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

Favorite Finds

My Desk – Revealed!

My desk is finally done! This is how it started. It was a very pretty desk (actually a vanity), but it had been poorly treated. It had a huge mirror, but the frame looked like it had been eaten by a rodent of some sort…seriously. The finish was marred and someone thought it would look cuter with stickers on the drawers. I removed the mirror (saved the mirror and pitched the frame), because I thought it looked a little masculine to be a vanity, anyway. I paid $50.00 for it at Goodwill. A little on the high side, but it’s a great piece. So, here’s how it looks now! I sprayed the brass hardware with Krylon’s Oil Rubbed Bronze, finished in the top in Dark Walnut with a Wipe-On Poly finish, and painted the body of the desk in Creamy by Sherwin Williams. I love the way it turned out!

Read More

Finds & Fabric

This morning I had to deliver furniture to a client and then head over to a mural job. I couldn’t stop at any yard sales, so I rubber-necked my way past a whole slew of them. It was just killing me. After the work was done, I was able to hit one of my favorite thrift stores. I spotted this little wagon immediately, but knew it had to be outrageously expensive. It didn’t have a tag, so I asked a woman who works there. (I’m not sure if it’s embarrassing or something to brag about, but the people there know me pretty well.) So, she hummed a minute and said, “How about $4.00?” I don’t even think I answered her. I just picked it up and carried it behind the counter to start my pile. I love the silvery blue paint. And this wagon is very petite, so it’s great

Read More

Goodwill Goodies & Mural Preview

Thank you for the great response to my very first Furniture Feature Friday and my new blog design. Isn’t Laura (my designer) so talented? I love it! Anyway, I am in the process of working on a mural (preview below), so I don’t have a new pieces of furniture or any tips & tricks for you today. I do have a few new finds from Goodwill yesterday. OK, hear me out on this lamp. I know it’s brass, but look at the shape! And that shade is just crying out to be tole painted, right? Are you feeling me? It was $6.97. As most lovers of French Country style, I like roosters…in moderation. I don’t want my house to look like a coop, but I like one here and there. I really liked this towel holder. I’m not sure, yet, if I’m going to sell it or use it in

Read More

French Style Table Revealed!

I received another award! This one was the Honest Scrap award from Frippery. I received this a few weeks ago from another blogger, but that doesn’t make this one any less special. Thanks! You can click here to see my answers and learn a little bit more about me. Also, excuse my blog as I undergo some design changes. Here is the pretty marble-topped table I gave you a sneak peak of last night. I found this on Craig’s List for $20.00. The top is solid (and I mean solid) marble and it was in great condition. It was just a little tired… Here’s the before (with the top off.) The finish had seen better days and it was a little dated. I sanded, applied Gloss-Off, primed, and painted the piece with 2 coats of semi-gloss Pro-Classic paint from Sherwin Williams. Check out my furniture painting tutorial for the details.

Read More

What’s in the Hopper & What’s New

I have A LOT of things in the hopper, so I thought I’d share a few with you. This desk is for my office. I’m doing the same look I did with my furniture stripping tutorial table. I’ve already stained the top dark walnut, which is why it is covered. One more coat of paint… This little table is for the shop. Inspiration hasn’t hit me, yet, but I have this pretty blue/gray color I’m going to use on it. This table was $1.00 at an antique store. It had been sitting outside for so long that the finish had totally flaked off. That made my job easier! Since it was raw wood, I stained the top (dark walnut, of course) and I’m still deciding what color to paint it. This is the current state of my dining room…yikes. Our new shop is opening in a few weeks, so I

Read More

Saturday in a Small Town

Three years ago my family moved from the busy suburbs to a small town (borough) nestled in the rolling hills and fruit orchards of Pennsylvania. We absolutely love it and only occasionally miss the conveniences of the suburbs. This morning we hit some yard sales. I found a few interesting things to share with you, but mostly I found great toys (Christmas presents) for my boys. Pictures of GeoTrax and Lightning McQueen are not eye candy, so I will refrain from posting them. I bought this large box of pumpkins for $7.50! Our budget is tight, so I had given up on being able to buy fall decorations. I never thought I’d be so excited about a box of pumpkins at a yard sale and I can’t wait to spread them around the house. This antique dresser has only good things in store. Despite the cosmetic issues, it’s in good

Read More

Sometimes it Feels Like Robbery

Today my finds were about quality, not quantity. I ran over to the church yard sale across the street from our house (we live in a little downtown area) while my husband was home for lunch. There wasn’t a lot there, but I found a couple of great things! This vintage Pyrex refrigerator box set was in fantastic condition and was only $3.50! I scooped them up so fast I thought for sure I would drop one. …the sticker to prove the wonderful price. I then saw this stack of white bowls. I got a feeling in my gut that I need to turn them over…and bingo! Ironstone. One of my very favorite things. …and the price? Fifty cents. FOR ALL OF THEM! The sticker might as well have said “just steal me.”I felt so bad about those prices that I bought some $2.50 cookies from the bake sale. They

Read More

Don’t Hate Me…More Goodwill Goodies

I’m linking to Frugalicious Friday over at my blog friend, Jane’s Finding Fabulous. Make sure you check out this new blog party! I’m almost afraid to show all of you everything I found all at one Goodwill yesterday. I have been very fortunate lately with my thrift store & yard sale finds…don’t hate me. This vintage suitcase was $1.97…I already had the bench. The frame was one of my most expensive purchases at $6.97. It is old and heavy! Not sure what I’ll do with it, yet, but I couldn’t pass up a nice frame. I’ll spray this $1.97 display stand either white or oil rubbed bronze. I’m not a gold/brass fan. Another piece that’s getting some spray paint. Really neat candle holder, though. It was $1.97. This wooden rabbit pull toy is hand made. It’s going to be a little tricky to paint, but it is going to look

Read More

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.

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

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.

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.

Recent Video

Spring Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest