to-buy person on your Christmas list, check out the gift boxes/baskets at the Fortnum & Mason website here: Fortnum & Mason. A few years back I purchased one of their large baskets to use as an end table alongside this chair in my upstairs living room back in Georgia. It’s great for storing throws, books, board games, etc…
I even went so far as to buy little feet to go underneath. (Read more about that transition here: Fortnum & Mason Basket Made Into an End Table.)
Office/Study Updates: There was another rather large package awaiting me this time. Inside I found the table I had ordered to go between the two reading chairs here in my study.
I just did an online search asking what is the difference between a home office and a home study and this is what I found:
A “home office” is a dedicated space primarily used for professional work, usually involving a computer, while a “home study” is a more relaxed area designed for reading, learning, personal reflection, and quieter activities, potentially including some work but with a greater focus on individual study and relaxation; essentially, a home office is more focused on productivity while a home study prioritizes a more laid-back environment for learning and personal time.
I think I’ll start calling this room my study since it’s also a room where I read, do puzzles, watch movies, and do other fun, relaxing things. Plus, “study” sounds so much nicer than office, doesn’t it?
When I ordered this table, it was the very last one in this color that was labeled tan/beige, and it was on sale for a great price. It’s made of real wood (not MDF) and it feels like it when you lift it. It’s quite sturdy and solid—plus, it came packaged securely with no assembly required. All I had to do was pull it out of the box and remove all the padding that had protected it during shipping.
It has a rustic finish which is perfect since I am going for a casual, relaxed feel for this room.
While I was back in Georgia last month, I popped into HomeGoods to check out their lamps since I knew I needed a lamp for this reading nook. I thought this one with its “louver/shutter” vibe would work well here. Normally, I avoid lamps with natural-tinted/colored shades since I find they don’t give off as much light as a white shade, but I liked the look of this lamp and thought the shade would look nice contrasting against the white paneling in this room. When the lamp is turned off, the shade is a pale, natural color, and when on, it still emits a lot of light. I really like how it looks here. The price was right, too—only $40! Gotta love HomeGoods!
I love the pretty caning on this table, it’s done beautifully! (Table is available here: Solid Wood Table with Cane Shelves.)
The size and height of this table is perfect and the top is generously sized so there’s plenty of room for a lamp, book, your favorite drink, eyeglasses, etc… I need to find a cute tissue box to place on one of the shelves.
There’s the adorable mug I mentioned earlier in this post. Hard to see in this picture, but his top hat contains the iconic image of the historic Fortnum & Mason store. The image is on both sides of this darling mug and I love it! If you’re looking for a great book to enjoy this winter, check out Winter House by Charlotte Moss—it’s one of my favorites. In the book, she talks about taking trips to London for special gourmet teas that she keeps on hand for visiting family and guests. (You’ll find the book available here: Winter House.)
Such a distinguished gentleman gentlecat! 😉
I have quite a few Dollhouse updates to share this week, including some furniture that arrived for the basement while I was away. Looking forward to sharing those with you this week! I hope you had a wonderful, relaxing Thanksgiving this year! ♥
Looking forward to all the wonderful Before and Afters linked for this week’s Met Monday! Pssst: Did you know Between Naps On The Porch is on Instagram? You’ll find me on Instagram here: Between Naps On The Porch. Like to know when a new blog post is up? Subscribe for email updates (it’s free) and your e-mail will never be shared. Subscribe for free post updates here: Subscribe.
Metamorphosis Monday: Metamorphosis Monday is a party that’s all about Before and Afters. Please link up your Before and After projects like DIY projects, room makeovers, craft projects even recipes. Please do not link up Table Settings, save those for our Tablescape Thursday party on Thursday. If you are participating in Met Monday, you’ll need to link your post to the party using the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on the name of your post, then copy and paste the address that shows in the address bar at the top of your blog, into the “url” box for InLinkz when prompted.
Love that mug!
Thanks, Pat!
XXX
Thanks so much for having us over, Susan. Happy December!!!
Thanks, Debra! How did December get here so fast?!
XXX
You were right about the table bringing it all together! It seems the cookie tin fits in with the bird chairs. Glad your trip back to Ohio was a good one! Looking forward to your Christmas decorations.
Thanks, Kathleen! I need to go shopping for wreaths for the windows here pronto!
Susan – Absolutely love those chairs!!! And the new table and lamp fit perfectly between them. Great choices!
Thanks so much, Susan! I do love their cute birdy fabric. 🙂
Looks great. How nice to find a gift waiting for you. Is the face on the mug a cat ?
With reports of snow across the country, how long are you snuggled in the dollhouse this time?
