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All Things Home

QuickStep Flooring Review

A couple of weeks ago, I shared the QuickStep laminate flooring I selected to install in a corner of the studio to use for photo shoots. I have been wanting to do this for a long time, not because the old floorboards in the studio aren’t cool, but because they are #1 – very orange and #2 – there was a large plywood patch on one side of the room. If this was my house or a space that I owned, my approach may have been different, but for a rented space, floating a laminate floor in one area was the best option to address those issues. It is now installed and looks gorgeous and I wanted to share a review about the installation process and show how it looks in the overall space. As I shared in the last post about the flooring, I selected the QuickStep French Country

October 6, 2016 24 Comments

All Things Home

“I knew you were here…”

I went shopping on Friday to get some fresh inspiration and to find some things for the online shop. I stopped at a couple of local stores and then one of my favorite local antique malls. When I went to the checkout, one of the vendors said, “I saw that pile on the counter and I knew you were here!” I looked over to the pile and, yep, it was pretty much “me” in a collection of items found spread over dozens of booths. Mostly blue and white finds and lots of ironstone. I’ve been shopping antique stores for a long time and that’s always been one of my favorite things about it. Someone can shop from many different vendors, curating things that catch their eye, and by the end of the trip, you can see their style in the collection of items. There’s something cool about that. Anyway, my favorite

October 5, 2016 20 Comments

a slice of life

baked potato soup recipe

I shared a couple of weeks ago that I made a full-fat, no-skimping-on-the-good-stuff baked potato soup recipe as a treat. I love creamy soups and casseroles, but I don’t make them very often anymore, because they are just so calorie-laden. But it was a dreary day and both Jeff and I were in the mood for soup. A loaded baked potato soup recipe that I used to make came to mind and I couldn’t shake it. So, I bought the ingredients and made it and it was every bit as sumptuous and velvety as I remember it. The blue & white dishes were from . I got this particular baked potato soup recipe from a friend about 12 years ago. When I left the corporate world, I was a stay-at-home wife for a couple of years. I didn’t work, didn’t have kids… it was a glorious two years! I just relished

October 4, 2016 12 Comments

a slice of life

four chairs, a pin cushion & poutine

I totally missed announcing that I was listing some new things in my online shop tonight, but they are there! I listed a few larger pieces as well, including the hand-painted nightstands that were in our master bedroom for a few years. I’m going to head out tomorrow to do some more shopping, so hopefully I’ll have some more awesome finds to list next week. And, speaking of awesome finds, I picked up a couple of things on my trip to New York last week. I found these chairs for the bargain price of $45 for all four! I love how they have both a Swedish and farmhouse feel to them. The rushing isn’t in perfect condition, but the seats are still sit-able and the chairs themselves are sturdy. A seat cushion will solve the cosmetic issues, so I’ll either order or make some soon. I’m leaning towards making them, just

September 30, 2016 37 Comments

All Things Home

farmhouse holiday series | fall porch

It’s time for our last fall post in the Farmhouse Holiday Series – the fall porch, but we’ll be back again as the Christmas season gets underway! I have to say that I really worked at gardening and our outdoor spaces last year. I found it rewarding and we enjoyed sitting on our deck for the first time in the almost 10 years we’ve lived here. This year? Totally different story. It was hot and dry and I was really busy and our outdoor space was neglected. I would get about a D+ if I was being graded. And the + is only because I had some beautiful crabgrass that thrived on just the right combination of drought and neglect. Anyway, cooler temperatures sweeping into our county have coaxed me back outdoors to spruce up the space, so we could enjoy some al fresco meals and observe soccer practice in the

September 29, 2016 20 Comments

All Things Home

Pillows for the Family Room

I shared a couple of days ago that I was going to make some custom pillow covers for the family room sectional. It came with pillows, but they weren’t my style/colors. Making pillow covers in fabrics that tie my style and colors with the sectional is a great way to make something feel a little more custom and cohesive. I already had the checked blue pillows, so I kept those and made some more out of antique linen tea towels with blue embroidery and Waverly’s Country House Linen Cameo Toile. (I was going to add the gray linen in there as well, but decided against it.) Kriste made the piping, cut out the fabric, and pinned the pillows and then I sewed them together (more tag-teaming on this project!) We worked together to get them all hand-stitched closed. I know I should put zippers on my pillows, but I just don’t

September 27, 2016 24 Comments

Decorating

Pillows for the Family Room

September 26, 2016 26 Comments

All Things Home

DIY window valance

Good evening from New York! I spent the better part of the day driving through the rolling hills and small towns of PA and NY and even got to stop in at an antique store and eat dinner at an amazing restaurant, so I can’t complain. Anyway, earlier this week I worked on a valance for the dormer window in Calvin’s room and I thought I would share how to make this simple window treatment… (I’m still figuring out the cord situation in this desk area, so don’t judge!) I started out by cutting a board the width I wanted the valance. In my case, it was the width from one wall to the other, since it’s a dormer window. I just used a scrap board, but a 1 x 2 would be perfect. I then cut a piece of fabric about 3″ longer than the height of the window

September 24, 2016 31 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

QuickStep Flooring Review

“I knew you were here…”

baked potato soup recipe

four chairs, a pin cushion & poutine

farmhouse holiday series | fall porch

Pillows for the Family Room

Pillows for the Family Room

DIY window valance

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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power washing the patio

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