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Favorite Finds

Favorite Finds

alarm clock jackpot & other finds

Today, our realtor had a “broker’s open house” at our home, so I had to find something to do away from home.  I’ve been having a lot of tightness and, not quite pain, but discomfort in my shoulders and neck.  My trapezius muscles to be more specific.  That’s where I hold my stress and it gets tight when I’m, well, stressed.  The weeks heading up to Lucketts were busy and stressful, culminating with my tent collapsing from torrential rain the Friday before Lucketts.  For some reason, the event this year really took it out of me and that manifested itself in a hoarse voice and tired body. I set aside the week after Lucketts to relax…hang out in bed, watch Netflix and movies and only work when I wanted to.  You may have guessed that I’m not very good at loafing around.  I did extend my “break” into the following

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FURNITURE FEATURE FRIDAY | favorites & link party

Good evening everyone!  We’re finally back for a normal FFF.  Between Lucketts and then recovering from Lucketts, I haven’t had the chance to pick favorites in a while, so here we go… My first favorite is by Danielle of Finding Silver Pennies.  Come on…a blue dresser with white detail, pretty knobs and a wood top?  What’s not to like?! These beautiful white cotton twill slipcovers were made by Denise from twill slipcover studio.  The sofa and love seat set were in great condition, but the fabric was formal and too fussy for Denise’s client.  The white slips make them more casual and versatile.  You just can’t go wrong with white slips. Lastly, I can’t help but highlight Meg from Oliver & Rust and this pretty little cabinet.  And everything else that goes along with it.  She is a brilliant stylist.  I actually had the chance to meet her at Lucketts

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Favorite Finds

Barn & Willow

A few months ago, I decided I was ready to change out the drapes in my family room.  I had wanted to for a while, but the idea of actually making eight drapery panels (the proper way…lined and hemmed) was overwhelming and prevented me from actually doing anything. Enter a timely e-mail from Barn & Willow.   Barn & Willow’s founder, Trisha, contacted me to see if I would be a guinea pig for their new drapery line. When I learned that French pleats and Belgian linen were involved, I was happy to sign on.  I also loved the idea of working with and supporting an entrepreneur who was pushing towards her goals.  Trisha wasn’t new to textiles and drapery and home decor, but she had a vision that finding the perfect drapes for your home shouldn’t be difficult, so she launched her own company. I know exactly what she means, because I’ve been

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Favorite Finds

What I kept…

I spent most of the day digging through my Lucketts – leftover pile.  I didn’t have a lot, but we just dumped it all at the basement steps after the event and I really needed to go through it.  Most of the items will go in the online shop, but I do always set a few things aside to keep.  One thing I kept was a pair of needlepoint pillows.  I made these years ago (actually blogged about them HERE) and they’ve been in my living room and guest room, but were finally stuffed in the “pillow closet.”  They’re really too pretty to languish in a closet, so I decided to sell them.  Well, they didn’t sell, so I put them on the daybed in my family room and they are perfect there!  I’m so happy they didn’t sell! I also kept a square ironstone tureen that didn’t sell.  It was

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Before and Afters

the unpainted desk & hemp chair

Despite what some may think, I don’t paint everything. Most of the furniture pieces I buy are in need of some help.  They’re tired, worn, spotted with water rings, sporting chipped & bubbled veneer and have seen better days.  Because of that, I don’t feel the slightest hesitation about painting them. Some pieces, though, are just perfect as is.  Such was the case with this oak desk… The wood and finish were in beautiful condition and the vintage glass knobs were perfect.  We did have to add some new stops to the drawers to keep them from sliding all the way to the back of the desk, but that was a quick fix. Usually, I feel that painting a piece brings out the details, but the graining of the wood made the details, like the cubbies and carved embellishments, really shine. So, the only thing I did beyond adding drawer stops

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Before and Afters

Antique Pine Table Makeover

Would you believe I still have several furniture makeovers from Lucketts to share?  The past few years, I got too busy to take before & after pictures and I really kicked myself for it.  This year, I made myself grab the camera and take a before of every piece AND made sure I had an after picture of each piece before it was loaded into the truck. This antique pine table was one of my favorite pieces.  I guess I had a lot of favorites this year, because this is like the fifth piece I’ve called one of my favorites!  I found it on my shopping trip to Virginia.  It was one of the pricier pieces I bought, but I really loved it and thought it would make a nice “focal piece” in my booth.  Plus, I loved it so much, I didn’t mind if it didn’t sell.  It wasn’t purchased

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Before and Afters

More French Chairs

We’re on the final stretch to Lucketts.  The truck gets loaded today and we’ll set up our space tomorrow.  I’ve been working on things and shopping for so long that I’m really looking forward to it finally being here. I told you I have French chairs coming out of my ears, practically.  I usually have four or five.  This year, I have nine…I think.  That might not sound like much, but I feel like it’s a lot. Here’s one I just finished a few days ago…. If you think that chair looks familiar, you’re right!  I bought this pair of chairs a couple of years ago and painted them in Shutter Gray with a wash of Ironstone.  I brought them to the Lucketts Holiday Open House when I was a vendor there and they didn’t sell.  So, I brought them home and used them for a while. I tried to

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Favorite Finds

the ironstone mold jackpot & don't high five at yard sales

 I went out shopping on Friday again…one of my last big shopping trips before Lucketts and it was a good one!  I found four French chairs, a dress form, a really cool wood wagon, tons of ironstone and other fun things.  Here’s a look… …I’ve always had a soft spot for salt and butter crocks, but they are always so expensive.  This one was well priced… …and an ironstone sugar jar with a gold band… …some chunky ironstone bowls… …a pretty blue & white casserole… …a beautiful small ironstone tureen set… …and SIX ironstone molds.  I couldn’t believe when I kept finding them.  Usually I find one, maybe two at a time, but I found SIX all in one shopping trip. I have sort of developed a thing for ironstone molds, so I’m keeping three and selling the other three. I also found something I’ve been wanting for a long

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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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May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

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