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

a harvest table, a dough bowl & succulent pumpkins

A few of the freelance projects I worked on late this summer for HGTV.com are live now, so I wanted to share a preview and links.  I love how these turned out.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…I could set tables and take pictures of them all day long.  And sometimes I do. Harvest-inspired fall table This one came together with so many rich layers.  Kriste and I were working on it together and I kept stopping and making high-pitched sounds of delight. I bought those grapes because they were so beautiful, but they were delicious, too. Click HERE for the full photo gallery and details. fall dough-bowl centerpiece This was another fun one that came together based on what I found when I was out shopping.  Wheat, yellow and green floral stems, figs, bittersweet…  It all came together in such a pretty and simple way. Click

Read More
October 10, 2015 14 Comments
All Things Home

kim’s coastal bedroom | part 1 | the concept

When I mentioned that I had taken on my first design client, Megan, my mom quickly jumped in, “Well, you have to do my master bedroom!” There are two things you might be thinking right now… 1.) Your mom is the reason your business is here and she has been with you every step of the way.  This is an amazing opportunity for you to give back.  Yay! 2.) Working with your mom on a design project?  Iceberg.  Dead ahead. So, it may be crazy, but I’m going to walk the tightrope of working with my mom as a design client and we’ll hopefully end up with a beautiful room and still be on speaking terms when we’re through with the whole thing. I’ll share “before” pictures soon, but here is what she wants… She loves the beach and wants a coastal, restful feel to the room, but doesn’t want it to

Read More
October 9, 2015 63 Comments
All Things Home

room makeovers | putting your money where it counts

I received a question in response to Megan’s office makeover and I thought it would make a great post.  So, here we are. The question came from Christie… “I would love to see a post on how you make your initial budget.  Did you prioritize curtains and storage ?   How do you know what things to go cheap on ?” Great question! Working on Megan’s office was a totally new experience for me, because I was working on a space for someone else with a set budget as well as a set time-frame we had in mind for completion.  There wasn’t anything it had to be finished for, but Megan wanted to be able to use her office again and I have other design clients waiting!  Both the timeline and the budget made me nervous.  My rooms have developed over years with lots of trying things out and swapping what doesn’t work.

Read More
October 7, 2015 11 Comments
All Things Home

zinc-top table gets a second chance

I brought this amazing zinc-topped table a few weeks ago to sell at the Market on Chapel Hill.  I didn’t have time to fix it up the way I wanted to, though, so I was sort of glad when it didn’t sell.  It was great as is, but needed a little TLC. And when it comes to furniture, TLC is something I can (and often do) do. Here’s how the piece looked when I brought it to the market… (If you get seasick, you might want to have a barf-bag handy.  Yes.  I just wrote barf-bag.) The front, left leg is an inch shorter than the other legs.  To say the table was wonky was a bit of an understatement. The floors in our studio are so un-level, though, that I didn’t notice it until the day before we packed it. Here was my quick fix… …a stack of sticky

Read More
October 7, 2015 19 Comments
All Things Home

decorating dilemma | massive, masculine furniture

Leigha has been a thrifter her entire life.  The talent to find a good deal was used to furnish her home and she eventually sold her finds out of two booths at antique malls.  She’s recently been honing her style and realizes that “her home no longer speaks to her.”  While Leigha’s ready to sell it all and start over, the fact that she has a busy life (works as a librarian, married to a firefighter, three boys), it’s a little more than impractical. She would really like to make her bedroom a haven, though.  A place she really loves. Right now, there are only two things she likes in the space…the pictures of her boys (not the thrifted leopard frames) and the tall secretary her parents gave her.  That’s it. Leigha wants a lighter, brighter, cozy space.  She wants to move away from the heavy, masculine furniture.  She loves green, crocheted cream

Read More
October 6, 2015 42 Comments
All Things Home

market recap & milk-painted wooden toys

We are back home from our trip to Alabama, safe and sound from the Market on Chapel Hill. It is a long trip, but it’s always worth it. The worth isn’t in the profits made.  (I told someone I would probably cry if I really took the time to figure out my hourly rate for all of the prep, shopping, etc. that is put into these events.)  The worth is in the moments with people…readers, shoppers, fellow vendors, bloggers, the community who hosts this event with so much concern for detail. So often, I’m in a bubble.  At my computer, in my studio, in my house.  I’m comfortable there.  But when I step outside of that bubble, I almost always find encouragement.  I feel challenged and inspired in new ways.  Most times, there’s at least one conversation or hug or story that moves me to tears.  A moment that emphasizes…this

Read More
October 5, 2015 22 Comments
All Things Home

Guide to Shopping Market on Chapel Hill 2015

Tomorrow is the big day!  The Market on Chapel Hill in Pike Road, Alabama kicks off at 9:00 am, Saturday, October 3.  My space is all set up and ready to be shopped.  I know that last year, a few people knew just what they wanted and my pictures were helpful in them getting to their target quickly, so here’s how the space looks…   I did have to leave all of my cute plants at home, since you can’t take them across state lines, but I did find some here in Alabama, including a couple of beautiful rosemary topiaries that I planted in hand painted (with MMSMP Linen).   (Oo.  I need to close that drawer in the morning!) Some tips for shopping my space… Our checkout is to the right of our booth, so the line won’t clog up the booth like it did last year. We accept

Read More
October 3, 2015 17 Comments
All Things Home

Painting with White

When I see someone who doesn’t know what color to paint something, they almost always default to white.  It’s neutral.  It’s easy. Right? I will admit that it is hard to go wrong with white.  I love white and mix a lot of different whites in my home.  All three of the whites from the MMS Milk Paint line are represented. Ironstone on the dining table base and chairs… Linen on the jelly cupboard… …and Grain Sack on the 1800’s marble-topped dresser and Gustavian sofa frame to point out a few. So, I’m a fan. But, white is actually one of the hardest colors to paint with.   It doesn’t matter what kind of paint it is, white just doesn’t cover as well and almost always requires more coats.  This is especially true with milk paint, since it’s thinner than modern paints.   Here are some tips and tricks I’ve

Read More
October 2, 2015 19 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