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

All Things Home

All Things Home

two-toned milk paint dresser | part one

A couple of weeks ago, I took advantage of a nice day and sanded down the pieces I found at a local consignment shop. You can find a tutorial on prepping a piece to paint HERE. Once sanded and prepped, I brought this oak dresser with a mirror into the studio to paint it… This piece was in nice condition, but the glossy and yellowed polyurethane made the oak look very orange and was giving it a bit of a 1980’s vibe.  The dresser has such pretty lines and I think painting it will accentuate the cottage style. I decided to go with a very soft color from the MMS Milk Paint line – Layla’s Mint.  To give that color a bit more dimension, I’m going to layer it over the brighter, more saturated Lucketts Green. The effect will be very subtle but will give the finish more character and

Read More
All Things Home

Living Room Updates

As much as we’ve gotten done since we moved into this house a little over a year ago, I still have stacks of pictures yet to be hung and bare walls.  It can sometimes take a while to figure what finishing touches each room needs.  I finally took a bit of time this week to tweak the walls in the living room. I already hung my Manet copy on the wall to the right of the large window and I liked how the touch of black tied into the curtain rods… To balance that out, I hung a vintage clock and a pair of family silhouettes on the left side… Jeff held up the silhouettes, so I could get an idea of how they worked before I put the nails in the wall.  While he was holding them in place he asked, “Who are these people?” “That’s your dad and your uncle.”

Read More
All Things Home

plantation shutters

I’ve been “adulting it” since I was 18 years old…meaning living in a place not owned by my parents, paying my own bills, etc.  And, over those 22 years, I’ve learned the things I like and the things I don’t like when it comes to setting up house.  I don’t like wall-to-wall carpet.  I like hardwood floors.  I don’t like fluorescent light bulbs.  I like daylight incandescent bulbs and maybe some halogen and LED.  I don’t like electric stoves.  I like cooking with gas. I also don’t like blinds.  I like curtains and shutters. Ugh…blinds.  Blinds with their tangled cords and dusty slats. One thing I marveled over constantly while in Europe was their ingenious shutter designs that were a part of the house.  They weren’t an afterthought purchased at the hardware store to replace the sheets that were tacked up until something more permanent could be installed.  They folded

Read More
a slice of life

No-Fail Apple Pie Recipe

I attempted to make apple pie many times and it never turned out quite right.  The dough was tough or the filling was runny or there was a big pocket of air under the top crust or the apples weren’t fully cooked, but the crust was burnt on the edges.  I finally threw in the towel.  We’ll just buy a stupid pie since I can’t make a proper one.  Then, I was taught the recipe and all of the secrets to making a perfect, no-fail apple pie. We had just moved to Pennsylvania and a couple had us over for dinner.  For dessert, she served the best apple pie I ever had.  Ever.  After all of my pie-making failures, I was not shy about asking if she would teach me her ways.  And I was learning from an expert.  She grew up on an apple orchard and then owned an apple

Read More
All Things Home

out and about

Last week, I needed to step away from my computer and get out of the house for the day.  I actually had some supplies I needed to get for my upcoming freelance projects, but I also just needed to get out.  In addition to the necessary errands, I stopped by a couple of my favorite local stores – Churn Dash Antiques and Kismet Consignment. At Kismet, I was hoping to find a piece or two to paint.  The problem is that most of the pieces they have in the store are in great condition!  It’s actually a nice problem to have.  I know their pieces have already had a once-over to make sure they are in good, sellable condition.  I really do try to find pieces that need some help and most of their pieces, even though they are priced very well, just don’t need help.  I managed to find two

Read More
a slice of life

early thanksgiving & a thrift store score

Today was one of those days that I tried to pack in more than was really reasonable, but I managed to get it all done!  I have two Thanksgiving freelance articles due this week and one of them involved putting a spread together that at least looked like a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  So, in addition to styling a shoot, I was baking pie, roasting a turkey with stuffing, and all of the fixings.  I took some shortcuts with pre-made mashed potatoes and by microwaving the green beans, but I still I made a disaster of the kitchen and was running out of light by the time everything was done.  I got the final shots in probably about 15 minutes before it would’ve been too late. I have to hold most of the details for the article, but it’s focused on tips for setting up a buffet-style Thanksgiving meal.  I enjoy projects like

Read More
All Things Home

Instagram Q & A | Home Stuff

A few weeks ago, I invited my followers to ask questions on my Instagram Stories.  I was initially planning on just answering them as they came in, but as I was flooded with over 100 questions, some of them with answers that would take longer than a 15-second frame, I decided these would be better answered in blog posts.  I consolidated ones that were similar and then sorted them into categories – home, business/blogging, art, MMS Milk Paint, & random.  I’ll write a post on each category, answering the questions. Today, I’m answering all of the home-related questions. Are you going to be doing bathroom renovations? Yes!  We are starting on a renovation of our half bathroom next week.  We’re working on that one first because it’s connected to our foyer, which we’re having retiled.  It just makes sense to do it all together.  I’ll be sharing the plans for

Read More
All Things Home

retinned copper pots

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I sent some of my vintage French copper pots off to be retinned.  I wanted to share how they turned out. After purchasing a beautiful copper pot from E. Dehillerin in Paris and a couple of beautiful copper molds in Lucca, I found myself window shopping for more copper pieces on Etsy and eBay.  I realized the ridiculousness of those searches as I have several antique French copper pots hanging above my head every time I’m in the kitchen.  Most of the pieces that were in my price range needed to be retinned, anyway. While in Tuscany, Dana (the trip planner) mentioned having some copper pieces retinned and she referred me to East Coast Tinning.   I ended up shipping off four pieces to have them polished and have the tin lining replaced.  The lining was almost completely worn away in a couple of the pots, removed

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

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

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

Spring Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest