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

Preorder the Book

Before & Afters (Plus More Shop Pictures)

Today our new shop opened it’s doors at 10:00 am. I wish I could have been there, but I generally don’t work in the shop & I had a previous commitment. I was also beat and probably would’ve been tempted to curl up in the bed for a nap. I have so many pictures to sort through and share with you, so I picked some of my favorites to start with.

This bed was an auction find by the woman who owns our shop. It had a good shape, but it was metal with a faux wood finish. Not very cute. Since it was metal, I decided to go with a white satin spray paint. I thought this would be an easy makeover. Some spray paint and some decorative painting detail and done. Well, it didn’t work out that way. I wiped the bed down and started spraying. The paint was resisting and dripping. It was terrible. Even after multiple coats, it looked awful. So, I had to improvise. I decided to paint the center of the head and foot board in chalkboard paint and paint a couple of coats of white latex paint on the rest.

I love how it turned out! This was definitely a happy accident. It works out perfectly, anyway. This is a full-sized bed, which is generally used in a kid’s room or guest room, so it’s a perfect bed to have fun with. This before picture doesn’t look that bad, but, trust me, it was bad.

 And remember those magnets that wouldn’t stick to my wall? They stick perfectly to the bed! Notice them in the corner of the headboard? Cute!
 The next transformation I’m sharing with you is a couple of chandeliers. I picked both of them up off of Craig’s List for $10 & $30. I am proud to say that I painted, wired, and hung them all by myself. They really add a warm, homey glow to the store (which has rows of fluorescent lights, ick.) I painted the first one a perwinkle blue with a blue & yellow cord cover.
 The second one was perfect, even in it’s brassy finish, so I just made a cord cover out of some remnant fabric and added new candle sleeves.
 This is what these chandeliers looked like before. They’ve really come a long way.

 Like this clothing rack? Any guesses what it is? (Donna at Funky Junk Interiors would be so proud of me!)

 This is a base for a crib that I dug out of my grandparent’s attic. I just sprayed it in a white satin and mounted it on the wall. I thought it would be a creative way to display kids clothes or accessories. Something fun, different, and free.

 This is a buffet that I painted in Creamy by Sherwin Williams and is currently for sale in the shop. I love the carved details on this piece.

 I am a dishaholic, so of course I pick them up at auctions, thrift stores, and yard sales when I see them. I sell ones in the shop that I can part with and they’re good sellers.

 And my chalkboard table and ceramic topiary are finally out of my dining room and have a temporary home in the shop. Hopefully they’ll find a permanent home, soon!

 While Denise (the shop owner) and I were “playing” in the shop last night, I came across a silver bowl that I was going to take home to put a moss topiary in. It is badly tarnished on the inside, so it hasn’t sold, yet. I thought disguising that would help it sell. Anyway, I was going through some baskets and found a great bird’s nest in one of them. I ripped it out of the basket and stuck it in the bowl. Now, it shows off the bowl and the bird’s nest much better. I stuck a little bird ornament in there to finish it off. It’s one of my favorite things in the store right now and I’m tempted to take it home with me! That’s always the problem, isn’t it?

 I did take home a few things that Denise was going to sell. I’ll show them to you soon.
Thanks to all who participated in FFF yesterday! I can’t wait to finish going through them and a winner will be announced on Monday. Also, make sure you scroll down and enter my Frog Tape giveaway. It’s open through Monday.

Miss Mustard Seed

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

Instagram Facebook Pinterest Youtube Amazon X-twitter

you may also like

31 Responses

  1. Oh, I love the little bird's nest in the silver bowl! I probably would have snatched up the silver bowl even without it, though, because I love the tarnished look…have a few tarnished bowls around here that would look great with a next and birdie in it! Great inspiration!

  2. I love all the items you shared. I saw a little chandelier at the habitat store for ten dollars. It had only four candles. It was so cute, but would have to be painted. Now I want to go back and get it!
    Your store looks like a charming place!
    Blessings,
    Traci

  8. Oh yes I AM so proud of you!! 😀

    But not just for the bed frame which btw, is pretty cool… I mean, lookit that place! It's fabulous! How I wish I could walk in there tomorrow and take a peek in person and just get a feel for the place.

    Your furniture makeovers are simply amazing. Truely. Every one inspires me. And just when I think I've seen everything with chalkboard paint on it, you come and break NEW ground with the stuff.

    Yes, I'm very proud of you!

    Donna

  19. Love the chandeliers! Everything looks great…I know how you love vintage…go check my blog for my newest clothing creation. I used vintage fabric to make a YUMMY Christmas set… DIVINE. It'll make you wanna eat Christmas Cakes!

  20. Wow, congrats! Your pieces are so creative and displayed so well! Wish you were around the corner from me! Love the beautiful china plates… how pretty! thanks for sharing… Dee Dee

  26. Congrats on the shop opening. How cool is that! Love the white piece and the bed is unique. Who'd a thought to put a chalkboard on the headboard. Love it.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
    in PA. also

  31. hello little miss mustard seed!
    thanks so much for coming by and commenting so kindly!
    i just have to say how clever and delightful the chalkboard . headboard is … oh, if i would have had that as a little girl … all the doodling i would do just before heading off to dreamland …
    so, so sweet!
    hope all is going well in your new shop!
    cheers,
    prairiegirl xo

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.

Facebook Instagram Youtube Pinterest Amazon

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Get Early access →

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.
Explore the shop →

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.
Shop Now →

Recent Video

Spring Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories

Looking for more encouragement?

Lucketts Spring Market 2026

May 18, 2026

Before I share my Lucketts recap, I wanted to let you know my next original art sale is Wednesday, May 20, 20206, at 1:00 pm Eastern.  For those interested in early access at noon, you can sign up HERE. On Thursday night, we packed our van with oil painting supplies,

Read More

Lucketts Spring Market Wish List 2026

May 13, 2026

I’ve reached that tipping point in my life where I feel like I probably have enough stuff.  No doubt, I passed that point years ago, but hunting for antiques and just the right piece for my house is still so much fun!  I have noticed I walk out of more

Read More
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This