the best view in Siena, Italy
One of the best things about traveling with a local guide is that you get to see the non-touristy places. And, if you’re lucky, you might get a personal invitation to one of the best places in the city. After touring Siena on our own, with some direction from Carolyn, our guide, our group met […]
My new book | Cover & Title Reveal
I am so excited to finally reveal the title and cover for my new book – Move Slow & Make Things: Pursuing the Delightfully Fulfilling Creative Life. This book was born out of hundreds of conversations I’ve had with people over the years, in person, in small groups, and online, about creativity and what it […]
four things | sixty-two
I’ve been sluggish this week, but good and exciting things have still been happening. We finally had a day with temperatures in the low 40s, and it felt so warm after the sub-freezing stretch we’ve experienced. We were used to this in Minnesota, but it’s unusual in the Mid-Atlantic. I like that the snow is […]
Fine Art Prints available at Marrs on Main
After working with Jenny Marrs on pet portraits for one of her design clients (you can read about that HERE), the shop manager for Marrs on Main reached out to me about carrying some of my prints in the store. I was naturally excited about the opportunity, but I had never sold prints directly, so […]
What breed is Rosa Jo?
We toyed with the idea of getting a dog DNA test for Sebastian since he was found as a stray when he was a puppy, and his pedigree was unknown. We were pretty sure he was an Australian shepherd/collie mix, though, and would speculate what other breeds might influence his mild manner. He clearly had […]
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 […]
Recent Blog Posts
proper heights for wainscoting
I don’t usually care for “decorating rules.” They are typically preferences and gimmicks more than actual rules. “Blue and green should never be seen.” is one rule that I threw in the garbage bin pretty quickly when I started decorating. I want to ask the person who came up with that adage if they ever stepped outside with their eyes open. The dominant colors in nature are undeniably blue and green, and it’s one of the most harmonious and beautiful
four things | thirty-eight
It was a slower week for me, but sometimes we need those slow weeks. Life can be a constant flurry of work and activities. Sometimes I enjoy those slower weeks, but this week of forced rest felt like an interruption. My body appreciated it, though, and I’m ready to hit the projects again. My four things this week – Thatched Roofs, pondering, the beautiful idea, and little things. what I’m reading I got a new book in the mail last
options to improve a drop ceiling
Since it comes up every time I show our basement here, on Instagram, or anywhere on the Internet, let’s discuss the eyesore that is drop ceilings and some of the available options to improve them. Let me first declare that I am anti-drop ceiling. I understand their practicality, affordability, and necessity in some circumstances, but I am still not a fan. And, in my house, I strongly dislike having a drop ceiling. I would say hate, but I don’t think
Amazon Prime Day Deals
I usually don’t do shopping/sale posts, but as I was checking out Amazon Prime Day Deals, I noticed several items I own, love, and have shared in previous posts over the years are dramatically discounted, so I thought it was worth sharing. While I do provide links to products here on the blog (I learned years ago that people almost always ask), I never want to push shopping and consumerism. We are all consumers to some extent, but I hope
painted basement paneling
When I shared the basement last week, the wallpaper was primed and painted, and it was already looking worlds better! I have learned that when I have momentum, it’s best to let that carry me into the next thing, which was priming and painting the paneling, trim, doors, and shelves. The doors and shelves were going to be the biggest pain, so I decided to work on those over a couple of days, making the rest of the painting relatively
four things | thirty-seven
As I type this blog post, new LED panel lights are being installed in our basement! I can’t wait to see that space properly lit and bright. I put off my painting until the new lights were installed so I could see better. I hope to have that done next week. My four things this week – Restoring Williamsburg, Alone Africa, regret & gardening overalls, and hiring out annoying jobs. what I’m reading My research of Thomas Jefferson’s gardens at
sometimes you just need to do the thing…
Let’s rewind a few weeks… I planted a boxwood hedge in the front garden too close to the house and porch, and after a bunch of advice from seasoned gardeners, I moved everything. Feeling like I was sure to make more rookie mistakes, I froze. I had containers of English lavender in a plastic holder, as well as more pots of unplanted boxwood, sitting around the front garden for a couple of weeks. I would put on my overalls, head
removing english ivy two ways
There was a time when I thought English ivy was charming. I mean, it is. When you see it growing up old brick homes, there is something beautiful about it. Now that I have lived in a mid-century brick home that was half-eaten by English ivy, I no longer find it charming. It stains the brick, it grows in windows and screens, it chokes out bushes and trees, and it’s incredibly hard to remove and control once it’s gone unchecked.
