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

All Things Home

All Things Home

5 tips for building a killer collection

Yesterday, I talked about paring down and today I’m talking about collecting!  Believe it or not, but the two can very much go hand in hand.  I believe editing is an important part of building a killer collection. As I was working on the process of purging, deciding what to keep and what to box up to sell, I realized that there has been some method behind building the ironstone collection I have today and I thought I would share it. Collection building tip no. 1 | Collect what you love This might be obvious, but if you’re someone who likes a lot of things, it’ll be hard to pin yourself down to focus on one main collection.  (Not that you have to, but having too many collections can get a little overwhelming!)  So, what gets you most excited?  What do you always gravitate towards?  What have you loved consistently enough over

Read More
All Things Home

paring down

It’s that time of year again when I get the itch to purge and organize.  I worked through my cabinets, closets, drawers, and storage spaces the past couple of years and have gotten rid of a ton of stuff, but there is always the accumulation of new stuff that needs to be dealt with.  The fact that I have done some thorough decluttering already is making the process easier this time around, but I find more stuff with each pass that I can let go.  I do find the more I get rid of, the more I can get rid of.  And I’ve come to really like empty or sparsely filled storage space. I also notice that through the year, some of my open shelving gets a little cluttered.  Between using the pieces, adding some, and taking away others, what was once a tidy cabinet starts to look a little haphazard.

Read More
All Things Home

other pieces to paint & favorite finds

I hit a lucky streak on craigslist last week and I also scored some great finds when I was out shopping.  So, the studio is full of pieces waiting for their makeovers. And giving furniture a makeover is like therapy for me.  I put on some loud music and paint and it does me good. One of the pieces I’m really excited about is an antique step-back cupboard.  I got it for a good deal, because it was dirty and had some cosmetic issues, like a missing bottom shelf, a rotted back, etc.  It was otherwise sturdy and the fixes were well within my capabilities. Here’s the bottom of it… …and the top… It was a built-in piece, so it’s missing a back, but my dad cut the piece of bead board to attach to it once it’s painted.  I am planning to match that pretty robins’ egg color with a custom

Read More
All Things Home

blue onion jackpot

If you don’t know what “blue onion” is, well, let me introduce you! Blue onion is a blue & white transferware design found on dishes and serving pieces.  The Rice jar in the back left is the classic blue onion design and the rest are variations, but can be referred to generically as “blue onion”, although the pattern is a little different. Anyway, I found an amazing collection of it when I went out antiquing last week.  I went to an antique mall I’ve never been to and, while they can be hit and miss, I love that I’m scouring a place for the first time.  You just never know what you’re going to find that’s been overlooked by other people.  I strolled into a booth that was packed with shelves and a lot of vintage clothing and accessories.  But on one of those acrylic shelves, I caught a glimpse

Read More
All Things Home

Room Refresh & Renew with Birch Lane

I have shared in the past that rugs are my nemesis when it comes to decorating.  It’s just so hard to find a rug that works with everything happening in a room.  I threw in the towel and had pretty much all jute and seagrass rugs in the house.  I love the look of them and I have found certain styles that feel comfortable underfoot, but the one that was in our bedroom was not one of those.  It was scratchy and rope-like and definitely not comfortable.  The problem was that I needed a large rug, 9 x 12, and it had to work with the fabric wall and I didn’t want to spend thousands on it. I’ve been looking for a long time and haven’t found anything that I loved for a reasonable price. When I was asked by Birch Lane if I would like to work with them on

Read More
All Things Home

top 5 tips for decorating on a budget | part 1

When I was in New Hampshire, speaking at the Sage Farm Antiques Market, I gave a presentation on decorating on a budget.  As I prepped for that and then as I was teaching, I was reminded how passionate I am about the subject. Yes, it’s nice to have a generous budget when you’re decorating and yes, there are things that are worth saving for and splurging on, but oh, the creativity you have to have when your funds are tight!  And honestly, while most of the “million dollar homes” I’ve seen are beautiful and there are some amazing amenities, they don’t look like “home” to me.  Some of my very favorite decorating ideas came out of thrifty necessity and make-do-itive-ness. So, I decided to take that presentation and turn it into a series here on the blog. And tip #1 is… SHARPEN YOUR DIY SKILLS I think it’s a no brainer

Read More
All Things Home

baker’s table & hutch top

And so it begins…the shopping marathon for the Lucketts Spring Market was officially kicked off with a late-night scouring of craigslist that yielded four pieces already with a few more that we’re scheduled to pick up.  It feels good to have furniture coming into the studio again and to see a queue start to form. Two of the pieces that were just rolled in on a dolly are these primitive beauties… A baking table and a hutch top. The owner sold them as a pair, but they actually weren’t made to go together and I plan to sell them separately.  I reserve the right to change my mind mid-project, but that’s the plan. Both pieces need a good cleaning, since they’ve been sitting out on a porch, but otherwise I like the white paint with the alligator crazing.  I will repaint the sage green hutch interior, though, seal both pieces with Tough

Read More
All Things Home

Decorating Dilemma | Marie – Hélène’s Kitchen

Remember Marie-Hélène?  (Look! I figured out how to do the accent marks above her name.  That actually came about compliments of my broken E key.  I had to hold it down to coax it and realized that other E options would pop up!)  Anyway, I featured her family room in a Decorating Dilemma post just before Christmas.   I received an e-mail from her the next day sharing that she was up to her eyeballs in furniture rearranging, mood boards, and creative energy!  I hope she’ll send some updated pictures, so I can share her progress. Today, though, we’re going to take a look at the other half of the room – the kitchen.  Here’s a little tour… The first thing I noticed right away, as well as the thing Marie-Hélène shared puzzled her most, was the window/mirror thing.  She calls it a “mirror mantle”.  Don’t you just love weird little things

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