favorite things | antique flatware
I’m sometimes asked what I look for when I’m out shopping for things for my home or things to sell. The broad, non-specific answer is that I look for whatever speaks to me. Certain things just capture my attention. I like them. Why do you like what you...
the awl that quite possibly saved my life
Remember my struggles with the tufted sofa? I’m not usually paranoid about inanimate objects, but I felt like I needed to keep an eye on that one. It silently threatened to “do me in” with its seemingly bulletproof batting and ridiculous amount of...
country living | behind the scenes
Several of you have already come upon a secret I’ve been keeping since June of last year. My home was featured in the March 2016 issue of Country Living. AHHHHHH! And, yes, lots of geeking out has taken place. Lots of high-pitched squeals and pinch-me moments...
Kim’s coastal bedroom | non-chippy milk paint
I love the look of paint that has been worn with time. Chips, flakes, rubbed areas that reveal the warm patina of the wood underneath. It just speaks to me. But, I know some people look at those pieces and wonder when you’re going to repaint or refinish them....
creating a chippy finish
One of the reasons I love milk paint is because it can chip and flake in a way that makes a freshly painted finish look authentically old. This chipping can be a bit random, though. I’ve tested out a lot of different products and techniques to consistently...
ticking slipcover for an industrial stool
I had a full, productive day in the studio on Thursday and it was glorious. I worked on the tufted sofa and I made a slipcover out of some antique ticking for the white industrial stool I bought at the Raleigh Flea Market over Thanksgiving. I love how sweet and...
money talk
I remember it vividly. Like it was yesterday. I was a teenager with my own checking account, which was awesome. What wasn’t awesome is that my dad had to drive me to the bank, because I had overdrawn the account. Like, a lot. He sent me to the desk by...Hello!
I’m Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed, a wife, mother, paint enthusiast, lover of all things home and an entrepreneur, author, artist, designer, freelance writer & photographer. READ MORE to learn more about me, my blog and my business…
- the war on bishop’s weed
So, last year I shared a post about lovely surprises I was finding in our yard as bulbs peeked up in the Spring, perennials woke up, and bushes leafed out… Read more: the war on bishop’s weed - spring 2024 projects
After being sick for a few days, it always takes a little while to assess how you’re feeling in the morning. Am I still sick? Have I finally turned the… Read more: spring 2024 projects - front garden plans | 1970 home renovation
When we tell people that we moved to Maryland from Minnesota, the first thing they mention is the winters. “Oh, I bet you’ll enjoy these winters a lot more!” Well,… Read more: front garden plans | 1970 home renovation - elevating the look of an artificial plant
I haven’t taken much time to wander around in a store like Target for quite a while. I’ve gotten used to placing online or curbside pick-up orders, which are convenient,… Read more: elevating the look of an artificial plant
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