This is the story of the best trash-to-treasure project ever.

In the history of ever.

If this is your first time visiting I need to introduce you to my brother.

Just in case I haven’t mentioned it before, his name is Mark and he’s amazing.

This is the brother of the pallet wood letter and the pallet wood letter the second verse and the pallet wood clock and the pallet wood boxes that look like people.

Do you see a trend?

Suffice it to say he has never met a piece of pallet wood he didn’t like.

He made this table. I know it looks all simple and plain and a little ordinary, but really?

It’s a trash-to-treasure project in disguise.

Simply look at the top.

It’s completely made up of pallet wood.

Yep.

Wood that looks like this.

The wood they toss.

The wood you see sitting out by the dumpsters.

The wood that most people see as junk.

But my brother?

He doesn’t see trash. He sees all the wonderful potential.

Look at the patina and how the pieces fit together and the wood that someone else was going to get rid of is now a piece of art.

Pallet Table

I still remember the first time he showed me this table all those years ago. He brought it in sheepishly and put it down and shrugged his shoulders and told me he made me something different than anything he’d ever made before.

And he wasn’t sure if I’d like it.

It was different.

And a little random.

And rough around the edges.

And I smiled and jumped up and down and awkwardly dolphin clapped and told him I loved it.

And then I took another look and told him it reminded me of……

….well…..me.

Truth.

If I’m keeping it real here there are so many times when I doubt myself and my projects and my decorating and my questionable workout bell bottom pant choice and I then I see someone newer and shinier with perfect teeth and perfect hair and the appearance of perfection and birds singing around their head and rose petals dropping when they walk.

And I try to tell myself I’m amazing.

I really, really try.

I remind myself of amazing things I’ve done and that really good hair day I had a week ago and the project I finished that at the time seemed worthy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

But inside I shrink.

Self-doubt creeps in.

And amazing seems light years away.

Maybe that’s why I identified with the table.

It’s kind of like me without the bell-bottom workout pants.

Different.  Random.  A little rough around the edges.

But all those scraps and random bits of absolute nonsense?  Together they create joy and uniqueness and imperfection and character and a one-of-a-kind personality.

And I realized that somewhere along the way….

….a little bit of amazing just showed up.

PS  I told you this trash-to-treasure tale because now? There’s another chapter to this table’s story.

It’s packed in the back of the car right now heading to Baylor.

The twins and I decided they needed a daily reminder that they were amazing too. 🙂

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Beth Beth

    I'm trying to remind myself that it's also ok to just "be me" amazing is sometimes too large a hurdle. I want to be the small ripple in the pond - don't really need to be the big splash. And by the way, I've always felt that you are amazing and were born to be the big splash! Glad to hear that the beautiful table is making its way to Baylor - it's always good to remind the young ones of family heirlooms.🥳

  2. Image for Amy Amy

    Beautiful table and theme. The top is beautiful- it’s not the typical table top- and I love it!! It’s inspiring to create more.

  3. Image for Nicole Nicole

    Okay, I was happily reading along and doing fine, and then I saw the table is heading to Baylor with the girls and it got me. I just love how the table is adding to it's history and it's story!

  4. Image for Susan Susan

    Ah….your stories! Even if you did nothing else, even if you weren’t the incredible decorator that you are, or the incredible artist that you are, you would be amazing just because of your way with words!

  5. Image for Jennifer Dynys Jennifer Dynys

    Such a sweet story! My two oldest boys are getting an apartment together at school! Gah! So this one hit home for me too! You are amazing! Thanks for reminding all of us too!

  6. Image for Julie Marshall Julie Marshall

    You ARE AMAZING KariAnne!!!! You’re so generous and creative and fun and funny and uplifting and terrific!!!! You help me every day with your inspiring thoughts, blog posts, mastermind ideas…. The list is endless. Read this every time you have self doubt…Which we ALL HAVE!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️!

  7. Image for Margaret Mills Margaret Mills

    Just wondering how the twins will ‘split’ time with the table (it’s beautiful) now that they aren’t sharing a room!

  8. Image for Diana Diana

    KariAnne you tickle me and amaze me. I saw how excited you were over the pallets. All I could think of was all the work required to make something. But then I clicked on all the wonderful things made from a pallet! Wow. I almost wanted to run out and find a pallet. LOL What a charming story. As others said you tell a good story. You should write a book! You draw us all in. I just wish I had people talk about me the way your readers talk about you! You lifted my day

  9. Image for Donna Marie Donna Marie

    I don't have a brother, but if I did I wish he was as create as yours is!!! You are a very lucky lady indeed!!!