painting wallpaper | 1970s basement makeover
Let’s talk about painting wallpaper. In most cases, I am not in favor of it. Painting wallpaper bonds the wallpaper to the drywall in a way that makes it almost impossible to remove down the road. Some wallpaper will bubble and crease when dampened by a fresh coat of paint. It’s a shortcut that will almost always require more work at some point, such as replacing the drywall entirely or covering it with paneling. But, there are times when the
four things | thirty-six
I usually enjoy the summer because of the slower pace, but this week has been busy! We’ve just had a lot on the schedule. Things should quiet down next week. In all of the busyness (and the suffocating heat), I’ve still managed to get some good things done. Here are my four things – My Jeffersonian period, borrowed light, toning down the crazy what I’m reading I’ve been enjoying my book on Monticello’s garden so much (A Rich Spot of
a love affair with card room green
My love of Card Room Green started when we first moved to Minnesota. I had a Farrow & Ball paint deck as part of my paint deck stash, and while I would occasionally pull it out to look for a particular color, I had never used their paint or one of their colors in my home. If you were reading my blog when I first shared our house in Minnesota, you might remember that it was a celebration of beige
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
four things | thirty-five
Well, between thunderstorms and hot, sticky afternoons, summer is in full swing here in Maryland. I’ve been spending mornings and evenings working on projects outside and staying inside for the heat of the day, working at the easel and writing. While I’m not a “summer person”, I do love the longer days and the slower rhythm of summer. I don’t have to get up early and rush the boys off to school, more of our evenings are free from obligations,
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
photo tips for pet portraits
I have been drawn to portraits for years, so it was only natural for me to explore portraiture once I started drawing and painting. Painting portraits of living people can be tricky, though. Winston Churchill famously burned a commissioned oil portrait capturing his appearance in his retirement years because he hated it. It was a good likeness, but he was wounded by how the artist viewed and portrayed him, to the point that he threw a high-quality piece of original
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
four things | thirty-four
I must say, I am pretty proud of everything I’ve accomplished in the week since my last Four Things post. I turned in my book manuscript, primed more pieces for building a few more panels to screen the A/C unit and propane tank. I built another garden obelisk and completed a few commissioned paintings. Jeff and I also worked together over several days to get the garage organized, and now I feel even more motivated to get projects done now
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
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.
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 the Studio and Home
Shop the Feed
Recent Video
Spring Posts
Explore the Shop
Explore the Blog
Categories
More stories, inspiration, and creative ideas await
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
Index Card Art Project 2025 | Inspiration & References
For those joining me in the #indexcardartproject (or those who are just interested in following along), I decided to walk through my inspiration for this project along with some of the reference photos I’m using. I’m going to stick with landscapes as I did for the previous two Index Card Art Projects, primarily because I haven’t worked on landscapes lately and would like to give them some attention. Little studies are a great way to practice color mixing and composition.
how to clean up artists’ oil paint
I wanted to work with oils for a long time, probably years. I set out looking for different kinds of paints to try, to experiment with. As intrigued as I was with oils, I was also terrified of them. What about the fumes, the clean-up, and the slow drying time? I had used oil products when we built and refinished butcher block counters and on a few other projects, but I always bought brushes specifically for the purpose and I
Join us for the #indexcardartproject 2025
As I shared last week, I decided to do another Index Card Art Project and you’re invited to paint along! I did one in 2019 with two of my art buddies from Instagram – Michelle Wooderson and Paige from Open Field Mercantile. We started our oil painting journeys together and have stayed in touch and checked in through the years. I cannot tell you how amazing it was to have two other artists who were brand new to oil paints
getting past the gatekeepers
When I first started oil painting in late 2017, I really didn’t have any plans for it. For a long time, I had envisioned myself painting at an easel, holding a palette, working in oils, and producing paintings I might want to hang on my walls. I didn’t even know if I would like it enough to continue beyond painting the 100 landscapes I committed to. I wanted to give it a good, honest try and see where it led.
the ongoing battle in my studio
I love my studio. It’s a little creative sanctuary for me. But, in this sanctuary, there is an ongoing battle that followed me from my last studio. It’s the push and pull between wanting a tantalizing buffet of books and art supplies in view and wanting room to work and white space to foster new projects. This side that is almost always winning is the former and lately, I’ve been feeling it. Maybe it’s because I wedge a cat tree
January 24, 2025, original art sale preview
The last time I had an original art sale was last April! Ack. What happened?! Well, I know that I was writing, working on a book proposal, gardening, working on house projects… I did some commissioned pieces and a lot of sketching and studying, but I didn’t have many finished works last year. My goal is to have ten this year, but we’ll see how that goes. In this original art sale, I have pieces ranging from 5 x 7
Seasonal
Fall
HGTV.com Halloween Tutorials & Matthew Mead
I know it’s only August, but Hobby Lobby is already gearing up for Christmas, so I can share my HGTV.com Halloween tutorials, right? I actually worked on all of these last November. Wow, how time flies. Here they are… Chalkboard Treat Bucket Witches Broom Place Card Holders Burlap Halloween Table Runner Foam Halloween Tombstones Vintage Inspired Halloween Banner Halloween Applique Pillow Pumpkin Topiary “Grain Sack” Pumpkin Fall Leaf Lampshade We never decorated for Halloween when I was growing up,
Happy Thanksgiving!
