Preorder Move Slow & Make Things, and enjoy a collection of thoughtful bonus content created just for you!

You may have noticed that I have a bit of a thing for toy/rocking horses…

I don’t find them very often (at a price I can afford), but I get very giddy about them when I do.

When Kriste and I were shopping for The Market on Chapel Hill earlier this week, I spotted this one…

 

 

I loved the wooden legs and I thought the shape was pretty.  I originally thought it was made of plastic, but Kriste pointed out it was papier mache.

I didn’t mind at all that it was missing the base.  It reminded me a bit of an antique horse I spotted in Prairie Style magazine…

 

The red wasn’t working for me, though.  After some amount of debate with myself, I decided to paint over the red in MMS Milk Paint French Enamel.

 

 

The paint looked a little too fresh against the old, but I didn’t want to distress it and have the red show through.  So, I added MMS Antiquing Wax over it to tone down the color and age it a bit.

I applied the wax directly to the paint with a small wax brush, in swirling strokes to massage the pigment into the pores of the paint.

I worked the wax off the freshly painted areas to blend the new with the old.

…and then rubbed and blotted it with a cotton cloth.

I left the wax heavier in some areas, even stippling some on with a fairly dry wax brush to mimic the discoloration on the body of the horse.

I think it blends in pretty well!

I tried him out on top of another piece I bought on our shopping trip…

…an amazing antique pine buffet.  (I’ll show it off more in another post, but the top folds up!)  I am so in love with this piece!

Don’t worry.  I’m not going to paint it.

 

Sigh.  This is going to be a tough one to let go of…

 

 

I think he does need a name.  Any ideas?

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

you may also like

60 Responses

  1. Love that horse! But, I’m gonna say it, I think the blue needs to be less gray. A child’s rocking horse wouldn’t have a muted color and it doesn’t quite work, to my eye.

    Now, I understand that you weren’t going for the authentic look of a true antique but it still feels somehow wrong. I know, I know… everybody’s a critic. And I don’t mean to sound snarky. I usually love your color choices. I’ll shut up now. 🙂

    1. Ha, yeah…I wanted it to be a bit more muted. 🙂 You’re right. It’s just a matter of personal taste.

  2. How about Lucky? He’s lucky you found him & gave him new life! Love the changes to your blog, I can “hear” the renewed excitement in your blog posts-Well done!!!

  3. LoVe it!! I’m going to suggest the name Tatoi (ta-toy) we had a horse named this! It’s like tadaa! What you say after you do something great, and since its a toy. Love all you finds.

  4. Our son, who is now 27, had an imaginary white horse when he was little named “Trottie”. I think this would be a great name for your sweet rocking horse! ?

  5. Hi, I love the horse but love that pine buffet even more. I have an armoire that was made in Prague that was imported by a friend of mine about 15 years ago. That buffet matches my armoire. If you ever want to sell it please let me know. I would love to have a piece that matches that well. Love your blog by the way. It is the happiest place on the internet.

    1. Laurel, I believe I have the same armoire as yours. I love its fluting, carved detail and bun feet.

      Marian, your blog has truly gotten “meatier” since you requested and then graciously accepted your readers’ feedback. Thank you for the greater focus on home furnishings and makeovers. I read a reader’s suggestion this week that you begin to mass produce a furniture line. I’m not sure I’d like to see your impeccable one of a kind work fabricated off shore but I haven’t forgotten the milk & cream sign that a number of us expressed an interest in. Any chance of your taking orders for things like that? If so, I’d like one a tad smaller than the original ;o)

  6. Maurice. Based on your inspiration pic’s origin. And the pine buffet is wonderful. Surely there is something in your house or studio you could swap out to keep that one.

    Glad the shopping went well!
    The Other Marian

  7. Ralph, for some reason, or Rolf…he’s adorable! I love it all. The colors work for me…good luck!

  8. How about GiGi?! We had a huge carousel horse painted on the wall in the nursery (many years ago) and it was named GiGi! I loved that horse!

