Our good friend, Rhoda is hosting a Christmas vignette link party over at Southern Hospitality today, so I thought I’d blog about the Christmas-y touches I added to our newly-painted secretary. Here it is “before”…
…and here it is now!
As for the secretary itself, I ended up using Miss Mustard Seed‘s “Shutter Gray” milk paint on the outside of it, and I’m currently awaiting the arrival of some “Grain Sack” milk paint to use on the inside of it. I LOVED working with Marian’s milk paint! It’s exactly the finish I’m always drawn to, but can never seem to achieve myself. It took me a minute to get used to the consistency, but man does that stuff totally rock when it’s all smoothed on and dry. And her furniture wax that seals everything when you’re done painting? Total. Perfection!
Love, love, LOVE it!
The drawer pulls came from Home Depot:
I chose them because they were simple, inexpensive, and I liked the way they looked.
Up on top of the hutch, I used some things I already had on hand- including a few of my Grandma’s old crocks:
I popped a bunch of stuff that makes me smile inside the hutch, too:
I had to work Mr. “KP” in there, of course…
The small bowl, basket of ornaments, “joy” stone, snowflake ornament, Christmas trees, cinnamon sticks and cable-knit candle cozy all came from Hobby Lobby, and the green ribbon came from Michaels…
I dug everything else out of our moving boxes- ha! #StillUnpacking
My favorite “thing” though, is the card that’s stuck to the wall behind our “3” tray…
I love not opening it…and just letting that sentence soak way in. It takes me to a Positive place every time I see it…especially today. We received word that our adoption application has been approved by Lifeline Children’s Services! And while there are a lot of unknowns ahead of us on this journey, we’ll take comfort in knowing that One Thing’s for sure…and He’s got a plan for us and our little one.
Seeing that “approved” statement took me to MY happy place… and I loved the KP touch, also. You need to remind us what it looked like before.
xoxo
Cindy
Hi, Cindy, I’m friends with Layla and Kevin & now I’m wondering if you are kin to Steve and Mollie Barganier in Birmingham? That is such an unusual name, I figure I’d ask. Good folks, they are!
Lovely secretary and a lovely sentiment:)
Congratulations on the acceptance of your adoption application! How exciting! 🙂
Layla and Kevin Happy Holidays. I love the color choice you painted the secretary. My fav thing is that little owl.
It turned out so pretty…and btw, I do believe that 3 is the magic number! xo
Praying for The Lord’s Guidance and Blessings on Your Journey 🙂
It looks very pretty all decked out for Christmas.. but more importantly.. congratulations on the great news!! You must be just giddy 🙂
Some LUCKY child is waiting for you and Kevin. God knows.
Just thinking of “What IS going to be”…is so exciting, Merry Christmas on your last one without the pitter patter of noisy, stinky, and cute little piggies!!
Ohhhh! This is beautiful. I just love the soft grey color, and your accesorizing. I’m a little intimidated by the thought of having to mix up the paint….maybe I will try it soon.
Congratulations on the acceptance. You two will be amazing parents.
Congratulations on the approval! Of course He has a plan for you all. It just takes faith to open your eyes and hearts to receive it. Blessings to you and your family!
Your hutch looks great! I don’t think there has been one project that you’ve done that I don’t love! Always in awe.
Oh my heart skipped a beat when I read the “approved adoption papers!” Yay – definitely one step closer!! Oh,am I supposed to be writing about the secretary?? It is beautiful…need my mom to see how good this piece looks painted since she has the exact same piece of furniture.
Merry Christmas!
from kelly in georgia
Lovely “vignette.” Congrats on your adoption application approval!! 🙂
Love the secretary and so happy for your adoption news!
Simply Divine!! Love the hutch! The color, the decor. Looks great!!
Jen
athomeinthenorthwestblog.com
Love it. Just wondering where you can buy the paint from? I’m from Canada, just wondering if this can be purchased here as well or just online? Looks great! Congrats on the little one. I hope everything happens quickly and smoothly for you both.
Thanks, Rochelle! As for the milk paint- just click on those links to Marian’s shop page for all the deets! 🙂
That secretary is stunning! Posts like this tempt me to try MMS paint for myself. Love the items you gathered for your styling. That’s a talent I’m still trying to develop. Lastly, congrats on your approval. I’m adopted myself, as is my mother, and I’ll be cheering for you as you continue along your journey. Blessings to you and yours.
Beautiful furniture piece and exciting times. The news makes a wonderful Christmas present…
So gorgeous you have hardly tell its the same piece of furniture I love it xxx
Love it. I painted our china cabinet with black spray paint over beautiful wood. The first spray I felt like crying but kept going and I love it.
