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Decorating

All Things Home

freestanding kitchen

Just imagine a kitchen without built-in cabinetry and long stretches of counter tops.  That’s a pretty radical idea in the US in this day and age, but, for our next house, that’s exactly what I want. photo via I’ve been thinking about it for a while now…a kitchen that is gutted and furnished with freestanding antiques mixed with some modified or custom-built pieces to make the space functional.  I get giddy at the thought!  Imagine being able to rearrange your kitchen when you get the itch! (Jeff, don’t read that part.) But seriously.  Not only do I love how custom it will look, but also how economical it is. And, I must confess, I have already been quietly keeping pieces that might work for my future freestanding kitchen… I already have an amazing antique counter that would be a great centerpiece and provide loads of storage.  Imagine my shirt counter with

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All Things Home

how to sew custom piping | slipcover series part 1

I finally did it.  I’ve been promising to do it for years and I have, at long last, made good. Years ago, I made a six part video slipcover series on how to make a slipcover.  I tried to write posts about it and I always fumbled over the wording and the posts were confusing and long.  Imagine paragraph after paragraph of “with right-sides together, insert piping between pieces of fabric and pin into place along edge of the chair blah-blah-blah-blah…”  It was just way too much to try to explain in words and pictures alone, so I decided to make videos. They were filmed in my crowded craft room, poorly lit and I know it was sometimes hard to see what I was doing.  You can also hear my kiddos in the background.  While those videos have their charm and I will keep the live on my YouTube channel,

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All Things Home

decorating the studio & shop with me in Raleigh

I was home with a sick kid most of last week and, I have to admit, that once I get out of a routine, it’s hard to get back into it.  I was ready to get back in the studio, but I was dragging my feet at the same time.  On Tuesday, though, I had a full day to crank my music, create and take pictures, and my motivation started creeping back in. Sometimes I need to work on things that are totally not a priority in order to get myself going. On Tuesday, that meant rearranging furniture and getting fake snow in my hair and all over myself as I set up our studio tree. It’s the 6.5′ Flocked Alaskan Tree from Christmas Tree Market.  So, here is the story with this tree.  Christmas Tree Market asked if I would be interested in partnering with them last Christmas.  I had just moved into

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a slice of life

my favorite things 2015

Today I’m joining Melissa of 320 Sycamore and a few other bloggers in sharing a few of my favorite things!  She was one of the first bloggers I met and is such a genuine and encouraging person, so I loved the chance to team up with her and some of her favorite bloggers. I decided to share a mix of things I’ve loved for a long time, things that are new loves and things that I would be very sad to do without. And, here they are… (Disclosure, this post is not sponsored by any of the products I share, but it does contain affiliate links.) Mrs. Meyers Lavender cleaner – This makes the whole house smell amazing! Wood-handled dish brushes – I bought these for the way they look, but they are the best dish brushes I have ever owned.  I want to hoard them. Oreck steam mop – I received

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All Things Home

Kim’s coastal bedroom | the walls & built-in plans

I spent a good part of my day today helping my parents paint their bedroom in the color I picked out, In Your Eyes by Benjamin Moore. My dad kept referring to it as “in your face.” I’m so pleased with the color, though.  The room looks very sparse at the moment, but the color palette we’re building is calming, and serene and definitely sets a coastal tone. Before, the room was beige.  My mom chose the color when they first moved in, just to get something on the wall.  She’s never been in love with it and I think it’s because it wasn’t an intentional choice.  It was a default one. We tried out some test swatches last week and In Your Eyes, the middle color, was the one we both liked the best.  Dad didn’t get a vote, which suited him just fine. Here’s how the other side

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All Things Home

dear reader | to the one with “internet intimidation”

One of my milk paint retailers sent me an e-mail, asking for some decorating advice for her home.  I gave her my opinion on it and this was her reply… “Thank you. I lived so long with wrong decorating choices that I started to get too used to the way things are.  Wrong mindset. I’m tackling things now. I started with the toilet haha, it felt safest. All three bedrooms got a makeover. Working on the kitchen now.  It’s not blog-worthy but I got over that, it’s our home!! It kept me from moving forward: out of fear that it wasn’t going to look like a look book or magazine, I froze. Blogs can be inspiring and intimidating at the same time. Your before-after posts from a couple of months ago made sense. I realized that renovating and decorating your home was a long process.” I think this is a

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All Things Home

idea overload & glass glitter banner kits

This weekend, I’m presenting at the Holiday Expo at McLean Bible Church, just outside of DC.  (I shared the details HERE, if you’re interested in attending.)  With a sick kid, I was a little behind with getting my presentation together, but I’m going to the set up and rehearsal tomorrow, so I needed to get myself in gear today! As I’ve been thinking about what table setting I want to present, I found my head swimming with ideas.  Too many ideas for one table. Idea overload.  I don’t usually feel that way, so I was very indecisive about which direction I would go. In that moment of feeling overwhelmed with all the possibilities, I realized that a lot of blog readers and Pinterest lovers must feel that way. This expo is about bringing Pinterest and Etsy to life, so I felt like I should share ideas that are popular on those

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All Things Home

The Retreat | Dining Room, Study & Foyer

I’ve spent most of the last few days at home with a sick boy.  My youngest has strep throat, poor little guy.  He’s on antibiotics now, though, and is finally on the upswing. Several days at home, away from the studio, squeezing work in where it fits, doesn’t get me very good blog material.  Fortunately, I still have pictures of The Retreat to share. In case you missed my initial post about it, The Retreat is a manor house in Virginia that was built in 1799.  We did a photo shoot there for our second look book and it was an absolute dream day. It’s hard to even call this space a “foyer” with a straight face.  You would at least have to use the fancy pronunciation.  It’s basically a room all on its own with a grand staircase and magnificent woodwork. I’ve never see the inside of a front door

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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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