Good morning, friends!
I’m up early today.
It’s one of those days I’ll probably look out my window quite often, and think about how blessed I am…how thankful I am for you and this place I call home–my blog, that is.
For those of you who might be stopping in by way of the Nate Show (it’s on today!!), I wanted to show you around a little. And for those of you who are regulars around perfectly imperfect, I thought I’d share some things you might not even know.
This is me–Shaunna West, that is. Sometimes I walk serenely through the forest, stopping to gently rest my hand on an old wooden bridge.
The rest of the time, however,
It goes more like that.
It only took 973 shots for Lauren to get one of me that was semi-normal. I’m almost exaggerating.
My guy, Matt, was with me on the show, and you probably noticed these two on the House Proud video…I like to call them “the kiddos.” They are ridiculously adorable, a little wild at times, and perfectly mine.
Random fact: did you know that Grayson refers to me as “the painter” and to his daddy as “the builder?” That kid…he’s great.
We LOVE a good before and after, and we’ve worked on making our home our own over the last year and a half. We’re getting there, but I love design way too much to ever stop completely.
I wrote an ebook all about painted furniture, and loved every minute. Did you regulars know that I wore my pj’s for a solid month before the ebook released? Seriously.
I like to get my craft on, and I love to design/decorate even more.
Random fact: Did you know reason number 133 I don’t get enough done? I’m too busy doing too much. I remember the day I shot the fall foyer…painting a piece, working on the blog, planning Lauren’s Nursery, painting pumpkins.
I have a secret (or not so secret) affair with chalk paint. I use it on every piece of furniture I paint now…and don’t know if I’ll go back or not. I can’t wait to show you the desk I painted today for Grayson’s big boy room!
There are lots of furniture makeovers around here, and tutorials too.
Random fact: Did you know the first time I ever painted a piece of furniture was 6 years ago when I was pregnant with Grayson? Did you know I didn’t paint another until 2 years ago?? Once I got going, I just couldn’t stop.
I love photography, and I only wish I knew more. I’d love to start a series for the real beginner…like Shaunna West with crazy hands up there-beginner.
Random fact: I used to drag my poor little brother around and make him pose for photo shoots for me. Sorry Lanc-e-poo, I had to tattle.
All joking aside, this day was so incredibly cool and I’m so thankful for you guys–the ones who have stood by me and cheered me on along the way.
Can’t wait to see what lies ahead, and I’m thankful you’ll be there with me.
🙂
I was just recently introduced to your blog-love it! You seem so fun and sweet.
Shaunna – you are beautiful, you inspire me & I love following along your journey via your blog! Congratulations are in order… about the Nate show! Have a blessed day!
How awesome for you!!
LOVE that blue dresser with the pumpkins! Can’t wait to see the Nate show today!
Can’t wait to watch the show!! I get so much inspiration from your blog.
Kathy
I’ve been waiting on this show since hearing you were going to be on. I’ve followed you for awhile now, have your book and was so excited you had discovered ASCP. We are mini stockist in NC which came abput due to our love of this magical paint.
Oh congratulations! Your blog is one of my favorite daily reads. So glad you are enjoying it. The dining room is to die for, by the way. Love it.
Love this post and love you too! So proud of you girl! Your fun, humble, creative spirit is most deserving of the spotlight. Cheering you on here!!! xoxo
I’m so happy for everything that is happening in your world. Can’t wait to see the show tonight when I get home.
Great job on the show. I would have been way too nervous. You didn’t seem nervous at all.
Thank you Kim!!! I’m about to watch it…kinda strange.
😉
shaunna
I’m suspecting The Nate Show is going to have a record number of viewers today. Can’t wait. Oh, and I’m taking notes. Congratulations and thanks for allowing us to travel this adventure along side of you…in our pj’s.
I’m looking forward to 2:00 today – congratulations on all your successes! I few years ago I was in the Homestyle section of The Detroit News. Even that was so much fun – I can’t imagine how excited you are about being on television! Best Wishes!
I’m so bummed I won’t be home at 11:00 when it comes on – and that I’ll have to WAIT!
This was a super cute post. You are one talented girl.
Yay, today’s the day!! Can’t wait for the show. I still have 2 1/2 hours till it’s on. Congratulations on all your success, Shaunna! You deserve it. =)
~ Catie
Congrats on the Nate Show! I’ll be watching! Love this post & your blog!
