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Decorating
Decorating

My Favorite Jute Rugs

I’ve shared about the jute rugs I use in my home in various posts, but not all in one place.  Since rugs are a tricky part of decorating a room (for me, at least), I thought I would share some of my favorite jute rugs that I’ve had in my home for several years.  The jute rug in my living room is the newest one and I’ve had it for about eight months.  I’ve had the rest, though for years, so I can speak to their durability.  I also share some answers to frequently asked questions about cleaning, care, shedding, and using rug pads at the bottom of the post. So, let’s dive right in.  Here are my five favorite jute area rugs… heather chenille jute rug from pottery barn I bought the several years ago when it was on sale and it’s been such an amazing rug.  We used

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June 3, 2021 25 Comments
summer

isle of palms | part one | the house & the beach

This trip was supposed to happen last year in celebration of my parent’s wedding anniversary.  I remember in February of 2020, when I spent a few days with Shaunna at her parent’s condo in Florida, thinking how much I was looking forward to a week at the beach that summer.  I wouldn’t call myself a “beach person.”  I don’t like the grit of the sand and the sticky saltiness of the ocean.  I’m fearful of animals that might be lurking around my feet and powerful waves and currents.  I break out in hives if I get too much sun and I turn bright pink and feel nauseous in too much heat.  I am not a good candidate to be a beach lover.  But, I do love it and I find it restorative under the right conditions.  If I can enjoy the beach when the sun isn’t too intense and the

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May 31, 2021 21 Comments
Decorating

easing into hosting again

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by .  As always, all words and opinions are honest and my own. One of the things I’ve enjoyed in recent weeks is getting together with friends and family again!  We were able to have dinner with some friends on our trip to PA and we had a small get-together with family during our vacation in Isle of Palms.  It got me thinking that it’s time to start easing back into hosting at home.  I don’t know about you, but I have gotten out of the habit of hospitality.  Not just having people over to our house, but seeking out opportunities to spend time with others.  Actually in person, not just over Zoom!  With the US opening up a bit more and restrictions easing, it’s a good time to seek out those opportunities again in ways that are welcoming, yet respectful to the comfort levels

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May 28, 2021 10 Comments
Decorating

some of my favorite frames for art

In recent weeks and months, I’ve been asked a few times about framing original art, so I thought I would share some of my favorite frames in a blog post. Let me kick this off by saying I don’t think there is a “wrong way” to frame art.  A frame becomes a part of the artwork and is completely subjective.  It’s based on personal preference and style.  So, these are my favorite frames for art, but there is a whole wide world of options out there and it’s just a matter of finding what works for both your aesthetic and the specific piece you are framing. favorite frames for art | antique & vintage frames Since I love antiques and a more classic design aesthetic, I love the look of antique frames and will use them whenever I can find a frame that fits and suits the piece.  To me,

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May 26, 2021 9 Comments
Decorating

family room makeover | plans & inspiration

Well, it’s time!  This summer is the summer I’m going to start working on the basement family room.  Well, we’re going to do some work on all the basement, including the playroom and the bathroom.  I’m also going to get the storage areas truly purged and organized.  I’ve organized them and tidied up, but I haven’t gone through everything in detail and it’s time.  It’s tricky when you move because you don’t want to get rid of things you “might use” until it feels like you’re done with the house.  But, there is plenty I can get rid of.  We also want to move our fitness equipment into the playroom, since the boys are getting older and rarely play in there anymore.  It’s time to pass the toys along and make better use of the space. The main goal in the basement family room is to make it feel like

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May 17, 2021 19 Comments
Organizing

Cleaning Calendars – An Opinion Piece

First, I have to start this post with a confession.  I had the best of intentions when it came to setting “deep cleaning” as the theme for April.  I envisioned taking everything off of the kitchen counters, dismantling the stove, and giving everything a thorough scrub before playing with the accessories.  I imagined finally cleaning the things that are typically neglected like blinds and high shelves.  I did do some deep cleaning, but the month has come and gone and I’ve been too occupied with other things to do as much as I planned. I realized the idea of a monthly blog theme is great, but it’s not always going to work out in reality unless I want to be owned by it. So, I was asked a few months ago by a blog reader if I had a cleaning calendar I could share.  If I had one, I would’ve

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May 3, 2021 38 Comments
All Things Home

front porch refresh with walmart

Disclosure: This porch refresh is sponsored by .  As always, all words and opinions are honest and my own. Do you remember all of the work we did in our yard and our back patio last year?  We got porch paint, patio furniture, a power washer, and even plants and mulch from their to spruce up a space that had been neglected for years.  We still need to replace the deck, but the landscaping and patio a huge difference in making our backyard beautiful and inviting. This spring, we’re turning our attention to the front porch.  This doesn’t need an overhaul as the landscaping and back patio needed, but it could use a little refresh and some deep cleaning!  Here is how it looked like before a little TLC along with a little commentary on the ways I wanted to refresh our front porch…. The first order of business in

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April 29, 2021 21 Comments
a slice of life

cute swimsuits for all shapes

We’re going to something a little different today and dive into the incredibly uncomfortable world of swimsuit shopping!  I promise, though, I have found the absolute best swimsuits and, if you’ve never tried on a , you’re going to thank me for this post.  I also want to say up front that this post is not sponsored in any way, shape, or form.  It was prompted by my own need to do some swimsuit shopping for an upcoming early-summer trip to the beach with my family and has the best selection of cute swimsuits for all shapes and, more importantly, all preferences for how much skin you want to show! (This was taken in February 2020, the last time I went to the beach for a creative retreat with Shaunna.) Swimsuit shopping has always been an anxiety-filled experience for me.  Even when I was at my smallest and fittest, I

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April 27, 2021 57 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.

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