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

Preorder the Book
Facebook Instagram Youtube Tiktok

Decorating
Fall

autumn table & more glittered pumpkins

A couple of weeks ago, I showed a more traditional, spooky black & orange fall table with black glass glitter on pumpkins, crows, pinecones and a paper bat bunting.  In this setting, I wanted to show glittered pumpkins in a totally different way, so Kriste & I set up a rustic autumn table with a little glam element in the form of gold (14 Karat) and silver (Tiara) glass glittered pumpkins. Kriste took the lead on glittering these pumpkins and opted to glitter the stems and a “starburst” sort of pattern on the top of each pumpkin.  I think they turned out beautifully.  (The glitter is adhered with Elmer’s school glue.) We used live pumpkins, but this would be perfect for artificial pumpkins as well…probably even better since they can be used year after year.  We also decided to try one with a mix of 14 Karat & Tiara glitter, which looked lovely.

Read More
October 28, 2014 12 Comments
crafts

black glittered pumpkins & more

Today in the studio, Kriste and I worked creating two very different Halloween/fall tables.  In the one I’m showing today, we went with a black/orange/spooky classic Halloween theme.  Neither of us are big on decorating for Halloween, but this was so much fun to put together and we both love how it turned out. We featured Flapper Black MMS GGG (Miss Mustard Seed’s German Glass Glitter) on several simple projects on this table.  We glittered live and wooden pumpkins (found at Target), some clearance plastic crows, pine cones and paper bats that we made into bunting.  We made them with the same glue & glitter technique most people learn in elementary school. Pick something to glitter… …have some glitter at the ready and work over some paper or a container, so the glitter can be reused. Brush on a white all-purpose school glue… …and immediately sprinkle the glitter on. Allow

Read More
October 15, 2014 34 Comments
Dining Room

joss & main #holidayhostess event!

I know it’s not even Halloween, yet, but it’s about time to start thinking about the holidays and the parties, guests and decorating that comes along with it!  I’ve partnered with Joss & Main to kick off their Holiday Hostess events that will be running over the next few weeks.  It’s a great lineup of bloggers including the ladies from Stone Gable, French Country Cottage and Finding Home. For my event, I featured my dining room and guest room… I decked out the dining room in my usual blue and white with natural accents like preserved boxwood and pinecones.  This is meant to be a “transitional” table that eases you and guests into the holidays.  It’s not full-on-Christmas-in-your-face, yet, but it’s festive.   The subtle holiday decor carries into the guest room…   Most of the decor is seasonally neutral, but I added some swags of boxwood at the foot

Read More
October 14, 2014 26 Comments
Decorating

bright white ceiling & pearly white walls

Today the boys are off school for the Columbus Day holiday.  Three day weekends like these always catch me by surprise, but we always find a way to just roll with it.  Jeff was out for the day, so it was just me and the boys.  We took this day to hang out in our jammies at the house.  I was planning on being in the studio today, pricing my weekend finds and working on things for the Chapel Market, but that wasn’t going to work with a day off school.  The boys were playing really well, so I decided to hop into a project at home that I didn’t think I would get to until after the market – painting the living and dining rooms. Remember this plan? I first needed to paint the ceilings.  What joy is mine.  I don’t think anyone enjoys painting ceilings.  (Except Michelangelo.  He was

Read More
October 13, 2014 43 Comments
Photography

improve your photography…

I’ve been planning on writing this post for a while and I kept forgetting about it in favor of sharing a furniture makeover or some progress we’re making in the studio, but I was reminded of it as I was shooting pictures of a home for Cottages & Bungalows last Thursday.  I’ve had “real camera crews” come shoot rooms in my house before, so I felt a little unimpressive showing up at Heather’s door step without a ton of fancy gear, scrims, umbrellas and suitcases full of flashes and lenses.  I had one camera bag, one circular reflector/scrim that was $11 off Amazon and a couple of lights we use for videos.  We didn’t look fancy, but we got the job done! So, while I was shooting, Heather noticed that I was zooming in on each picture on my laptop and she asked why I was doing that.  I went on to

Read More
October 12, 2014 30 Comments
Fall

minimal fall decorating

I’ve share this before, but I thought it was worth sharing again.  I’m not big on decorating for each season.  I think in the world of Pinterest and blogs, it’s easy to feel like you have to do a bunch of projects and crafts for birthdays, parties and especially during the holiday season.  As I’ve been immersed in that world and holidays seem to blur into one another as I’m dying Easter eggs in October and buying Christmas trees in April, I’ve gotten a little holidayed-out.  So, for fall, I don’t put out a bunch of wreaths, hay stacks, cornucopias and scarecrows.  I just sprinkle a few pumpkins around the house and that’s that. Of course, I’m partial to the white and pale blue varieties…    After focusing on the studio for a few weeks, I did a few things in my home.  I just moved some pictures and accessories around

Read More
September 29, 2014 31 Comments
Decorating

process of styling

I’ve been asked to share my thought process for styling a photo shoot, specifically with a piece of furniture, and this post is in response to those requests.  I think styling is something that is hard to teach, because it is an art in itself and is based so much on personal taste.  As I walk you through my thought process on styling this piece, you might like one of my “rejects” better than the one I liked and that’s okay.  I’m hoping that through sharing my thought process, it can help you think through your own process, so when you’re styling shots you can be more intentional with your choices. The first thing I learned is that I am much happier with my shots when I take my time.  This means putting the camera on the tripod and connecting it to my computer.  This is known as shooting “tethered”.

Read More
September 18, 2014 24 Comments
Decorating

3 minute, no-sew bolster pillow cover

I was working this weekend on my guest room, getting it ready for a photo shoot.  I was in a bit of a crunch, because of some unexpected delays, so I wasn’t able to put this room together in a leisurely way.  The mattress was delivered and I had to put the room together in two days.  I didn’t have time to shop, so it had to come together with what I had. It was like old times and I think it brought out the best in me.  For years, I had to make my home look the way I wanted it to without buying a lot of new stuff.  That’s how I learned to thrift, sew, paint and refinish in the first place!  Now that I buy and sell things, have a home decor business and this blog, I’m able to constantly shop my own inventory to get what I

Read More
August 25, 2014 20 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.

Facebook Instagram Youtube Pinterest Amazon

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Get Early access →

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.
Explore the shop →

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.
Shop Now →

Recent Video

Spring Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest