70 Responses

1. Funny, I was just sitting here working on my “to do/to finish” list. Enjoy working on yours 😀

2. I am very eager to do a paint class in Ellicott City using your Lucketts green that I purchased at Vintage Bliss Boutique a few weeks ago. Working on a room in our 200 year old farmhouse that will be a reading room for my husband and I. Using several old furniture pieces, old suitcases, etc that I picked up over the summer for embellishment. I have 2 upholstery chairs that I plan to get covers made for. I really need to fix in my mind a plan of how I want it to look. Kind of muddled on that part!

   Thanks for all the inspiration!

3. Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures. I’m hoping to be able to buy myself a copy of your book for Christmas. That’s allowed, isn’t it? lol Love your style and so look forward to every post.

4. I am getting a camera just like yours! Right now my photos are not very good. But, you use what you have right? I also think that the hutch would be pretty painted and since she is yours would not worry much what others who are well meaning may suggest (I hope that did not sound snide, I was trying to word it so it would sound okay). I love everything you do!

   1. The d800? I am really loving it and I’ve noticed a huge difference with the FX lenses.

      1. Yes ‘mam! I love the quality of your photos! Did you have to take a class to learn all of the ins and outs or did you just play around?

         1. You will love it! You definitely need to shoot in manual mode to get the most out of it and the lenses do make a big difference as well. I took a class years ago with an SLR film camera, so I learned the basics of photography and composition, but I’ve really just been playing around and learning along the way with digital.

            1. Oooh! Now I am even more excited! Do you think I should take a class? Doesn’t Layla and her hubby at The Lettered Cottage have like and online class you can pay for and do?

5. YES I’m ready to go! When can I come over? Sounds like you are in need of an intern. Will work for paint! 🙂

6. oh I always work off a list sometimes it’s in my head other times in my phone and I am that person that puts it on paper just so I can check it off. ha ha . At the moment I am painting a table base my husband built out of steel to look like aspen. We have done several pieces and the paint technique is about 7 layers. Also I have seen some hardback books cut into letters and have picked up several books to try my hand at those. And I have done over 12 6×6 canvases with monograms for many of the children at my work. Funny thing is I expected the moms to get excited but the kids are really jazzed. I had gotten behind on the baby gifts ;). I think I have to have a plan or I get distracted and never accomplish a thing.

7. Please, please, please don’t paint that beautiful table! I’m thinking you’ll regret it… In due time, you’ll grow tired of your bamboo rug, but never the beautiful patina on that pine. (Besides, there can definitely be too much of a good thing – such as painted furniture). I’d replace the rug, adding another texture vs. more paint. I know, I know, you didn’t ask for my opinion – after all it is your home… but I do think I’m going to have to close my eyes and look the other way if you paint.

   1. Gotta say, I was thinking exactly the same thing… leave that gorgeous table as-is, and get a new rug. The patina on that table is stunning (in the pics at least) and the chairs are great too – love their style. You really have some awesome pieces, Marian! What a blessing.

8. oh and the hutch personally it is very dark and would benefit from a MMS transformation 😉

9. My to-do list…………..missing trim for years and an unpainted stair railing. Why, oh why can’t I just do it???? Not even holidays, parties, a daughter’s wedding last year make me tackle those two things. I have the feeling that if we ever move that it will get done the day before the “For Sale” sign gets planted in the front yard.

   Sigh………..

10. Marian it’s these ‘to-do’ lists that make me feel most productive. I vote DON’T paint the table base, I love the naked pine – Swedish look against your window treatments and light walls. Perhaps consider changing out or completely removing the bamboo rug? (Of course I like it too but just an option to get more contrast :)) Glad to hear you’re keeping busy, Christmas is right around the corner!!

11. Again we are on the same wave length! To funny. I painted one room last weekend while I was home alone. In the process, cleaned and sorted, which meant I was was working on all three bedrooms. However my photos have been “in process” not pretty finished ones like yours. You did inspire me about the table! I love the shape of mine and the fact I have 2 leaves, just not the dark base. So I’m seeing that dark wood base making way for a painted version in a lighter color. Wow more to add to my paint order

12. These pics came out amazing! The house looks breathtaking!
    I just finished another project with your wax. Can’t wait to post it : )
    Xo
    Alison

13. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Why would you change a thing? Pleeeeeeaaaasse.

