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Decorating

All Things Home

making way for hardwoods | ripping up carpet

I’m sharing everything in reverse when it comes to the office makeover, but that’s just how it goes sometimes!  I usually write about what is most “at my fingertips” and sharing progress on the room was a lot more fun than talking about ripping out carpet.  But, it’s an important bit that some of you might want to know more about, so I’m circling back to share the details on removing carpet. Here is a before picture of the room, so you can appreciate how far it’s come… …and how it’s looking today… (Yes, I’ll work on the cord situation, but curtains will help a lot with hiding those!) Obviously, the first step is to take out the carpet and padding, which is surprisingly easy, although it does take some muscle!  Just pull up a corner and, in most cases, it comes right up.  Jeff did this before I even

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All Things Home

home office progress

I’m so excited to share the progress we’ve made in the home office!  Initially, this room wasn’t going to get attention for a while. but when we talked about putting hardwoods in the dining room, we decided to have them done in the office at the same time.  Both rooms are right off the foyer (one to the right and one to the left), so it’s nice to have the consistency in the flooring and both carpets were tired-looking from being off the foyer.  I suppose people walked in there with boots/shoes still on? As an aside, we’ve always been a come-as-you-are home.  No reason to leave your shoes at the door.  In Minnesota, though, everyone takes their shoes off and we’ve learned that’s for good reason.  Your shoes get so dirty from the slush, salt, sand, ice-melt, etc. and it really will destroy your carpeting.  So, we’re getting used

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All Things Home

dining room wood floors

Before we even moved into this house, before we even saw the house in person, I let Jeff know I had my eye on the carpeting in the dining room.  For a room that is the “most formal” in the house, carpeting just didn’t work for me.  I also do a lot of photo shoots in my dining room for this blog as well as freelance articles, so it was important to me to have the larger surfaces of the room (floor, walls, etc.) looking just how I wanted. There was also the practical side of things.  The carpet is 13 years old and, although you can’t see it in the picture, it was looking a little tired.  Wood floors would be easier to keep clean, especially since the dining room is right off of the foyer. The dining room flows into the kitchen/eating area, so we wanted the floors

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All Things Home

master bedroom curtains

I had lots of projects lined up for my mom’s visit.  We are both doers and thrive on productivity, so it suits us to have an ambitious to-do list.  As her 10 day visit was winding down, we had checked almost everything off my list.  My mom looked at the sad curtains in my master bedroom, a hold-over from the previous owners. “Let’s just take care of these curtains.” She knows that sewing is something I do, because I like the end result.  But, I don’t really like sewing.  I could completely do without it in my life.  I do, however, like expanding my options beyond curtains and pillows that are ready-made.  I believe that sewing is one of the best DIY skills you can have in your arsenal.  For that reason, I just suck it up, put on some good music, do it, and enjoy it when the project

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All Things Home

Thrifty Painting Tips & no spend February

I’ve put in a lot of miles on a paint brush and roller over the years and, during all of that painting, I’ve picked up a couple of small, money-saving tips. First of all, it’s worth investing in sample pots of paint (about $5/each usually) to make sure you get the color right.  This is one of those things where you have to spend money to save money.  Ultimately, though, it’s better to spend $15-20 on samples than having to buy a whole other gallon if the color you just put all over your wall makes you want to cry. (I’ve actually been there and did that very thing.  And I didn’t get a t-shirt.) Painting the right color the first time is worth it. If you’re going to use the same color again soon, wrap up the roller covers in cling wrap.  This will keep the roller ready to

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All Things Home

customizing a house | painting interior doors

I’ve been contemplating a way to describe my current house and the changes I’m making.  It’s not outdated, it’s not ugly, it’s not run-down, it’s not in poor taste…  In fact, it’s a beautiful home.  So, how do I explain why I view this perfectly nice suburban home as one that is ripe for a makeover? Then, it hit me.  It’s not customized.  That’s one of the reasons why it appealed to me, but it’s also why I view it as a home that’s perfect for a makeover.  It’s a great foundation that could use some color, texture, and choices that reflect some personality! One simple way to customize a blank-slate home is to paint the interior doors.  I didn’t think this was that crazy of an idea, but my mom made me think it’s a bit more unusual than I thought.  She was opening the (painted) door to my

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All Things Home

Are you a flitter or a sticker?

We each have our own work flow – a way of doing things that makes sense in our own minds and feels most efficient and productive. As I was packing to move, I discovered something about myself…  Instead of packing one box, taping it up, and adding it to the pile, I was working on several boxes, even in different rooms, hopping from one to another.  Eventually a box would be filled, taped and added to the pile.  It seemed fluid to me, but I’m sure it would’ve looked chaotic. There was a moment when I really noticed what I was doing and I realized I often work that way.  And I thought the actual words, “I’m a Flitter.”  I just flit from one thing to the next, eventually circling back to finish everything.  I think that may be how I’m able to accomplish as much as I do.  It

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All Things Home

blue & white finds

I will admit that I am basically a collector of blue and white things.  If I spot it in a store, I am drawn to it like a magnet. My mom and I went to Home Goods a couple of days ago and, front and center, there was a display featuring blue and white.  On the display was a pair of Ralph Lauren pillows in a blue and white check.  I impulsively went to grab them.  I hesitated.  First of all, I have enough pillows and most of them end up strewn all over the floor.  Second, I have enough blue and white check and this particular pattern didn’t match any of them.  So, I left them there for someone else to buy. I didn’t resist blue and white finds altogether, though! Before Thanksgiving, I spotted some pretty blue & white Johnson Bros plates, also at Home Goods.  I thought

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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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