A Summer Sunday Stroll

I'm making the long drive home today, wish me luck! Last time it involved a bit of drama...read more about that here: Drama on the Drive Home. Hopefully, I won't encounter any 18-wheelers with exploding tires this time. Ugh.   While I'm driving all day, I thought you might enjoy a nice stroll through some of the beautiful neighborhoods in this area. I snapped these photos as we walked to a … [Read more...]




Buying Furniture for a Storybook Cottage & Fall Wardrobe Updates

So, ya know that storybook cottage I dream of finding one day? (Read more about it here: Storybook Cottage.)   I'm pretty sure it will have a chest like this inside someplace.   You may remember, my daughter-in-law and I just added this chest to my grandsons' bedroom. I'm obsessed with the color!   Here's a closer view of the color...just a perfect shade of … [Read more...]




A Tour of Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal, Ireland

Thanks so much for all your well-wishes over the last few days. I can't speak for all of Atlanta, but my immediate area seems to have fared quite well. Hurricane Irma was mostly a tropical storm when she arrived here, so though we got plenty of wind and rain and the lights flickered a few times, we never lost power. My biggest concern was that a tree would come down, but thankfully that did not … [Read more...]




Tour Two Historical Homes & Guest Cottage: Beautiful Estate located on the Mobile Bay

Note: This post would have been up yesterday but my blog had a bizarre hiccup and I lost over half the post after it was completely written. Argggh. I have the best hosting company, though and they did their best to help me retrieve the old post. We got back about half of it, so thankful for that. Tour Two Historical Homes & Guest Cottage oF a Beautiful Estate located on the Mobile Bay Alabama has … [Read more...]




Prepare To Be Charmed: A Walking Tour

Last week when I was visiting family in Ohio, I drove around through some of the nearby neighborhoods. The majority of the streets are tree-lined with sidewalks on both sides. So charming! I noticed new trees had been planted in a few spots, probably where a tree had died. I love that the folks who are living here today care enough about their lovely city to preserve it for future … [Read more...]




A Dream Fairytale Cottage Comes To Life

Welcome to the 303rd Metamorphosis Monday! Have you ever thought of downsizing to a smaller home? Tonita who blogs at Shabby Chic Tiny Retreat first got bit by the small-house bug when she walked into a tiny straw bale home at the California State Fair. Giving up her cell phone, Tonita took that money and began to save a $100.00 each month. After 7 years she had saved up enough to buy her own small … [Read more...]




The Way Neighborhoods Used To Be

This past weekend I took a little trip to visit family in Ohio. I always feel at home when I'm there because the older neighborhoods are very similar to those you would find driving through any of the older cities and towns in Georgia. The homes are anything but cookie-cutter. As I drove down the streets oohing and ahhhing over the architecture and beauty of the older homes, I wondered how we ever … [Read more...]




In The BNOTP Library: Home Sweet Home: A Journey Through Mary’s Dream Home

Did you know Mary Engelbreit wrote a book where she shared her storybook home and gardens? I was late in learning this, her book had already been out a few years. I've always liked her whimsical, spirit-lifting art and I enjoyed her magazine when it was available, but I had no idea what to expect when I ordered the book she wrote sharing her own home. After it arrived, I loved it so much I immediately … [Read more...]




Charming Features of Older Homes

Happy Friday! Are you looking forward to the weekend? I have some projects to work on so it will be a busy one. I have a little catching up to do around here. I was out of town visiting family (my son and, his family) and I just returned last night. It was a fun trip and the days flew by. My son and DIL purchased a beautiful, older home a while back and this was the first time I've visited since they … [Read more...]




Tour Thayercrest, a Beautiful Historic Home in New Hampshire

I love taking you on home tours, especially when I come across a hidden gem and today's home is truly a special home! This historic home known as Thayercrest, is located in Farmington, New Hampshire. It was built in 1915, thus making it almost 100 years old! I was surprised to read that in its 100 year history it has never been on the market! Isn't that amazing?! It's not often one can buy a … [Read more...]




My Dream Home

At some point during the day, nearly every single day, I catch myself dreaming about living in an adorable cottage in a small town or rural area. I've never been a city girl so living 20 minutes outside Atlanta is definitely not my cup of tea. The city I live in is super congested and traffic is always bad unless it's 10:00 AM on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday or 10:00 at night.  I do all my grocery … [Read more...]




The Charming Town of Cape May

I love it when readers email pictures of projects they've made, before and afters and wonderful home tours!  Michele visits the wonderful town of Cape May, NJ each summer and she recently shared a few pics with me from a recent trip.   Oh, how I'd love to see this town in person and go inside these cute shops!  My bucket list gets longer and longer. Beautiful gardens and charming … [Read more...]




The Holiday

It's Friday! How about another fun movie house tour? This weekend I'm taking you on a tour of my second favorite Christmas movie house, Rosehill Cottage from the movie, The Holiday. The home in Home Alone will always be my first "movie house" love. ;) The Holiday, hit the theaters in 2006. Did you see it? I am a total sucker for romantic comedies but it was the cottage in the movie that completely stole my … [Read more...]