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Annie Sloan (and Shaunna West!)

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We’ve got this piece of furniture in our hallway. It’s handy, and it’s dandy, but I’ve been dying to spruce it up with a little color…

I’ve also got a handy-dandy friend, who lives just down the road a piece. Her name is Shaunna West…

Her husband, Matt, texted me a couple of weeks ago and asked if I’d help him “keep her busy” for a while this past Friday so that he could put together a surprise birthday party for her at their house.

I love a good surprise, (and hanging out with Shaunna) so I put the ball in motion and asked her if she’d come over and help me paint the piece of furniture in our hallway with some of the Annie Sloan paint she’s always raving about…

Within minutes of her arrival, we were sitting on the floor, knees-t0-knees, chatting it up about all things Annie Sloan.  I recorded a little bit of our convo on video because I love Shaunna’s accent and I’m pretty sure you will too I thought maybe you’d like to get the scoop on this amazing product, too. Click the play button on the video below to watch…

I’m thrilled with how the piece turned out…

…and I can’t wait to move it back into the hallway after the new hardwood flooring is installed in there next week!

The duck egg-colored inside/white outside combo was actually inspired by this photo of a corner hutch we shot at Maddie’s on Jones two summer’s ago:

What a fun place that was to stay and soak up inspiration!

PS- Wanna see more of Shaunna’s furniture painting tips and techniques? Click on the banner below to check out her e-book, Creating Your Masterpiece. It’s chock full of information, photos and videos that will inspire you to break out the brush and have some fun!

Click here to subscribe

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Comments

  2. SheilaG

    What a sweet surprise for a sweet lady. You inspire me with your grace. I’m old enough to be your mama, but I learn so much from you. Thanks for sharing your sweet spirit with us, Shaunna. Wishing you boatloads of birthday blessings.

    And I still love your book, but I wish it were one I could set out on my coffee table, hint, hint. 🙂

  4. Melanie

    That is so crazy cool that you had her over so he could prepare to surprise her, i love it! You two were adorable together, thanks for the video…Happy Happy Birthday to you, Shaunna!!

  6. cindy

    Hi Layla
    Love the duck egg blue, but just wondering if there was any reason why you didn’t paint the “runners” that the baskets sit on duck egg blue as opposed to leaving them white? would be interested to hear from you.

    Happy Birthday Shauna

    Cindy

    • Layla

      Hey Cindy!
      I guess it was just one of those “feel” things. Both Shaunna and I just didn’t “feel” like they should be blue- LOL! 😀

      • cindy

        wow tx for coming back with a reply so quickly …….. interesting because on one hand i agree with you and then on the other hand i would be interested to “see” what it would have look like if the “runners” were blue – is that something you could “pick my presto” ?????? not a biggie – just a thought ………. tx for a great blog

  7. Fairfield House

    Layla,
    Love the choice of color and the result! Isn’t chalk paint the best?
    Adored your sweet surprise ‘party’ for Shaunna and send my belated birthday wishes for a year filled with smiles!
    Your Friend,
    Deborah

  10. Kim

    Oh, and you’ve also sold me on the Annie Sloan chalk paint…you had me at no priming! I am a lazy diyer.

  12. Jenna at Homeslice

    What a good friend you are Layla… I love this little surprise party! I also love the color INSIDE your cabinet instead of outside. It’s such an unexpected, fun touch.