Yup, a very fancy sophisticated kitty. lol We don’t have snow here right now, hope it stays that way. It is very cold though!
The table between the chairs looks great!! The round shape is perfect!
Thanks, Karen!
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Love, love the new table. Caning gets me every time and I love the color of the wood. What a fabulous gift. Lucky girl! I would love to visit F&M as well. Have a great day and thanks for the party. XO- MaryJo
I love that caning, too. I love that added texture! Thanks so much, MaryJo!
I know, such a wonderful surprise! F&M must be amazing this time of year!
That second chair really makes a difference (to me). I was rather unsure of the bird pattern with the rug, but it just needed two chairs to better balance the two designs. Love it now–especially with the table and lamp light!
It did for me, too! I love chairs in pairs like that when creating a little reading area/nook. I’m so glad you like it, Mia!
XXX
Great distinction between office and study – love that you chose study, and that your little corner is so cozy and wonderful. The perfect place to snuggle with your F&M goodies and let your muscles relax! Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving too – thanks as always for the party!
Study sounds so much more relaxed than office, doesn’t it? My legs are much better this afternoon, I really overdid it. I’m so impatient, try to get everything done at once.
Thanks, Barbara! I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful!
Susan,
It is a beautiful room no matter what you call it….
Thanks so much for hosting this wonderful party!! I really appreciate the time and effort that goes into it along with visiting all the links!! I hope you are having a great week!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Thanks so much, Debbie!
XXX
Absolutely perfect choice in a side table with those chairs in your study. Love it. Absolutely love it. And how kind of your friend to send such a delightful box of awesomeness from F and M!
Thanks, Michele! So glad you love it, makes my day to hear that! I know, she knows how to spoil me, that’s for sure!
XXX
Good morning!
I am Christmas shopping and I cannot remember the toaster you recommended months ago. I am pretty sure it was a Cuisinart, but what model?
Your recommendations are always spot on!!
Thanks!
Thanks! It is a Cuisinart. I purchased mine at Williams Sonoma with points I had accumulated here: https://bit.ly/4chAvlN .
But it’s available on Amazon for a fair amount less here: https://amzn.to/4gevhtC .
They also make a 2-slice version that you can see here: https://amzn.to/49rvCH9
I went with the 4-slice version. Here’s the post where I shared it in case you want to see that: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/cuisinart-4-slice-toaster-fast-and-accurate/
Susan, I love that table! It really looks just right. I also like the way the louvers in the lamp mimic the louvers in the plantation shutters. And what an adorable ginger house pillow! Lol. So cute and so you. The room is really coming together.
How sweet of Teresa – she does know just how to spoil you. 😀
I hope you’re staying warm. I’d say it’s freezing here, but it’s actually well below freezing! Yikes. I used to love the cold weather, now I’m ready for .. let’s say, medium weather. I hope you enjoy your stay! <3
The table turned out a very nice color and looks great with the chairs. Nice little cozy area created. A shared ottoman with a tray or small oval table would look very nice as well.
Now for a bookcase filled with books under the window and it will really be a study!
There are two areas with shelves in this room, just up under the eaves. You can see them in this post: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/beautiful-executive-desk-in-white-for-the-home-office/
Do those count? 🙂
I always look forward to your posts. Everything is always so beautiful and inspiring.
Thanks so much, Jane! Merry Christmas to you!
XXX
The reading nook looks fantastic! Would you share where you purchased the adorable gingerbread house pillow?
Thanks, Debra! I found the gingerbread house in HomeGoods about a month ago. There are several very similar ones on Amazon, though. This one looks similar: https://amzn.to/3BsCUOa
Also, scroll down the page here: https://amzn.to/4f3AgML and you’ll see a bunch more.
I also purchased a cute gingerbread man pillow on Amazon. I kept seeing one at Pottery Barn that was cute, but it was more expensive and I didn’t like it as much as the one I found online.
Here’s the gingerbread man pillow that I purchased and it’s available here: https://amzn.to/49nAHjQ .
This is probably the best deal that I’ve seen for these. Wish I had seen this, I probably would have ordered it: https://amzn.to/49sX6we .
I had the gingerbread house pillow in the chair in my study and the gingerbread man was in a chair in the Butler’s pantry. One of my grandsons said I shouldn’t separate the gingerbread man from his house. Hahaha! So he brought him upstairs and put him in the chair with his house. 🙂
Thanks so much! These are great! I love your grandson’s reasoning! So cute!
Susan, every time I go back and read something before deleting or somebody will mention something, I see something I didn’t see the first time. Did you mention the paintings of the Georgia home your DIL gave you hanging in the study by the closet ? I love them.