Well, I’ll be heading out to Montana on Friday to attend and teach a MMS Milk Paint demo the Vintage Whites Market! I went to one of their events in Colorado earlier this year and it was such a great time, so I was thrilled to be invited again. And, I must admit, I am equally excited about just going to Montana.
I’ve wanted to go since I was 15 years old and watched the movie A River Runs Through It. That maybe had more to do with Brad Pitt and the beautiful cinematography, but I finally get to go check out the state that has been romanticized in my head for over 20 years. We’re literally flying there and flying right back out, but I’ll soak up what I can while I’m there. If you’re in the Kalispell area this Saturday (November 12, 2016) stop in and say hello!
Before I head out, I had one last deadline to meet in my latest string of deadlines – turning in five freelance articles to hgtv.com.
I actually clicked over there to get the link and one of my tablescapes was on their home page…
Never in a million years.
Anyway, one of the projects I just finished was this wooden crate storage unit…
It’s the kind of project I wasn’t too excited about until I finished it. As I styled and photographed it, it really came to life, though.
Since these crates are old and definitely rustic, I think it would look great on a porch, covered deck, patio, or mudroom.
I don’t have a spot for this wooden crate piece (it is all connected together) and it’s not my “usual thing”, so if you’re local to me and would like it for free (yes, for free), you can have it!
**This is spoken for, but I’ll post it again if that changes.
I also worked with Jeff to design and build a “pet storage” piece. We designed it to work well for that purpose, but also for kid/baby storage (books, toys), or a piece that could function in a mudroom/foyer for backpacks, shoes, etc.
And we designed and built a step stool for the bathroom…
These and a few other tutorials will be live on their site soon. If you want to find any of my HGTV articles (I’ve written almost 200), you can search “Marian Parsons” in the search bar on their site. It’ll pull up my profile and you can find all of my articles and tutorials from there.
Now it’s time to iron a linen dress and a petticoat, pack some boots (matching this time), and get ready to go…
29 Responses
I love that step stool. Really really cute!! Actually so is the storage bin. You said there would be directions for that? I could use one for our basement for our boots and garden shoes etc! And we could sit on it! Great ideas Marian! Thanks for the searching your name tip! I can’t wait to do just that one day when I have a few hours.
Love this crate storage! I am in minimalist mode right now so not in need of storage, but this is my kind of project. It would also look good with some milk paint 😉
I spent 6 weeks in Kalispell the summer before I turned 14. Best summer of my life and I’ve been trying to go back ever since. One cannot fathom the meaning of “Big Sky Country” until they have experienced it in person. Truly breathtaking. Of course I would recommend riding up to Glacier National Park if you had time. Regardless…enjoy your visit!!!
I love them all!
So excited to meet you in Montana at the Vintage Whites market!! And, welcome to Big Sky Country!
Cindy xo
I’m so incredibly jealous of you right now! Montana is my heart. Unfortunately I live close to you in York Co. Enjoy your trip! Take lots of pictures!
Sebastian looks like oh my she has that camera out again. I love the crate unit.
Marian,
I cant image going to Montana for the first time and not spending any real time there. To fly in and fly out seems so sad. I know its hard when you have kids and schedules at home but my goodness I would have tried to get the grandparents or a family member to fill in for an extra day.
You are going to miss out on a great opportunity to see some gorgeous country! Have a safe trip anyway.
I don’t live anywhere near you, but I do love the crate storage shelves. AND your styling of them. 🙂
Happy trails to Montana! I’d entertained the idea of going there (from Snohomish, WA – just north of Seattle, due East of Everett) this weekend, however, a family wedding in the San Juan Islands landed on “Your” day. Dang! Hope you get out West some time – I know you have fans out here.
Got a BIG chuckle out of your intention to take matching boots this time!
Finally, Sebastian is such a grand addition to so many of your posts – I’m so glad he found your family so he could show off his shining star!
I love seeing Sebastian so comfortable and such a big part of your family. The stool is perfect in many ways.
But……………I NEED that TRUCK! for my husband for Christmas. And, it’s white! is it for sale? thanks,
Have a wonderful time in Montana! It’s gorgeous country. I spent time in Bozeman in college and the first time I saw the Milky Way in the sky was in Montana. I’ve always liked the idea of using old crates bundled together for storage 🙂
OH, I wish you had time to see Bozeman, that’s where, “A River Runs Through It,” was filmed… Unbelievable. Like somebody else said, if you can go to Glacier, you will love it and someday, take your family.
I grew up in MT and my parents still operate a ranch out there. Nothing compares to “big sky” country and I love to take my children back there (we’re in NC now) to experience country life like I did…Enjoy your time there and stay warm!!
Hi Marian, Have fun in Montana…and thanks for your winter white and wood tablescape, earlier this week. I visited Homegoods and TJ’s and snagged the little village house cake pan and a gorgeous round glass dome cheese platter…and the snowflakes you hung on your chandelier…THANK YOU for the beautiful inspiration ! You are the best !!! Anne
Fun to see the crate idea on your blog – I did this on my covered front porch this summer and filled each cubby with my favorite galvanized things, birdhouses, coal bucket, watering cans, vintage ice cream maker, birdhouse, garden tools, clay pots, lanterns, etc. For fall I just added leaves, pumpkins and gourds here and there, I plan to leave it for winter also, just adding pinecones, ice skates, greenery & berries here and there. Easy peasy! I didn’t connect mine – just stacked them. The pet storage cubby storage is great too.
We call it “MontanAWE.” You will see why. Gorgeous country!
You will love Kalispell and the weather is reported to be lovely. I live about 2 hours from there in southern Montana. Too bad I did not know about this event I would have made time for myself to come. Have a great time and come back to Montana, its a big state…
I’ve been to Kalispell, MT and it is a beautiful, beautiful place!
I am sorry people feel compelled to judge not just your couch or living room table but also your travel itinerary. Good grief, people.
Love Home Goods! I find the most beautiful Christmas decor and vintage like cards. I am looking for a pretty rug like the one you purchased for my farmhouse dining room. Love your blog, Marian.
Love the shelves you made with crates. Where did you purchase the crates? Your decorating ideas are very inspirational to me. I love using antiques and repurpose items but not always sure how to put them together. If I could get help for my rooms from you…I would love it. Keep sharing those great ideas in your blog!
Hi Marion, I’m sorry to complain but your adds are playing havoc with your mobile feed. It is reloading over and over, shifting positions to account for the ads that are constantly flashing and moving the text around. It’s really ruining the beautiful aesthetic of your blog. I guess I should also say I’d love to win a GC to Homegoods. I need to find some unbreakable Christmas decor due to a new pet situation…
Oops sorry about the Homegoods thing but it kinda makes my ad pop-up point. I couldn’t tell what post I was on!
I went to Missoula Montana in September, after a 20 year romance with it following A River Runs Theough It. Robert Redford was my first Hollywood crush and Brad Pitt my second. I think Montana became my third. It definitely lived up to that and while I was there I got to visit the 3 story Montana Antique Mall in Missoula. *swoon* it did not disappoint. Enjoy Montana. I picked up a copy of A River Runs Through it at the airport. It was a wonderful read.
Is there any way you could tell me the source for your wallpaper in the bathroom? I am just loving that.
The sweet needlepoint that is “signed” by Dorothy Parsons…any relation?
Cute styling, Marian. Have a safe trip.
When my husband and I were first married and renting a small apartment in the downstairs of a house we had one whole wall in our living room covered with those apple crates. We stored our books, our photos of family, our records and record player and many other things. I always loved that wall of crates. When we moved we didn’t have a place for them I guess and I don’t know what happened to them. I suppose we may have thought we could afford better then or something!
I like your version of crate storage and the little step-stool is cute, cute, cute. Nice post and I will look you up on HGTV’s web-site.
Marian – you will love Montana! Pack warm clothes!! My husband and I were there from Oct. 15-22 and it snowed 4 days out of 7!! Too bad you will not have time for Yellowstone – absolutely breathtaking!! Have fun!