Painting & Refinishing Archives

Painting & Refinishing

All Things Home

how to paint vinyl shutters

When I shared the installation of the new vinyl shutters along the back of the house, several people asked if I could share the specific products, tools, and techniques I used, so here is a post all about how to paint vinyl shutters. When we moved into our PA house way back in 2006, there were vinyl shutters on the front windows that were a faded country blue. Not long after moving in, I took them down and spray-painted them with exterior spray paint made for plastic. I don’t think I primed them or anything. When I look back at photos of those shutters, I can see the spray paint marks. Ooof. I’ve learned a lot about painting over the past 20 years, so now I use a combination of a brush and roller to apply a quality exterior primer and paint. I will say, though, that paint is still

September 15, 2025 8 Comments

All Things Home

Giving an antique whirligig a makeover

A few months ago, I decided to check out an antique store I hadn’t been to in a while – the Fayetteville Antique Mall in Fayetteville, PA. I used to go there regularly when we lived in PA, but I noticed more vendors were leaving over and the quality of the merchandise was going downhill. But, I’ve learned with antique malls that it’s always worth checking it out. Even one or two new vendors that carry things I like can make a place worth visiting. Well, they have really stepped up their game since I was last there. There were more vendors with quality antique pieces. The store was tidier and more pleasant to shop. I bought a nice collection of things and liked many pieces that I just didn’t have the right spot for. I’ll definitely make regular visits! Anyway, one of the things I bought was this antique

August 21, 2024 13 Comments

1970 home renovation

tips on painting wood paneling

I know that some people are scared to paint paneling or perhaps are against it, especially if it’s wood. As with any to-paint-or-not-to-paint debate, I take this stance. If you love it as is and/or you think that painting the subject of the debate will devalue or damage said subject, then don’t paint it. If you don’t love it as is and it’s a good candidate for paint, then paint it. There are always what-ifs to consider but the thought that someone else down the road might not like it painted isn’t a good reason to not transform it into something that feels more like your style. And I am no stranger to painting paneling so I figured I would share some things I’ve learned. The first paneling I painted was in my friend Shari’s farmhouse. Not to confuse her with my Minnesota antiquing buddy, Cheri. Shari and Cheri are

November 14, 2023 16 Comments

Furniture Makeovers

stripping an antique pine baker’s table

Who is ready for a furniture makeover tutorial? I haven’t had one of those in a while, but you can find a bunch of old ones HERE! If you’re new here, working on furniture used to be my specialty. I do refinishing, painting, upholstery, repair, slipcovers, and all types of rehab. When I moved to Minnesota, though, I shut down that part of my business and I only work on pieces here and there for my own home. I do still enjoy it to a point, but it’s not what I want to do all day every day anymore. After working on this table, my back and arms confirmed that! So, I bought this beautiful antique baker’s table at Lucketts to use as our new kitchen island. I knew that I didn’t want the black-painted base, but I also knew that was something I could address pretty easily. While I

May 23, 2023 41 Comments

home improvement

my favorite tools for painting (homes)

When I typed out the title of this post, I realized I needed to make a distinction. “My favorite paint tools” was a bit too broad given that I do a few different types of painting! In this instance, I’m hot off the heels of priming the new trim in the hallway and the ceiling and walls in the kitchen and it seemed like a good time to share some of my favorite tools for getting a professional result. Speaking of the kitchen, it is really starting to come along. I primed and painted the ceiling on Wednesday and Thursday to prepare for the electricians to install the new recessed lights on Friday. Oh man, having a clean, white ceiling and lots of light looks amazing. With just two overhead light fixtures, this room was sooooo dark. Bringing in natural, task, and ambient lighting was a top priority. It’s possible

May 1, 2023 18 Comments

All Things Home

how to remove wallpaper glue from walls

When you do an internet search for “how to remove wallpaper glue from walls”, you end up finding all sorts of articles that suggest all manner of mixtures to rewet glue and remove it from a wall. I read a lot of those articles as I needed to wash wallpaper glue off of the walls of our primary bedroom and was hoping to get it done before having new hardwood floors installed. I learned, though, that most of these articles aren’t written by people who have or are in the process of washing wallpaper glue off of their walls. It’s missing the angst that comes along with doing this unenjoyable and discouraging DIY project. It’s also missing the combination of products, materials, tools, and techniques that actually work to remove the glue and prepare the walls for painting. Since I just spent the better part of last week doing this

October 4, 2022 37 Comments

All Things Home

my French dining room chairs

If you’ve followed me for while (even through this most recent move out of our MN home), you know that I’m pretty game to sell just about anything. I can’t tell you how many times Jeff has come home to an empty space where a piece of furniture once sat. He’s gotten to the point that he just shrugs and goes about his day. But there are a few pieces that I haven’t parted with, even with some pretty good offers being extended. Four of those pieces are the French chairs I’ve had in my PA dining room as well as my MN dining room. They were chairs that I hunted down for years, customized, and I can’t imagine myself selling them. Since I got them years ago and they went through a slow transformation that was documented over several posts, I thought I would share the full story of

July 25, 2022 21 Comments

All Things Home

painting a metal gas fireplace surround

So, remember the family room makeover? It’s still there, but it has dragged on for quite a while! It’s a project that moves in fits and starts. I’ll make huge progress and then I’ll get distracted by other things for a while. That’s not a bad way to work on a project, though, especially one that’s strictly cosmetic and not causing any real interruption to the household. I can take a break and come back to it with fresh energy and perspective. It’s allowed me to make decisions one step at a time and I certainly haven’t felt rushed! This past weekend, though, it was warm-ish (for February in Minnesota), sunny, and I was itching to tackle a list of undone projects including finishing the details of a project I worked on back in October – painting the metal fireplace surround. I painted the mantel and tile, but the reveal

February 28, 2022 2 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.

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.