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

All Things Home

Decorating

recording an audiobook for a decorating book

When I first saw the mention of the word “audiobook” in my book contract, I was a little skeptical.  I mean, this is going to be a photo-heavy decorating book.  A book that relies heavily on visual examples and, in most cases, is a book that looked at more than read.  I do read some of my decorating books, but I usually look at the pictures and take away what I want from them.  Sometimes I read them if there is a compelling story or if I’m eager to hear the design process and creative ideas behind a space.  But, I confess that I have never bought an audiobook for a decorating book. But, as I was writing the Feels Like Home, I had all of this in mind.  (Affiliate link.)  I wanted to make sure that what I wrote was something worth reading and offered more depth and encouragement

Read More
Decorating

exercise to discover your style | living mood board

First of all, thank you so much for all of your support and encouragement yesterday!  The Feels Like Home launch has been a success so far and I was beaming all day.  Since more of you have the book now, I wanted to talk about one of the exercises in the book that I am particularly proud of – creating a living mood board to discover your unique style. There have been all sorts of quizzes and categories created over the decades to try to help people define their style and therefore be more focused and intentional when decorating their homes.  I think those can be helpful (and fun), but most people don’t fit neatly into a category.  We like and appreciate a mix of styles and the quiz results might vary greatly just depending on what we were exposed to and liking on that particular day.  What we like

Read More
Antiques

the vintage pond yacht

We’re going to talk about the vintage pond yacht in just a minute, but I have to say this is book launch eve!  While the books have been shipped and some are already on store shelves, tomorrow is the official launch day and I am about to burst with excitement! If you preorder early enough today, you might be able to receive the book in the mail tomorrow!  I also spotted it at my local Barnes & Noble store this week, so you might be able to pick up a copy at your local store even today.  You can check for availability HERE. Or you can preorder Feels Like Home from any of these retailers…  |||| And claim your preorder bonuses HERE and find instructions on claiming your preorder bonuses HERE if you need some help.  The preorder bonuses are an original art download, a bonus chapter (The Feels Like Home Renter’s Guide), and five videos including

Read More
a slice of life

creamy chicken & wild rice soup recipe

Soups are definitely my specialty!  I love that I can make a whole bunch at one time that will last for quick & tasty lunches and dinners throughout the week.  I love they are healthy & hearty, even when you add a little bit of cream.  Soups are just a win all-around for me.  One of my favorite soups is creamy chicken & wild rice and this is the recipe I’ve used and tweaked over the years… I don’t even know how many pots of this creamy chicken & wild rice soup I’ve made!  I just know that we’ve eaten it a lot over the past decade and it’s always a crowd-pleaser.  The creamy broth makes it heartier and more flavorful than a chicken noodle soup, but the flavors are definitely nostalgic and perfect for snowy and sick days. ( I use.) When cooking this creamy chicken & wild rice

Read More
All Things Home

reshaping an antique german basket

This antique German basket was a last-minute purchase at Gold Rush Days antique market this year.  I had pulled up my van to load in the antique cabinet I got for the basement and spotted a stack of antique German baskets at a nearby booth.  I have bought a couple of baskets from that vendor before and I knew the prices and pieces were good, so I thought it was worth taking a quick look even if my van was questionably parked.  The vendor had two antique German baskets.  One was in better condition, but it was so large that I had no idea where I would even put it!  The second one was a better size, but the top was crunched, likely from being stacked under the weight of other loaded baskets. These lidded baskets were used as shipping containers, trunks, and suitcases for goods and possessions.  Can you

Read More
All Things Home

the antique post office register

As someone who enjoys unique antique finds and getting goodies in the mail, last week was a banner week!  I received several highly anticipated packages (I’ll share about those in other posts) and I made a trip to one of my favorite local consignment shops to pick up a vintage pond yacht I spotted and reserved on their Instagram stories.  Of course, while I was in the shop, I needed to take a look around and just a few steps in the door, I knew I was leaving with more than just the pond yacht when I spotted this amazing antique post office register… I had a silent dialogue with myself of how I didn’t really need this piece and I wasn’t even sure if I had room for it in my studio.  But, the price was so good for such a unique, quality piece ($228) and all of the

Read More
All Things Home

feels like home | giveaway for the furniture artist

comes out in just over a week!!  If you’ve been waiting to preorder the book until it’s a little closer to shipping day, well, we’re getting pretty close.  I am so excited to get this book out into the world. For Feels Like Home Friday, Melanie from Mango Reclaimed and Mango Paint (she is amazing) and I will be doing a furniture and paint Q&A on Instagram Live at 1:00 EST/noon CST.  (That is Friday, October 1, 2021.)  The Live will be recorded and I’ll link to it when it’s available if you can’t join us. As a thank you to all of my readers and followers who have been so supportive of this book project, I am having another giveaway.  This one is for the “furniture artist” and is very near and dear to me since painting and refinishing furniture was the staple of my business for over a

Read More
Decorating

making a beautiful, comfortable bed with brooklinen

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Brooklinen.  As always, all words and opinions are honest and my own. Use promo code MUSTARDSEED to get $20 off your Brooklinen order of over $100. I was having a conversation with one of my good friends a couple of weeks ago and she shared that she just bought all new bedding.  It was a splurge, a deliberate investment in herself and her sleep after a particularly trying couple of years.  When I got off the phone with her, I thought, good for you.  We often overlook pampering ourselves by making sure our bed is comfortable and inviting. I’ve learned the value of good bedding over the past few years and it’s become a non-negotiable to me.  It goes beyond decorating and aesthetics because sleep is so vital to our physical and mental health, our mood, productivity, and creativity.  We spend 1/3 of our

Read More

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.

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

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.

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.

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.

Recent Video

Spring Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest