Broken to French Country Side Table: I Knew You When
French Country Furniture Makeover
This broken little table was a Round Top steal because, well…it was broken! I was looking for a small sweet bedside table and knew this would be perfect to makeover. Not to mention I’m a sucker for a deal. However, the table went straight to work and for years it sat watch beside my daughter’s bed, broken and bruised waiting for a renovation.
When Mae requested a bedroom update this table got displaced as furniture moved and style changed. I couldn’t bear to part with it though, it’s got so much potential! Finally, I dreamed up French country destiny for this little lady. 
I started by sanding down the top and busting out the already broken sides. Initials were even carved in the top, those got erased with wood filler sanded smooth.
Using a jigsaw I cut out all the jagged edges remaining from the broken lattice work. The little corner pieces had to go too. Mainly because a few where missing but also because I wanted to update this piece completely, no sign of the old. Luckily I salvaged a few corbels and you will certainly see those show up at a later date.
Fresh white chalky paint helped cover the entire table, all it’s bumps and ragged edges.
I wanted to replace the wood lattice with a metal screen like you see in the large cabinet doors of French armoires. But I’m cheap, so I kinda made up my own with a sheet of galvanized metal lath from the hardware store. After painting it a muted champagne gold and snipping squares to fit the sides I used an electric stapler to secure the new lattice into place.
Now you can hardly look at this new girl and see the old her. But I knew her when.
I knew her when she was broken and bruised. I knew her when she was covered in scars and scratches. When others had carved out parts of her, stealing pieces of her soul.
I knew her when she was abandoned and alone, shut out and set aside.
I knew she held potential and possibility.
I knew she was destined for a change.
I knew she was useful and desired, clothed in white and never forgotten.
I knew she had it in her and she longed to let it out. I knew her broken would be beautiful.
That’s what God says about you sweet friend. He never sees the before, only the after. He never says the phrase “I knew you when” the way some people do, holding your past against you. He says it meaning “I knew you back when you didn’t see your beauty or potential, but I did.”
If we look to John Chapter 4 we see a woman who can’t get passed her past. In fact she is still knee deep in her repetitive cycle of sin. It’s clear that Jesus approaches her keenly aware of her current situation, but desperate to share how he sees her in his eyes. He tells her…
“If you knew…” John 4: 10 
If she knew the peace, the satisfaction and the grace waiting for her on the edge of town. No need to be in the a sanctuary, He will come to you, no more excuses. Right in the middle of her chores she was saved. She left behind her water jug and her sin in the hot dust and walked to town, spreading the news to others. I knew she was useful. I knew she had purpose. I knew she was aching to be free, she just need permission. Well, now you have it.
The deeper the scar, the longer the scratch, the more we have to praise for the healing waiting to come our way. Just like this makeover our healing and movement from the past is a process. There are steps to take, work to be done, waiting in between, things to leave behind. But the finish, wow the finish! It’s worth the hard work and the change in perspective to see yourself as your maker does. Stop looking back on who you were and look forward to the beauty God has seen all along.
If you are surrounded by reminders of who you were, people who hold your past against you and hold you down because of it, break free. Run to the one who holds no condemnation, no judgement, just a call to love with a soul quenching drink of living water. Surround yourself with others who are free. Sisters who will reach out and grab hold of your hand when you start to fall backward in time and yank you forward to freedom, the here and now.
Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Which picture do you resemble more…the before or after? If it’s the before I pray you will look ahead and if it’s the after I pray you will reach out and pull someone along with you. Blessings to you today dear friend.
I love the table redo, and the inspirational message was a great one today.
thank you and thank you!
This is beautiful. We see broken, God sees mended.
You have an amazing gift!
yes, if we could just see through his eyes more often!
What a wonderful project and even more so what a wonderful message. Absolutely inspired. I was really touched and encouraged . Blessings to you this week.
thank you Kristina, so happy to encourage you
Thank you for your great ideas and even more for your wonderful words of encouragement.
you are welcome and hope your week is great!
Thank you Kim for reminding me of what GREAT love our savior has for us no matter what our past. I so needed this today!
I need the reminder all the time 😉
Praise the Lord for His grace and mercy. I like the makeover
amen and thank you
I love your posts! You always seem to find the right analogy to tell the scriptures! That’s the gift the Lord has given you-simple furniture fixes–> to healing for broken lives!
May the Lord bless you for the work that you do for Him!
aww, thank you, I love to see Him in all I do, hopefully you and others will be inspired to as well.
The truth resonates ALWAYS. Thank you, Kim, for speaking to our hearts, xo
I always hear you telling me to focus on the truth!
VERY cute !!! ❤
Thank you for your wonderful redoes and the great message of GODS love and forgiveness. We as Christians need to hear more of this kind of talk.
I agree – we all need to share HIs love and word! thanks so much Annie
AMEN AND AMEN! Thank you for praying for me and the retreat I was to speak at. Jesus was so faithful! What you shared today is exactly what I taught about! So grateful for your ministry and gift of words!!!
Yay – so glad it went well and isn’t it crazy how God ties that all together!?
Wow! Love the table transformation AND the message!
Good – so glad you liked it, fun little table and God always talks to me through broken stuff 🙂
I believe I have that same side table. The detail work wasn’t broke by the other side/legs were off. I went ahead and broke off the good side painted and distressed it and now it hangs on my gallery wall.
What a fun idea, I bet it is precious! Love making it work!
Beautiful table but even more so, beautiful truths!
Thank you friend!
Thank you for the beautiful message. I needed reminded. You have a wonderful gift of communicating the love of God with your words. Beautiful transformation with the table too. It’s a nice reminder that God transforms all our brokenness if we allow Him. Blessings,
yes He does, I am forever thankful
Beautiful message, Beautiful table! God Bless.
Thank you Robyn
Love the table,
LOVE the message.
thank you and thank you!
Thank you for the timely message. I am the outcast in the family and sometimes they remind me.
This week was no different when a family member passed away.
I know how deeply this must hurt you, I pray you will see and feel the good in the situation somehow sweet friend. Just remember Jesus wasn’t welcome in his own home town and we have no better example than him.
I not only love your work, but your heart! Keep it up girlie! God is being glorified through you! Praise the Lord! The author and perfector of our faith!
thank you! I appreciate the encouragement so much!
Beautiful table and a beautiful message. Thanks for the reminder.
Kim, you have spoken such beautiful and true words. The table turned out so pretty!
thank you – I am so glad it spoke to you! Blessings!!!