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Decorating

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

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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

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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”.

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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

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Decorating

the winner of the debate

If you’re up to speed on my living room, you know that I have been pondering taking down the curtains in the living and dining room.  Yesterday, after this photo shoot, I took them down… The sunlight poured in and it was so bright and wonderful.  I was convinced that I would go drape-free.   I continued removing the curtains from the dining room.  In case you can’t figure out how my house is situated, which is hard online, these rooms are basically one long room with an archway dividing them.  So, what I do in one, I really need to do in the other or it looks funny.  (We were shipping out of our dining room, so it’s a little untidy at the moment.) Again, the light poured in and the dust was flying.  It seemed exciting and like it would be the perfect change.  But, I’m sure you

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Decorating

rugs are my nemesis

When decorating a room, I really struggle with area rugs.  I’m sure that was evident in my family room… Yeah, I know.  I still love those rugs, but they just weren’t working. That’s why I have a tendency to buy, sell and swap rugs pretty regularly.  I struggle with finding the perfect pattern that fits my style, colors that work with the fabrics I already have going on and finding a size that fills the room properly. Take the master bedroom…  an 8×10 rug just floats at the end of the bed, looking a little odd that it’s not under the bed.  It’s like I need a 10×15 rug or something, which I have not come across. So, I’ve decided in recent months to just go neutral with the rugs.  I have a few different types of natural rugs and I’m learning which ones I really like.  I love the flat,

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Decorating

curtains or no curtains

Yes, that is the question.  Curtains or no curtains?  I’ve been thinking of changing the curtains in my living and dining room for a while.  When we put our house on the market, we decided to let the curtains convey with the house.  I love the curtain fabric still, but I’m ready for a change.  It’s just what I do. As I shared last week, we’ve taken our house off the market and we gave away the piano and I’ve rearranged the furniture in the living room.  We’re about to refinish the floors and repaint the ceiling and walls, so it’s a good time to revisit the curtains. Hmmm…what to do. While I still like the fabric, the curtains were simply made and I’ve become so much better at the sewing machine over the years.  I was so put off by the idea of hemming these, that I just hacked

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Before and Afters

hand painted antique sled

Before I get to the sled (yes, in August), I wanted to give some details on the yard sale I’m having on Saturday, August 9, 2014.  I’m actually piggy-backing on the yard sale one of my friends is having.  I really want to flush some things out of my house and this is a great opportunity to do it.  The sale will be at an old commercial building formerly known as Distelfink.  (Locals will know what I’m talking about!)  The address is 2710 Old Harrisburg Rd, Gettysburg, PA, which is just off the Rt 15 Hunterstown exit. I’ll be at the sale on Saturday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, but my friend will be set up Wednesday – Saturday.  She’s selling designer women’s clothing, kid’s clothing, toys, books, home accessories, luggage rack for the car…tons of stuff. Now, this is not an antique sale overflowing with ironstone, but I

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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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