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

Decorating

1970 home renovation

progress on the garage-side garden

Last year, I focused most of my gardening on the backyard, specifically the area surrounding the pool.  We were in the process of having the pool restored and I wanted the area to feel tidy at the very least.  I didn’t want to be floating in our pool, trying to soak up the slower summer days only to be tormented by the view of garden beds filled with weeds.  So, I worked a little bit most days to clean weeds out of the beds, dig out rock, mulch, and plant.  I’ll share an update on those areas in another post.  This year, I’m still working on the back (specifically the area along the back fence), but I’m focusing more attention on the front and garage side of the house.  These are the two sides that are most visible from the street.  I wanted to work on them more last year,

Read More
Decorating

an ode to linen & Brooklinen’s 10th anniversary sale

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Brooklinen.  As always, all words and opinions shared are honest and my own.  Brooklinen is currently having its 10th-anniversary sale, so check out the bottom of the post for more details. An Ode to Linen by Marian Parsons *Ahem* Oh, linen, how I love thee.  Let me count the ways.  I have ten. Number one.  I love that you are a natural fabric.  I enjoy cotton and wool, but you are my favorite. Number two.  Instead of being worse for wear, you get better with age.  You get softer and more comfortable with each wash.  You age like a fine wine or a prize-winning cheese. Number three.  You never, ever pill. You just don’t.  Anyone who has ever slept on pilly sheets understands and respects this about you. Number four.  You feel cool and cozy simultaneously.  You are a wonder. Number five. You are

Read More
All Things Home

the war on bishop’s weed

So, last year I shared a post about lovely surprises I was finding in our yard as bulbs peeked up in the Spring, perennials woke up, and bushes leafed out and bloomed.  I learned the dogwood trees in our front yard had white blooms, which was exactly what I was hoping.  A large bush that is falling over under its own weight is a beautiful mock orange that just needs some serious pruning. What we thought was a dead dogwood tree is actually a lilac bush that has grown taller than the house!  It gave me a better indication of what I wanted to heavily prune and save and what I wanted to remove.  One of the plants I shared was a ground cover Google identified as Ground Elder or Snow-on-the-Mountain, which both sound lovely.  I left it alone to bloom and thought the lacy white flowers were so pretty. 

Read More
All Things Home

kitchen eating nook changes | shelf styling

I’ve been sharing some tweaks and changes I’ve made to our kitchen eating area in my last two blog posts and I’m continuing that short series.  Today, I’m going to share a bit more details about the shelf styling.  I wanted to rearrange these shelves for a few months, but it kept getting pushed to the back burner.  I wanted to give myself plenty of time to make a bit of a mess and play without feeling rushed.  Shelf styling often involves a lot of trial and error, so it’s not a process that’s easily rushed.  I finally had a quiet afternoon last week and started pulling things off the shelves to get a fresh start.       When I’m working on a shelf styling project, I usually have a loose vision in mind.  Sometimes, I want things to be arranged in a way that looks and feels more

Read More
Decorating

kitchen eating nook changes | the new chairs

Yesterday, we took a look at the new chandelier in the kitchen eating area and today, I’m going to share all about the new/antique chairs I found recently on Facebook Marketplace.  As a reminder, here is how the space looked… I actually love these chairs and they have been in our dining room in both the PA house and the MN house.  The problem with these chairs is they really aren’t ideal for heavy, everyday use.  They are antiques and are already starting to show wear from being used at our kitchen table for the past year while I looked for other chairs I liked.  One of the chairs is also in need of repair, so it’s been sent to the garage so it didn’t collapse under an unsuspecting sitter! So, I’ve been on the lookout for just the right chairs for our kitchen for over a year.  It makes

Read More
All Things Home

kitchen eating nook changes | new chandelier

Over the past couple of months, I have made a few changes to the kitchen eating area, so I thought I would share those changes in a small blog series.  There are three main components I changed and you’ll be able to see them all, but I’m going to focus on one element per post, so we can dive into the changes and my thoughts behind them.  While the food-prep side of the kitchen is done (aside from some tweaking for the seasons and playing with accessories), I knew this kitchen nook area would be an evolution.  Since nothing is a permanent fixture, I can play with it and make changes when whim dictates. So, here is how the kitchen eating area looks now… As I said, three things have changed since you saw it last.  1.) I found some charming antique chairs on Facebook Marketplace to trade out the

Read More
All Things Home

olive velvet pillows & a block print quilt

I thought I would share a couple of small details in our primary bedroom as it transitions from Winter into Spring.  I don’t make many big changes to my house through the seasons except for Christmas.  I do like to make subtle shifts with things that are easy to switch out, though.  It’s a way to refresh a space without spending a lot of time or money on it. I took down the greens around the top of the bed frame and switched from the indigo sheets back to the cream ones.  I have decided to keep the winter arrangement out for a few more days, though, but that will be swapped out with something that makes sense for Spring and Summer.  I’ve just enjoyed it, so I’ve left it out.  To add a touch of spring, I brought in a couple of   While these pillows aren’t specifically “Spring”

Read More
All Things Home

things I miss about our MN house

When we bought our home in Minnesota, we knew it was a great house with good bones, but if you told me I would think about it and miss it with some regularity, I’m not sure I would’ve believed you.  There are things I’ve loved about all of our homes, but the house in Minnesota is probably the nicest home we’ll ever live in.  Maybe not our favorite (that is yet to be determined), but the nicest.  It was big, and bright, with a very smart floor plan.  It was the perfect house for us in that season.  And, it was a prime candidate to customize to flesh out those bones a bit more. Now that we’ve lived in our current home for over a year and we’ve been working through renovation projects, I find myself thinking a lot about our previous home and the things I miss most.  I

Read More

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.

next art sale

August 13th, 2026 at 1pm EST

NEW ONLINE ART COURSE

Paint a Pet Portrait You’ll Love

Learn to paint pet portraits in oils with confidence, even if you’re a beginner. In this new course, Marian will guide you step by step through creating expressive animal portraits filled with color, personality, and your own artistic touch. Join the waitlist to be the first to know when the course opens.

Now Available

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.

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.

Recent Video

Fall Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest