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

French chair makeover & updates

After a whirlwind week of activities and festivities, we dropped my parents off at the airport this afternoon.   We got so much accomplished, it’s amazing.  I started getting a little teary-eyed today when I saw so many projects complete.  I know that’s silly, but some of them have been five years in the making and now they’re almost done.

Before I show some progress on the house, I’ll share my latest French chair makeover.  I’m really missing working on furniture, but I have a few pieces I’m going to work on in a few days.  It was nice to get this chair finally finished.  I’ve had it since June, painted it in July, upholstered it sometime in the fall and I finally made the cushion cover and put on the trim this week.  Here’s how it started…

It wasn’t bad, but it was just a little dated and tired.  Here’s what it looks like now…

 

 

It’s painted in ASCP Old White (with no wax) and upholstered in a hemp potato sack from Poland.  One of my readers sent me a bunch of them and they are beautiful for upholstery.  It’s trimmed out in cream gimp.

 

It’s perfect in an awkward corner in our home office and can easily be pulled over to the desk.

My dad installed a chandelier in my downstairs hall and my mom and I hung Adelle the cow on the blank wall.

 

…and we made some great progress on the office built-ins today…

 

I can see the finish line!

…and, miracle of all miracles, we have a functioning sink in our half bathroom!!  We were going to do it ourselves, but it was a complicated installation, so we broke down and called a plumber.  It was a tricky job for him, an expert, so it was the right call to get a pro.

 

 

We haven’t had a sink in there since the spring, so it was surreal seeing water come out of the tap.  I think I heard an angelic choir…

 

It just doesn’t take much to make me giddy.

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

you may also like

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

August 13th, 2026 at 1pm EST

NEW ONLINE ART COURSE

Paint a Pet Portrait You’ll Love

Learn to paint pet portraits in oils with confidence, even if you’re a beginner. In this new course, Marian will guide you step by step through creating expressive animal portraits filled with color, personality, and your own artistic touch. Join the waitlist to be the first to know when the course opens.

Now Available

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

Fall Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories

Looking for more encouragement?

Lucketts Fall Market 2026

Mom and I left early Friday morning to get to Lucketts in time to set up my paintings, books, and prints before the gates opened at 8:30.  Jeff and I drove down the day before to drop everything off, but we left everything packed in plastic bins under a tarp. 

Read More

Display Ideas for Selling Art at a Market

I figured the 2017 Lucketts Spring Market, the last market I went to as a vendor before we moved to Minnesota, would be my last one.  We had a huge crew of helpers and two 20-foot trucks packed with antiques and furniture I had sourced, painted, repaired, upholstered, tagged, loaded,

Read More
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This