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what I bought in Lucca

Yesterday, I shared about our shopping trip to Lucca and today I am showing all of the goodies I bought, carefully wrapped, strategically packed, and brought home in my suitcase. Well, and I borrowed some space in my mom’s suitcase, too! If you remember back to my post about shopping at the flea market in Paris, I shared how much I drooled over the antique copper in one particular booth. Of course, I was attracted to the oldest pieces (from the 1800’s) and therefore the most expensive. Even though I had saved money to spend, I couldn’t stomach spending €300 (about $350) on one bundt pan or jelly mold. I held them and took pictures, and continued looking for things that would persuade me to part with my money. When I was in Lucca, I spotted a small shelf hanging from a tent, filled with similar copper pieces. I must admit that,

October 9, 2018 43 Comments

a slice of life

flea market in Lucca

I’ve been thinking about the highlights of my time in Tuscany and have concluded that it would be impossible to pick a singular favorite thing. The places and experiences that were amazing, magical, awe-inspiring, and memorable are just too numerous. If I was forced to pick one, though, our excursion to shop at a flea market in the walled city of Lucca would have to be a contender. First of all, the city itself was impressive. It is similar to Barga, with its narrow streets, richly colored buildings, light-filled piazzas, but the scale is so much larger. While Barga is quaint and slow, Lucca is energetic and lively. And the intact Rennaisance-era wall, that is so thick it now accommodates a walking/bike path on top, is a magnificent to see. Permits are required for cars to enter the city (to control the traffic on the slender, pedestrian-dominated streets), so our bus

October 8, 2018 34 Comments

All Things Home

thrifting in tuscany

On our way home from lunch at a local vineyard, Dana asked if we would like to stop by a thrift store to do a bit of shopping. Was this even a valid question to ask of a bus full of antique lovers? The answer, of course, was an enthusiastic yes. Our bus pulled up to the thrift store, Ti Riruso Mercantino, a little after 3:00 in the afternoon, which was well-planned timing since the shop opened at 3:00. Or, it was supposed to. When we arrived, the doors were locked, the lights were off, and the place was empty. Dana and a few women hopped off the bus to check it out. The gate to the lower level of the shop was also locked and any efforts to get in touch with the shop owner were fruitless. More women got out of the bus, which was increasingly stuffy sitting

October 5, 2018 37 Comments

All Things Home

rearranging the studio

The very nature of a creative space dictates that it has to be dynamic. My furniture and belongings are accustomed to being maneuvered and shuffled around, but that’s doubly true for the stuff in my studio. Each new artistic endeavor or novel idea can put new demands on the space. It usually starts in stacks and messy corners, but then it has to be managed. Accommodations must be made, so the new venture has room to live, and be nurtured, and grow. And all of that is a wordy way to say I did some cleaning and straightening in my studio that turned into furniture scooting. And it was long overdue. This space is my sanctuary, and it’s perfect with its big windows, planked walls, and painted floor. The issue is that I ask a lot of this room. It has to be a functioning art and photography studio, and it has

October 3, 2018 34 Comments

a slice of life

casa cordati | tuscan home tour

Wedged in one of the narrow streets inside the walls of Barga, Italy, is a 17th century home – Casa Cordati. It was once known as the “red house of the Grand Duke”, because Grand Duke Leopold ii of Tuscany slept there. This amazing, historical building offered accommodations for part of our group as well as a workshop space. The first time Dana walked me through the streets and we stopped at the massive wooden front door, it was surreal. This will really be our “studio” for the week? This building has been owned by the Cordati family since the 1970’s. Prior to that, it was split into apartments and rented spaces. One of the rooms was used as an art studio by Bruno Cordati since the 1940’s and his family later occupied an apartment there before owning the entire home. Giordano Cordati, Bruno’s grandson now calls this building home,

October 2, 2018 14 Comments

All Things Home

subtle seasonal dining room

The week after I got back from Europe, summer was still hanging onto Rochester, but it finally released its grasp. The trees are turning fiery hues at their tips, there is a refreshing chill to the air, and I donned my favorite leather boots in church this weekend. Fall is here. Having missed a week and a half of September, it feels like autumn will be shorter this year than usual. For that reason, I’m not going to spend too much time or money decorating for it. I’d rather put our decorating dollars towards the work we’re having done in the foyer (painting and new tile flooring) and my time playing catch-up on work that was neglected during the more relaxed pace of summer. I couldn’t let it pass without some recognition or subtle nod in the home, though! While out running errands last week, I bought a couple of

October 1, 2018 33 Comments

All Things Home

hutch makeover in tuscany

I must admit, when we got on a plane headed to Florence, Italy, I wasn’t ready to leave Paris, yet. I loved our time there and it was tough to pack up our belongings and leave that apartment. I was excited about Italy, but Paris would be hard to top. Well, Tuscany was not going to be upstaged or underestimated. It charmed me throughly with mountains, walled cities, narrow cobblestone streets that opened into piazzas, olive groves, and sun-kissed paint colors. I can’t wait to tell you all about it. As I did with Paris, I’ll tell you about the trip in stories instead of in one long narrative. Today, I am going to tell you the story of a hutch hidden in an attic in Tuscany that needed a little TLC. Do you see the red building on the left side of this tiny street in Barga? This ancient

September 27, 2018 34 Comments

a slice of life

I gained 12 lbs in paris

You might think this title would fit better with the post about the patisserie tour, but I didn’t gain 12 lbs on my body…just in my suitcase. Yes, this post is about shopping! I was looking forward to everything I would see and do while in Paris and a few towns in Tuscany, but I was also anticipating the shopping. I had money saved, a wish list, stores pinpointed to visit, and even a guided Paris Perfect flea market tour lined up our very first day in Paris. My suitcase was packed with just the essentials, weighing in at only 28 lbs. It was so light, it even drew comment from the airport clerk at the check-in desk who questioned if there was even anything inside the mid-sized suitcase. “I’m planning to shop. It’ll be heavier on the way home.” He laughed and easily slid my bag onto the belt.

September 23, 2018 47 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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All Things Home

what I bought in Lucca

flea market in Lucca

thrifting in tuscany

rearranging the studio

casa cordati | tuscan home tour

subtle seasonal dining room

hutch makeover in tuscany

I gained 12 lbs in paris

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

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