built-in fridge update
If you followed our kitchen renovation, you might remember that we went with a built-in panel-ready fridge. I never thought we would be able to fit one into our budget, but when I had the opportunity to work with Ilve’s US distributor on the range as a part of a blog/social media collaboration, they asked […]
four things | seventy three
It’s been a day of comings and goings. Rosa Jo is staying with us for a few days as my parents visit friends. Our contractor stopped by to open our pool and talk about a few upcoming projects. The refrigerator repair tech was out to make one last-ditch effort at getting our fridge working again […]
A return to Lucketts Spring Market
Quickly, I wanted to highlight that today (April 28) is the last day to join Pup Club Prints as a founding member and receive the beautiful German Shorthaired Pointer fine art print. Pup Club Prints is a fine-art snail-mail print club for animal, art, and analog lovers. It’s just $10/month for a quality 5 x […]
April garden notes
Most of my April gardening work has been tidying up the beds, pruning old blooms off the hydrangeas, raking leaves, and weeding. Oh, the maple saplings and onion grass have been prolific this year, so pulling them out of the beds has been my primary objective. Instead of spending a couple of long days weeding, […]
four things | seventy two
I decided I won’t talk about the weather in my little Four Things preamble today. (Although we have been having wonderful Spring weather, and I’ve been delighting in my morning walks and time in the garden.) I’m going to share some thoughts on embracing change… I used to love Instagram. It was such a fun […]
Bronzino & the Medicis
As I shared in THIS POST, the self-portrait gallery was the highlight of the Uffizi Museum for me, but another exhibit was a very, very close second. I mean, they are virtually tied, and I think you’ll see why. As my mom and I meandered through the light-filled U-shaped corridors of the Uffizi, a portrait […]
Recent Blog Posts
installing shutters on brick | 1970 home renovation
When the weather first started warming up this spring, I had a long to-do list for the back exterior of the house. New windows, paint, and install shutters, build a custom A/C surround, paint the trim, power wash the patio, and work on the garden beds. We’ve been chipping away at these projects over the spring and summer, and I finally checked the last one off the list – hanging the shutters. They had been sitting in the garage for
ideas from Cheri’s house that I’m stealing
As I shared last week (HERE), I had the chance to stay at my friend Cheri’s house when I took Calvin to Minnesota for a quick trip to visit some friends. The trip was for him, and I was just there to drive the rental car and be the mom if he had any issues with his T1D. But it ended up being a real gift to me as well. It was a chance to step away from home projects
September 2, 2025 | original art sale preview
As always, thank you so much to all my new and returning collectors! It is truly an honor that you would hang a piece of my art in your home. Over the past year, I’ve primarily been working on animal portrait commissions, so I enjoyed shifting gears to focus on still life and landscape paintings. I loved creating these pieces and hope you find one that resonates with you. My next original art sale is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2,
four things | forty-four
This week has been jam-packed! It was the first week of school for the boys, which always feels jarring after the relaxed pace of summer. This year is very different, though, as we essentially have two college students and we’re trying to juggle cars and rides to classes that start and end at different times. I must admit, though, I am happy to be past the ages of school supply shopping hauls and packing lunches. That was never my favorite
A short trip to MN & upcoming art sale
Jeff is usually the one who takes the boys on trips so they can have some father/son bonding time, but he had recently been on a couple of trips, and it would’ve been a stretch to miss more work. So, as we planned a trip to Minnesota for Calvin to visit his friends, it was clear I would be the one to take him. At first, it felt like a minor inconvenience, something I was doing just for him, but
late summer bedroom refresh
The master bedroom was the first room we worked on when we moved into this house. Literally, on day one, mom and I were pulling off wallpaper. We were going to have hardwood floors installed, and I wanted to get the walls stripped and painted before that happened, so that we could have a clean slate. I didn’t want to look at to-dos while I was trying to get to sleep. We worked hard and got the wallpaper and glue
painted gables
We’ve knocked out two more projects on the left side of the house this past week! This was the side of the house that had been most neglected over the years. Even though it does face a street (our house is on a “peninsula” lot), it’s not a side of the house we see very often. It’s opposite the garage, driveway, and side entrance of the house; you don’t see it at all from the backyard because of the fence,
four things | forty-three
Today is a travel day for me. I’m heading to Minnesota, back to our old hometown. Marshall has been able to make a couple of trips to visit friends, and now it’s Calvin’s turn, so I’m taking him for a few days. I’m planning to meet up with a friend or two, but I’ll use this downtime as a mini creative retreat. It will be nice to step away from home projects and my studio to spend some time on
creativity conversations | finding your style
As I was writing in my journal a few days ago, I thought about my handwriting. It started as uniform, traced over block letters made with pale dotted blue lines on exercise sheets. I then reproduced the letters on my own, on printed lines, making sure each hump of an m met the middle line and each mast of an L spanned all three lines. I wrote each letter hundreds of times, copying and practicing the same printed letter that
selecting the right height for nightstands
On Instagram yesterday, I was asked if there was a standard for selecting the right height for nightstands. I thought that was a great question and one I never looked up, but I have typically chosen nightstands that felt like the right height for the bed they were paired with. I like nightstands that are roughly the same height as the top of the mattress or perhaps a little bit taller. This makes reaching for things easy when turning off
Guest room wallpaper removal
When we first looked at this house, I knew the wallpaper was going to be an issue. Most of the wallpaper was at least 20-30 years old. At least. In addition, it was in almost every room. Floor to ceiling. I had never stripped wallpaper before, and I knew it wasn’t a fun job, but I was brimming with optimism and felt like it was doable if I tackled it one room at a time. After removing wallpaper from the
four things | forty-two
The summer is just flying by. I can’t believe the start of school is just around the corner. I always look forward to the return of routine, but I also miss the slower mornings and more relaxed schedule. This year will be different, though, because Marshall is officially in college and Calvin will be taking all of his classes at the local community college for his senior year, except for one. Marshall is already driving, and Calvin will be within
oil painting video tutorial | white irises
After working on pet and animal portraits for most of this year, I decided to take a little break and paint some still life and landscapes. First of all, I want the practice. I don’t want to get rusty in those subjects, even though working on one kind of painting informs and often improves another. These are also the most popular subjects for licensing, so I wanted to create some new works to submit and sell in my next original
replacing more windows | 1970 home renovation
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Window World. I have worked with them as a paying customer twice before, and I am thrilled to partner with them to share more about their amazing brand. I am a big fan and delighted to tell you more about working with Window World to replace the windows along the back and side of our 1970 ranch house. When we first embarked on this home renovation, I thought that replacing windows would be a
creativity conversations | on longing, finding inspiration, and “good enough”
Years ago, I used to write “Ask Miss Mustard Seed” posts. I would open up the comment section for questions from my blog readers and would then write posts answering those questions. We’d talk about decorating, DIY, furniture refinishing, upholstery, creativity, and running a business. I realized the other day that I miss those posts. I always appreciate curiosity and inquisitiveness, so I want to encourage that more often and write blog posts in response to what you’d like to
four things | forty-one
Despite another allergic reaction happening on one of my arms (what in the world is happening), I spent time working on the side garden bed again this week. The weather has just been too much of a gift not to be outside. I also did some mowing, trimming, cleaning up along the curb, and helping Marshall with power washing. I’m starting to enjoy keeping up with the little things that make a house look sharp, especially when the weather is
power washing the patio
This project has been on my list since I did my Spring cleaning of the patio and pool deck in April. The patio, particularly the old part, was so dirty and stained. It’s the sort of project that keeps getting put off, though. Not because it’s hard, but because it’s a pain to get the power washer out and set up and to move all of the furniture and heavy concrete planters. We’ve been having great weather this week, though,
antique purchases with mom
Most of you have my taste pretty nailed down! When I asked which pieces you thought I bought while on my antique trip with mom, you were pretty spot on! (You can read that post HERE.) Truth be told, I wanted to buy everything I highlight, but I’ve hit that tipping point where I need to be very particular about what I buy. Years of antiquing as a hobby and a business has my house pretty well furnished. But, my
exterior window apron panels
As I’ve shared the exterior of our home, I’ve been asked a few times about the panels under some of our windows, so I thought I would write a post about them. Let me start by saying that I’m not a tremendous fan of apron panels under windows. I don’t mind the ones on my house, but I would prefer just to have taller windows. While they were an intentional and original design feature of the house, they give the
four things | forty
It has been a quiet week, but a busy one! We had new windows installed yesterday, and while I wasn’t the one doing the work, I lingered around to see the progress and take pictures. I can’t wait to show you the results. The back side of the house is looking amazing! And, thank you so much to everyone who has asked how I’m doing. I’m doing well. My arms are still red and splotchy in places, and a little
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.
