Move Mountains In Your Home
I shared back in January that I had the opportunity to go up to New York City to be a guest on The Nate Berkus Show. Well, the wait is finally over and the show aired (or airs, depending on where you live) today. Here's the video in case you missed it... I've been sitting on (not literally) all of my behind-the-scenes pictures and I am finally able to share them! It really was a great … [Read more...]
On the way back from the Annie Sloan workshop yesterday, I stopped in at Lucketts to pay my rent and check out my space. I really miss that place! I was looking forward to getting my space filled again after working on the book, but then my gallbladder decided it wanted a divorce, so that upended those plans. I'm hoping to get some pieces ready this week, so I can move back into my space … [Read more...]
Today was a special day. I attended the ASCP workshop in Leesburg, VA and got to meet Miss ASCP herself, Annie Sloan. Let me give you a bit of the back story. Last year, around this time, I was introduced to Patty Seaman, one of the original ASCP stockists in the US. At that time, there were only a few stockists in North America and they were just starting to get the word out about this … [Read more...]
It's time again for the Wuslu MMS Pick of the Month! You know the drill by now. I pick something cool. You can buy it on Wuslu AND you have the chance to win one for free! My pick for this month is this pretty willow basket with glass insert. It's sort of part vase, part lantern, part storage piece. I really like pieces that can be used in many different ways and this one fits the … [Read more...]
Well...no features tonight. I was looking through last weeks entries and sharing some of my favorites on Pinterest, but my Internet was really slow tonight and I ran out of time to pick the features. I saw some really great furniture pieces, though! I am so ready to start painting and refinishing. Like...really ready. Take a deep breath, Marian. All in good time. I am looking … [Read more...]
This might come as a total shock, but I don't usually decorate for the seasons. I decorate for Christmas, I'll put out a few pumpkins during the fall, but otherwise I keep things pretty neutral seasonally. I would rather makeover a dresser than make a wreath for the front door. I decided, though, I would take a little time this morning to put a few touches of spring in my living and dining … [Read more...]
I have another wonderful giveaway for you this week. Maybe you've heard of the very lovely and talented Lisa Leonard? She made her mark as a jewelry designer... ... and has since expanded into home decor... ...and special touches for weddings or other events. I just love all of her stuff. Do you? Would you … [Read more...]
I go through different phases when it comes to shopping antiques. There are periods when I am digging through every linen rack and pile in sight and other times when I'm scouring shelves for silver. In one of those phases, just about any antique baby item caught my eye. That phase was in my pre-baby years and that probably had something to do with it... I was drawn to little … [Read more...]
I've still been taking things easy the past few days and it's kinda been nice to have permission to be a couch potato. I always feel like I need to be super productive all the time, so it's been a real change of pace to lay in bed watching Netflix the better part of the day. I did start getting some work done this week, though. My editor and I went through over 400 pictures I submitted for … [Read more...]
A few months ago, I received an e-mail from a woman named Ann. She was opening an Etsy shop, Sutton Place Designs, to sell pillows, runners and other decor items out of new, vintage and antique linens. She was interested in sending me some of her work to see if I would be interested in working with her as a sponsor and a vendor in my space at Lucketts. Well, to say she made a great first … [Read more...]
I'm so glad to report that I'm feeling much better. I still have staples that need to be removed early next week (ugh), but I'm able to do some cleaning and straightening up and I think I'll be able to start painting, shopping, etc, next week. I definitely don't have the endurance I'm used to and I have to take breaks, but I can tell that things are going to get back to normal soon. Another … [Read more...]
I shared a couple of days ago that I had the privilege of being a small part of Matthew Mead's Flea Market Finds book-a-zine. In order to do that, I had to submit a picture of myself with one of my favorite finds. I wanted to pose with my hobby horse, but after a few pictures holding it, it just wasn't working. A scale is much more representative of pieces I look for as a whole. My … [Read more...]
There are certain decorating tricks I go to again and again...my "secret weapons." One of my favorites is using old doors and shutters to fill up an empty wall and to add some texture or color to a space. Think about how much you would spend on a piece of artwork, even a cheap reproduction, that is 3' x 5'. I bought the pair of shutters in my bedroom from a junk shop for $45. I got out of … [Read more...]
I just got my e-preview of the new Matthew Mead "book-a-zine", Flea Market Finds. I can't wait to hold it in my hands and thumb through the pages. The cover stole my heart right away and when you see it, you'll know why. Anyway, the interior is packed with great ideas, inexpensive makeovers, beautiful spaces, color inspiration and more. I've admired Matthew's style for a long time and was … [Read more...]
After a few days spent mostly in bed, I'm starting to see normalcy in view. The recovery from my surgery (gallbladder removal) has been a little slower than I expected and it looks like it will be another few days before I'm up and about more than I'm down and out. I imagined I would be so productive with my down time. That I would write a bunch of blog posts and get caught up on my e-mail … [Read more...]
***This giveaway is now closed*** On March 31, I am finally going to get to meet Annie Sloan when she teaches a workshop in Leesburg, VA while on her North American Tour. I started using her paint back in April and it's become one of my very favorite paints to use. The DC Metro area ASCP stockists are celebrating the upcoming Leesburg, VA North American Tour event with a … [Read more...]
I've been a real loaf the past couple of days, just as I was instructed. (For those who don't know, I had my gallbladder removed, so my DIY days have been put on hold temporarily.) I watched the TV miniseries The Kennedy's today and I'm about ready to watch the latest BBC version of my favorite Jane Austen novel, Sense & Sensibility. I am going a little stir crazy, but for now I have to … [Read more...]
For those of you who are familiar with me, you know it's torture for me to just sit and rest. Home decor is my hobby and my business, so it's hard to keep me from it. Well, when I checked into my hospital and was faced with this room, I knew it needed my help. A little painting here, some sewing there and ta-da... traditional bedroom design by los angeles interior designer … [Read more...]
When I was shopping at the flea market in Raleigh, NC last Thanksgiving, I purchased this very old alligator doctor's bag for $20. It was an unusual purchase for me. It's not very practical, it doesn't serve a purpose. It's not something I'll use in a bunch of photo shoots. But I knew it was something I wanted for me. Something I would keep and enjoy (at least for a little … [Read more...]
There are many perks to being a blogger. Just one of them is getting to try products and share an opinion about them. When Oreck contacted me about becoming a sponsor, they were interested in sending a vacuum for me to try. Well, I already have a vacuum I really love, but when they mentioned a steam mop...hmmm... I have a lot of wood floors in my house and they are stained dark, so they … [Read more...]
