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Decorating

All Things Home

design ramblings | color of the year

If you’re plugged into the design world, even a little, I’m sure you’ve heard about the color of the year announced by Pantone.  In 2015, it’s Marsala… In episode three of Design Ramblings, Kriste and I decided to discuss the 2015 color as well as the whole idea of a color of the year… I realized after I talked about the bluish/green paired with Marsala that those colors are both in the rug from my Opa’s house.  It actually looks amazing with the navy, cornflower, brick and even that pea green!  Whoever put these colors together had a wonderful eye.  I always feel like rugs are a challenge for me, but I do think they can be a great jumping off point for the design of a room.  As I mentioned in the video, we mixed our own version of Marsala with MMS milk paint just for fun.  The Pantone Marsala does have a

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2014 Home Changes

As 2014 is winding down, I’ve been thinking about everything that’s happened over the past year.  I started looking through posts and pictures and enjoyed seeing all of the things I’ve done, the places I’ve been and the projects that were completed.  I figured I’d write a few posts sharing the highlights…my favorites and your favorites.  Let’s start with my house. What struck me as I looked back over pictures is how much has stayed the same.  The master bedroom and bathroom, half bath, kitchen, home office, upstairs bath and family room have stayed pretty much the same.  For the most part.  I’ve made tweaks and moved some furniture and things around, but nothing has been dramatically changed. Here are the things that have changed – This is how the living room looked in January… …and in December. The dining room in January… …and December. I’m planning to put a rug back

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Holiday

Christmas 2014 recap

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!  I had a truly wonderful day with Jeff, my boys, my brother and his wife and my parents.  There was the usual frenzy of opening presents, but it was even more enjoyable this year because the boys are at such a sweet age.  They’re old enough to really get it, but young enough to run around in footie jammies all day. I received mostly gift cards (Anthro, Ulta, iTunes and ModCloth), a “zoodle” maker (for spiral-cutting vegetables), some Crocs that are lined (I wear my Crocs often, but my feet get cold in the winter) and a few other things. I set the table and did a lot of food prep the day before, so I was able to putter around the kitchen at a comfortable pace to get everything ready.  My mom and brother also made a few of the dishes, so it

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Holiday

Christmas Inspiration

I was going to post the second look for the Arabesque dresser I shared yesterday, but I realized I had one more Christmas post to share and I has better share it before it isn’t Christmas any longer!  I don’t usually share the work of others here, except for my favorites on FFF.  It’s not that I don’t like to link up and support others, but I don’t want my voice to get thinned out by sharing the content of others too often.  I am also a bit compulsive about writing blog posts! It’s an outlet and can be very therapeutic for me. Today, though, I am featuring some beautiful photos styled by Melanie Beilner, taken by Annetta Bosakova.  They are both extremely talented ladies and I thought it was worth sharing this shoot… (I’m really into seeded eucalyptus this year.  We used some for the Cottages & Bungalows shoot we

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Decorating

When being a DIYer prevents you from getting something done…

If you read the title and you’re a DIYer, you know what I’m talking about.  Most of us have wish lists waiting to be completed and piles of supplies waiting to be turned into that finished project we’ve been dreaming about.  There are times when those lists and piles are too overwhelming and I would just rather get sucked into a show on Netflix and pitter about on Pinterest.  Then, there are times when I’m plowing through the list, trying to find the non-existent end.  What I have found with some projects, is that I just need to do what non-DIYers do on a regular basis – just buy the darn thing and get it finished.  But, if you’re a DIYer to the core, you know that’s hard to do. I have been wanting to frame family pictures for years.  YEARS!  I have had a “to-frame” pile for, seriously, about

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Decorating

design ramblings | the deer head debate

Welcome to episode two of Design Ramblings, a 10 -12 minute “show” of Kriste & I talking about design stuff – trends, what inspires us, tips…whatever occupies our thoughts as we work in the studio.   If you missed episode 1 (about decorating for Christmas), you can find it HERE. First of all, we got a lot of valuable feedback on our first video that was complimentary and constructive.  We took some notes, made a few changes and we have even more ideas for the future.  Our list of topics to discuss is rapidly growing!  Keep the feedback and suggestions coming.  We’re learning as we go, so it’s helpful. When Kriste and I first kicked around the idea about Design Ramblings, we put talking about design trends near the top of the topic list.  And, one of the first trends that came to mind was deer heads.  Well, the whole deer/deer head/antler/animal head

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Decorating

guest room curtains…check

I tend to get a little bit aimless around the holidays.  Those aimless times are when it’s hard to be your own boss.  I have long lists of things I want and need to do, but I don’t have anything pressing.  (Actually, I need to finish my Christmas shopping and that’s getting pretty pressing…)  When I start to feel aimless, I usually do one of two things.  One – I’ll give myself a break and have an easy day.  Or two – I’ll start knocking stuff out.  I chose the latter today. Knowing that I had lots to do, but wasn’t sure what I was going to do, I went upstairs and unclipped the fabric at the guest room window and threw it in the car to finally sew them into real curtains.  I started right into pinning and pressing when I got to the studio.  When Kriste showed up, she

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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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