Why use the furniture wax? Because you used something other than latex paint and you needed a protective layer? I’m new to painting furniture and have typically used latex paint, but am not sure that the “finish” will last a very long time or hold up against use.
Yup! Marian’s got a bunch of great info and tutorials over at her place about it if you’d like to check it all out! 🙂
So happy for you. Will be thinking good thoughts for the coming year and your adoption process!
The hutch looks amazing but more importantly…Congrats on your application. I’m a mother of 2 so I know the joy and anticipaton you are feeling. Prayers and love to you all.
Awww, you made me cry! I’m so happy for you two – soon to be three! I will continue to pray for all of you and your new adventure ahead. Merry CHRISTmas. Big hugs,
You decorate with items you love- I love that. Such an important part of decorating. Looking at things that make you smile! I always say that too. You did a beautiful job styling the shelves!
Love the way it turned out! The owl ornament in the basket is great! Where did you find her? I have been looking for owl ornaments and we have mercury glass ornaments, so it’s exactly what I’m looking for! 🙂
loving that milk paint, it looks wonderful, but i really am loving that your adoption app was approved. such grand news.
Congratulations on the approval. I so remember the day we got ours. God does indeed have plans. Look forward to watching you lives unfold. Have faith, be strong and keep believing.
Layla,
Your secretary looks fit for a Lettered Cottage in her new ‘dress’! God gave the Palmers a wonderful gift this Christmas! So happy for all three of you — You, Kevin and your future child!
Your Friend,
Deborah
Congrats on the Adoption Application Approval! What a great early Christmas present, huh? (And your hutch looks really pretty.)
Best,
Gloria
Thrilling news about the adoption approval!! You will absolutely LOVE being a Mom! He or she will be so fortunate to have your love! Happy Happy Holidays and a Very Joyous New Year!!
I could have saved them all a lot of time and trouble and approved you instantly. He does have a plan, and there is a lucky little soul waiting for you who will be very lucky indeed. Love your hutch. Great color. xxoo
Love the secretary and love the decorations but most of all love that He has a plan : )
Just want you to know you are in my daily prayers in your adoption journey – God bless you both!
Layla, that’s so awesome! Just know that a lot of prayers are being offered for you and Kevin on your journey. Blessings to you!
i do adore
your gussied up secretary
all primped and painted
for the Christmas season
but even better
is your announcement
one
step
closer
what a reason to celebrate!
{alison}
Absolutely beautiful!
And, yea on the application being approved!
ok…that’s it…I have a secretary that is in desperate need of a makeover…you have encouraged me to tackle it…I LOVE how yours turned out! (well, I love how everything you do turns out 🙂 xo
The hutch looks great, but much more so I had to write in to congratulate you on the approval.
love it looks so good and i love how you decorated it for christmas.
Thank you sweet Jesus for you little one to be!!!
I LOVE the gray desk–that paint looks amazing! And YAY for adoption news!!! 🙂
I LOVE it.
I have a similiar one, that needs painting, does yours have drawers inside?
If it does, I would love to know how you painted the inside
Is the color a true grey or more blueish?
Congratulations on your approval! That looks amazing painted, you did an awesome job! Love the decorations too!
Yay!,, all of it, big YAYs!!
I am finally making a comment after reading your blog about a year, good intentions are just not good enough. When I read the last sentence, that was my cue…Yes, He does have a plan for you, our God is so mighty and His timing is perfect. I am praying for you and your husband and the little one. I live in Birmingham, so I am a fellow Alabama girl as well. I began blogging (and didn’t realize that was what I was doing…smile) during my breast cancer journey on caringbrige,org. almost four years ago, and when I began my new blog about a year ago, I found yours. Before I got sick, I was all about my home. Well, things changed. But now I am finally back to it.. and with a new plan and a new perpective. So, just a little bit about me, but I so adore your style and your pictures. For now, my blog is basically just a place I love to “write letters” of encouragement as I call it, and my goal is to step it up in 2013. I close with Jeremiah 29:11, a hope and a future, I am excited for all He has planned for you and your family…. and I have just babbled away on my first comment. Thanks for your fabulous posts, Layla! Blessings, Suzanne
Layla, I’ve been enjoying your blog for several years now, but seldom leave a comment for some reason. Today, besides the beauty of your refinished secretary I am struck by the beauty of your life and how open your are with sharing about it on your blog. You are a breath of fresh air and you bring me and many other fellow believers encouragement. Thank you.
Carla…..Well said!
Thank you so much for leaving such a sweet comment for me to find, Carla. You are very kind, and I’m completely humbled by your touching and friendly words. 🙂
It turned out great! I love it. And great news about the being “approved.” On to the next step 🙂
the secretary looks amazing….I have to try her paint…..and best wishes on your journey….I can’t wait to follow along!