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Antiques

Antiques

new antique fireplace tools

The first thing I bought specifically for our house was a pair of antique “cannonball” andirons.  My mom and I went to an antique store as a diversion from a tense period of waiting for our offer to be accepted and I received a call from our realtor on the way that the deal was done.  So, I was shopping with more intention and excitement.  I spotted this pair of andirons and they immediately spoke to me. As with most antiques I feel drawn to, I can’t always explain why one piece speaks to me and another doesn’t, but my mom pointed out that they look like the andirons that were in my Oma’s fireplace and I think perhaps her mother before her.  It was intuitive and familiar and, in this case, I had an explanation.   I knew we had a woodburning fireplace for the house and, while I

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Antiques

baby shoes, sepia portraits, & vials of color

“Well, you definitely got into the right business.”  My mom has said this to me many times over my 13+ years of writing this blog.  She knows I love happy surprises, mail, and gifts and, in this weird little line of work, I get some of the best mail.  It started with rolls of tape, a t-shirt here and there, and then a flood of vintage and antique sheet music when I wanted to make wreaths, ornaments, and tree toppers out of paper.  It’s continued over the years with thoughtful things people find that “have my name on it” or someone is ready to pass a cherished time or collection on to a new home where it will be appreciated.  I’ve been the recipient of many thoughtful gifts and encouraging notes through the years.  Many of those notes are on my inspiration board and remind me that even though sharing

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1970 home renovation

antique step-back hutch & breakfast nook

The kitchen will be our next big project in the house and I can’t wait to tackle this space.  As I’ve shared before, it’s a bit of an awkward room that is sort of a U-shape.  One side of the U is a hallway that leads to the pantry (the door to the right in the photo below), the foyer, and opens into a kitchen breakfast nook.  In the little hallway to the pantry, I put the antique step-back hutch that I purchased last summer at Gold Rush Days in Minnesota.  I bought the piece for the basement and never really did much with it.  It was a piece I wanted to keep for a few reasons.  First of all, it has a small footprint but offers a lot of storage.  Second, I didn’t really have the chance to enjoy it, so I wasn’t ready to let go of it

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Antiques

Antique French Louis Philippe Vitrine

Remember the piece I purchased from Ekster Antiques?  When I shared it on Instagram, one of my friends (who is a designer and European antique dealer) informed me this is an antique French Louis Philippe Vitrine.  I didn’t know it was called that specifically, but I knew that it was gorgeous and that I loved it.  It was even better than what I imagined when I put “glass front cabinet” on my furniture shopping list for the new house. I was at the Ekster Antiques barn to pick up a piece for my studio, but I kept getting pulled back to this piece.  One of my goals, when it came to purchasing pieces, was to only buy pieces that were “favorites.”  I want to have a house full of favorites, as I wrote about HERE last year.  There was no denying when I stood in front of this antique Louis

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Antiques

the antique victorian bamboo shelf

Remember the antique Thebes stool I found a few weeks ago at a local antique store?  Well, in that same booth, I found another incredible find at an excellent price – an antique Victorian burnt bamboo shelf.  I think it was $85 with an additional 20%.  As I picked up the rickety old shelf and handed it to Jeff, he gave me a quizzical look.  Trust me.  It’s special.   I have seen these antique burnt bamboo shelves go for a lot of money.  This one, while just a little shifty from being such a waif-like shelf, was in excellent condition.  I normally have a piece in mind where I can use a piece, especially a piece of furniture before I purchase it, but this is the kind of piece you can use in a dozen different places.  I imagined it in the kitchen stack with linens and some copper pots

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All Things Home

favorite things | antique kilim rugs

Let’s talk about one of my favorite recent things – antique and vintage kilim rugs.  I’ve been admiring vintage and antique rugs in general because of the warmth and sense of history they bring to a room, but I’ve been interested in kilim rugs for a few reasons.  “Kilim” is a Turkish word meaning a flat woven rug that doesn’t have a pile.  This means they are hardwearing, pet/kid-friendly, and ideal for high-traffic areas.  They are also more affordable than most of their antique/vintage rug counterparts.  I have been buying them for use in halls, bathrooms, and in front of doors (they are great for those places because they are so flat), but they also come in large, area-rug sizes. The shop I’ve been purchasing my rugs from is Kilim Rug Home.  The owner has impressive reviews, offers great pricing, is very attentive when it comes to questions, and offers

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All Things Home

framed antique indenture

When I shared the living room curtains earlier this week, a few of you noticed the framed antique indenture hanging on the wall over the sofa.  Well, let’s talk about this piece of custom-made art! First off, let’s talk about what an indenture is since most of us are familiar with it only in terms of servitude.  An indenture is simply a contract and the subject of that contract can be a variety of subjects including labor, marriage, property, settlements, and more.  Second, you can find for a wide variety of prices but can get bargains for around $25. The price is based on the age, size, quality, and subject of the indenture.  I bought mine from last year.  I know she has more, so send her a message on her Instagram HERE if you’re interested in details. My particular antique indenture is a marriage contract from 1842 and is

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All Things Home

the antique thebes stool

When Jeff and I went on an outing last Monday, we walked through an antique store to look for some of the furniture pieces still on my shopping list.  I tried to stay focused on my list, but it is hard to ignore pieces that speak to me.  Such was the case with this odd little stool.  I had never seen one like it, but after years of antiquing, I know when I see something special and this little stool was special.  Better yet, it was well priced at around $30 and was discounted even further.  I handed the stool to Jeff and he gave me a questioning look.  I know it’s not on the list, but there is something about this piece and I want to buy it.  He’s learned to trust me in such matters and carried it up to the counter.  I have since learned that the

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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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