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All Things Home

Preparing Your House to Sell…to You

Every once in a while, I look at my home with a critical eye.  Most days, I walk past all of the things that are undone and I don’t really notice them.  It’s easy to get used to something in your home that is unfinished, broken, or downright ugly.  I’m living right now in the second house we’ve owned.  The first one was a 1980’s town house that needed some major cosmetic work.  We painted every wall surface, refaced the cabinets, installed Brazilian cherry floors, updated all of the fixtures, put up molding and installed pot lights.  It was a two year labor of love that we finished the week we put it on the market to sell.  I was sad that I never got to live in the place when it was totally finished.  Someone else enjoyed the fruits of our labor.  Our current home has been a four year

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December 14, 2010 34 Comments

Mirrored Side Table Tutorial…kinda

I received a lot of requests for a tutorial on how I made the mirrored side tables.  Well, I was a bad blogger and didn’t take pictures every step of the way… …so, I made a video for you.  I explain the process and share the information about cost, etc.  This was a spur of the moment video, so you’re getting a glimpse of how I look most days.  Bandanna, sweatshirt, jeans…oh yeah.  Now, go make your own! PS – The $35 price I quoted is for both side tables, not just one. 

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December 13, 2010 23 Comments

A Scale, Spoons, & Halloween’s Over

 After much work, two truckloads of trash, and a van load of stuff for the thrift store, the basement workshop is clean. We still have some organizing to do and a few projects to finish, but it will be so nice to have a clean and organized place to work.  I would’ve taken before pictures, but it was terrible.  Embarrassing, really. So, instead of showing pictures of my basement, I’ll share a few other things.  First of all, I bought this really cool postal scale a few weeks ago off of one of my fellow Wild Rose vendors.  I have a soft spot for scales and I really loved the petite size of this one.  We had a little photo shoot together. Couldn’t help myself.   Next, I have to share another act of kindness from one of my readers.  I am constantly overwhelmed at how generous people have been with me (and other bloggers for that matter.) 

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December 11, 2010 16 Comments

Mirrored Side Tables

I have been working on my master bedroom for decades.  OK, about ten months, but it feels like decades.  I still have a naked curtain rod hanging, sparse wall space, a dresser that needs to be painted and all sort of things, but I’m getting there!  I was hung up on our side tables for a while.  I wanted pieces that provided good storage and were similar in size, if not matching.  It took a few months, but I finally came across a pair of 1980’s chest of drawers and knew I could make them work.  This is the before.  Yikes, I know, but they were really sturdy.  I wasn’t crazy about the lines, but I immediately pictured them with a coat of white paint and mirrored drawer fronts and top.  I love how they turned out!!  Very glam and not 1980’s at all.  I’ll write a follow-up post with the details, so stick

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December 6, 2010 42 Comments

My Favorite Things – Updated

I wrote a post in September of 2009 about my favorite things.  I spotted Donna’s Favorite Things SNS Link Party, so I thought it was time for an update.  Here we go… French provincial style and slipcovers Old doors and architectural pieces Antique baby dresses Blue and white and a little bling German glass glitter Ironstone Black and white family photos antique grain sacks Scales and balances Linens, silver, china and other hospitality pieces Bakelite flatware These are a few of my favorite things.  How about you? 

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December 4, 2010 16 Comments

Christmas Buffet Vignette

Just so you know, blog advertising does work.  If you read The Nesting Place, you may recognize the footed bowl I am using in my Christmas buffet vignette.  I spotted it there and then had to hit the Pier One when I was in Raleigh.  I bought it and I love it.  It was the perfect centerpiece for my buffet and I’m sure you’ll see it in many other places in my home.  I simply gathered things from my Christmas trunks and the house and put them all together.  There really isn’t a science to this vignette.  It’s symmetrical and traditional. I added some fresh cranberries around the candles and pine cones in the footed bowl.  It’s nice to add natural elements when decorating with artificial greens and berries. I used colors that would tie in nicely with my mantle, since they’re both in the family room.  I am linking my vignette

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December 3, 2010 19 Comments

Tale of Two Mantels

Well, one of my “mantels” is actually a piano, but I decorate it like a mantel, so we’ll go with it. This first mantel…okay…piano, is in my living room.  This vignette is simple, neutral and all about my taste in decorating.  The Hess trucks, laughing Santa and such are banned to the family room. A German glass glitter “Christmas” banner is hung from an antique bead board door leaned against the piano.   I was only able to find two of these raw chipboard banners, so I sold one and kept one for myself.  Aren’t you proud of me?  And you thought I sold everything…   The wreath is live and was $9.00 at the grocery store.  That beats the $20 I was quoted at the Christmas tree lot.   Ironstone pitchers are lined in front of the wreath and the vignette is rounded out with framed family photos and a

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December 1, 2010 46 Comments

Raleigh Flea Market

This morning we bundled the kids in coats and hats and set out for the Raleigh Flea Market.  I came home with a lot of great things, but I did do my fair share of complaining.  “Why don’t people put prices on their stuff?!”  “Are people seriously trying to sell THAT for $50?”  “That is waaaay over priced.”  I must confess, I even got a little snippy with one lady over some silver plated spoons.  Yes, I did.  She told me they started at fifty cents, but none of them were priced, so I carried all of the spoons up to her to find out which ones were fifty cents each.  Well, as it turns out, none of them were.  They were all at least $1.00 and I was irritated and fed up with that booth, so I moved on.  Don’t mess with me when I’m hunting for bargains!  Despite my griping, I did have a great time.  I fell

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November 27, 2010 24 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.

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