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All Things Home

buying & selling antiques

Last Week's Finds

When I get home from shopping, I like to open all of the bags and boxes and spread everything out on the dining room table.  I think it has to do with feeling a sense of accomplishment.  This is what I did today.  It’s harder to feel that when it’s out of sight.  I think it also makes my hauls look more impressive.  I do live in an area where ironstone is a pretty regular find, but it’s not like I walk into a shop and it’s all piled neatly waiting for me.  This spread was collected from four different stores over hours of scouring booths and shelves.  I also don’t get it all at bargain basement prices.  Sometimes I do find a plate for $.50 or a pitcher for $5.00, but most of the time I buy ironstone because I love it and want a lot of it in

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Family Room

photo shoot, a fever & finds

We had less than half of the trim completed in the family room and I had a photo shoot coming up, so today, Jeff and I were determined to finish it.  Part of it was the deadline, but another part of it was putting ourselves out of our miserly.  Having a half-finished DIY project hanging over your head gets old.   So, today we worked on getting it done.  I woke up with a stuffy head and I was dragging, so I opted to give myself a day off of my workout and I dove into caulking and priming. This project took so much longer than I expected and at 1:30, I was just starting to paint the trim.  Cari was here for the day to help get ready for Lucketts.  Cari will henceforth be known as “the machine.”  She’s amazing.  She spent most of her time prepping four pieces

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Decorating

original art |

There was a time when I didn’t care very much about original art. I actually went to a fine arts college, so I had the chance to attend galleries regularly.  I think it was even required, actually…  I’d stroll around the room, looking for a few minutes and then I’d find my friends and we’d go off to chat in a corner.  I just never appreciated it…until I owned my very first original oil painting. Now I’m hooked. I used to ignore the wall art at antique malls and auctions, but now I lean it and look…seeing if anything speaks to me. And I’ve started to browse eBay for original art to use in my home.  I’ve found so many beautiful, well-priced pieces that I curated a collection of original art pieces that caught my eye.  I even added a couple to my shopping cart, but I’m still thinking… Obviously,

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Favorite Finds

Guest Room & Ironstone

Last night I asked Jeff if I could leave early for handbell practice, so I could pick up some paint on the way.  He gave me a look.  “What do you need paint for?”  I answered casually, “The guest room.”  Usually me buying paint isn’t a questionable event, but I have a lot on my plate right now and painting the guest room doesn’t really need to be on that plate. It can be served with the cheese course or dessert if there’s room left when the entree is done. But, I really want to shoot the bed for the MMSMP look book and my in-laws would like to visit eventually (if it ever stops snowing around here) and I need to get the room put back together for them. There’s DIY shrapnel everywhere at the moment. Deciding to paint the room started with patching the walls.  This room was

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Favorite Finds

soap and brush gallery

A few months ago, I curated some collections on eBay and shared them on my blog.  Now, I’m refreshing the ones that were the post popular…adding even more inspirational goodness and, this time, including vintage and antique finds that are similar to those I use in my home.  I found a set of French cane chairs almost exactly like the ones in my dining room… …a similar stool and the exact paint and fabric used in my master bath… …an ironstone soap dish… …and the exact alarm clock and locker baskets I use on the shelves. It’s been fun to “shop my look” in these collections and find things I love and enjoy using in my home. For more inspiration and curated collections, click HERE. One last thing.  eBay has launched a new campaign called  Curate for a Cause.  You can check out the full details at www.ebay.com/imbornto, but for every curated

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Favorite Finds

more finds & the holy grail

I unpacked and tagged some more of my finds from Friday.  The contents of the box I unpacked were wrapped in a padded, bluish-green plastic.  As soon as I unwrapped the first piece, I realized what they were – disposable, absorbent pads.  Also know as “wee pads.”  As I was opening everything, I couldn’t help but think of Tim Gunn on Project Runway begging the contestants to not be so unoriginal as to make dresses out of wee pads.  Oh goodness…random. Anyway, here’s what I found… …this pitcher has the prettiest detail on the handle… …and I couldn’t pass up this old handless mug… …and this clock couldn’t be passed up, even with the broken face… …this Blue Willow child’s tea set is available in the online shop… …this clock has the prettiest face… …and I love the label on these soap flake jars… Most of the pieces are tagged

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Favorite Finds

fun finds & help wanted

I don’t know about you, but the whole “sping forward” thing messes me up for a week each year.  This morning I could hardly keep my eyes open as I made lunches for the boys.  Jeff took them to school and I crawled back in bed.  By the time I dozed, did my workout, showered and ate breakfast, half of the day was gone!  I still managed to get a lot done, but I’ve got to get back on a normal schedule. Anyway, as I shared over the weekend, my mom and I went out shopping on Friday, so I thought I would share some of the things I bought. I loved the patina on this handmade wood box inscribed 1865… …and it even came with the key! The crackled finish is so cool. I also picked up a couple of cameras… …some cow bells… …a pretty ironstone tureen… …an

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Favorite Finds

Antique Textile Junkie

I remember the first time I browsed through an antique store, I left with two things.  One was an aqua mason jar with a zinc lid and the other was a delicate cream child’s bonnet, obviously old and handmade.  I was drawn to the yellowed patina on the fabric, the dreams that may have been poured into every stitch and the small piece of history I could now hold in my hand. I’ve been an antique textile junkie ever since. It doesn’t matter if it’s a petticoat… …a tea towel… …a pillow case… …a quilt or coverlet… …a set of napkins… …a towel for keeping bread warm… …or a table cloth. I’m a fan of antique textiles.  Are you? If you are, check out my curated collection HERE.  If not, you can check it out, too, but you may get hooked. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You can follow

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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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August 13th, 2026 at 1pm EST

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