14. Love these- just beautiful! Please share the source for the wallpaper behind the bed!
    Thx
    Pam

15. Love that still life of the white soup tureen, blue hydrangeas and red pears! Beautifully composed….you could sell prints!

    And I love the idea of painting the china cabinet – can’t wait to see it!

16. I’ve recently found your blog and on fb and really admire what you have done to your home. I’m curious though, does your husband like all of your choices or he simply lets you do your thing? (Either of which I would be very envious of!)

    1. He pretty much lets me do what I want, but keeps me fro being too impractical! 🙂

17. Your bedroom is gorgeous and your pictures are beautiful as well. I have been waiting for myself to become motivated to deep clean and get organized and today it finally happened. I got a good start on a few things, that always helps to get the rest done. Thanks for the inspiration as usual Marian.

18. Ya sure am in the mood. Completely got my yard , gardens, gazebo and greenhouse ready for winter! Ya for me! Now to get started inside the house!

19. YES!!
    I got rid of a TON of stuff in our yard sale (over 2 weekends). My husband did a big run to the dump yesterday. I have tackled a few of the major organization projects and I still have a few more to go.
    It makes me feel SO MUCH BETTER to have things more cleared out.
    YAY! For getting things DONE!!
    -breida

20. Oh lord, i have so many projects and half finished things to do too.
    I don’t know why but i’ve always loved those green velvet chairs… that being said, i have no doubt in my mind that whatever you do with them will be fabulous…

    Cindy

21. I agree with you. Even though I love the pine table I do think it would tie better with the room if you did paint it! But whatever you do it is your dining room to do whatever you choose!!

    1. Karen, I am so happy someone else thinks that she should do what she chooses! Sometimes I read comments and I am thinking unless she asks for opinions Marian is not wanting those. I mean I would not go into someone’s home and say, “oh… you should not have painted that!” Maybe it is just a Southern Manners thing? 😉

       1. Tara, I don’t think anyone is being rude to Marian, they are just expressing their opinion, which I believe is a good thing. In addition, we are not going into Marian’s home and giving our opinion, she is putting it out on her website for all to see. I’m sure she has come to expect some disagreement, and takes it in stride.

          1. Nancy, I hear what you are saying and understand that thought. But, I guess we just all have our opinions.

          2. Oh, I don’t mind at all! I do expect opinions to be given when I post about my home on my blog and I’ve learned to take it all in stride. I’ve also learned that whether to paint wood furniture or not is always controversial! 🙂

22. So happy to hear you want to paint the table and chairs! I was wondering when that would happen 🙂

    It’s amazing that you have a basement AND an attic! Wow! Here we have neither and what a difference that would make, having a place to work on projects.

23. Marian, those are great pictures! I have those to-do-lists all the time around my house. Currently, I am painting a piece of furniture in my son’s room. Once, I finish that I am planning on painting this armoire that I was given to me 15 years ago and it is been sitting in my office room. A couple of weeks ago, I started researching on line what paint to use and that is how I found your bog. I have started following you and it is been a great inspiration. I love your dinning room and I am excited to see how your china cabinet turns out.

24. I vote paint the base and leave the top natural/waxed. Not popular, but I like the painted contrast.

    You have wonderful taste and I know you will make the right decision for you.

25. Dear MMS, I think I’m in a get-it-done mood now that I’ve read your post! I’ve got a chaise lounge that needs the slipcover finished. Thanks for your lovely blog! Hugs, Anne Boykin

26. Always in the “get it done mood” especially this time of year. I try not to let my TO DO LIST (TDL) make me crazy. One day & one project at a time….I like to think it all over as I am waking up & them jump out of bed ready to get doing!
    Here’s to getting it done, having more to do & most of all enjoying it along the way!

27. your to do list sounds pretty awesome to me, I know everything will look good!

28. I always have a mental to-do list going in my head which is not always a good thing! I will admit I am not as good at multi-tasking but rather completing one project at a time. For some reason it give me more of a greater sense of accomplishment. Last week, my project was was cleaning and swapping out the linens in the guest bedroom. The beautiful gray velvet euro shams I found recently looked so beautiful with the purple antique quilt I had. Love those colors for fall and winter!

29. Thank heavens I am not the only one with a constant ‘to do’ list. I have a list on my computer desktop that I update when I think of something that needs doing because it helps to remember all the things that I have to finish. It is also very satisfying to delete something or put DONE next to it!

    I love your piano & the layered frames on top with the wall plates – it is just so very lovely. Whatever you decide to do, you will do it with style ….

