“I dance with hopes and sing along with possibilities.”
― Debasish Mridha
My friend, Tenesha, texted me about a pair of old, shutter-style doors at Southern Homes & Gardens on Friday afternoon, so Kevin and I went to check them out on Saturday morning. It was love at first sight (especially at 20% off), and although they *barely* fit into our car, we made it work. And remember that empty wall space above the sofa I blogged about last week? Well, that’s exactly where they went once we had them inside the house!
The doors are very heavy, and there weren’t wall studs where we needed them to be, so we had to get creative when it came to hanging them. First, Kevin found the studs (by tapping on the wall with his fingertip) and then he secured an old 1×4 board to the wall with 3.5″ wood screws. That board isn’t going anywhere. After that, we propped the doors up onto an old wooden crate that was just the right height, and then he used more long wood screws to secure the them to the old board. (And two of the screws were able to go where there was a wall stud, so those doors aren’t going anywhere either!) 😀
I mixed a little bit of “Trail Tan” acrylic paint with some “Metallic Solid Bronze” acrylic paint to camouflage the silver screw heads. It worked like a charm!
We love the doors without anything on them for now, but we’re also looking forward to using it as a backdrop for different things (artwork, photographs, wreaths, etc) throughout the year.
Oh, the possibilities! 😀
PS- I thought it would be fun to share a video of Kevin and Hollis playing/singing “A Hallelujah Christmas” at church this weekend.
Hollis is 15 years old and started playing the stand-up bass when he was 10. He told me that he chose it because all the other kids in his group were picking cello, violin, and viola- no one wanted to pick the “big bass”. He is such a sweet and talented guy, and it is such a blessing to see how passionate he is about using his gift to bring glory to God! 🙂
(Here’s a link to the video on YouTube if it isn’t displaying above: A Hallelujah Christmas)
If you don’t have plans (and are in the area) on Christmas Eve, I would love to invite you to one of Centerpoint’s candlelight services!
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I am Christmas Green with envy. Those are the most awesome shutters ever. They look so perfect and artsy where you hung them. The room looks like you could grab a magazine, have tea and popcorn and hybrrnate there till spring” !
Merry Chrismas Layla & Kevin. Hoping this New Year brings your baby to your loving open, waitng arms.
i love the shutters. They would look great with Christmas cards, photos, and all kinds of seasonal decor attached. Of course they look great simply as they are too. I have been looking for shutters like this to make a standing room divider…maybe I will find some soon.
Hollis’ mom just sent me a message to check out your blog today…I am so glad I did! Thank you so much for sharing the video of Kevin and Hollis. I first met Hollis when he was 9 and you are right–he is a wonderful young man. 🙂 It truly is a small world…I became hooked on your blog when Hollis and his family were still living in Wisconsin. I never imagined you would meet someday and he would make an appearance on the very same blog. Merry Christmas, Layla!
I love this!! Beautiful way to wake up this morning with praise and music. Thank you for sharing the gift. Prayers for your family to go from a duo to a trio in 2015
FAB-U-LOUS shutters/doors (I’m a little jealous)! And Kevin’s voice is so lovely – I love watching him use his talents for the Glory. Merry Christmas to you both!
I love your shutters on the wall! What a find which makes them even better. The video is beautiful. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Appreciate all that you share.
What a beautiful gift to give you readers Layla & Kevin , the video was so beautiful . The shutters are just perfect ! I am shaing the quote at the top of your page today ( I hope you don’t mind ) . A warm and wonderful Chrustmas to you and Kevin. May all your dreams come true the coming year
That was such a beautiful rendition of A Hallelujah Christmas! Thank you for sharing.
Layla, Thank you for giving me an answer to the same question! I was just looking at the big expanse of wall behind our couch and trying to come up with something to do on the wall. I already have a grouping of pictures on the wall on the opposite side of the Den, so I knew I didn’t want to do that. I have some shutters I bought for another room but now I’m going to break out some paint and get busy redoing them for the Den wall…after Christmas!!!
Have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy the time with your family!
Love the shutters, love the music!
Merry Christmas to you and Kevin. May God bless you this season with His favor. May His light shine brightly on you and little sweet P as the time draws closer to when you will be together! 🙂
Perfect! I have a two story wall behind my couch and this gives me endless ideas!
Those are some great looking shutters. I thought I was the only one who cared about the srew heads showing, I’ll try your solution next time. And thanks for introducing me to the Southern Homes and Garden store, Merry Christmas
I love, love, love the shutters. They really warm up the space!!
PS: your hubby is not just a pretty face!
Love the shutters…love the song….love it all!
If it wasn’t an eight hour drive from Central Florida to Montgomery, I’d be at your Christmas Eve service for sure. Great post, as always. May you and your family have a blessed Christmas and a healthy/prosperous New Year.
Love the song and love the shutters. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for showing us how you hung the shutters. The song was beautiful.
Thanks for sharing…..love the song…They did a great job!
Also, like the shutters!
Merry Christmas!
Praying for y’all in your journey.
Layla,
Thank-you for sharing such a magically beautiful rendition of the song for us, what a gift.
The shutters look great …..
Thinking of you and your Family(including Sweet Pea) and wishing you all the very best for a blessed and Merry Christmas! A big thank-you to Kevin and Hollis too….