Watching Nate now!!! 🙂
Can’t wait to see the show – thanks for letting us know ahead of time so I could set my DVR.
Congratulations! You deserve it, you’re so inspiring and talented!
Debbie
I’m watching you on Nate now! Great job…you’re a natural! 🙂
Congrats! So happy for you. Thanks for all the inspiration 🙂
Awesome! Just watched it! You’re a natural in front of the cameras!
especially loved the footage at home. Happy Day;)
Best segment ever on the Nate show! Your house is full of inspiration.
You were GREAT on the show today! Seriously – fantastic job. 🙂 Question… was that actually milk paint on the drawer or was it chalk paint? When they first showed it, I thought chalk paint… but then you said milk paint… hmmm if it was milk paint, I might just have to give it a shot!
Thanks for sharing what you do with all of us. You’ve inspired so many of my projects already and I look forward to seeing all of the amazing things that lie ahead for you.
Congrats Shaunna – You deserve it!
You’re the cutest 🙂
Love the blog and love that you’re going to be on Nate today. Going to set the DVR now.
gertie
The Old Block House
Yayyyy so so happy for you! You are truly so darn talented and I have SO enjoyed watching all of your amazing projects and transformations over the past year! I am loving the “real life” stuff in your post—it is always fun “getting to know” your blog idols a bit more!!! PS I have a love affair with chalk paint also!!! I have a feeling we are not alone!
Jaime from crafty scrappy happy
had to take a break from working today, and stop by to say great job, friend! …and your hair was purdy. 😉
Hi Shaunna, I’m a new follower and I know you are really busy right now, but I wanted to let you know I used some pictures of your blue pumpkins on one of my recent posts. If you get a chance you can check it out at http://anythingologyblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/feeling-blue-its-good-thing.html
Look forward to watching you on Nate, so EXCITING!
Thanks Shannon! Left you a comment…great post!
🙂
shaunna
Loved your spot on the Nate Show! I even dragged myself out of bed with a migraine to watch- how’s that for a devoted fan- ha! 😀
how interesting – especially love the dining room makeover! Will watch Nate when it comes on here in a bit – can’t wait to see.
I’m so happy for you! You totally deserve it and your blog ROCKS! Congrats!!!
Just watched the show. You were fantastic! Love your accent! You looked as beautiful as you always do on your blog. Congratulations!
Hopefully my last post went through and as I watch the show my current hometown is on today too. Baltimore MD!!! yea!
Yeah! I have to wait until 6 o’clock tonight to watch! But at least I get the show on Basic Cable. 🙂 And I have been in love with your dining room since you revealed it ~ what a space!
Just watched the DVR of Nate Show. Loved it. On the show you mentioned milk paint. How is it different than chalk paint? I’ve only ever used regular latex on my projects and I’m thinking of doing a union jack on my son’s bureau (was mine when growing up) and redoing a antique high boy in our room which the veneer is in a really bad state. Would love your advice! Thanks.
Congrats on the show! The footage of your home was fun to see because I feel like I have been there from reading your fun blog!
Shaunna, just got done watching your segment on Nate. I was so nervous for you! But I shouldn’t have been because YOU DID AWESOME! You didn’t seem the tiniest bit nervous. It was the best House Proud segment he’s had. Congratulations!
Oh, I was so thankful that I tuned in just in time to catch your spot! Wonderful job! Love your sense of style.
Sending a big Congratulations to you!
Only caught the second part of your segment when you distressed the drawer. You did great!!!
Oh, thank you, thank you, everybody!!! You guys are THE BEST and I’m SO thankful I had you to share this day with…you’ve lifted my spirits a million miles. I’ll answer all questions maybe tomorrow or over the weekend!! 🙂
Great segment! Love your blog!
I’m totally bummed that I don’t have TV! I’m itching to see you on Nate. Your house has been so inspiring to me, and I am super excited for this new journey that is unfolding for you.
Keep smiling,
Katie
Congratulations on your appearance on the Nate show! How exciting! I would LOVE it if you would do a series on photography for beginners. I need “How to Use Your Nikon DSLR for Big Dummies”. I feel so stupid when I try to just read the directions. Maybe some of it could be video???? I’m one of those who understands so much better when someone shows me instead of having to read about it.
