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All Things Home

How to find the best stuff on Craigs List

I’m assuming most of you have heard of Craigslist and for those who haven’t, you’re about to thank me. Craigslist is a free online classified site where you can find all kinds of goodies.  Don’t be scared away by things like “The Craigslist Killer” and some of the weird spam that’s in the listings.  The majority of transactions are between two very normal people who just want to buy something, get rid of something, find someone, hire someone, etc.  It is an awesome resource, especially for those of us who are thrifty girls.  Here are my secrets to finding the best stuff without breaking the bank.  Check often:It’s like hitting a flea market when it first opens or digging through “the cart” at Goodwill that holds the contents that were just priced and haven’t hit the sales floor, yet.  You have to catch the best things right when they’re posted, because they

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What’s Up

**Warning** This post is ALL OVER THE PLACE, so just go with it.  Man, I am still recovering from Blissdom!  That trip was awesome, but it really kicked my butt.  I’ve been struggling to get back into my routine and this is not a good week to struggle.  The Old Lucketts Store is having their famous Ground Hogs Day sale this coming weekend and I need to have several pieces in the wings to fill the holes left by furniture that (hopefully) sells.  My Union Jack Dresser was going to be the centerpiece of our space for the sale, but it sold already!  I’m really glad about it, but now I am scrambling.  I let my husband know that trips around the area to pick up Craigs List furniture is going to be a part of this week.  This evening I spotted a Tweet mentioning how cute I looked on a

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Top Coats

I have had a boat load of questions lately about top coats, so I thought I would dedicate a post to them. First of all, let me say that there are dozens, maybe thousands of techniques and products out there, so I’m just sharing the ones I use and like.  It’s also pure coincidence that all of the products I am sharing are by Minwax.  Those are just the images I found easily. Paste Wax – How it’s applied: Wax on, wax off.  Rub the wax on with a soft/clean cloth.  Allow it to dry to a haze and then buff it off. What I like it for: Natural wood, painted surfaces, especially when I want a soft luster to the finish, not a shine.  I also like that it provides a hard finish and no brush strokes. What I don’t like it for: Pieces with a lot of texture or

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Lion Coffee Sign

I thought I would share my latest hand painted sign with you today.  It’s a big one…about five feet long! I used an antique Christmas coffee ad I found at The Graphics Fairy.  I cropped the text and put it in my projector to transfer it to my board.  I found this awesome door at an antique store a few weeks ago.  It was painted in the prettiest chalky blue and had really cool hinges.  Honestly, I’ve been hoarding it for myself, but it’s just been sitting in my office and I needed things to take to Lucketts, so I had to let it go.  Donna, I know you’re suffering from rust envy.  Just go snuggle with one of your bolts and you’ll be okay.  Oh…it looked so perfect in my house.  Sigh.  Can’t keep ’em all.  If you’re interested in making an “old” sign of your own, check out

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French Chair Reveal, Glaze Mix, & Simple Upholstery

There’s a lot of good information and inspiration in this post, so get ready!  First of all, the beauty shot.  Now, the before shot.  I’m so happy with how these turned out.  I’m taking the pair of arm chairs (only one is pictured in the before shot) to the Ground Hog Day Sale at Lucketts (Feb 4-6).  If you’d like to read about the paint technique I used on these chair frames, click here. And, as promised, here is my “secret” glaze formula.  It’s Ralph Lauren’s Faux Effects Glaze tinted in  Espresso Beans by Behr.  It gives a soft, aged finish that’s perfectly brown.  I have found most “mocha” or “antique” glazes look really orange.  Orange like a bad bronzer or self-tanning spray, so I have one custom mixed. Click on the picture to enlarge.  I use a lot of different antiquing techniques, but this one is good for a worn look.  It’s also easy to

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French Chairs – Painting Technique

I’m picking up where we left off yesterday with my newly acquired French arm chairs.  So, the upholstery was removed and the frames were painted Georgian Revivial Blue by Sherwin Williams.  This color is a little shocking at the moment, but just wait.  Before moving on to the next step, I want to point out the texture I left on the frame.  I did not sand this piece before painting it and that was intentional.  This texture is going to work in my favor.  Once the darker blue was dry, I used a brush loaded with a very small amount of Light French Grey (Behr) and hit the high points of the frame.  I made sure to brush with the grain of the wood and kept the brush “dry.”  Now, remember when I said a couple of weeks ago that there is a point in every “faux” technique where it

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Five French Chairs

(Not to be confused with Three French Hens.)  In my funk-ti-tude yesterday, a few good things did happen.  As I shared, I was great on my diet, I worked out, and I found some wonderful French chairs.  Five of them, in fact.  I think the downfall was going out clothes shopping on (statically) the most depressing day of the year.  A few of you shared that with me yesterday and I was unaware.  Had I known, I may not have ventured out to try on skinny jeans.  Talk about depressing.  The other really good thing that happened yesterday was all of the sweetness in your comments.  A few made me tear up.  A few made me smile.  All of them made me feel better.  I knew you understood and could relate.  So, thanks.  Back to the French chairs.   I was driving home from Wild Rose and spotted these chairs.  The owners of the

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Signature Required

I learned one thing yesterday.  People are very opinionated about painting wood or not painting it.  People on both sides of the argument claimed to be angels.  People from both the “paint them” and “don’t touch them” camps claimed their solution ties or would tie the room together.  I must say, I really enjoyed reading all of the comments and the opinions given are valued.  Despite the conflicting advice, it was helpful and made me realize what I really want to do.  I should clarify a few things, though.  These cabinets are not family heirlooms..well, they are, but they were my uncle’s mother’s and she was not related to me at all.  They were hand-me-down freebies through my generous aunt.  Really, really nice hand-me-down freebies, but she didn’t even blink when I asked if I could paint them.  Second, they are not old.  I would not be painting over the

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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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May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

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