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All Things Home

All Things Home

milk paint 101 | what is milk paint?

I’ve written a lot of posts about milk paint.  In fact, we have an entire blog just dedicated to all things MMS Milk Paint.  I could talk about it a lot more than I do, but I never want my readers to feel like this blog is a milk paint commercial.  But when I asked you what you wanted from my blog, I was surprised to learn that many of you wanted to hear more about milk paint. I mention it a lot, but I realized that it’s almost in passing, so if you don’t know anything about milk paint, me simply saying that I painted something in milk paint, distressed it and applied hemp oil might not mean much.  I’m glossing over the details that would be helpful for someone trying to replicate the looks I’m achieving. So, I’ve decided to write a series to those who are brand new

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All Things Home

decorating dilemma | which comes first?

A few weeks ago, I received a question from Jan and figured I would answer it in a post.  Especially since I’ve learned a lot about this over the past few years. “I have a question….picture me waving my hand in the air…..oh oh Miss Marian!!!! Do you pick your wall color or fabric first?  My walls need to be a shade of green because I am doing a restoration and the original wall color was green.  I found some fabric I like and have ordered samples.  But then what about rugs.  Maybe I should buy my rugs first?  But then I really love these fabric samples. What is the order that you use to buy these big ticket items?” So, which comes first? Well, I’m going to give a totally non-answer answer and say that it really depends.  I don’t think you can say you always start with the paint color or always with the

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a shopping trip & a cleaning day

A few weeks ago, I received an invitation to “breakfast at Ballards” a celebration of the opening of the new Ballard Designs store in the King of Prussia mall near Philly.  Usually, invitations like this are too far for me to travel, but this one was just a couple hours away, so Kriste and I decided to take the day to attend the event and do some non-antique shopping. We started super early, so we could make it to the mall in time for the breakfast and to tour/shop the store.  I’ve never been in a Ballard store before, but I have to say that it’s worth it if you have one near you.  I’ve been getting their catalogs, but everything is even prettier in person. I now have the distinction of being the second shopper ever at that Ballard store.  I bought some blue and white checked pillow cases for

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All Things Home

an inspired room

I love celebrating friends and their achievements.  And one of my blog friends has something to celebrate.  Melissa Michaels of The Inspired Room, just released her latest book, also called The Inspired Room! I had the pleasure of spending time with Melissa as we prepared to teach a workshop on writing a book at the Haven conference this past summer.  I respect her a lot as a designer and an entrepreneur.  She’s also a pastor’s wife, so we have a lot of common ground. In celebration of the book, I’m sharing one of my “inspired rooms”. I was really torn with what room to share.  Those who have read my blog for a while have seen all of my rooms many times.  You know I love my dining room.  I’m slightly obsessed with the “bed wall” in our master bedroom.  But one room I’ve loved longer than any other, the room that

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All Things Home

The Retreat kitchen | before & after

I shared about our photo shoot in this 1799 manor house last week, in case you missed it.  I promised I would share more about the house and I’m fulfilling that now!  There was just way too much to cover in one post without allowing for an intermission or potty/snack break. Today, I want to share more about the kitchen.  It’s actually one of the most humble spaces in the 6,000 sq ft house and it’s still pretty fabulous!  I think it’s the most “relatable room”, though, since it doesn’t have the amazing woodwork that you see in the rest of the house.  It feels a lot more like a butler’s pantry in the house and I liked how it gave the vibe of a pair of jeans, balancing out the pearls and designer shoes in the rest of the space. Here is how it started.  It was in a pretty sad

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All Things Home

fresh flowers from the bouqs

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by The Bouqs Company.  All opinions are my own and I was excited to introduce my readers to such a great brand. I don’t often buy fresh flowers for myself, just because.  I buy them on a semi-regular basis these days for when I’m doing specific photo shoots, but that’s a business expense.  If I’m going to buy them for myself personally or to give to someone as a gift, well, they had better well be worth it. And I found some that are. I spotted The Bouqs Company on Instagram and immediately loved their feed.  When I looked up their website, I liked them even more. No cheap candy.  No glass vases that always end up in yard sales and thrift stores. (I added that one.)  No teddybears. Just beautiful flowers, delivered fresh to your door. They arrive in a box, tucked in nice

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All Things Home

10 minute fall decorating

It’s time for another 10 minute decorating idea!  This month, me and a few other bloggers are sharing 10-minute fall decorating ideas.  I love these quick and easy ideas that show seasonal decorating doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or over the top.  It can be simple, fun, and pretty. As I’ve shared before, when it comes to my home and seasonal decor, I keep things fairly simple and natural.  I’m really over the idea of having tons of bins of decorations that have to be stored and brought out each year.  I know some people thrive on that and it brings them a lot of joy.  If that’s you, go for it!  If you want to bring a bit of autumn to your home, though, without all of the bins, here are some simple fall decorating ideas… simple fall decorating idea no. 1 | place some pumpkins A no-brainer

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All Things Home

Leigha’s Bedroom Update

Do you remember Leigha’s decorating delimma?  She was the one with the room that looked heavy and dark.  I put a plan together with some ideas for her space, based on what she told me she liked… Here’s how the room looked before… Here is how it looked after a reset and she painted the walls in a creamy white (she’s still going to swap out the lamps or change the shades)… …and the ceiling in a pretty blue.  Leigh also changed out the bedding to an inexpensive white matlasse spread and used one of her beloved vintage crochet pieces at the foot.   And she’s still sending me updates! Her husband didn’t like my initial suggestion of a chandelier, although he was open to taking the ceiling fan down.  So, I suggested a lantern.  Simple, classic and definitely not fru-fru. Leigha found one for, I think, around $130 online and it

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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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