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More from the Blog
From the very first coat of paint to custom cabinetry, Marian has been slowly transforming her 1970s split-level into a home filled with charm, character, and creative vision. Explore room-by-room updates, clever DIYs, and the stories woven into each renovation project. It’s a work in progress—and that’s part of the beauty.
In the Studio
Artistic Endeavors
plein air painting at Hidcote
Let me start by saying plein air painting is not my sweet spot. While I enjoy painting outside and on location, I’m rarely very happy with the results. I prefer painting in my studio in a more controlled environment. The lighting is relatively fixed; I have my easel and chair set to my height, all of my supplies are readily at hand, and I don’t have to worry about bugs sticking to my painting. Whenever I paint outside, I feel
DIY wet panel carrier for oil paintings
In my previous post about traveling with oil paints, I mentioned I would share a DIY wet panel carrier tutorial, and here it is! If you don’t use oil paints, you may wonder what a wet panel carrier is and why it’s necessary. One of the wonderful things about oil paints is that they are slow-drying. This gives you a lot of time to blend and nudge the paint around, or even just scrape it off. I find it’s even
Small Business Spotlight | A Gallo Watercolors
When I first started my business and blog, many creative entrepreneurs supported me along the way. They showed me the ropes, invited me into their community, and introduced me to their audience and customer base. I love that I can now return the favor to other creative entrepreneurs, from small start-ups to established, thriving companies, you may have never heard of. This Italian company, which makes handmade watercolor paints, fits into the latter category. They already have a devoted following,
packing art supplies for international travel
I’ve been bringing along art supplies when I travel for the past few years. When I went to China in 2017, I had a vision of standing on the Great Wall and capturing the experience in a sketchbook. I was nervous about it, but I did it! The sketch was rubbish, but I learned that it wasn’t about the results. It was about the process, about being fully present, and taking time to observe. (You can read the post about
September 2, 2025 | original art sale preview
As always, thank you so much to all my new and returning collectors! It is truly an honor that you would hang a piece of my art in your home. Over the past year, I’ve primarily been working on animal portrait commissions, so I enjoyed shifting gears to focus on still life and landscape paintings. I loved creating these pieces and hope you find one that resonates with you. My next original art sale is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2,
A short trip to MN & upcoming art sale
Jeff is usually the one who takes the boys on trips so they can have some father/son bonding time, but he had recently been on a couple of trips, and it would’ve been a stretch to miss more work. So, as we planned a trip to Minnesota for Calvin to visit his friends, it was clear I would be the one to take him. At first, it felt like a minor inconvenience, something I was doing just for him, but
at home
All Things Home
painted garden obelisk
When I decided to make custom lattice for our DIY A/C surround, I measured and counted out how many 1 x 2s I thought we would need for the project. I estimated that we would need 85 1 x 2s and figured I should round it up to 100 to have some extras in case some were warped or in bad condition. I was confident in my math, so Jeff and I primed and painted all 100 pieces, even though
DIY custom A/C surround reveal
Jeff and I noticed a stretch of stifling days in the forecast, so that gave us the push we needed to get the DIY custom A/C surround installed and finished this weekend. I shared the progress we made on building the surround a couple of weeks ago HERE. Since I had all of the pieces painted and two of the panels of the A/C surround built, it was pretty quick and easy to install. We had a general plan of
facebook marketplace find | vintage oak desk
If you followed my blog during our move to Maryland three years ago (can you believe it’s been that long?!), you probably remember that I sold a ton of stuff. One of the pieces I sold was the vintage oak teacher’s desk I used in my studio. Oak teacher’s desks turn up pretty regularly on the used furniture market and are generally not very expensive, so I figured I could find a replacement pretty quickly. Three years later, I was
what happened to my willow projects