May your table be beautiful, your turkey be tasty and your family be nice to each other… …and may you be thankful even if they’re not. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Preserving Fall’s Bounty
My seasonal decorating is all out of order. I have been working on Christmas stuff since September and now I’m working on my fall decor for next year! HGTV.com has me writing several holiday decor tutorials for them and I need to work on the ones that require fresh pumpkins and the great outdoors before the season changes to winter. Our “leaf peak” has passed in Pennsylvania, so I needed to preserve some leaves for my photo shoots before they were
Grain Sack Pumpkins? Oh yeah.
Today, I have the privilege of being a guest on one of my favorite blogs, Dreamy Whites. (I’ve been guesting a lot lately, haven’t I?) Anyway, Maria is one of the sweetest people you’ll ever “meet” and she has an impeccable style sense and knows how to wield a camera. If you have not been to her blog, you must check it out. Maria asked me to share a fall decorating idea with her readers and I was happy to
at home
All Things Home
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
progress on the custom A/C surround
When I last shared about the custom A/C screen/surround we’re building, it looked like this… My dad came over on Thursday to help me with turning those primed and painted pieces into finished panels. My dad and I are a good building team because we have a similar approach – done is better than perfect. Several times, we said something like, “We’re not sending anyone to space in this thing, so it’ll do.” Even Jeff, who usually brings more perfectionism
DIY Custom A/C Screen
After having the lumber on our garage floor to season for a few months, we are finally building the DIY custom A/C surround. I am joking about letting the wood season. I bought the material without consulting my building partners, and we were not all on the same page regarding starting this project in the fall. That meant we were stepping over it and tripping on it for a few months because I put the cart before the horse. Now,
summer simmer pot recipe
A couple of weeks ago, there was an unfortunate accidental popcorn burning incident in our kitchen. If you’re familiar with the smell of burnt popcorn, you know how unfortunate that can be. Not only did it stink up the house, but it we had to clean out the entire cabinet that houses the microwave and clean everything the burnt popcorn smoke wafted through. I even had to buy new air filters for our Dyson air purifier that we moved from
opening the pool & back patio
Yesterday was the kind of day that I love. The weather was just to my liking: overcast, dry, breezy, and warm enough to work outside, but not too hot. And everyone in our family worked together to get things ticked off the to-do list. Marshall power-washed the front walk, Calvin mowed, and Jeff and I worked together to trim hedges, weed, mulch, and tidy up the back yard. Since the temperature is still to my liking today, I’m going to
how to get rid of bishop’s weed | goutweed update
It’s time for the highly anticipated update on my war on bishop’s weed/goutweed! I’m kidding, but I know some people are looking forward to an update and some advice on how to get rid of goutweed (or at least get it under control). Before I get into the different methods I’ve tried and which have been most effective for me, I want to share a fresh perspective on this aggressive ground cover. While searching online for advice and support can
Everyday Moments
A Slice of Life
four things | fifty-five
It’s been a cold week here in Maryland, and even as I write this, flurries are gently falling. We’re not having any sticking snow, but it’s been nice to watch little flakes flutter out of my studio window this morning. I wish we had more snow! When we moved here from Minnesota, everyone commented on how happy we must be to leave those winters behind. In truth, I mourn Minnesota winters. I loved having snow on the ground all winter,
four things | fifty-four
Between Thanksgiving break spent with family and trying to get my gift guides posted, I didn’t share my four things last week! It’s that time of year when I start feeling a little crunched to post everything in a timely manner. But I really love writing this post each week. It gives me a catch-all place to share bits and pieces of my work and life. Here are my four things for the week: Art & Fear, Dickensian, “they call
plein air painting in italy & podere tour
After a late night of travel followed by two full days, touring Arezzo and teaching a creative workshop, I was feeling run down and decided to skip the group activity planned for the next day. It was a tough call, but I wanted time to slow down and soak up our beautiful surroundings. I didn’t want to feel rushed to go to the next place and do the next thing. I also wanted time to catch up on my journal
small business Saturday
As a small business owner myself, I love supporting other small business owners. It takes a lot of work to turn a vision into a reality and a lot of faith to take that big scary step. While I’m not a huge fan of the post Thanksgiving gauntlet of sales (although it is admittedly good time to start your Christmas shopping), I love that there is a day to celebrate and encourage support for small businesses, so I thought I
2025 Christmas Gift Guide
The Christmas shopping season is among us, and Black Friday (which seems to last over a month now) Sales are already happening. As I have in the past, I’ve put together a few gift guides, mostly consisting of things I own and love that might be good for someone on your list. While I love bargains and good deals, I’ve never been one to shop for or buy something simply because it’s on sale. Instead, I hope the things I
travel journal workshop
I’ll give you fair warning that my posts will be all over the place for a few weeks. We’ll be bouncing around between Christmas decorating, gifting, and crafting, to early October in Italy, and then whatever else I’m working on. Welcome to my life. Today, we’re back in Tuscany at the La Dolce Vita Retreat. While this trip was a vacation, it was also work. I was here to teach a creative workshop for the retreat attendees. I wanted my
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.