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Favorite Finds

a shopping trip & a cleaning day

A few weeks ago, I received an invitation to “breakfast at Ballards” a celebration of the opening of the new Ballard Designs store in the King of Prussia mall near Philly. Usually, invitations like this are too far for me to travel, but this one was just a couple hours away, so Kriste and I decided to take the day to attend the event and do some non-antique shopping. We started super early, so we could make it to the mall in time for the breakfast and to tour/shop the store. I’ve never been in a Ballard store before, but I have to say that it’s worth it if you have one near you. I’ve been getting their catalogs, but everything is even prettier in person. I now have the distinction of being the second shopper ever at that Ballard store. I bought some blue and white checked pillow cases for

November 5, 2015 4 Comments

All Things Home

white on white on white

Soooo…I am really starting to love white. I’ve been moving in that direction for a while, but lately, it’s what I’m drawn to the most. The key to whites being successful is texture and tone. The shades of white you use in a space can either look warm and intentional or stark and bland. It’s a fine line. I love mixing crisp whites with those that are creamy. On the white slipcovered Ikea sofa, I layered a nubby antique hemp sheet on the back with a lace-edged runner on top. I mixed white cotton channel-stitched pillows with a cream linen knife-pleated pillow. The contrasts are subtle, but pretty. Anything but stark. If you’re afraid of whites because your family and whites don’t mix well, then try using more creams and off-whites and don’t use white upholstery on the pieces your family sits on the most. I can get away with having

October 23, 2015 25 Comments

All Things Home

finds of the day

I spent today out and about. My youngest son, Calvin, had a doctor’s appointment and then I had to drive him an hour to school, meet him for lunch to give him insulin (it was a special lunch away from school) and kill time for a couple of hours until it was time to pick the boys up from school. So, what’s a girl like me to do with a couple of free hours? Well, I am predictable. I went to an antique mall to linger and hunt. I don’t have anything specific to buy for right now, but when you have a couple of hours to kill… Here’s what I found… There was no way I was leaving without these. They were $9.50/each and 20% off. …this tote had the sweetest handle and the prettiest patina…. I also like the shape. It’s a bit smaller than other utensil totes I’ve

October 21, 2015 41 Comments

All Things Home

the file cabinet coffee table

First of all, I want to announce the winners of the giveaways I held last week. Drum roll, please… The winner of the Antique Farmhouse giveaway is Becky Yaddis! And the winner of the Miss Mustard Seed in a Box giveaway is Melanie Milburn! As I was making the major push to get ready for Lucketts earlier this year, I found a very cool part of an old, oak file cabinet at one of my favorite antique shops. It was a good price ($65), because it was only one piece of a larger unit. It was missing a top and had awkward strips on top of it, so another unit could be stacked on top. Well, I found a random old top for $10 and Kriste found some great wheels ($12, I think) and bingo… …it becomes a coffee table. Kriste’s coffee table to be more specific. She snaked it

October 21, 2015 37 Comments

All Things Home

antique farmhouse giveaway

Did you spot the metal tray in my post yesterday? It’s actually a set of three and it’s my Designer Pick for Antique Farmhouse today! I like pieces that are versatile and corral little items that might otherwise look like clutter and these metal trays are perfect for that. I used these to style the shoe cart in my studio, but I’m thinking they would be great for magazines, books, oils and condiments by the stove, toiletries, office supplies, craft supplies, as the base to a table centerpiece, or a way to hold plants to protect a table from water rings. Endless possibilities. Would you like to win a set? Here’s how to enter the giveaway to win the set of three nesting trays from Antique Farmhouse (leave a separate comment for each action for additional chances to win)… Simply leave a comment on this post. Subscribe to the Antique Farmhouse email newsletter so you don’t miss

October 16, 2015 1,778 Comments

Favorite Finds

antique farmhouse giveaway

October 16, 2015 740 Comments

All Things Home

in the works & in the wings

After the push to get ready for The Market on Chapel Hill, I took a bit of a break from bringing in new pieces of furniture. I was actually trying to clean out the studio and weed out the stash, so I just had things to work on that I was really excited about. We’re putting together a second look book for the MMS Milk Paint line and have a shoot scheduled at the most insanely beautiful manor next week and I realized I only had two pieces to shoot! Time to get in gear, Marian. I tripped across these chairs. Almost literally. I went to the Old Red Barn in Chambersburg, PA to teach a milk paint demo last weekend and spotted these barrel-backed cane beauties… I mean…come on. Initially, I thought there was no way in the world I would paint them, but they aren’t particularly old (1980’s most

October 15, 2015 57 Comments

All Things Home

market recap & milk-painted wooden toys

We are back home from our trip to Alabama, safe and sound from the Market on Chapel Hill. It is a long trip, but it’s always worth it. The worth isn’t in the profits made. (I told someone I would probably cry if I really took the time to figure out my hourly rate for all of the prep, shopping, etc. that is put into these events.) The worth is in the moments with people…readers, shoppers, fellow vendors, bloggers, the community who hosts this event with so much concern for detail. So often, I’m in a bubble. At my computer, in my studio, in my house. I’m comfortable there. But when I step outside of that bubble, I almost always find encouragement. I feel challenged and inspired in new ways. Most times, there’s at least one conversation or hug or story that moves me to tears. A moment that emphasizes…this

October 5, 2015 22 Comments

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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Favorite Finds

a shopping trip & a cleaning day

white on white on white

finds of the day

the file cabinet coffee table

antique farmhouse giveaway

antique farmhouse giveaway

in the works & in the wings

market recap & milk-painted wooden toys

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

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