30. Looks lovely, can you come over and arrange my house next!

31. I agree … paint the hutch! As for the table, I have one I’d love to paint and am anxious to see what you do with it. I have an old standing secretary and once told a friend I was going to paint it. She begged me not to do that but guess what? That piece is so happy that it’s now a lovely, distressed shade of white and just lights up the room! So, as others commented, I say … It’s yours and you should do whatever pleases you. Besides, you have awesome taste.

32. I have always been a list making gal, its seems to keep me motivated, as well as loving the satisfaction of crossing off the finished project,chore etc. At our 50th. ann. I shared with our friends and family a small “honey” do jar that we used in are first year of marriage, now 54 years later its a 5 gal bucket from Home Depot!!!!!!

33. Oh my gosh…the heck with painting the table….Paint away! *winks*…Please do not paint that hutch! That would be a shame. Why not find another hutch that would work better?…And send that one to me! *winks* I ADORE flame mahogany! Vanna

34. I can’t wait to see what you do with your table and chairs, I just picked up chairs that are almost identical to yours at an auction for $50, table included! I’m am anxious to get at them but am not sure what I want to do yet….

35. You are definitely not afraid of the paint brush!!!!! I wish I had your nerve! I’m always so afraid of ruining stuff…. but I want to paint!

    Kellene

36. Love your beautiful photos of your beautiful home! Always SO inspirational!
    I did not want to bother you with a question but after going over your past blogs & tutorials I simply couldn’t find that my issue hasn’t been addressed. Probably because everyone takes really awesome care of their brushes! 🙂 I was exhausted after a project one evening so I wrapped my wax brushes (2 of them) in plastic wrap to wash them in the morning. Well, with all that was going on I totally forgot about them & now they are dried out with hard wax on them. Do you have a suggestion on how to revive my brushes?? Thanks so much!

37. Those pictures are so neat and I do love your wallpaper in your bedroom. I’d paint the china hutch too, can’t wait to see that.

38. Your bedroom wallpaper is gorgeous and I love your grouping of different shapes of lovely ironstone. I so enjoyed meeting you at Chapel Market and hope you’ve recovered from your ant bites!!

39. Hi Marian, just wanted to tell you that I bought your book at Lifeway last week and have enjoyed every page and picture….so very beautiful!! I love your style and choices. And it warmed my heart to read your mantra…….because it has also always been mine. It is not what it is, but what it CAN BE!! When we were newly married, that is how my houses were mostly furnished and still is today. Every piece has a story and a history of its makeover in the garage….It has been such wonderful fun and saved us thousands!! My only problem now is that I have given “new life” to too many pieces and it is becoming obvious that downsizing is out there in our future. Wish I could find a “mini me” to pass on some of my treasure finds. You did just great girl, and I wanted to tell you that. Thanks for your blog…a must read every day!! Blessings to you, Linda

40. Can’t wait to see what you do with your furniture. Everything always turns out wonderful. Would you mind if I asked where you go those lamps by the bed in the bedroom? Love them and the room.

41. Paint the hutch – it will look great! Yes – I am actually avoiding organizing my home office by reading your blog – will sign off and get to it! You are an inspiration!

42. Yes yes yes, paint the cupboard! I can’t wait to see the detail pop when you do!

43. I have a list a mile long of things that need to be done! I need to jump on the get-it-done wagon this week! LOVE all of your beautiful pictures! Life to the full! Melissa

44. We just had an electrician finish work in our living room and kitchen this week, and I need to do ceiling, wall, and trim painting. I have already started on the living room, but it will be a while before I get to the kitchen, because there are a few pieces of furniture that belong in the living room that need refinishing. I just have to know that the room is completely done before I move on to the next one. 🙂

45. It’s always seemed to me if you’re a wife, mother, you always have a list of things to be done. Then not too long from now it’ll be time to do it again.
    Where we live is so dusty, I could dust really well, use some polish even, and the next day, oops, needs it again so I don’ t dust that much. When it bugs me long enuf. Course it’s only the two of us and nobody comes here that often so I use my time crafting instead. I’m working on making signs, table runners, trays, trugs. to hopefully sell. Actually if I don’t sell them I use them when I want something different to make a vignette or just to add some thing fresh, but I’m running out of room to store it all. But I could use some cash for holiday gifts. Decisions, decisions.
    We just all have to keep quite busy and work away at what we can get done, the world won’t end if we don’t get it all done. Happy week ahead to you Marian.
    Love your b/r and d/r.