Shaunna – it was just on out here in SF and caught it….wonderful! Great job. Of course, I just love that cottage-y feel and your home is just beautiful (and your adorable family). We have an old door in our shed, maybe someday I will attack it & make it into something special as well. Have a great evening ~Kim
Hi Shaunna, I’m so happy for you and your family. I was excited to see you on the Nate Show! I made my Mom watch with me and was like…look, that’s my friend…well, sorta, kinda…lol. I follow your blog and love to paint. I love your blog and your work and wish you continued success. God bless
Adding to the congratulations to you for being on Nate’s show! You are a regular whirlwind. I’m happy for your success.
It is so fun to watch your dream unfold for you! I have a Grayson too! Don’t you just love that name, it is so manly…I think!
Shaunna-So fun watching you today, yippee! Congrats to you ladyloo!
So I was busy crafting while semi-watching Nate’s show, when all of a sudden I hear this familiar voice and the accent to go with it. “I know that voice from somewhere” I said to myself (I am a follower of yours and I had watched one of your video tutorials on chalk paint) and lo and behold, there you were standing right next to that chunk of handsomeness! What a great surprise to see you on the show and to witness your amazing talents being shared with millions! Hard work and dedication pays off, especially when you take great pleasure in what you do. Congratulations!!!
BTW, I’m also addicted to chalk paint…could do without the high price, but nevertheless addicted.
May many more blessings come your way Shaunna!
Hugs from So Cal,
Irma
Oh, I forgot to ask, can you tell me something about that second pic on your post?
The gestures look awfully familiar, but I wasn’t quite sure =)
Irma
I loved you on The Nate Show. You looked great and were your usual charming self. Matt looked great too. It was fun seeing you in action. Excellent job.
A huge congrats and I adore the painted dresser! I have one nearly identical…(as does Kate, CG) they must have made a lot of those!! Painted mine with a bright red chalkboard paint. I missed yesterday’s show but I have it on TiVo, looking forward to watching! Janell
Saw you on Nate’s show yesterday. Loved your home…. so pretty!! Looking forward to following your blog… and seeing more of your work.
You are so cute!! I love the caption “Sometimes I walk serenely through the forest, stopping to gently rest my hand on an old wooden bridge.” Had me LOL.
You’ve got such great style in everything you do, I feel like if I knew you personally, you’d be just as sweet as you sound in your blog. I didn’t watch the show yet, but I have it on Tivo!
I tape the Nate Burkus show and never saw you. How did I miss it? Is there a way for me to still see it online or something?
Shaunna, imwas so excited to see I tuned into one of my favorite bloggers!
Good going to you and the Mister. I hope Nate is as nice off screen as on!
Smiles, Alice
Hi, I check in often, but usually don’t post much. I just had to tell you how great you were on Nate 🙂 I’m a huge fan of your decorating and only hope to gain half the talent you have. Did you do any schooling? Heck, you’ve even inspired me to break into the world of blogging:) along with fueling my addiction to ASCP. I had to dvr Nate and my mom stopped over while I was watching and made the comment that you look like the sweetest girl ever to be and she then encouraged me to bring the cheer that you have in your decor into mine. Lol. I’ll drop by again, once I figure out how to use this “grown up ” camera I got for my last bday so hopefully you can head over to my blog and check out some of the projects you helped inspire 🙂
Ps- we got the benchwright table from PB after about 6 months of contemplation (dark wood one) and let me say I was so mad when I saw your and Matt’s version. I actually love your version way more the PB’s.
Hi Shaunna –
I’ve been waiting for your House Proud all month. You did such a great job…I’m so happy for you!
Your blog is one of my favorites.
Thanks for all the inspiration. 🙂 cathie
Hi! I just started watching Nate Berkus last week (when we finally caved and got DVR), and I got to see your House Proud feature yesterday! Congratulations! When your video started, I was like, “Hey! I know that house!” 🙂 So fun!
oh my gosh are you popular, took forever to load on several blog attempts and I gave up. Then Not giving up back to googling and found this one which loaded slightly less after eliminating all other tabs. It was well worth it, I found the french chairs I saw briefly in nate berkas video showing. And it turns out you got rid of them. boo hoo, oh crying shame. What did you do with them. I love your work by the way. So very helpful, and loved all I saw so fast in the Nate Berkas shows flash of your designs. And while looking I descovered so many other talented bloggers. And your blog with the refinished ‘furniture to die for’. Not bad for a morning browsing which I love to do. jo .
Hmm it looks like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything.
Do you have any recommendations for inexperienced blog writers?
I’d genuinely appreciate it.