Houzz interview: between naps on the porch (185 comments)

A few weeks ago, I discovered another wonderful blog and I knew right away that I had to share it with the houzz community. Susan, between naps on the porch, has one of the most beautiful and welcoming porches I’ve ever seen. Susan keeps dressing the porch for different holidays and events, changing and adding design details and inspiring many readers.
And not only the porch…Susan’s entire house is getting a special loving treatment and the end results are absolutely charming.
I’m so happy to introduce you to Susan and her blog between naps on the porch.

Please tell us about your "first meeting" with your house to be

When I first "met" my house, I knew immediately why it had been on the market for over year. It was a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) and still had the original, badly worn, burnt-orange carpeting, dark parquet flooring in the foyer and a kitchen that looked much older than its seven years. But, it had great bones…I could see so much potential. The room that "sealed the deal" and told me I'd found "home," was the family room. I’ve always loved a rich, paneled, library look and could see many cozy nights in front of the fireplace, reading or watching a good movie.

The first step of your remodeling process

Before we ever moved in, we had the whole house re-carpeted, except for the areas where we knew we eventually wanted to add hardwood floors. It was really hard walking over the existing orange carpeting, dark, parquet flooring and badly damaged vinyl kitchen floor, every single day for 2-3 years, while we saved for hardwood floors. In recent years, I've gradually begun removing all of the carpet, with the goal of hardwooding the whole house…I have three rooms left to go.

The biggest renovation challenge you faced

The biggest renovation challenge I’ve faced over the years, besides "affording" all the projects on my "To Do" list, J would have to be finding competent contractors. I have some insane, crazy stories I could tell involving hardwood flooring.

Your favorite style and colors

My favorite style is traditional with a definite love of the English Country style. I've always jokingly said I need a beach place and a mountain retreat, too. I love the beach cottage look, but also find myself drawn to a rustic, cabin style. But since it's difficult to mix all those looks into one home, I've kept to my first love…a traditional, classic look with a little whimsy thrown in to keep it from getting too stuffy. I did manage to sneak in a little bit of "cottage" when I added a screened-in porch.
Regarding color, I love color…a lot. I find myself admiring homes that have a clean, neutral pallet, but ultimately I find myself surrounded by color. I adore rooms with a blue and white color scheme. I love buttery yellow walls…have them in many rooms of my home. The downstairs family room in my home really dictated the color scheme for the first floor. It begged me to use rich jewel tones with the existing warm, butternut judges paneling. I definitely wanted a lighter look for the bedrooms and the upstairs family room. I think there's a room in my home for almost any mood you might find yourself in each day.

A spot in your house that makes you very happy/proud

Ummm, I guess that spot would have to be nestled into the swing out on the screened-in porch. Because I live in the sunny south, the porch is useable almost year round. Even in the dead of winter, Georgia will have the occasional warm, spring-like day. When I'm on the porch, it's hard to be anything other than happy. With ceiling fans whirling overhead, soft music in the air, nice breezes billowing through the sheers and birds winging to and from the feeders nearby, all the cares of the day seem to just melt away.

Your precious accessory/furniture/art

The most precious accessory/furniture/art in my home would have to be photos of my son and family…they are visible in almost every room of my home. Other precious items are those collected on family vacations...they are filled with precious memories. And finally, it's the books. No room is complete without lots of wonderful books. Some of my favorites cover the coffee table. I use them as a base to display a collectible or treasure and I stack them high on footstools and ottomans…they really give the room a soul.

Your next house project

Next thing on the never ending "To Do" list is probably a major renovation of all three bathrooms in my home. Another project waiting in the wings, is that of turning an unused "formal" living room into a home library, filled floor-to-ceiling with built-in bookshelves. I recently blogged about finding a major component I've needed for this project...two large curved niches/cabinets. The niches are around 90 years old, having spent their previous lives in a home built in the 1920's. They are just what I have envisioned for either side of the fireplace that I'd also like to add to this room. It’s going to be a fairly involved project, but one I’ve dreamed of doing for many, many years.

5 things that houzz readers need to know about you and your blog

1. I blog on topics about which I am passionate, but only as long as I think it will be of interest or prove helpful to my readers.
2. Posts normally center on decorating, tablescaping, before and after projects, birding, antiquing/thrifting and historic home tours.
3. BNOTP hosts two blog parties each week: Metamorphosis Monday, which is an opportunity to show off "Before and After" projects and Tablescape Thursday, where you'll find links to beautiful tablescapes all across Blogland.
4. I try to never blog about subjects that are controversial or sad…I think we get enough of that in the news.
5. My goal is to create a respite, a fun place to visit where my readers will hopefully see something beautiful, learn something new and maybe even laugh a little at the end of what may have been a difficult or trying day.

Best tip for the remodeling beginner

Keep a "Someday Book," a notebook with folders to hold the dreams you carry in your heart and you hope to someday bring to realization in your home. When you see a room you love in a magazine, tear out the page and tuck it away into your Someday Book. Eventually you will start to see a pattern of what you really like and those pics will prove helpful to you and your contractor, come construction day. Don’t rush into a renovation…take your time to really get a true feel for how you will use a room. When you shop, buy only what you really love…you may be living with it for a long time.

Last but not least: as a houzz friend, Susan has chosen a Restoration Hardware giveaway gift card to one of the lucky readers that will share their thoughts about her house and interview.

Thank you for sharing your charming porch and beautiful home Susan!

For your chance to win a $50 Restoration Hardware gift card, comment on this interview by Sunday, October 18, at 5pm EST.

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