46. Actually I have been sick with strep throat for the past two weeks keeping me home from work. Though I tire easily I still have enough oomph to tackle the ‘to do’ list around the house that I have not been able to for months. So for once I can say that being sick has been a blessing in disguise. It feels so refreshing to get these things done and to see progress.

47. Oh, Marian, don’t get me started!
    I actually did a post on a bunch of things I wanted to so in the house this year.
    I have had a few completed, yaaayyyy! Big ones like a bathroom Reno and my cork floors changed to tiles in the kitchen.
    I still need to finish my dinning set, too! My table is pine. The chairs have been painted a light grey(cane back) and upholstered a dark grey with alphabet. I painted 4 chairs grey and 1 chair is black, I’m missing one chair for the head of the table. The dinning table will be painted light grey at the base and stained black on top.
    But I did a workshop today ( I sell Cece Caldwell’s Paints) and next weekend I have a market, so my table will have to wait!!!
    I look forward to seeing your projects reveals!
    Xoxo

48. Hello Marion from Tasmania (Australia’s most southern state),

    I love your style and how you express yourself; you are very talented.

    I have been following your blog for a few months, even looking through your archives.
    You are an inspiration!

    I have some furniture that needs a little love and I am looking forward to giving them a makeover. Something special for my daughter, she’s 8.

    Furniture Friday has provided lots of ideas.

    It’s spring here and I feel motivated to get-it-done too!

    Lisa

49. Gorgeous pics! I for one am anxious to see the piece you will be painting in the dining room and cannot wait to see what you do with her!

    What size bamboo typography rug do you have in your dining room? I see our friends at AF have them available today?

    Keep up the great project finishing and have a blessed day!

50. Beautiful shots as always! Can’t wait to see what you do with the hutch and the green chairs!! I too am (have been) in clean out/organize mode! Since it’s getting colder I have moved from the garage to the basement and spare bedroom…aka walk in closet! And somewhere in between I will organize my bathroom closet and shoe closet! It feels good to even just get it started, I feel lighter already! Good luck with your list Marian!! 🙂

51. Oh my! I just found your blog and your home is gorgeous! Clearly, not new news, but I just wanted to let you know I thought so and appreciate your work! – Heather

52. Hi Marian! I’ve been anxiously waiting for your work on the sofa. What are you using for the seat? I have a sofa I want to redo. What are you going to do on the back? I am anxious to see the end result. Could you make it like a tutorial? You do such a good job of instructing.

    1. Me Too!

53. I love the picture with the red pear. It’s just so pretty…the beautiful red of the pear against all of those soft colors.

54. I need a “kick in the pants” to get me in that mood! I have been accumulating project “stuff” for awhile now but always seem to be waiting on this or that to get started. (I have several things that go along with my projects that are on my honey-do-list)but having trouble getting my Honey to DO. lol. My problem is that my priorities aren’t my husbands. Anyway, that’s my story. If you have any suggestions for lighting the “fire” under my butt, that would be great!

55. I’m in a “nesting” mood too. Fall is my favorite time of year and I can’t wait to get my home all warm and cozy for the holidays. Of course, you set some pretty high standards! ;). I love your eye for details and how prettily you pull things together.

56. Your home is lovely. Thanks for sharing! One comment….please don’t paint your hutch..it’s beautiful, and every home needs an unpainted antique. If it’s not an antique, go for it!

57. Oh yes i`m in the `git-her-done` mood, just need to find time between work, kids, hubby, friends, etc but i`m proud to say i`ve finished my table, buffet and hutch (and have a splint on my left wrist to prove it lol) but as soon as i`m healed, i`m right back on, i`ve collected a few pretty pieces, antiques and such and i can`t wait to try the Annie Sloan paint and the Miss Mustard Seed milk paint i just got, woot!!

58. I too would love for you to do an upholstery tutorial. Or even if you could share any tips you have. I tackled reupholstering an armchair without really knowing the proper way and it proved frustrating at times. I got it done but not without some blood, sweat and tears! Any help would be appreciated.

59. Yes…me! Finally took a beautiful french prov china cab home to my kitchen!!! Yay me! It’s inspired me to de-clutter the entire room. Still a work in process but I am about 1/3 of the way there. My girls are helping me select a new paint color for the walls. The china cab is tiger oak and needs some TLC. I really would be beautiful painted but if I can restore a few spots…I will enjoy it first this way.