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Antiques
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

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December 10, 2015 20 Comments
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

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December 5, 2015 41 Comments
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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December 4, 2015 43 Comments
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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November 28, 2015 108 Comments
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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November 27, 2015 458 Comments
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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November 25, 2015 27 Comments

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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November 5, 2015 4 Comments
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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October 23, 2015 25 Comments

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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