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

Antiques

a slice of life

favorite things | antique flatware

I’m sometimes asked what I look for when I’m out shopping for things for my home or things to sell.  The broad, non-specific answer is that I look for whatever speaks to me.  Certain things just capture my attention.  I like them. Why do you like what you like?  You just do. One of the things that I am a total sucker for is antique flatware, specifically bone-handled, French ivory and Bakelite.  And the older, the better. I first noticed Bakelite in a “country” decorating book years ago.  I don’t remember which one, but I loved it and started hunting for it.  It took a few years before I found a set I was willing to splurge on.  I still have that first set, but have bought and sold (and kept) many pieces since then. My most recent acquisition was these Civil war era bone-handled flatware with pewter inlay.  Would you

Read More
All Things Home

furniture in waiting…

I know it’s only January, but I’m already starting to think ahead to the Lucketts Spring Market in May.  It’s my biggest event of the year and I work really hard to fill my booth with goodies. So, the shopping has begun. I was trolling craigslist this weekend, sending links along to my craigslist-shopping-secret-weapon (my dad.)  He contacts the seller, negotiates for me, picks it up in his truck and then delivers it to the studio. He’s probably for hire, but he’s ridiculously expensive for everyone but his baby girl. Anyway, I found a couple of really great dressers and, as soon as his driveway was plowed, he went to pick them up for me. This one is an oldie with amazing details. The hardware, the keyholes, the trim…and it’s actually on little wheels and it has a white marble top.  (It was just too heavy for me to lift on

Read More
All Things Home

favorite things | primitive cupboards

Oh, I loved all of your comments on yesterday’s post.  I found myself smiling as I was reading the stories about treasured items with dings and dents.  I had planned on writing a lot more about how it applies to the way we view ourselves and aging and all sorts of things, but it felt right to leave the post where it was.  And we were all on the same page.  It was a pretty sweet thing. Anyway, I was planning on taking pictures of the dresser I painted for my mom’s room last week, but the roads in her community weren’t plowed yesterday, so I couldn’t get there to take pictures.  That will have to wait for another post… I scrolled through my pictures to see what I could write about and, as I was scrolling, I kept stopping and opening pictures of cupboards.  There are certain pieces of

Read More
All Things Home

$100 Kohl’s Home Giveaway

You know me.  I prefer to buy old things.  They just speak to me in a way that new things don’t, but it’s not always practical to buy old.  Sometimes you need a chair that people can sit in without wondering if and when it might give way.  Right?  Sometimes new things can work really well with all of the old, making your home a bit more functional. When Kohl’s contacted me, asking if I would work with them on promoting their home department, I was honestly a little unsure.  I’ve bought towels and sheets and a frying pan there before, but I never thought of it as a place where I would buy a piece of furniture of a decorative accessory for my home. I’ve always loved shopping at Kohl’s, though, so I decided to look around and see if I could find things that fit my style.  I

Read More
All Things Home

the little things | wooden spoons

I think it’s easy to be intentional when making choices about the big things you bring into your home.  The big commitment items like sofas and china hutches and statement pieces.  I don’t think it’s quite as easy to be intentional about the little things.  Things that are utilitarian and inexpensive. But, if you’re going to buy something, anything, even something little, relatively cheap, and utilitarian, why not buy something you love?  Imagine your home filled just with things you love. Well, that’s the goal, anyway. I’ll be the first to say that I don’t love all of my kitchen utensils, but I’m working towards it.  I feel very neutral about my can opener and pizza cutter, but I love my wooden spoons. I look for ones of different shapes, sizes and tone of wood, so they each have their own personality and I can justify having way more than necessary.  (There is an

Read More
All Things Home

farmhouse white ticket & reviving old metal

If you haven’t noticed, I am just a little excited about our new MMS Milk Paint color, Farmhouse White.  I’ve been into white lately, anyway, but I’m just so in love with the tone and coverage of this paint.  It’s a winner. Launching the color in the usual way just didn’t seem like enough.  I got this idea that it would be fun to offer a “golden ticket” style giveaway as we launch this color.  I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a scavenger hunt?  A hidden surprise tucked into a product?  The suspense of opening each bag, thinking it might be the one! So, somewhere out in the US, there are two $250 USD Farmhouse White Tickets hidden in two bags of Farmhouse White milk paint!  The ticket will work like a gift card that you can spend on any MMSMP products, colors, finishes, brushes, etc. that you want. AND, we don’t want

Read More
All Things Home

the most popular horse in blogland

You know when you’re out shopping and you find a little gem?  Something that screams out at you to buy it.  It speaks to you. Well, I was rummaging around in the somewhat ransacked Christmas section of TJ Maxx and I spotted this sweet wooden horse, just one, with a red bridle and saddle and the sweetest shape.  I think it was $25.  I grabbed it up without hesitation and immediately imagined it painted with milk paint.   And then, as I was perusing Instagram, I realized that just about everyone else in the blog/Instagram world felt the same way about this horse and they bought it, too.  It would seem it’s the poster child for Christmas 2015. And my little gem was feeling more like the mass-produced, trendy horse it actually was.  Because it was everywhere!! I clung to the hope that my plan to paint it would make it my

Read More
All Things Home

Raleigh flea market & antique finds

Last Saturday, when I was in Raleigh visiting Jeff’s family for Thanksgiving, I spent the better part of the day shopping local with a great group of ladies.  We met up at the Raleigh Flea Market, hit a few antique stores and lunched at a local soup & sandwich shop. This is the second time I’ve done a meet-up like this in Raleigh and it was such a special day.  I loved getting to connect with other women who enjoy decorating and antiques as I do.  We were an eclectic mix, but we all had that common ground.  And not only did I get to connect with them, but they connected with each other. And we all found stuff that “spoke” to us. I found this cool stool for $25 right off the bat.  Of course, I’m going to make a cover for the seat. A photo posted by Marian aka Miss Mustard

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