I told you I’d been painting like mad. Getting the vault ready in a little over a week’s time was CRAZY and I. am. tired. But…the plus is I’m also thrilled to be painting again. The ebook was so much fun to create, but it’s kinda nice to have paint all over my hands again.
I stumbled across this old girl when I was thrifting in Birmingham back in January. I couldn’t wait to get started on it, thinking the whole time I would create a new version of my Wisteria Chest.
After sanding the top and sides, I realized it was going to take way too much time to get this thing down to bare wood, so I chose to use my new love, chalk paint.
The body is painted in Paris Grey and the trim and details were done in Old White. The sides and trim were waxed with clear and dark Fiddes wax, and I left the drawers waxed in clear. I kept all the original hardware except the two small pulls that were missing. I replaced those with two oval knobs from Hobby Lobby and think they fit in just fine.
I wanted the piece to still feel like me, so I made sure to distress it in some obvious places (something I only enjoy doing with chalk paint) like the drawer fronts. I also did choose to dry brush the top in Paris Grey and leave some of the original wood peeking through.
Not such an old girl anymore. 🙂
I don’t have a before of this little French nightstand, but you have probably seen the set a million times. Very gold trim, yellowed ivory paint…laminate top! And this one was dirty. Really dirty.
I painted it with two coats of Old White, keeping it simple, sweetie. Speaking of sweetie, you’re getting some glimpses of little Ava’s room. It won’t stay this pink forever, but it’s sure been fun. And pink…and I’ve loved every cuddly second.
I chose to subtly distress the piece and paint right over the original hardware, distressing it down to the gold here and there. Sometimes curvy, French pieces seem to tell me, “keep me simple…calm me down a bit.” That’s what I did and I’m really happy with it.
I’ll try to stop in once more tomorrow before I leave to show you another thing or two…but our trip to Honduras is fast approaching (we leave Wednesday night!!), and I. am. scrambling.
The good news: you’ll get to read some awesome guest posts along the way and I’m oh-so-hoping I’ll get to stop in from time to time to show you our progress. We have raised enough funds to build 15-18 houses!! We’ll also be working with the homeless ministry there and have planned a surprise pizza party for them and were able to purchase each of the 100 men, women, and children a new pair of tennis shoes. The craft we’ll do with them is simple and planned out…and we are hoping to build a floor to their second story in their new ministry building. I’m looking forward to visiting the orphanage, and playing with all the children…and am blown away by God’s grace to send us off with such support.
That’s where the request comes in…could you do me this favor? Could you say a prayer for me…for us? That we are safe, that our energy and rest would be multiplied, that we are not of ourselves. That we would, first and foremost, be His hands and feet…that we would be love.
That would be the bees knees if you could.
And I’m starting to shed some tears.
Probably time for me to go.
🙂
*I included this video we made of the last trip we took…in case you missed it or want to see it again.
love your prayer. and your furniture.
GORGEOUS pieces!
Praying for your trip!!!
Cannot wait to hear all about it when you return!
xoxo,
Emily @ Crisp Interiors
Shaunna I spy a stairmaster sitting in your garage – why can’t we ever seem to get on those machines? My treadmill is covered in sawdust, painting is just so much more fun than working out! Lovely makeover, hope she sells for some good $.
Prayers and good vibes being sent your way. Best wishes for a successful journey in Honduras!
Praying Ephesians 2:10 for you, that you would simply walk in those good works God has created for you beforehand. Rest in that! 🙂
Will be praying!
First, love the furniture, looks fantastic.
We will of course pray for you – safe travels, lots of energy, safety while working, and anything else we can think of. You should be proud for taking time out to do such a wonderful thing!
Your items are beautiful! You will all be in my prayers while on your trip. Be safe!
Your furniture is beautiful. I am so ready to try the chalk paint, yesterday I sanded for three hours straight. Did you tint the white pink?
Will pray for your group and the people whose lives you are enhancing.
Gorgeous! You’re working magic with that chalk paint!
Loving Ava’s pink room!
Saying a prayer for you…
Kacey
Shaunna,
That is my first time seeing that video and it has me sobbing. The world needs more givingn people like you. I’d love to do missionary work (or Red Cross) but don’t even know where to begin. Saying a prayer for you all! And, your furniture pieces are gorgeous although it pales in comparison to those beautiful smiles you helped to create in that video, no?
Love,
Jami
I LOVE it!!! 🙂 Oh my, so gorgeous! 🙂 If you get the chance come and look at my french VINTAGE bird cage and read my hilarious confession! ha! Sure to make you laugh! 🙂
Xo, Meme
BTW, I am having a HUGE giveaway series!