Penny
Oh my- those doors are PERFECT there. And how much fun they will be to decorate! My mind is spinning with ideas you will be able to do with that background. They look great just as they are too. Love the song as well. Merry Christmas!
Your home is so cozy and beautiful. I absolutely love the shutter doors. They are a perfect compliment to that room. Great find!
The patina on those shutters are perfect! They look beautiful in your room. Thank you for sharing your video. I picture Kevin as a shy guy. Watching him in his element is a beautiful thing. His voice is perfect for Hallelujah. Merry Christmas!
I love it. I was thinking it’s funny you have a white couch when you have a dog and are getting an active son LOL. Maybe I missed the post but where’s the couch from (looks like slipcover and able to be washed). Thanks
Fabulous!! Enjoy them now and in the future. Can’t wait to see photos of your newest family member gracing those gorgeous shutters soon! Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years!!!
The shutters are great on their own but I swoon when I think of what you can change out with your artwork, wreaths etc – what fun! Thank you for sharing the long version video. I loved the sneak peek on Facebook but was wanting to hear more : ) Merry Christmas to you both!
Those shutters are Perfect!!!!! Please put some Christmas cards in them!
I really like the shutters… especially with the idea of displaying photos on them.
Beautiful….shutters and song rendition.
Thank you for not being shy about the message of Christ. He needs to be spread far and wide #heisthegift
Question. I love love LOVE your shutters. I love the tone and finish of the wood. I can never seem to find pieces that are just right like this. they’re either too orange, red or yellow. Is there a staining process that you may know of that that will achieve this look? I’ve scowered pinterest and the like… No joy. I’d love to hear your take on it. Thank you!
Layla,
Those shutters are perfect for that space and I am sure you will have fun decorating with them. Wishing you and Kevin a very Merry Christmas!!!
Blessings,
Linda
where did your begonia go? Wasn’t it on the side table where the new tall, white flowered plant is?
I loved that idea, by the way, as I love begonias too. (I opted for a fake poinsettia when my wonderful cat came into my life a decade ago). While we’re having our mild winter weather, I should see about getting myself a red begonia!
I don’t want to rush time – cause I looooooove Christmas – but I do have to say, I’m already looking forward to next week’s post for the word of the year. I’m also looking forward to your beautiful “annual Christmas family photo post” for 2014.
I wish you both the most-wonderful Christmas ever. I hope you receive the gift on your hearts and blessings beyond your wildest dreams. 🙂
Thanks for being a beautiful light in 2014.
Peace and blessings,
Maryjane
The begonias are still there, Maryjane. 🙂 They’re on the entry table- not the side table.
Thanks for reminding me about the word of the year! I hadn’t thought of doing that again, but I will start thinking on it now! 😀
We wish you a Merry Christmas too! It has been so fun connecting with you here in 2014, and I look forward to sharing a post about “that gift on our hearts” VERY soon!
XO
They would look fabulous (not that they don’t now) with your Christmas cards on them!!
Hi Diedra! The slots are too small (width-wise) and too big (depth-wise) for cards to fit into, but I’m still dreaming up ways to possibly make it work! 😀
Beautiful song. Merry Christmas!!
xo
Merry Christmas, Reenie! 😀
Thanks so much for sharing Kevin’s and Hollis’s beautiful song. It brought tears to my eyes and is a perfect reminder as I sit here at work this morning of the “reason for the season”.
Merry Christmas to you and Kevin:)
P.S. Your new shutters are pretty cool too!
Merry Christmas, Cindy! 😀
Just the finishing touch you needed! Love your shutters!! Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas, Dawna! 😀
Gorgeous living room w/the shutters! Loved listening to your husband singing…and…cool church!
Your shutters look perfect there. What a great idea! Your home is lovely and love your blog. Merry Christmas! Love that little car pillow too and the throw. Could you tell me where you found them?
Also, where is your sofa from? Love it!
My daughter sang that song at a Christmas program at her school – a public school! I will never hear it without tears in my eyes! My husband and I enjoy your blog and take many of your ideas for our home. You have great taste – in music and in home style!
Wow, Kevin and Hollis did a beautiful job. It brought tears to my eyes! Thanks for sharing. I love the shutters too.. oh the decorating possibilities with them.
A little birdie told us here at Southern Homes & Gardens how you {gasp!} finally found the solution to your predicament with these shutters – and we simply ADORE what you have done! We must admit they were a staff favorite, however, we couldn’t be happier that they found such a {stylish!} new home with you! Enjoy!
Love the shuttered doors. I have some in the garage taken off an old “bar” area, great repurposing idea!
Thanks, Layla, for sharing your talent, your journey and your faith.
So glad they worked for you Layla! They look awesome….glad I could help! Hope to see ya soon!
I LOVE those shutters, I’ve been looking for some just like that to line my back deck for a little extra privacy. You guys are so creative and spontaneous with your finds.
Thank you, Angela! 😀
Hi Layla!
Love the way the wood tone of those shutter doors warms up the space ~ wonder if it might just make the perfect backdrop for a photo gallery??
Happy New Year!
Leah: )
Wow! Love the shutters! i love the color of the wood. They add such beautiful rustic charm to the room! perfect for that space above the couch. Thanks for sharing the video. This is one of my favorite songs and Kevin sang it beautifully. Hollis was great too. You and Kevin are multi-talented and super creative. Sweet P will have a wonderful life with the two of you. can’t wait until you bring him home! hope you get that call soon.