  9. Love the horse. The piece of furniture is a beauty and glad you do not plan to paint it. I noticed a label on the neck of the horse … is there a clue there for a name?
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treaures

  10. Before I read all the way through your post, but after you painted the blue, I thought “MMS antique wax.” My go-to for anytime something is too bold or I’m out of energy for distressing, or just because it is such a pretty, subtle aging technique. I love the muted look. MY taste, too.

  11. Marian, will he fit on the carriage you got that has the basket body you dont like? I know, its weird sounding. just a thought. Love what you did with him!

  12. Love the horse, the color choice and I think the aging is spot on. Looks like it was always blue! I was going to suggest Chester as well. Don’t know why….just looks like a Chester !! And I am wondering, why no paint for the pine piece? Just curious…you seem a bit defensive, like you thought some would be horrified..? It is beautiful as is but could be beautiful painted too.

    1. I think it could be pretty painted as well, but it’s hard to find European pine pieces like that, that have been faded with age. Most antique American pine pieces seem to be orange or yellow. This old pine has so much “soul” that I wouldn’t paint it, but I wouldn’t blame someone who did!

  13. Prince, because he reminds me of my grandfathers flea specked white horse Prince I used to ride. I agree, don’t paint that lovely piece.
    Why always get rid of things you like?
    I wondered to myself the other day, I wonder if your kids will connect any piece of furniture to your home, or their childhood, since you sell or give away so many. Do they ever feel like nothing is ever there to stay?

  14. I have found a plastic horse that use to have wheels. Will the milk paint stick to plastic if I use the bonding agent? If so I’m going to get that horse!??

  15. Today, when I click on your blog, I hear music in the background and some advertisement. Just thought you should know!

  16. I have a couple of antique pine cabinets and I love them. They are timeless pieces. I also think your new friend looks like a Barley. Thank you for sharing!

  17. I’m sure what ever you name him we will all love but I was thinking “Cooper”……. I was walking into Hobby Lobby today and there was a mother there talking to her little boy and his name was Cooper. He was full of life and cute.

  18. Darcy! Can you tell I’m a Jane Austen fan? (“Charles”?) “J” above chose a good name: Blue Boy

    I can see him at Christmas over the fireplace (maybe in a wreath). Instead of Rudolph prancing through the snow, it’s Darcy flying in the air!

    Gosh! I wish I lived out your way so I could call and come visit your studio and chat.

  19. He looks like an Elmer to me. But then I think of Elmer’s glue which no horse would want to become.

  20. I thought of Gone With the Wind and their horse, Blue Boy. But, then you said it was a He! So, I thought of Rhett, as in Rhett Butler. Old fashioned but manly, too!

  21. Hi….I posted a name for this sweet pony and it just seems like my comment is out there floating around and not connected to the other comments…LOL…so will post again….I think this sweet beyond sweet..(and why don’t I live closer to you or the Chapel Hill Market!) Macaroni….yep….Macaroni is his name…LOL

  22. WOW….I actually adore this piece I can see how it would be hard to let it go…would you be willing to sell it to a good home? (me?) how much would it be? It would be a great addition to my home. I like the name Rupert 🙂 Don’t know why just seems to fit it in my eyes. Great piece I simply love it.

    Lauren Baxter | Lovely Decor
    xx

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

A book about creativity, intention, and making things with care. Sign up to receive updates, preorder details, and exclusive bonus content.

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From original paintings and art prints to Pup Club releases and curated goods, each piece is created or chosen to bring warmth, creativity, and character into your home.

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

A handpicked collection of items styled and shared throughout posts, projects, and social feeds. Every product is thoughtfully chosen to reflect a timeless, collected aesthetic.

Recent Video

Spring Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories

Looking for more encouragement?

May Garden Notes | Part II

We had a gorgeous weekend, so Jeff and I both worked outside to get some more yard and garden projects done.  Jeff has actually been working in the yard almost every day.  He’s been a beast this spring!  Since we made so much progress, I thought I would share one

Read More

May Garden Notes

If you’re interested in following along with how our garden and landscaping efforts are coming along, you can read about my April Garden Notes HERE.  Over the past couple of years, I shared more frequent gardening updates here on the blog throughout the spring and summer, but this year has

Read More
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This