I got to squeeze one of my besties yesterday:
That there is Myra in the middle, and her newest addition, Cameron, on the right. Don’t they have the absolute sweetest eyes?! Their personalities are just the same- sweet, sweet, SWEET! Unfortunately it seems to only happen a couple of times a year, but I always love getting to see Myra in person. She’s one of these people that just makes you feel calm and comfortable so naturally, ya know what I mean? And now that I know that baby of hers…oh boy…I could’ve played peek-a-boo over Myra’s shoulder with him for hours!
Kevin and I met her up at Southern Accents, in Cullman, Alabama. It’s about 2.5 hours north of us, straight up I-65.
It’s a salvage and antique shop that is chock full of all-things awesome! Kevin was especially fond of their “welcoming committee” yesterday…
Garlan (the shop owner) and Lucy (who works with Garlan and shares my love of old stuff!), are graciously donating some planks of wood for Keith the Firefighter’s living room makeover, so we drove up there yesterday to pick ’em out. The thin, reclaimed wood “skins” Garlan’s pointing to on the right (in the photo below) will become Keith’s extra-deep mantel beam:
We want the mantel to stick out as far as (or further than) the bookcases on either side of Keith’s fireplace, so we’re going to construct a deep mantel “frame” out of 2×4’s (or something like that), and then clad it in the reclaimed wood skins. Here’s the inspiration photo I put together for Keith so you can kind of see what I mean:
We choose a handful of smoother barn wood planks to use on the wall above the mantel beam:
We’re going to pressure wash everything, and try out a semi-opaque dark blue-gray stain on one of those smoother boards to see if we can get them looking like the ones on the wall in the inspiration photo.
Before we went inside their reclaimed wood warehouse, we snapped a pic of this old truck they’ve got sitting in their parking lot:
Looks like a friendship between Southern Accents and Keith the Firefighter was meant to be!
That is going to look amazing! I’m so sad I don’t live close to Southern Accents or at least a place similiar. Can’t wait to see the finished product. I’m also on the edge of my seat to see pics of your kitchen. I bet the Gray Owl looks awesome. Picking up a few gallons of my own on Friday!!
Thanks for the encouragement, Kelley! 🙂 We haven’t had a chance to paint much in the kitchen yet- but today is the day to *finally* break out our brushes again! 😀
Love Southern Accents. Could spend a day just picking through stuff. Great source for a great project. Hope it all works.
I love the idea of barnboards above the mantel. That look seems to be making a comeback! I know growing up we had a room with all horizontal rough boards that ran around the whole room! We hated it then, but I now think it could have been something cool. Great inspiration and I think the room is going to look awesome!
Layla,
You are so lovely inside and out. Thank you for sharing your heart and life with us, I feel like I have known you a million years even though we have never met. It is so fun to be included in all your adventures! Btw, tell your hubs his red church picture is my screensaver out here in So Cal and that picture of the old truck is way cool too!
I love that place! Haven’t been in a couple of years but Garlan is so nice. He use to be a client of my husband’s and I spoke with him a couple of times. I need to make a trip up there!
Erin
That is my kind of store! I can’t wait to see the finished product!
I still say we should donate $$$ to buy him a big-boy tv! Afterall, he is a HERO! I love the barnwood, but can I PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE, have that truck?????
Southern Accents looks so fun!
Watched all of you guys on instagram yesterday. That forklift looked scary! Glad you got to meet up–What a great day that must have been! 🙂
Love Southern Acents! I have spent several Saturdays wandering the store by myself and touching everything! I’m trying to convince my hubby to let me buy a screen door they have so I can put it on my pantry door.
Can’t wait to see Keith’s finished project!
I love the way the details of this makeover are coming together and am always anxious for the next post. Your ideas are amazing! The shop was so generous to donate and what a shop it looks like!
Looks like an awesome place. Is that picture of the truck going to be added for sell? I would love a copy of it.
That shop reminds me of a couple of salvage shops in Portland (OR). A lot of reclamation goes on in these parts, which is super cool. Good lumber, lighting, and other household ornamentation that gets a second chance instead of ending up in a landfill.
Beautiful shot of you and your friend Myra.
Love that old truck!
Can’t wait to see how this all turns out. 🙂
I think you need to find a way to include that photo of the firetruck in your client’s home. How perfect would that be!?
OhMyGosh! I got this in my email, and opened it, then saw Myra’s face and thought “I thought I opened Layla’s email…” so I scrolled back up and, lo and behold, it is! I started screaming “Layla and Myra know each other!!! And they went to southern accents together!!!” so now my family all thinks I’ve gone completely insane. lol so now I REALLY want to get up to Alabama and meet the two of you! I can’t wait to see how keith’s living room turns out! It’s great finally getting to see one of your presto’s come to life!
<3 MaKenna
This made me giggle! My family looks at me like I’m crazy too because I laugh at my computer so much. 😉
This is on my list to visit, Layla — now more than ever!!
xo Heidi
As always, another stunning blog post. I love the concept you came up with for the room, very warm, cosy and inviting. The wooden doors/panels laying outside the shop were stunning as was the old truck with the lovely chippy paint. Your blogs are always a joy to read and make me smile. What a lovely way to start my day. Thank you. x
Hey Layla,
Side question…what’s up with the random ads popping up in the “you might also like” area at the bottom of your posts?? I’ve seen this on other blogs as well..
Look forward to seeing some “afters” – I need some inspiration!!
Thanks!
Leah
P.S. – Love that truck!!!
Hi Leah!
That’s a new ad network we’re trying out in hopes to raise some more funds for our adoption. 🙂 Can’t wait to blog about some “afters”, and I love that truck, too! 😀
I just love everything about this post. From the very first picture, the blue boards, the entire design, and that fire truck!!! As a firefighter wife, I LOVE that truck!!! Lol! 😉
Looks like such a fun place to visit. Love your plans for the room and that truck, oh, it took my breath away. Love the layers of chippy paint. x
Great seeing all three (four) of you yesterday! It looks like I’m a constant texter….good thing we know I was just trying to figure out how to get in after hours 😉 Enjoyed it, as usual! xoxo
Oh, the mantle is going to look so good!
I LOVE Southern Accents. I am heading up there Saturday actually! I have yet to make it into their lumber yard/gym (?) but am hoping too soon.
KARMA! I just love the truck!!!!!
Keith needs a picture of this truck in his home. Meant to be. i just love feel GREAT stories like this.
How weird I am…..I gush about the truck……….but I love that baby to pieces!
I love the truck, it is so rich in color and rust and many years of life. Nothing is ever a coincidence! I am sure the mantel will be beautiful!
Eeeeek! I am a new reader..and proud to say that I live in Cullman, very near Southern Accents. I have 2 doors and a set of planters from SA that were wedding gifts. In case of a fire, they would be in the top 10 list of things to grab.
Isn’t downtown Cullman fabulous? Even after the tornado, it is lovely. Just getting better with time. I am so blessed to live here!
And gotta be honest..Garlan is a stud 🙂 Just keepin’ it real!
( I am soooo not posting my real name in case he is reading. Hey, Garlan!)