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Decorating

All Things Home

beginnings of a potting bench

This has been the year when gardening finally clicked for me.  I’m not saying I’m great at it, but I’m trying.  I’m working at it…learning, wanting to get better, turning a black thumb to green.  Along with the interest in the garden and plants, I decided to spruce up our outdoor living space as well.  It’s not much…just a deck off the back of the house.  It isn’t covered or screened-in.  It’s just faded deck boards, a simple railing.  I’m working on it bit by bit to bring more of my interior style to the outside. One piece of outdoor furniture I wanted to add was a potting bench.  I already had an old workbench that was in the basement when we bought the house.  It still wears some spray paint overspray, but I plan on introducing those unsightly patches of red to my belt sander.  They don’t stand a

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All Things Home

megan’s office | part 1 | the before

My brother called the other day and asked how I was doing after “the post.”  I knew exactly which post he was referring to and you probably do, too.  “I’m really fine!  99% of the comments were constructive and they helped me think through what’s next.” My brother pointed out that it’s time for the next.  “You have been telling a story, as you’ve been working on your home over the years.  Now that your home is pretty much done, that story is coming to an end.  It’s time for a new story, now.”  It was one of those times when someone says something simple, matter-of-fact, but profound. I love the way he phrased that.  It’s not that I’ll never talk about my house again.  There are still finishing touches and you know I can’t help but rearrange some furniture!  But it’s time for some new stories. I felt a bubble of

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All Things Home

knack-tastic

I’ve made some really special friends through my blog and one of them is Barb Blair of Knack Studios.  A few years ago, I received a call on my business line.  “Hello?” On the other end was a sweet southern voice that said something like (I’m paraphrasing, here), “My name is Barb Blair and I feel like we should be friends.”  It probably should’ve been a strange call for both of us, but it wasn’t at all.  We hopped right in, like we’ve always been friends. Since then, we’ve talked furniture, blogging, business, brushes, paint, balance, family, photography, book deals…everything.  She’s a kindred spirit and someone I respect like mad. We’ve met a few times in person, but I’ve never been able to visit her on her turf, so Kriste and I stopped by her shop/studio on the way home from Atlanta this week. Her space is a total departure from

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All Things Home

evolution of my home | part 8 | the guest room

First of all, thank you so much to all of my readers who have answered my questions from yesterday!  I have been trying to respond to all of them, but I haven’t been able to keep up!  I am reading all of them, though, and I’m taking notes, writing down some ideas and I’m definitely seeing some patterns that confirm some things I’ve been thinking about.  Thanks for being constructive, encouraging, critical, and honest.  It really is helping me and I feel a new excitement about my blog and how I can make it better.  I’ll share more about that once I’ve had time to digest all of the feedback and figure out how to formulate a plan around what I’ve learned.  I am listening, though, and really appreciating the time you have taken to respond.  I was pretty bowled over.  In a good way. For those of you who have

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All Things Home

a vintage watering can & the little things

A while ago, I realized I needed a watering can, so I picked up a blue (of course blue) plastic watering can.  Of course, it worked just fine.  It waters plants just as it should.  But I realized that I find joys in the little details of my home.  I didn’t just want to use a watering can that would hold water, but one that makes me smile each time I use it. So, I looked around on Etsy and found an antique metal watering can… …with a screw-on “shower spout”… …and typography on the handle… It’s just a little thing that makes me happy. And, while we’re talking about gardening and finding joy in the little things… …there’s a praying mantis living in one of my plants.  He’s been there for at least a week and, I don’t know why, but it makes me happy that it’s a suitable

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All Things Home

design ramblings | pet-friendly decorating

Kriste and I are still at the Haven Conference in Atlanta, thoroughly enjoying our time here… a chance to connect to other bloggers, to recharge creatively and to have a little bit of girl time.  I’ll share more about it when I get home and have a chance to gather my thoughts. So, in this episode of Design Ramblings, Kriste and I answer a fan’s e-mail about pet-friendly decorating… (Kriste’s cat, Carli) So, does anyone have a catio?!  I thought that was so funny, but I know that cats love hanging out on screened-in porches, so it does make sense! Anyway, since I don’t currently have pets, I thought I would refer you to a couple of my blogger buddies who do and sometimes share solutions to common issues like pet hair and stains. Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick has a whole collection of furry friends…   And Melissa from

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All Things Home

fall table & buffet preview

As I shared the other day, I could do tablescapes all day long.  Other than furniture, it’s probably one of my favorite parts of my job.  I think it’s probably because I love dishes, serving pieces, ironstone, silverware, etc.  I have a lot of it and, while we do use some of it everyday, I have enough to feed an army.  So, I love when I get to pull it out and “play” with it.  It’s sort of like a big-girl dollhouse moment. I set up this particular tablescape to shoot an HGTV.com tutorial for a succulent pumpkin.  I wanted to actually shoot it as a centerpiece, so I set a table around the juxtaposition between the springy feel of the green succulents and the fall feel of the pumpkins. I started with a blue and white checkered piece of fabric as a tablecloth, which wouldn’t be an immediate choice

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All Things Home

design ramblings | eclectic style

In this episode of Design Ramblings, Kriste and I answered a viewer/reader question about the challenge of decorating when you love a variety of styles… I am, admittedly, not very eclectic.  I like and appreciate other styles, but not for my house.  I think the most out-on-a-limb I get is the industrial cart I use as a coffee table in my living room… I just love old things and that is reflected in all of my furniture, fabrics and accessories.  Whenever I stray from that, like with geometric fabric or a piece with modern lines, it doesn’t sit well with me and it never lasts long! As I said in the video, I really do think it’s an art to balance styles that contrast.  It can end up looking like a bad thrift store or college dorm arrangement pretty quickly if you’re not careful.  Here are some bloggers/designers who I think

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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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