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All Things Home

All Things Home

diy art | framing old pieces of paper

I sometimes think we overcomplicate things when it comes to decorating.  I’m included in that statement!  We think we need to buy new things and update along with the trends, but we really don’t.  Decorating can and should be a simple, joy-filled process.  It should be a journey of learning how to represent yourself and your story through your choices (I’m including other members of the household in that.)  A significant part of telling your story is being particular and intentional about what is framed and displayed as art.  Each piece is ideally personal and unique to you.  And the best way to do that is to create your own DIY art. This isn’t DIY art in the sense of getting out the paints and brushes, so don’t get scared if you don’t consider yourself artistic.  This is DIY art that is about unearthing and displaying things that literally tell

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All Things Home

organizing the sewing room closet | plus tips

As tidy as I am, there are spaces in my house that get out of control or have never been organized properly since we moved in.  Such was the case with the closet in my sewing room and it was time I got around to organizing it. I will say right up front that it’s amazing to have an entire spare room that I can take over for sewing and upholstery supplies, my fabric stash, sewing machines, etc.  We really didn’t need this extra bedroom, but I will take and utilize it!  It’s also become the “cat room” and we keep one of their scratchers as well as their litter box in here. The closet in the sewing room has been problematic when it comes to organizing since we moved in because it’s configured for clothes (understandably), not for sewing and upholstery supplies.  I have planned on building shelves in

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All Things Home

farmhouse white chair makeover

A couple of months ago, I picked up this sweet vintage chair from a local antique shop for $25.  It was just the kind of chair I had been looking for to use at my sewing desk.  I don’t typically sit and sew for hours on end, so it didn’t have to be super comfortable.  My sewing desk is also vintage and smaller in scale, so I needed a vintage chair that would be sized appropriately to pair with the desk.  I liked the idea of how the cutout in the back of the chair would stand out against the pine desk.  It was a little grubby, though, and the paint could use a refresh, so I gave this chair a quick and simple makeover with Farmhouse White Milk Paint. I started out the makeover by wiping the chair down.  It had clearly been stored for years and would benefit

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a slice of life

Neat Steam Cleaner Review

When I shared about the progress in the ensuite bathroom a couple of weeks ago, the thing I was asked about most was the steam cleaner I bought to keep the tile, grout, and glass clean!  So, in this post, I’m sharing the brand of steam cleaner I bought and offering a review for those who are interested in purchasing a steam cleaner. First of all, I have used a steam mop to clean my hard floors for years.  I love my steam mop so much that I’ve given them as gifts.  It is definitely my favorite way to clean tile, sealed wood, and even my painted studio floors.  It gets the floors squeaky clean and sanitized and doesn’t require any cleaners or chemicals.  My steam mop (I currently have the older version of THIS ONE) does come with some attachments, but it really is best to use on the

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All Things Home

Decorating trends that are out in 2020 | an opinion piece

When I was searching for something related to decorating a few days ago, I noticed one of the top searches suggested by Google was “Decorating trends that are out.”  I didn’t give it much thought initially, but it stuck with me for a few minutes and I gave it a little bit more of my attention.  Why is that one of the top searches suggested by Google in relation to decorating? Behind each internet search, there is a need…  We’re looking for information, something we want to purchase, a place we want to visit.  We want to satisfy our curiosity or be in the know.  So, what is the need behind a search on decorating trends that are out?  What is at the heart of that search? I’m sure some people are searching it out of pure curiosity or maybe they are looking for some snarky, entertaining article bashing chevron

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All Things Home

easy ticking footstool makeover

Remember this antique footstool I purchased a few weeks ago when my mom was visiting?  Well, I finally gave it a makeover!  I was planning on making a slipcover, but this footstool makeover turned out to be much easier… I decided to try to pull off a couple of the tacks to see how easy the footstool would be to strip.  I’ve stripped several pieces finished with nailhead trim before and they can be so tedious to remove.  These just popped right off, so I proceeded with the footstool makeover right on the spot.  I was able to strip it in about 15 minutes and discovered that contemporary leaf design was hiding delightful antique blue and white ticking! This layer is obviously the equivalent of the footstool’s undergarments, but I still love it.  It was a little dusty, so I cleaned it thoroughly with a vacuum. I still might reupholster

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All Things Home

picture ledges for pigment bottles in the studio

My studio continually evolves as I use and finetune the space.  A couple of weeks ago, I was doing some reorganizing and realized I could utilize the space to the left of the large hardware cabinet.  Some picture ledges would give me a little more storage and would also be the perfect place to display my bottles of pigment. What was hanging there before was a pinboard with color swatches.  While I enjoyed looking at them, I didn’t really use them, so changing it out made sense. Sienna Counterweight Studio Easel | | painted checkerboard floor | Hare art print I purchased shelves from Target for $15/each and hung them in that space.  The dimensions were absolutely perfect for my collection of bottled pigments. | | antique palette I bought the bottles from Hobby Lobby, but I wasn’t able to find them on their website.  They are in the glass

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All Things Home

latest consignment store haul

Hey, everyone!  I enjoyed a few days off but really started to miss sharing here on the blog towards the end of the week.  I got so much done, though, and it was focused, unhurried, productive, fruitful…just what I needed it to be.  Towards the end of the week, I was feeling a bit fried and antsy to get out of the house, so I went to my favorite local consignment store (it’s Kismet for those who are local or passing through Rochester, MN.) I originally went in because I spotted a pair of chairs on their Facebook page.  I thought they would look nice flanking the hutch in the living room.  They were still available, so I went to the consignment store the next morning and they were even better in person.  They were both sturdy, in excellent condition, and it looked like the hand-tied caning had been redone

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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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