Shaunna, your mission trip looks amazing. Thank you for your willingness to serve; may God grant you energy to complete everything. On a related note, am I the only one that saw that wood being sawed off the end of the “house,” thinking of what could be built from it for their new home? lol….
I love the projects — such great images! I will definitely say prayers for you as you travel to Honduras. What a wonderful trip that will be…and I can’t wait to read your posts about it! Plus, you’re right next door to my home country (Guatemala). 🙂
those pieces are gorgeous, and you know alabama, mississippi, tennessee have all been in my thoughts. keep safe.
How blessed those families are going to be when you build them their houses. Bless you!
Love what you did to this pretty dresser
Blessings and love to you, along with my prayers. Your furniture is absolutely gorgeous!! Beautiful post
Saying prayers for you 🙂
I know you guys will have an amazing time!
Just prayed for you all and watched the video with my 4yr old. We prayed for strength, protection, rest and for God’s love to flow! Oh, and the dressers look amazing, too. 🙂
Shaunna,
I haven’t even watched the video yet and I’m tearing up just from your last comments. I pray safe travels for your trip. I pray that hearts will be prepared to see and hear from the Lord. I pray for wisdom and direction as you minister to those around you. I pray you feel the Lord’s presence, strength and peace. I pray you delight in the company of your brothers and sisters in Christ. God is amazing…. bonding us together in Him.
Can’t wait to hear the blessings.
Oh, and the furniture is beautiful!
Hugsssssssssssssssssssssssssss…
Gladys
Praying for you all-for safety, for energy, for amazing miracles during your time in Honduras!
The furniture is amazing. Sooo pretty!!!
What an incredibly moving video. I would love to be able to do something like that. I also love your piece. I just ordered my first chalk paint. I can’t wait to get it. Thanks
Shaunna,
I am so excited about your trip! I will definitely be praying for you (about 6am every morning!) 🙂
What a blessing to serve and be used by God. I know you will receive more than you give. God is good.
Hey Shaunna – I will definitely be praying for a safe and blessed trip for you all. What a wonderful thing you’re doing! You ARE the Jesus that many will be meeting and your work is the testimony of his love. ♥ We’ll be waiting for some inspiring stories when you get home! 🙂
xoxo laurie
Your work is beautiful Shaunna, but not half as beautiful as your heart. God bless you, your family and the lives that you touch. I pray for safe travelling and a fruitful trip. Remember that “you can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you!” Love and blessings from Australia xxxx
Love the pieces! Aren’t you just mad about chalk paint. I used some latex on a piece a couple of days ago and hated it. Anyway, have a great trip!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU…for posting this!! I recently purchased an entire bedroom set of the same French Provencial furniture for my daughter. It has been staring at me every. single. day. for the past few months! I am semi in love with it (had it when I was a little girl). Since you first posted about the can-o-miracle chalk paint, I have been debating on biting the proverbial “bullet” and getting my hands on the stuff. I have been searching and praying like a mad woman for someone to post their experience painting over the laminate top on these pieces. Well…I am SOLD! My only concern…how many cans should I buy? I have 5 pieces to paint…how many cans-o-miracle should I order?
Shaunna, I just stumbled on your blog via Miss Mustard Seed and have been reading and reading and reading! I live in Birmingham and wish I had beat you to that sweet dresser! HA! Bless you as you travel and do the work of our Father. I am so glad to “meet” a fellow sister in Christ, AND one who paints and lives so close by! I will be praying for you and for your family, knowing that He has you all in the palm of His hands.
Many Blessings,
Kelli
Im probably a little late to post on this..but the vault is just awesome!no really..Antiques recreated have a special charm..and you seem to have a gift for it..a special mention for the cabinet..the way you’ve done up the room is making me stare:)
I love your daughter’s sweet little pink room! My 6 year old just saw it and swooned. 🙂 You said you used Old White, right? I’m assuming it looks pink because of the other pink in the room reflecting on it or did you tint the paint with a bit of pink? I just bought an entire set of French bedroom furniture for my girls’ bedroom that they share. My youngest wants me to paint it pink, but I have a feeling her sister won’t agree. We’ll see… But at the very least, I’m thinking that i may go with the Old White. It’s just hard to tell in the online color swatches what color that really is.
Hey Samantha! It is old white–Ava’s room is just SO pink that it turns everything a shade or two of pink. 🙂
shaunna
Your work is amazingly beautiful,God bless you.
What a transformation. Love the colours you have chosen.