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Decorating

All Things Home

blue & white checked curtains

When my mom and I took a day to make the curtains for the living room, we also made blue and white checked curtains for the primary bedroom.  I used the same tutorial, same curtain rods, and black-out lining, but instead of the darker blue plaid fabric, I used THIS lightweight, linen blend I bought on Etsy a few weeks ago.  I also used clip rings instead of the rings I sewed into the header for the living room curtains. And here is how the curtains turned out… I was planning on using only the curtains for privacy and to block out the light, which is why I lined them in blackout fabric, but I realized while hanging the curtains that they would cover the air vents when closed—definitely an oversight on my part.  I tried using some magnetic hooks on the air vents to hold the curtains up, but

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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

custom living room blackout curtains

As I’ve shared over the past couple of weeks, I have to bounce between things that need to be done that aren’t super exciting (like organizing the basement and wiping wallpaper glue off the walls) and things that flex my creativity and are fun.  By jumping between the two, I feel like I’m productive, moving the needle in the things that need to be done, but I’m also staying motivated and feeling fulfilled.  It’s a delicate balance but it seems to be working.  Aside from a few boxes in out-of-the-way places, we are unpacked and able to live comfortably in the house.  We’ve made the sprint and can now slow to a comfortable jog for the next few years to bring this house to where we envision it.  One of the fun things (whether sewing is fun is debatable) I worked on last week was making custom blackout curtains for

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All Things Home

how to make a custom pleated lampshade cover | video tutorial

When I shared that I wanted to cover the lampshades in my family room, several people asked if I would share my method.  I have covered lampshades in the past, but I don’t think I’ve ever done it the same way twice.  I’ve used peel-and-stick lampshades.  I’ve adhered fabric to a shade using spray adhesive.  I’ve hot glued fabric and/or trim, sewed lampshade slipcovers, and painted tired shades.  I feel like I might win at a game of DIY lampshade cover Bingo.  So, I’ve learned a lot along the way about what works and looks nice and what looks like a DIY lampshade cover.  Before getting to the family room lampshades, which are a bit of a tricky shape, I decided to test out some things on a couple of simpler lampshades.  I made a mini pleated cover for a drum shade and a wider pleated cover for an empire

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1970 home renovation

refrigerator shopping with forté

Disclosure: I am working with Ilve and Forté as a part of a long-term partnership on my kitchen renovation.  As always, all opinions are honest and my own. Now that the roof is done, it’s time to turn our renovating attention to the kitchen.  In fact, my renovating attention has been on the kitchen, but it’s just been sketches, ideas, and standing in the space staring at it for long periods of time.  It has been nice to use and live in the kitchen for a while before any firm plans are put in place, though.  I’m learning where I work, what I use most, how the light moves, and what I’m missing from my previous kitchen.  Since we intentionally looked at homes that needed a complete kitchen redo, I knew that I would be starting from a blank slate on everything, including the appliances.  So, as I started to

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Decorating

thrift store ribbon holder

In between the unpacking, painting, and projects, Jeff and I have taken a morning or afternoon here and there to hit a few local second-hand shops.  One afternoon, we made the rounds to a few of the thrift stores just a couple of miles from our house.  At one of those thrift stores, I spotted a wooden rack.  At first, I wasn’t sure what it was…a towel bar, maybe?  Whatever it was, I liked it and thought it was interesting.  It could have dozens of different uses and it was only $10, so I decided to pick it up.  When I got it home and interacted with it more, I decided it was a paper towel holder.  I could’ve used it as that, but I decided to have a bit more fun with it and make it a ribbon holder in my studio. I have some gorgeous ribbons that I’ve

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All Things Home

tour of my new art studio

It’s the room tour that many of you have been asking for – the art studio!  Of course, it’s not finished yet, as is the case with our entire house, but it’s getting there.  It’s settled enough and looks enough like an art studio to welcome you into the space and give you a little tour. As we were looking at homes, this was a big question that needed to be answered.  Where would my art studio be?  In some houses, there was an outbuilding that would’ve worked for a studio and/or workshop and in others, I’d have to appropriate a room originally intended for another purpose.  In some houses, there really wasn’t an option and those were crossed off the list.  It was a must.  I could be flexible with the size, location, and other details, but I had to have a space to work and create. When we

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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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