This is one of those you-just-never-know stories that goes all the way back to 2004 when I ordered a book from a home decor book club. The book was called . The cover of that book is unfortunate, but the interior is scrumptious. I poured over that book and, almost 20 years later, it’s still a favorite home decor book to revisit. The book features the homes and tips of shop owners, designers, and stylists. And one of the shops featured in that book is Ekster Antiques.
Fast forward to my first Lucketts Spring Market as a vendor in May of 2010. As I milled around to look at other booths, I was so enamored with one particular tent that was filled with natural tones and European Antiques. I snapped this picture, a little slice of the beautiful space curated and styled by Caroline of Ekster Antiques. I didn’t make the connection between that beautiful tent and one of my favorite decorating books until years later.
Even though Caroline’s space was (and still is) one of the featured tents at the Lucketts Spring Market, she was always so kind and gracious to me as I was finding my footing in a little 10 x 10 tent. Eventually, we ended up as tent neighbors at Lucketts each year and, since we traveled in some overlapping circles in the antique and publishing worlds, we ended up getting to know more about each other.
When I moved back to the area, I finally fulfilled a long-time dream and bought a couple of furniture pieces from Ekster.
I have always adored her antiques and accessories, but just never took the plunge and bought a piece. I am so glad I own two now and I’m always keeping an eye on new things Caroline’s bringing in for her barn sales.
In addition to selling antiques, Caroline styles, and stages homes in the DC metro area. The homes that she styles are beautiful anyway, but she really brings them to life by adding furniture and accessories. When she reached out to me about creating some pieces for a home she was staging in the Kent neighborhood in Washington DC, I knew my answer would be yes. I did feel a little intimidated because I’ve always viewed Caroline’s style and aesthetic as so much more refined and chic than my own. I wasn’t sure how my artwork would sit with all of her beautiful things.
But, she wouldn’t ask if she didn’t have an idea of how they would sit together and she wouldn’t ask for artwork that wouldn’t feel cohesive in the space. So, I was going to stop questioning myself and just go for it. I ended up creating four works for the house…
Two rabbits, 11 x 14 original oil on board
Asian Pears & Transferware, 8 x 10 original oil on board
Perched Gull One, 9 x 12 original oil on board
And Verschoor Barn, 24 x 36″ original oil on cradle board
Caroline was still working her magic, but she sent along a few pictures of my paintings in the home. And, I must say, despite my hesitation, they sit very well in a gorgeous home with Caroline’s impeccable styling.
This final painting will be hung over the fireplace.
You can follow the renovation of the home in Kent on Scribe Development’s Instagram and you can follow Ekster Antiques, the barn sales and home staging HERE. The home and everything in it will be for sale and I will definitely share the final photos of the house when they are done. All of these art pieces will be for sale as well, but the home buyer gets first dibs on keeping the pieces in the home. If any of these works are available down the road, they will be in one of my next original art sales.
Since I started my business, I felt like it was important to say yes to opportunities, even if I wasn’t 100% sure how they would play out. I like working with good people and just letting things play out. You never know where one yes will lead…
Regarding “Nomad At Home – A New Collaborative Course”. I am very interested in what you bring to the course, so with that said, will you alone be offering art courses to purchase in the near future on your website?
I am going to start a Patreon this fall specifically for art. 🙂
GREAT news!!
Yay!
I absolutely love all of your beautiful paintings. But, alas, purchasing isn’t an option for me. Do you ever sell prints of your work? Your Verschoor Barn literally took my breath away. I would so love to look at it in my home each day. If prints come available, please let me know. Thanks so much.
Yes, I do. You can buy prints on Society6.com/missmustardseed
I haven’t added the barn, yet, but I will!
Your art has come a long way and it is very inspiring to see that practice does pay off. I am very inspired, painting away and taking classes.
Am I crazy or are there many more advertisements on your site than before? Your artwork is a treasure that’s for sure.
The rabbits!!! Gorgeous painting!
Perhaps you don’t know how incredibly talented you are? Congrats for saying yes to new opportunities!!!!
Congrats Marian! Your paintings are exquisite and would fit in any home so beautifully!
They all look so beautiful in that house! Congratulations!
What a thrill for you. That is really awesome, Marian.
What a fabulous story! So interesting how connections from way back can resurface in new ways later in life. That is such good advice to go with it when there are good people involved too. ❤️
Congratulations on this new chapter for you. So beautiful and added to the those spaces is just the beginning.💜💜💜
I’m so happy for you!! ❤️
How wonderful for you to partner with someone you have admired for so long.
Your paintings have such a beautiful classic European look to them. I think they would look lovely in so many settings. They seem to me the perfect combination of practical and pretty, rustic and refined. (Wish I could afford them. Thankfully, I have a daughter that sketches beautifully and have commissioned her to do some pieces for our home!)
Our daughters showed rabbits for years in 4-H. The dwarf hotot, I believe, are so lovely with the dark background and gilt frame…and all your paintings go so well with the classic elements in this home, Marian.
Congratulations! Your very creative talents are bringing you blessings that you so deserve.
Your paintings are just so beautiful & you are very talented.
I know this probably isn’t the place to email, but don’t know where else to try.
I have followed your blog for several years, & just love every bit of it. I am asking for something out of the ordinary, PRAYER.
I know you are a Christian & your husband a Pastor. I am a Christian in need of PRAYER. My husband was just diagnosed with cancer in his lymph nodes in his back. They can’t operate on it, so he has to have chemo. He goes for a biopsy Fri Sept 1, then from there to the treatments.
I am asking our Lord for a miracle healing on him.
Can you please put him (Don) on a prayer list??
Thanks you in Christ. I hope you receive this request.
Love your work. Just now discovered you🥰👍