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All Things Home

2014 Home Changes

As 2014 is winding down, I’ve been thinking about everything that’s happened over the past year.  I started looking through posts and pictures and enjoyed seeing all of the things I’ve done, the places I’ve been and the projects that were completed.  I figured I’d write a few posts sharing the highlights…my favorites and your favorites.  Let’s start with my house. What struck me as I looked back over pictures is how much has stayed the same.  The master bedroom and bathroom, half bath, kitchen, home office, upstairs bath and family room have stayed pretty much the same.  For the most part.  I’ve made tweaks and moved some furniture and things around, but nothing has been dramatically changed. Here are the things that have changed – This is how the living room looked in January… …and in December. The dining room in January… …and December. I’m planning to put a rug back

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Seasonal

Christmas 2014 recap

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!  I had a truly wonderful day with Jeff, my boys, my brother and his wife and my parents.  There was the usual frenzy of opening presents, but it was even more enjoyable this year because the boys are at such a sweet age.  They’re old enough to really get it, but young enough to run around in footie jammies all day. I received mostly gift cards (Anthro, Ulta, iTunes and ModCloth), a “zoodle” maker (for spiral-cutting vegetables), some Crocs that are lined (I wear my Crocs often, but my feet get cold in the winter) and a few other things. I set the table and did a lot of food prep the day before, so I was able to putter around the kitchen at a comfortable pace to get everything ready.  My mom and brother also made a few of the dishes, so it

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Seasonal

Christmas Inspiration

I was going to post the second look for the Arabesque dresser I shared yesterday, but I realized I had one more Christmas post to share and I has better share it before it isn’t Christmas any longer!  I don’t usually share the work of others here, except for my favorites on FFF.  It’s not that I don’t like to link up and support others, but I don’t want my voice to get thinned out by sharing the content of others too often.  I am also a bit compulsive about writing blog posts! It’s an outlet and can be very therapeutic for me. Today, though, I am featuring some beautiful photos styled by Melanie Beilner, taken by Annetta Bosakova.  They are both extremely talented ladies and I thought it was worth sharing this shoot… (I’m really into seeded eucalyptus this year.  We used some for the Cottages & Bungalows shoot we

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Decorating

When being a DIYer prevents you from getting something done…

If you read the title and you’re a DIYer, you know what I’m talking about.  Most of us have wish lists waiting to be completed and piles of supplies waiting to be turned into that finished project we’ve been dreaming about.  There are times when those lists and piles are too overwhelming and I would just rather get sucked into a show on Netflix and pitter about on Pinterest.  Then, there are times when I’m plowing through the list, trying to find the non-existent end.  What I have found with some projects, is that I just need to do what non-DIYers do on a regular basis – just buy the darn thing and get it finished.  But, if you’re a DIYer to the core, you know that’s hard to do. I have been wanting to frame family pictures for years.  YEARS!  I have had a “to-frame” pile for, seriously, about

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Favorite Finds

"I knew you were here"

It finally occurred to me on Monday that Christmas was right around the corner.  You’d think with all of the decorating and Christmas music that it would’ve occurred to me sooner, but it still managed to sneak up on me.  I had only purchased a few presents and it was time to get with the program.  I spent Wednesday out and about and was able to check almost everyone off my list.  With a little extra time on my hands, I decided to pop into one of my local antique malls.  I wasn’t there for a big shopping trip…just to poke around a bit and buy a few things that piqued my interest. I started making a pile of some things…a small basket, a couple of ironstone plates, a blue and white cup, a chippy white architectural piece and a nubby linen sheet.  I was just about finished when I heard

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Decorating

design ramblings | the deer head debate

Welcome to episode two of Design Ramblings, a 10 -12 minute “show” of Kriste & I talking about design stuff – trends, what inspires us, tips…whatever occupies our thoughts as we work in the studio.   If you missed episode 1 (about decorating for Christmas), you can find it HERE. First of all, we got a lot of valuable feedback on our first video that was complimentary and constructive.  We took some notes, made a few changes and we have even more ideas for the future.  Our list of topics to discuss is rapidly growing!  Keep the feedback and suggestions coming.  We’re learning as we go, so it’s helpful. When Kriste and I first kicked around the idea about Design Ramblings, we put talking about design trends near the top of the topic list.  And, one of the first trends that came to mind was deer heads.  Well, the whole deer/deer head/antler/animal head

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Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

tough coat 101 video

We introduced the Tough Coat a few months ago as  part of the MMS Milk Paint line.  It was a product that was many months in the making. You see, I’m a pretty tough sell when it comes to adding new products to the line.  I have to really love them, use them and being okay with them sporting my name.  I never planned on carrying a water based poly product, because my preference is for oils and waxes.  When I first started furniture painting, I used water based poly and was usually disappointed with the finish.  It got so much better when I found smooth applicator pads and even better when I started using my sprayer.  I never imagined going back once I started using waxes and oils, though. Then, I had to deal with this piece… I painted it with one coat of milk paint that almost all

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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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