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My House
All Things Home

seasons of home | Christmas dining room

Disclosure: As a part of the Seasons of Home series, this blog post was sponsored by Couleur Nature.  All words and opinions are my own. In my last house, my dining room was like old reliable.  It was a great backdrop for photo shoots and the light was always amazing.  Not to mention, I just loved that room.  It was very “me”. As I was decorating this dining room and photographing it, I found enjoyment in the process, but I had to be intentional about not doing this… Oh darn it!  I missed a letter in “refinished”.  Sigh, okay.  You get the idea. This room isn’t finished yet, so just know that.  Let’s just enjoy how far it’s come along, though. We hung my chandelier, but otherwise this is how the room started… And here is where it is today, dressed up for Christmas… Before we talk about Christmas stuff,

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November 16, 2017 37 Comments
All Things Home

the slow evolution

I’m sure you would agree that our society as a whole suffers from “instant-itis”.  We want it all now, fast, and simple. And the expectation for a room makeover has been altered ever since Trading Spaces.  A room can be completely (debatably) finished from top to bottom in 2 days.  And, while some transformations can be quick, like changing the wall color, truly finishing a room is typically a slow evolution.  It’s a scavenger hunt; a journey of discovery. It’s taken me a long time to embrace that, because I like things to be finished!  But I have learned over the years that working on a room is something that can be (and is perhaps best when) savored like a good cup of dark hot chocolate.  You might take some big swigs right in the beginning out of eagerness, but the cup is finally drained in slow sips. My kitchen

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November 8, 2017 39 Comments
Living Room

living room updates

As I shared yesterday, I worked on cleaning out the dining room and that turned into polishing up some other areas in the house that have been unfinished.  One of those spots was the wall with the pine hutch in the living room… I hung my small collection of German stag antlers on either side of it and also moved the antique high chair next to it.  That corner seemed a little empty, but I was at a loss as to what to put there that wouldn’t block the return.  The high chair seems to work and ties in nicely with the dark wood backings for the antlers. I also rearranged the ironstone inside the cabinet, since it was looking pretty picked over as I’ve plucked pieces to use in other parts of the house. I really like antlers paired with the pine hutch, because it has a very European

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October 31, 2017 61 Comments
My House

stairway gallery wall

When we first move in, we all made a big push to get things unboxed and put away.  (Or at least put in a spot that made some amount of sense.)  But, as the weeks have gone by, I admit I’ve slowed down a bit.  There is still plenty that needs to be sorted, organized.  There are still some unopened boxes and items stacked in out of the way places. And as we’re working to settle into a rhythm, it’s easy to overlook the piles and put things off until later…especially when there is stuff to do that is more fun! But, I got a bee in my bonnet on Friday and decided it was time to tackle the piles in the dining room… It was almost all decor that was homeless and family photos waiting to be hung. So, I started to sort through it, moving some decor pieces

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October 30, 2017 41 Comments
All Things Home

art studio organization

This art studio is totally different from my last one.  It’s about a 20th of the size, maybe even smaller than that.  It doesn’t have storage closets, rolling dividing walls, or many zones for different tasks.  This studio is designed specifically for small-scale creative endeavors and photography. No shipping, no office work, no big sewing or furniture projects. Even small-scale creative endeavors require lots of gear, though so art studio organization is vital! I am still figuring out how to maximize the space I do have, but this is what’s working for me so far… The large, antique hardware store cabinet is the focal point, statement piece, and most of my storage rolled into one.  It’s perfectly sized for art supplies – everything from tubes of paints and brushes to canvas and papers. (For those who missed it, I found the cabinet on Craigslist.  It came out of an old

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October 26, 2017 No Comments
Art

studio organization

This studio is totally different from my last one.  It’s about a 20th of the size, maybe even smaller than that.  It doesn’t have storage closets, rolling dividing walls, or many zones for different tasks.  This studio is designed specifically for small-scale creative endeavors and photography.  No shipping, no office work, no big sewing or furniture projects. Even small-scale creative endeavors require lots of gear, though!  I am still figuring out how to maximize the space I do have, but this is what’s working for me so far… The large, antique hardware store cabinet is the focal point, statement piece, and most of my storage rolled into one.  It’s perfectly sized for art supplies – everything from tubes of paints and brushes to canvas and papers. (For those who missed it, I found the cabinet on Craigslist.  It came out of an old hardware store in Maryland.) Someone asked and

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October 25, 2017 34 Comments
Kitchen

kitchen layers & textures

Since we’ve been talking a lot about the kitchen and adjoining eating area, I thought I would share a bit more about the direction I’m heading. Right now, it’s all a little one-note, but that’s intentional.  When possible, I like to start with a foundation for a room that’s classic and will have longevity for me.  Longevity doesn’t necessarily mean neutral, but in the case of the kitchen, I kept the foundation of the room neutral. Now it’s time to start adding in more layers and colors and also refining what is already there.  I already shared the fabrics I’m brining into the space and I’m planning on using the large scale check on the French dining chairs. They really are lovely as is, but, as you can imagine, the seats are prone to stains and they aren’t going to look lovely for long!  So, I’m going to make skirts

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October 25, 2017 57 Comments
Kitchen

Living Room & Kitchen Fabrics

I will say, I am very optimistic when it comes to my to-do list!  I already have a bolt of fabric hanging out in the master bedroom, ready to be made into curtains and pillows, as well as a French daybed that needs miles of custom double-welting sewn. not to mention the pillows for that. But, I still ordered fabric for curtains, pillows, and upholstery for the family room! I think, once I make up my mind about something like fabric, I want to buy the materials, so they are at the ready when I’m in the mood to sew and/or upholster, which isn’t a daily occurrence. So, here are the fabrics I decided on… I know.  Blue and white is a shocker! Here’s the deal.  I have loved blue and white for the better part of two decades, so I’m sticking with it.  I’ll stray from that color palette

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October 23, 2017 43 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.

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