Over the weekend I had the opportunity to visit Miss Mustard Seed’s studio in PA.  It is an inspiring space, as I’m sure you can imagine, yet totally approachable and comfortable.  It is filled with Marian’s signature style and brand which seem to be just that.  Approachable and comfortable.

Around every corner, another familiar milk paint color bats an eye at you.  Even when not staged, its beautiful.

And this vintage, chippy counter!  Love that original color.

The space was basically a blank canvas with fantastic light that Marian turned into a studio for painting, teaching and photography.  I was there for the latter, a photography boot camp class.

Great pictures can elevate a brand.  This is an area I’ve been interested in developing further for some time now.  I knew I had hit a wall with my own technical knowledge of photography.  Well, questions were answered with a few aha moments!  I’m looking forward to upgrading my equipment starting with a new lens and lighting tools.  I’m not sure that I’ll ever be an all-star photographer but it is great to work at it and “get it” more from a technical standpoint.

When I returned home, I was so excited to put a few of my new skills to work.  I just finished this Hoosier last week which I absolutely adore, especially in this space at my parent’s cottage.  However, it is for sale and will be moving to West End Garage very soon.  At any rate, this little vignette was the perfect candidate to photograph.

The Hoosier is painted Mustard Seed Yellow and finished with hemp oil and some antiquing wax.  The oak countertop was revived with hemp oil and is a real stunner!  The farmhouse sign is hand painted with milk paint too – grainsack for the lettering and a custom mix for the shadowing.

I can’t wait for my new lens to arrive so I can work on sharper images but for now I’m happy with how this wild bouquet of zinnias looks in the foreground.

Do you have any photography tips to share?