  10. Image for Gail cunningham Gail cunningham

    KariAnne, Let me simply state you are amazing…amazing to me, to your readers, and to your family. And adorable too! Thanks for being real. Oh, and I love the table! God bless! Gail

  11. Image for Alice Hanson Alice Hanson

    KariAnne, Your whole family is just oozing talent! I love seeing the Christmas homemade gifts. This table is perfectly amazing just like you! Smiles, alice

  12. Image for Vicki Sutton Vicki Sutton

    Love this story and that the table is finding a new home. Your brother is as talented as you are! I agree with everyone's comments about how you lift us all up every day. Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us! Vicki

  13. Image for Be Be

    This IS a treasure, but even more so because years later your daughters now see it as a treasure too. It will just be passed on down and a family gift to talk about for years. We all have rough edges and our self worth is questioned in this world today, but we were wonderfully made by our Creator for a purpose. Sure is great to have a special item to keep us reminded. The girls will be reminded and also think of home. Love you for sharing!!!!

    1. Image for Dahlia Dahlia

      I agree with this 💯 percent! You are a great storyteller. Get a book done with the stories you share, it would be awesome 👏

  14. Image for Susan J Susan J

    Nothing like a wonderful story to brighten any day.....and I can just see your excitement when you received the gift and the girls excitement as they take it to Baylor! Another chapter in a great life story!

  15. Image for Katy Ford Katy Ford

    Loved the table, loved the telling of the tale and loved the journey the table is on…and you are amazing and a terrific storyteller. Think you should author a collection of these great stories into one book that we could buy and read again and again…just a thought KariAnne! Katy

  16. Image for Jeanine Kesey Jeanine Kesey

    Oh my word. You are a lovely gift like that table. Thank you for sharing and I am so thankful for you and your brother’s hearts. Hugs!

  17. Image for Marlene Marlene

    Your such a good mother and know when they see that table they will be reminded of all the love they've been given. It's a scary world sometimes.

  18. Image for Debbie Debbie

    YOU are a blessing in our lives, dear friend!!! What a beautiful story. It truly touched my heart. YOU touch my heart. Ohhh and how your treasured table will bring your girls so much joy!!! Just like you bring to us! ❤️Karianne, one of your other readers mentioned maybe 2-3 weeks ago that it would be so much fun if we all met one another. Maybe we should think about that…find a central spot and meet you and all of our friends. I’m liking the sound of this. ☺️

  19. Image for Jodena Beale Jodena Beale

    Kari Anne. To have a family with such love as you and your brother is amazing and a true testament to your parents. Im trying to find something amazing in me and as of right now its just too hard to even imagine. But I love your stories, and think you are amazing too.

  20. Image for Carol Carol

    Dear KariAnne, Not sure if this was the affect you were going for, but I had to laugh out loud at this post. Thank you for a humorous approach to some pretty serious feelings. And.. thanks for the smile you brought to my life this morning.

  21. Image for Eileen Eileen

    I agree with your whole post. Your brother is amazing. I've always thought of pallet wood as hidden treasure. Wood is so precious these days and to create such beautiful items is creative and a real talent. Please tell him that he has fans on your blog.

  22. Image for MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)

    KariAnne, your brother is a "real" gift -- and so are you! That table he made for you is so special! How nice that you are sharing your wonderful gift with your twins. I know they will treasure it, too! Also, don't ever forget how amazing you are. You are truly one special gal and everyone who reads your posts thinks you are, too. Words could never express how precious you are -- and what a wonderful gift you are! God has given you so many special gifts and we are definitely the recipients of them. We will never cease to thank God for the very special "gift" that you are to all of us! You are loved so much, KariAnne!

  23. Image for Mildred Mildred

    KariAnne, is your brother creating once again? I think I remember he stopped a few years ago because of family commitments. If he is, does he have a site on which he sells his creations? I was touched the table is going to Baylor. Sic 'Em Bears!

  24. Image for Jeannie Casey Jeannie Casey

    how does he select non-pressure treated wood pallets over the ones that are chemical pressure treated ones?

Comments are closed.