If you were following along last summer, you might remember my obsession with weaving willow cloches and plant supports. (You can find that post HERE.) I went on a deep dive, sourcing willow branches locally and online, watching tutorials and reading articles, searching for inspiration, and then testing out what I learned. It involved setting up a baby pool in my driveway to soak the willow and experimenting with several weaving styles and methods. It was a thorough effort, and
tell me you’re doing home renovations…
…without telling me you’re doing home renovations. Just look in their garage or any other storage spaces. They will likely be a jumble of materials and tools used for projects looking something like this… Yes, those are still boxes that have not been unpacked since our move into this house almost three years ago. Yes, this space is embarrassing. Yes, I watermarked the photos. When we first moved in, Jeff built some simple garage shelves to provide some storage. Before
power washing the front walk
We have done so much work on the front of our house over the last couple of years. After all of the painting, planting, and updates, there was one glaring thing that needed to be addressed. This front walk desperately needed to be cleaned. We bought a power washer a few years ago, so we just needed to get it out and put it to use! (The pressure washer we purchased is no longer available, but it’s similar to THIS
Everyday Moments
A Slice of Life
four things | sixty-one
I went out for a walk yesterday morning for the first time since the late January snowstorm. It was just over 20 degrees, but it was sunny and ended up being a pleasant walk. The temperatures in our area have remained below freezing, so all of the snow is still covering the ground and pushed up against the curbs. It felt a little bit like being back in Minnesota, where the snow falls, and remains until the Spring. As a
Encouraging words from Degas about AI
“Without a heart, can one not be an artist?” – Edgar Degas I heard this quote in Sebastian Smee’s book The Art of Rivalry. It was in the context of Degas’s reputation for being a misogynist and having an aversion to love and marriage. He said and wrote things that seemed to show at least some sentimentality and softness, including the quote above, and an anecdote about when he and Monet argued about who cared for Berthe Morisot more as
walking through Siena, Italy
On this trip to Italy, I’m glad I got to see a couple more ancient Tuscan cities – Arezzo and Siena. I had been to Barga, Lucca, and Florence, and while there are similarities, each city and town has its own flavor. Once we made our way through the densely packed market crowds of Siena, we had the most spectacular view of the city, medieval buildings with tiled roofs spilling down the hillside. It was almost overwhelming to think we
four things | sixty
I usually write in the morning. It’s when my mind is fresh, and the words flow best. But this morning, as I eyed a ball of cat hair fluff scurry across the studio floor, I decided to get the vacuum, dust cloth, and tidy things up beyond just a quick hit with the vacuum. I moved everything sitting on surfaces (which is a lot of things), and vacuumed every bit of cat hair and dust I could spot. I put
snow day 2026
I love snow. Even living in the Bavarian Alps and in Minnesota didn’t make me tired of it. Living in Florida made me love it even more. So, I was cheering on the snow totals in our area as the forecasts were coming out. We ended up getting much more sleet than they initially thought, but it was still a substantial snow event that cancelled all our normal activities for two days. It’s rare for a pastor to have a
four things | fifty-nine
I know I have a reputation for being a highly productive person here on this blog, but there are days when I faff about and waste time with the best of them. I’ve been glued to the weather reports, surfing blankly online, and generally piddling the morning away. I did catch up with my parents, shipped out a commissioned painting, and varnished another. But I’ve been avoiding diving into actual work. I think the anticipation of a significant snow event
Explore painting at your own pace—no experience needed
Free Art Classes for the Creative at Heart
While the world slowed down in the spring of 2020, I found connection and creativity by offering live art classes each Friday—just a simple way to share something joyful during uncertain times. What began as a small spark turned into something truly special. After receiving such kind and encouraging feedback, I decided to turn those lessons into a free online course. Inside, you’ll find nine beginner-friendly oil painting classes covering everything from mixing colors to painting a sweet grazing cow. It’s a gentle, joy-filled place to start (or continue) your painting journey.