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Antiques

All Things Home

teacup & pedestal advent wreath

Last year, I made an advent wreath out of an ironstone ring mold.  I was planning to do the same this year, but my ring mold was at the studio when I was in the heat of the decorating moment, so I shifted gears.  (Of course, I could’ve hopped in the car and made the two-minute drive to the studio to get it, but that seems like too much of a disruption to someone who is in the thick of a creative moment.) I tend to thrive on decorating MacGyver-style, anyway.  Well, sometimes.  Some of my best ideas have happened on the fly.  But then again, sometimes I get impatient and force things and it’s a disaster.  And the worst part is that I know it’s a disaster even as I’m doing it.  Like the time I thought it was a good idea to hot-glue exterior velvet ribbon to the

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All Things Home

freestanding kitchen

Just imagine a kitchen without built-in cabinetry and long stretches of counter tops.  That’s a pretty radical idea in the US in this day and age, but, for our next house, that’s exactly what I want. photo via I’ve been thinking about it for a while now…a kitchen that is gutted and furnished with freestanding antiques mixed with some modified or custom-built pieces to make the space functional.  I get giddy at the thought!  Imagine being able to rearrange your kitchen when you get the itch! (Jeff, don’t read that part.) But seriously.  Not only do I love how custom it will look, but also how economical it is. And, I must confess, I have already been quietly keeping pieces that might work for my future freestanding kitchen… I already have an amazing antique counter that would be a great centerpiece and provide loads of storage.  Imagine my shirt counter with

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All Things Home

super market sign | black friday “steal” & giveaway

When I shared my freshly painted custom-built cabinet last week, several of you asked about the “super market” sign and I said I would tell you about in on Friday.  Well, now it’s Friday.  Black Friday, to be more specific.  And the super market sign is the Decor Steals special Black Friday steal-of-the-day! The thing I really like about this sign is that it’s made of metal and the lettering is raised, so it’s a great reproduction of an antique sign.  (I’m always bummed by the ones that are just a flat board with a picture of an old sign glued to it!) This one looks right at home among my antiques. And, since it’s Black Friday, Decor Steals is offering it at an amazing deal – $39.95. Some of you also asked about the metal trug and that is going to be the flash steal today.  This steal will be available at

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All Things Home

the $125 farm table

I needed to pick up some supplies for the glitter workshop last week and I could hardly be out and about for the day without stealing a few minutes in an antique store!  So, I meandered through one of my local haunts, hitting some of my favorite vendor’s booths, picking up a few small things.  I wasn’t looking for furniture, but, of course, a piece of furniture found me. I spotted this great counter-height farm table for $125. I knew it had to come home with me.  It was worth the total pain of taking out one of my van seats and unloading it by myself at the studio. Oh, the sacrifices. I also bought this great basket for only $25. I was trolling eBay just the day before for a large French laundry basket, but they were in the $200 range, which was more than I wanted to pay.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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