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

Preorder the Book
Facebook Instagram Youtube Tiktok

All Things Home
All Things Home

using & caring for silver every day

A couple of years ago, I decided I wasn’t going to keep my pretty things hidden in cabinets and drawers.  I was going to either use them or let them go.  Since I didn’t want to get rid of it, I decided I would use the silver pattern I inherited from my mom, Oma, and both great-grandmothers as our everyday flatware.  Since I’m often asked I thought I would share about using and caring for silver every day. There are moments when I cringe at how expensive each piece is, but then I remember that is all the more reason to use it. We use it just like any other flatware, but we do have two “rules”. #1 | Using & caring for silver every day | We wash it by hand most of the time.   It can go in the dishwasher, but there is some debate as to whether

Read More
October 26, 2016 54 Comments
All Things Home

how to upholster a broken cane-back chair…

…because you know you wanted to do that at some point in time, right?  Top Google search -“How to upholster a broken cane-back chair?”  Well, here is your answer! So, the chair itself isn’t broken, but the cane back is.  It’s actually missing entirely, but that qualifies as broken in my book.  So, here is how to upholster a broken cane-back chair. I bought this chair quite a while ago and Kriste commandeered it from the stash to use as her desk chair.  Well, our stash is very thin and my back was killing me perched on a stool all day, so I commandeered the chair from her.  Clearly I need to go desk chair shopping if we have two people who need to sit and only one proper desk chair. So, I’ll do that. Until then, I needed to take a break from sitting at a desk, so I decided

Read More
October 25, 2016 48 Comments
All Things Home

$100 craigslist drafting table

I have realized that as my work changes, my workspace needs to change, too.  When I work on furniture and photoshoots, I rarely sit at a desk or work table.  I’m usually crawling around on the floor or scooting around on one of our wheely stools.  I’m in a season right now, though, where a lot of my work involves sitting, painting, sketching, and writing.  I’ve been spread out over one of our workshop tables, but it is a pretty impractical workspace.  I also get this beautiful natural light in the studio and I was set up away from the windows.  I’ve needed to set up a proper workspace for a while and I finally got the push I needed when this antique drafting table crossed my path… I found it on Craigslist for $125 and my dad negotiated the seller down to $100 and, as always, he picked it

Read More
October 19, 2016 39 Comments
All Things Home

Which comes first | how to avoid decorating regret

One of the projects I’ve been working on lately has me thinking a lot about the design process, specifically as it relates to putting a room together and how to avoid decorating regret.  I’ve been pondering the order in which choices and purchases should be made and I’ve realized that most people, including myself at times, go about putting a room together entirely backward. Think about it with me…  You’ve been browsing the internet or flipping through decorating magazines or perhaps binge-watching your favorite design show and now you’re ready to tackle your room.  It’s time for a makeover!  What do you immediately do? I think it’s fair to say that most people pick a paint color. Right? You pick out paint chips and paint swatches on the wall and the room makeover has begun!  I think we all go straight for the walls because it’s the easiest, biggest bang

Read More
October 18, 2016 22 Comments
All Things Home

personal shopping | quilts & coverlets

I hope you had a great weekend!  For the most part, I stepped away from work, so I could rest up for the busy week ahead. Anyway, I browse for cool things online pretty regularly.  I particularly like Etsy, eBay, and craigslist.  I sometimes trip across really great buys that I snap right up, but I’ll also find pieces that are a good price, but not a good enough price for me to resell and I don’t have a perfect spot for them, so I just pass them up. Sooo, I thought I would share some of the things I come across with others who might want to buy them. Today, I hunted around for some well-priced quilts. I paid $125 online a few years ago for the one in the picture above. When I’m shopping for quilts, I look for ones around $150.  Of course, less is better, but I

Read More
October 17, 2016 39 Comments
All Things Home

what would fit in my carry on…

I already shared that I found several pieces in New Hampshire that I would’ve bought in a heartbeat if I had my van.  But, I didn’t. And, since my suitcase was already over 50 lbs, I could only buy things that would fit into my carry on bag. Of course, that included ironstone!  I feel like I can find ironstone anywhere I go.  This sweet old sugar jar was just $16.50.  I saw it and immediately plucked it off the shelf to pay for it.  I have loved ironstone for years, but I go through phases of what I look for and get excited about.  Right now, it’s really old pieces with fruit/nut handles on the lids.  This one has an apple… I also love the pattern on the base of the sugar jar.  I actually have the matching plates and handleless cups and they are some of my favorite. I

Read More
October 13, 2016 30 Comments
a slice of life

marinated skirt steak recipe & an All-Clad giveaway

The pot rack in my kitchen might be the one thing in my house that we installed a week after we moved in 10 years ago and hasn’t moved an inch.  It’s never even been under threat of being moved.  I love, love, love my pot rack.  That’s an odd thing for me, because it’s not an antique, but it is so functional and I honestly like having all of my pretty pans and copper pots on display.  Yes, we’re here to talk about All-Clad pans, but I’m also here to share a marinated skirt steak recipe. And yes, I use my pans.  Not all of them, but I use most of them. Most of the pans I’ve picked up here and there at discount stores and even yard sales.  (I bought that gorgeous antique copper bunt pan from a German woman at a yard sale in Florida for $25.)

Read More
October 11, 2016 887 Comments
All Things Home

deconstructed chair progress

Remember this “deconstructed chair” I wrote about a little while ago?  Okay, a looong while ago?  Let’s do a little update on the deconstructed chair and see how it’s coming along… Well, Kriste and I have been chipping away at it here and there, but I made some real progress on it today.  I had been at my desk, painting, sketching, writing, and creating, and my eyes were starting to cross, so I needed to shift gears. I decided to upholster the inside of the deconstructed chair in an antique French linen sheet that I purchased a couple of years ago off Etsy.  It had my initials on it and I just couldn’t resist.  I haven’t had the nerve to cut it up, but this felt like the right time, the right piece for it. Now, my nice “break” from eye-crossing tasks turned into a frustrating wrestling match with fabric.  I

Read More
October 7, 2016 22 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.

Facebook Instagram Youtube Pinterest Amazon

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Get Early access →

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.
Explore the shop →

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.
Shop Now →

Recent Video

Spring Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest