Find Inspiration & Encouragement
Welcome to the Miss Mustard Seed’s blog, where creativity, vintage charm, and farmhouse elegance come to life. Explore inspiring DIY projects, furniture makeovers, and curated vintage finds that infuse warmth and personality into your home. Discover budget-friendly ideas, painting techniques, and creative inspiration that will elevate your living spaces with love and creativity. Welcome to a haven of creative possibilities where you can create a home that tells your unique story.
to customize your house to feel like home
to nurture your creativity & artistic growth
to find new favorites & never stop growing
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Miss Mustard Seed’s
Most Recent Posts
the Sherwin Williams color match to my kitchen cabinets
One of my most frequently asked questions over the past year is, "What color are your kitchen cabinets?" Since I paint everything, I think people assume I selected the color and painted the...
1970 home renovation | the beginnings of the boys’ bathroom reno
Warning, this is not a pretty post, but this is the reality of buying a 50+-year-old home that was mostly in original condition. While none of the rooms in this house were ugly (I think the...
original art sale preview | April 15, 2024
I can't believe the last time I had an original art sale was last August! The months just fly by and the collection of recent works has just been hanging out in my studio. I kept thinking I would...
never stop having firsts
I just turned 46 years old last week and, on Sunday afternoon, I mowed a lawn for the first time in my life. I come from a long line of lawn-mowing women. Well, I suppose two women isn't exactly a...
favorite things | antique transferware plates
I have loved antique transferware plates for years, decades even. I think they were one of my earliest yard sale purchases as a newlywed. I remember reading a magazine article that showcased...
kitchen eating nook changes | the open wall shelves
If you're thinking, "Didn't I already read this post about the wall shelves in your kitchen?" You are partially right. You read my first draft of this post and, because of a technical glitch on my...
Feels Like Home
Marian’s new book on customizing your home is
now available!
Miss Mustard Seed’s YouTube
This channel shows a progression of my business from my early years of painting and refinishing furniture and dealing antiques to my current passions of art, painting, and design. I just love all things creative and I love encouraging and inspiring other to discover and use their creative gifts.
Free Art Classes
While most of the world was under stay-at-home orders in the Spring of 2020, I connected with my online community by offering live art classes every Friday for a few weeks. It was such a pick-me-up for me each week! I received wonderful feedback from the class participants who joined me live or have taken the classes since, so I decided to put them into an online course format and offer them for free. Sign up and learn to paint with oils in nine classes that cover everything from making a color chart to painting a grazing cow…
Recipes, projects, and decorating ideas for Spring
As spring blooms and nature bursts into life, we invite you to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of seasonal renewal. Marian’s spring blog posts offer a delightful array of inspiration, where we celebrate the joys of this rejuvenating time of year. Join us as we embrace the spirit of spring and revel in the wonders of nature’s awakening.
Marian’s Home Tours
Maryland Home
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Marian shares her journey of transforming her new 1970s Maryland home into a modern marvel. Discover inspiring renovations that marry vintage elegance with contemporary flair. Explore her latest blog posts, featuring DIY projects, interior design ideas, and budget-friendly tips that breathe new life into this charming abode. Delight in the art of renovation and witness the magic of infusing every corner with personality and timeless allure. Join Marian on this exciting chapter of her Maryland home transformation and uncover a treasure trove of creativity and inspiration.
Latest Posts by Topic
All Things Home
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why you should have a pair of gardening overalls
I've been working in the yard and garden beds most days over the past two or three weeks. It's that time of year when the longer days and not-too-hot spring weather draws me outside and I get excited about cleaning things up, weeding, and working on more landscaping...
Artistic Endeavors
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playing with abstract art
If you had asked me a few years ago if I had any interest in abstract art, I would've told you confidently that it's not my thing at all. More than that, abstract art seems too chaotic, pointless, and lacks a true display of artistic talent in my estimation. As the...
Creative Business
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feels like home book launch team
Thank you so much for all of the enthusiasm and support for my new book, Feels Like Home! Writing a book is such a long process and you never know how it will be received, but the feedback I've been hearing on the sneak peeks and previews have been so positive and...
Furniture Makeovers
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adding a new shelf to an antique pine hutch
When it comes to knocking projects out, I have learned that it helps to pay attention to the tools and materials I have out and try to hit projects that need those same tools and materials. For example, while the sewing machine is out and threads are all over the...
Slice of Life
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why you should have a pair of gardening overalls
I've been working in the yard and garden beds most days over the past two or three weeks. It's that time of year when the longer days and not-too-hot spring weather draws me outside and I get excited about cleaning things up, weeding, and working on more landscaping...
Tutorials
I love learning and sharing what I’ve learned with others. Since 2009, I’ve been writing and filming tutorials on everything from furniture refinishing and slipcovers to woodworking and crochet. What would you like to learn to do today?
Try Something New
Refinishing Furniture
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Fine Art
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Upholstery
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Knitting & Crochet
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Sewing
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