Order Move Slow & Make Things, and enjoy a collection of thoughtful bonus content created just for you!

order the Book
Facebook Instagram Youtube Tiktok

All Things Home
Antiques

Topflappen?

As I was shopping last week for props for my photo shoots, I found this awesome German enamel wall pocket. It’s labeled to use for “oven cloths” but I thought it would make a nice holder for chalk and a cloth (eraser) for the new chalk board wall in my kitchen.   I’m quite smitten with it.  I just love it when you find the perfect thing you didn’t even know you were looking for! I also recently purchased this brass stencil from one of the vendors at Lucketts.  I just thought it was cool, but wasn’t sure what I’d do with it.  On a whim, I hung it from the mirrored armoire in my office and it just works.  It almost looks like a tag from an auction or something.   I’m still working through my shot list, but I’m making some great progress and I have the bulk

Read More
March 1, 2012 No Comments
Antiques

teal china

I received tons of comments and compliments on my teal china, so I thought I would share a bit more about it.  A few years ago, my mom and I went to Virginia to clean out my Opa’s attic after he died.  I had been treasure hunting in his attic for years (with permission, of course) and found all sorts of cool things that no one else in the family was interested in.  The attic was filled with boxes and boxes of stuff and it was very buggy up there, so I only did so much digging before I would get the heebie-jeebies and had to stop.  When my mom and I went to clean it out, it was the final clean out, so it was time to go through everything.  In one of the boxes burried deep under the eaves, I found this gorgeous china set.  It is a hand painted,

Read More
February 28, 2012 No Comments
Antiques

How to Clean Ironstone & Houzz

I often show off my ironstone collection and when I do, I almost always receive questions about how to remove stains.  I’ve never actually whitened my ironstone, because I love when a piece shows its age.  I understand that some people want their ironstone bright white or might want to remove a stain if it is unsightly.  So, I got some advice from Kim of Truffle Pig Treasures (she’s an avid ironstone collector) as well as tips from the WICA (White Ironstone China Association…my kind of people!) This advice from the WICA seems like the safest, easiest way… “The only relatively safe chemical that we know of to clean white ironstone china is hydrogen peroxide, and it is used frequently. Its chemical formula (H2O2) is very similar to water (H2O), but it has an extra oxygen atom. This gives hydrogen peroxide the ability to oxidize organic and inorganic materials, producing water as a

Read More
February 22, 2012 No Comments
Decorating

the secret ingredient to a great blog

I’m often asked how I grew my blog to where it is today and, while I can throw out some tips and ideas and things I *think* contributed to the growth, I haven’t been able to come up with one concise answer.  Well, I was inspired last night and now I have that answer. We have a weekly movie night with our boys.  My husband and I pick a movie they haven’t seen and we snuggle on the couch, eating popcorn.  The movie last night was Kung Fu Panda.  The premise of the movie is that an overweight, clumsy panda named Po is selected as the chosen one to fight and be victorious over the antagonist.  He must reach the highest level of kung fu in order to be worthy to receive the dragon scroll that holds the secret to victory. (Spoiler alert!)  Everyone’s guessing it will give the recipient magical

Read More
February 18, 2012 1 Comment
Before and Afters

Best of MMS – French Chair Makeover & Tutorial

Welcome to another “Best of MMS” post. A few of you offered up the brilliant idea of sharing some of my past posts while I’m busy working on things for the book, so that’s what I’m doing.  (I’m sorry about the wonky spacing in the post.  Something funny happens when I put code from my old blogspot blog on my new site.)   I painted these French chairs before I had tried ASCP or Milk Paint and I thought I would share the makeover and technique again, so you can see a great look can be achieved with latex paint, which is less expensive and more readily available.  I really love ASCP and Milk Paint, but latex shouldn’t be totally forgotten. Here’s how the pair of French arm chairs started… (I had two arm chairs, although only one is pictured.)  The back of one was upholstered and the other was caned, but the

Read More
February 11, 2012 4 Comments
Antiques

the peanut scale

I don’t believe I ever properly showed off this peanut scale I purchased in the fall from one of my “pickers.”  As soon as I saw the picture of it, I knew it would be mine.  Oh yes, it would be mine.         I have no idea why I have a soft spot in my heart for scales, but I do.

Read More
February 4, 2012 No Comments
Antiques

I Love Ironstone

From the moment I spotted a hutch full of white Ironstone in a magazine, I knew that’s what I wanted to collect and I have hunted it down for the past ten years.   I don’t look for the high end stuff, though.   I look for the bargains.  Pieces that are chipped, crazed, stained, missing tops, missing bottoms…whatever.  I don’t mind.  Of course, if a fabulous piece falls in my lap, I don’t turn my nose at it.  Here’s a look at some of the collection I’ve amassed…                  If loving Ironstone is an illness, may I never recover! What do you collect? (If you’d like to know more about Ironstone, you can check out my post, Ironstone 101.)

Read More
February 2, 2012 No Comments
Antiques

just my type

Excuse the pun. Those who “know” me, know that I have a soft spot for typewriters.  I usually go for the really old Underwoods and Coronas, but while I was at the furniture shop last week, this little guy caught my eye.     The color is so pretty, isn’t it?  I haven’t restocked my space at Lucketts since Christmas (Thanks Karen!), so I’m starting to make a pile of new things to take in a couple of weeks.  This is going on the pile. The winner of the $100 Antique Farmhouse giveaway is Jen (crazicrafter), which is so funny because she proclaimed in her comment that she has no luck.  Well, your “luck” has turned.  Congratulations!

Read More
January 31, 2012 No 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

August 13th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Get Early access →

NEW ONLINE ART COURSE

Paint a Pet Portrait You’ll Love

Learn to paint pet portraits in oils with confidence, even if you’re a beginner. In this new course, Marian will guide you step by step through creating expressive animal portraits filled with color, personality, and your own artistic touch. Join the waitlist to be the first to know when the course opens.
JOIN THE WAITLIST →

Now Available

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.

start creating →

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

Fall Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest