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
All Things Home

do you have a decorating dilemma?

Do you remember my Decorating Dilemma series?  About once a month, I would share a reader’s decorating dilemma and some possible suggestions and solutions.  It was one of those things that I enjoyed, but I went through a busy season (probably getting ready for Lucketts or something), neglected it, and then forgot all about it!  Well, I think it’s time to revive it. Many of my readers and followers have asked for more practical, budget-friendly decorating advice.  What better way to do that than by talking about real spaces that need some help? The thing I loved most about this series was seeing the spaces evolve based on my advice and the ideas the homeowner got once they started moving things around.  My ideas were just a jumping-off point and then they ran with it! So, do you have a space that has you stuck?  Would you like some suggestions

Read More
January 9, 2020 32 Comments
All Things Home

studio shelf plans

I’m only a few weeks into crocheting and I already have a yarn problem.  Many of you warned me about this, but I knew it was coming.  It was a  foregone conclusion.  I felt drawn to yarn even before I had a good excuse to buy it.  Now that I have an excuse, well…I need to troll the yarn aisles at the craft store to see if anything calls my name.  I am trying to only buy yarn for specific projects or to test out for specific projects, but it’s still filling a basket and already a bit of a jumble. So, I’ve decided it’s time to move forward on an idea I’ve had for a while…building a shelf under the window behind my “guest chair.”   It’s the perfect stretch of wall for a narrow, built-in shelf that will be ideal for storing yarn and books. Here is a rough

Read More
January 7, 2020 26 Comments
All Things Home

organizing the studio closet

This was looooooooong overdue.  Jeff and I built this closet in my studio in the spring of 2019 and I just threw everything in.  It was a busy season and when things are behind closed doors, I can let them slide for a while.  It was getting out of control, though.  There was an avalanche of frames and photography gear just about every time I opened the doors.  I would growl, get what I needed, and close the doors as quickly as possible.  It’s not how I envisioned using this closet.  This was supposed to give me thoughtful, organized storage for the bulky gear needed for certain aspects of my business.  Instead, it was something I would give the stinkeye when I viewed it from my desk. When a storage solution turns into that, it’s really time to address it and I knew it wouldn’t take much time or effort. 

Read More
January 6, 2020 23 Comments
a slice of life

Merry Christmas 2019

Oh, I wish I had a song to share with you this year, but this was a year of saying “no” to things that were too much.  Our (almost) annual Christmas song for my blog was something that ended up on the no list.   I was pleased with the fact that I was able to pick up my guitar and play last week to see if it was possible, but I was only able to play for short periods of time and my shoulder wasn’t happy with me afterward.  In addition, the “Parsons Family Band” was unenthusiastic this year. If you have no idea what I’m talking about or you want to watch past songs, you can find them here… Hope was Born this Night | 2018 Born is the King | 2016 Oh, What a Glorious Night | 2015 The Only Gift | 2013 I actually sang one more

Read More
December 23, 2019 47 Comments
a slice of life

five new christmas tradition suggestions…

This isn’t a list of musts and shoulds.  I’m pretty sure we all have enough of those on our plate right now and we’re eagerly awaiting the day when things slow down…Christmas is done, the presents are opened, our bellies are full, and we can just have a moment without a pressing must-do or should-do list.  So, there are no obligations in this post.  These are just a few suggestions of new traditions you might want to add to your Christmas this year.  They are things I’ve enjoyed that aren’t as mainstream as caroling, gingerbread, and watching Elf. If I enjoyed them, you might, too… New Christmas Tradition No. 1 | Reading Secrets in the Dark Last week, we had the privilege of attending a Jason Gray concert at our church.  We saw him in February and it was an evening that was good for the soul.  It was worshipful

Read More
December 19, 2019 No Comments
Seasonal

five christmas suggestions…

This isn’t a list of musts and shoulds.  I’m pretty sure we all have enough of those on our plate right now and we’re eagerly awaiting the day when things slow down…Christmas is done, the presents are opened, our bellies are full, and we can just have a moment without a pressing must-do or should-do list. So, there are no obligations in this post.  These are things I’ve enjoyed that aren’t as mainstream as caroling, gingerbread, and watching Elf. If I enjoyed them, you might, too… Secrets in the Dark Last week, we had the privilege of attending a Jason Gray concert at our church.  We saw him in February and it was an evening that was good for the soul.  It was worshipful and encouraging.  The day of the Christmas concert, though, was on the heels of a busy week and I was fighting a headache all day.  It

Read More
December 19, 2019 42 Comments
All Things Home

six ways to decorate with sleigh bells

As I’ve shared about my love for collecting Wallace Sleigh Bells, I’ve received several requests to share ways to use them to decorate for the holidays.  Those questions sparked this post!  Since I know not everyone collects those specific bells, I decided to create this post using a set of bells 16 bells I purchased for $10.  You can find them .  They are a generous size, a traditional shape, and come in silver and gold.  And, with 16 of them, there are a lot of options for decorating ideas and projects!  So, here are six was to decorate with sleigh bells. I was pressed for time, as I’m sure most of you are during this time of year, so I kept my ideas quick and easy.  Each one took less than five minutes. idea no. 1 | napkin rings For this idea, I took some fine green yarn and

Read More
December 16, 2019 20 Comments
a slice of life

pomegranate barley salad

A few years ago, some friends from our church brought over a container of…I didn’t even know what to call it.  Was it a side dish?  A salad?  A snack?  A hot or cold cereal?  But you don’t ask those kinds of questions when someone is offering you a homemade gift.  What they did say was this was a family favorite and some members of their family like it with maple syrup – pomegranate barley salad. When I opened the lid of the container, I took a visual inventory of all of the ingredients…  barley, pomegranate seeds, chocolate chips, and walnuts.  Hmmm…okay.  Interesting.   I got a spoon out of the drawer and tried it.  I wasn’t sure if I liked it at first.  The contrast of textures and flavors wasn’t something I had ever experienced.  But, I kept going back for more and I realized that I really liked it!

Read More
December 12, 2019 25 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