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Antiques

All Things Home

the old schoolhouse/music hall

Before I share about the old schoolhouse/music hall I visited during Gold Rush, I wanted to let everyone know I listed a bunch of paintings for sale on Daily Paint Works.  This latest sale includes eight 5 x 7s from my “Out the Window” series, a calf, a country church, and I finally felt like I could let go of one of my sepia-toned rabbits. These paintings are sold auction-style, so I don’t have to set the prices and so everyone has time to place a bid if they are interested in owning an original painting.  You can bid on the animals HERE and the landscapes (including the church) HERE. Thanks to everyone who bids and buys!  It means a lot to me that you support this new venture into the world of fine art. As Cheri and I were making our way around the town of Oronoco to check

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All Things Home

Gold Rush | Aug 2019

Last Friday, my friend Cheri and I hit Gold Rush Days in Oronoco, MN.  It’s a huge antique event that takes over the entire sleepy town.  I’ve gone the past two years and found some fun things, but for some reason, I wasn’t enthusiastic about going this year.  I’ve been busy, I was certain it would be hot and humid, and I wasn’t optimistic that I would find anything I was looking for.  Great attitude, right?  I couldn’t believe I was feeling that way about antiquing!  Jeff encouraged me to go, though. I almost bailed, but I didn’t and I can’t tell you how glad I am that I went.  It was the best Gold Rush, yet!  (You can read about previous years HERE.) Right off the bat, Cheri and I were making a beeline to a couple of vendors.  I spotted a bunch of gilded frames leaned up against

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All Things Home

real simple interview & craigslist tips

A few months ago, I was interviewed for an article for Real Simple about buying furniture secondhand on a variety of online marketplaces.  That issue is now available on newsstands (July 2019) if you’d like to grab a copy. While we’re on the topic, I thought I would share my tips and tricks when it comes to shopping for furniture secondhand, specifically off of craigslist.  I’ve been shopping off of craigslist for over 10 years, so it’s my go-to place, even though other online marketplaces have cropped up and are just as good.  It’s just what I’m used to and I’ve found some amazing things just by search regularly. These tips are primarily from a post I wrote a few years ago, but I’ve made some updates and additional comments. HOW I SEARCH CRAIGSLIST I search all “for sale” categories.  You can often find furniture, antiques and cool pieces with

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All Things Home

a new home for the $50 dresser

Last week was such a blast.  I ended up spending it with my dear friend, Shaunna.  We became fast friends about 9 years ago when we met at the blogging conference, Blissdom. We are two peas in a pod, as they say.  We’re just alike enough and just different enough. Shuanna flew up to Minnesota, so we could spend the week working on our new collaborative project, which we’ll be launching within a couple of weeks.  There was lots of laughing and a lot of deep creative conversations.  By the end of the week, I was simultaneously full to the brim and drained.  I can’t wait to tell you what we’ve been up to. Until then… I took the weekend to rest and catch up.  I slept in, journaled, did my morning walk, hung out with Jeff & the boys, painted, and got back into some of my normal routines. 

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All Things Home

blame the used furniture

This story involves Jeff finding a snake in our kitchen, but that’s not where the story starts. Last week, I purchased a beautiful antique dresser off of craigslist for $50.  I was cruising the furniture section on a whim and spotted it.  I could tell from the shape and finish that it was an oldie and, since it was less than a mile down the road, I decided to jump at it. This isn’t the spot where it’s going to, by the way, but we just put it there until we find a permanent home for it (there are several spots in the running.) The wood has the most lovely patina on it… …and I love the unique details, like the shape of the feet. I even like the patched-together top.  I believe this originally had a marble top, but perhaps even had a hutch top.  Although there is no

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All Things Home

red, wildflowers, & blue

For the past few weeks, I’ve noticed pretty wildflowers along some of the paths I take on my morning walk.  I’ve picked one or two to put in a small vase or handleless cup, but a couple of days ago, I decided to pick a small bouquet.  It was completely impractical, carrying a bouquet of delicate flowers while Sebastian and I were trying to get some exercise, but I found joy in the simplicity of noticing and gathering.  It brought me back to the days when I would bring home bouquets made of buttercups, dandelions, and grass to my mom. When I got home, I loosely arranged the flowers in a marmalade crock and was inspired to put together a little vignette on the table.  I generally don’t buy decor for holidays except for pumpkins in fall and things for Christmas.  I prefer to use what I have that speaks

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All Things Home

favorite things | ironstone molds

When I shared the ironstone mold I purchased at the flea market over Mother’s Day weekend, I received a few questions about ironstone molds, so I thought I would share more about them.  My collection started a few years ago with, of course, my love for anything ironstone.  That love even led me into buying an ironstone spitoon, which I wouldn’t do again because #1 what do you use that for and #2…ick.  Anyway, I came across an ironstone mold and at first debated buying it.  It had a beautiful design on the inside, but it looked a little clumsy and plain on the outside.  And what would I do with it?  Pitchers and bowls and plates and the like can all be used for something (even if they are mostly used for display.) The one I was debating, though, was a good size to plop a plant in or

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All Things Home

repairing a broken stool

I was going to call this post “how to fix loose stools”, but I realized that sounded like an Immodium commercial or something and came up with a different name.  You’re welcome for that. Anyway, moving past the potty humor, I have a thing for antique stools.  They are multi-functional and, since they are hard-working pieces, they are typically worn to perfection.  They are very soulful pieces of furniture in my view. Often times, though, the rungs that connect the legs on stools (and chairs) loosen over time, especially if they’ve been stored in a garage or attic where extreme temperatures can loosen the glue. Fixing this issue is so simple, though!  Just get some wood glue… …and brush it onto the end of the lose rung and the recess it fits into. Push it back in… …and wipe away the excess glue.  In my experience, most of the chairs

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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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