• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Shop My Home
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

September 19, 2014

The Bumpy Road to a Pretty Kitchen

My husband, Rick, came home early from work on a hot, humid, Jacksonville, Florida afternoon in 2008. He didn’t warn me of his arrival, which was unusual. I happened to be on my way out to pick up our girls from school when his truck “swung” into the driveway. His lips were shaking like they did at the alter 15 years prior. They do that when he is nervous, so I knew something was up. We were being transferred back to Michigan. We had moved to Florida 6 years earlier for the same reason. We now had to leave the house we had just spent a year building and lived in for only 1 year.

kitchen-part-3-10

Not the worst news, but still. Another bump in the road we all had to ride including our school age children & my elderly parents. If you’ve ever moved across the country with children, you know why we were a little anxious. Speed forward through all of that, and the bumpy road led us here….

house front door pic

We purchased our home from a very nice woman who built the house with her husband in 1994 as their “dream home”. Unfortunately, her husband passed away and she couldn’t maintain it by herself. The house needed a ton of work, and updates. On a positive note, it had beautiful custom wood throughout, and most of it was in perfect condition.
That leads me to the heart of the home and the reason I became a DIY Home Decor Blogger.

The kitchen…
kitchen before
I fell in love with the windows, large island, and custom cabinets. To be totally honest, I had no idea what we were going to do to it, I just knew it had the best bones we had seen. We could work the details out later.
Later has come and gone, and this is where we are now.

 

Best Kitchen

One thing led to another, and another, and another. I remember my hubby coming home from work after I had painted the hutch, and he said,”You’re going to go all the way around the kitchen, aren’t you?” I answered with, “Oh, no way. That would take forever.”

curtains w: syl

Forever came and went, and I painted, and painted. And painted. Some things twice, some things three times. The mantel? That was white, then it was brown, now it’s black. Same with the shelves…I did those in black first. Now they are white.

couch in kitchen

After we finally got the colors just right, we were able to complete the space.
From light fixtures, to wood beams we made in our garage, it was all on a budget.

kitchen part 3 10
As the months, and years go by…I play house in here a lot. I’m actually sitting at that table right now. This kitchen is a canvas that I can re-create over, and over.

From Thanksgiving…
Thanksgiving Table 2012
To Christmas…
christmas best

 

Into the New Year…
new years 2014
To Valentines Day…

Doodled Bench Now

 

To Easter…
Easter Table

To Summer…
Beautiful Hydrangeas in Water Basin

 

It’s not always perfect, and very rarely looks like the staged photos you see.
Hutch 2014

We’ve even weathered a few ice storms with no power, on Christmas no less.

Julie & Rick winter 2013

Our bumpy, uncertain road led us to more than just a pretty kitchen to decorate.
It brought us back to where we belong, with our family and friends, and where we are most happy.
I hope our story inspires you to not only take those bumpy roads, but maybe re-create in your own kitchen.

Love, Julie

East Sign

For more details on redheadcandecorate.com’s DIY Kitchen Makeover

visit “One Special Kitchen” where you will find paint colors, and other specific details on how they did it all.

Subscribe to redheadcandecorate.com here, or follow on Facebook,Pinterest, Instagram

12 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Kitchen Remodel Tagged With: decorating, kitchens

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Fall Home Tour and Fall Decorating Ideas
Next Post: Ain’t Got Nothin’ But Love For Ya! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. barbara says

    September 19, 2014 at 4:46 AM

    Your kitchens could not be more beautiful, and from someone who was raised in Michigan, I trust you will love the state too. You guys are good at everything it seems! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      September 19, 2014 at 3:18 PM

      Thank you, Barbara. We LOVE Michigan. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Pam @diy Design Fanatic says

    September 19, 2014 at 7:14 AM

    What a gorgeous transformation! Awesome family kitchen!!!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      September 19, 2014 at 3:19 PM

      Thank you, Pam!!

      Reply
  3. Kerry Purcell says

    September 19, 2014 at 10:15 AM

    What a beautiful kitchen and story. Love it . . .

    Reply
    • Julie says

      September 19, 2014 at 3:18 PM

      Thank you, Kerry!

      Reply
  4. Deb says

    September 19, 2014 at 5:17 PM

    Love following your home and yard and pond on Facebook! Funny, I saw this post on Picket Fence but thought that looks a lot like Redhead Can Decorate’s kitchen! Maybe more than one person has same kitchen! 🙂 I grew up in Sterling Heights. We’re in Chicago now and I don’t think we’ll move back to Michigan but never say never …

    Reply
    • Julie says

      September 20, 2014 at 1:35 PM

      How funny, Deb! If there are 2 of us, look out!!! 😉 See you over on FB!!

      Reply
  5. Lori Alexander says

    September 19, 2014 at 6:26 PM

    It’s beautiful! I love the wood floors. I have had wood floors for 18 years and we have done nothing to them but they still look great.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      September 20, 2014 at 1:37 PM

      Thanks, Lori!

      Reply
  6. افضل عزل الاسطح says

    September 19, 2014 at 10:04 PM

    An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who was doing a little
    homework on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast simply because
    I found it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this….

    Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time
    to talk about this matter here on your web page.

    Reply
  7. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    September 21, 2014 at 12:42 PM

    I am thrilled again to see Julie’s kitchen…it is so very beautiful…and loved to hear the story about her moves…I used to live in North Central Florida and yes, it can be very hot and humid there….so great that Julie is back with her friends and family in a home that was meant to be…I just love the combination of the black and white cabinets in the kitchen…magnificent job…thanks ladies for a great feature here today!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Decorating a Sofa Table May 31, 2023
  • Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze April 19, 2023
  • Console Table Refresh March 24, 2023
  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023
  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consumin I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consuming seasonal decorating. When I think back on the years where I would feel all of the pressure to come up with something fresh and creative I’m seriously embarrassed. Truly. Because it was such a waste. A waste of my time, my energy, my resources. Something clicked with me a few years ago. I was just done. I needed to simplify. I needed to not spend an obscene amount of time looking at fireplace mantels on Pinterest and trying to figure out how to make mine look amazing. I needed to put it all in the proper place in my heart and my mind. Which meant, it had to go waaaaayyyy down on the priority list. So far down it almost wasn’t on it. And I needed to confess to the Lord that I had allowed it to become an idol. 

Yes, I want to have a home that I enjoy. Yes, I love pretty things. But something really amazing happened when I finally released it all. When I decided to not give into the pressure and panic I would feel when I would scroll through my Instagram feed. When I just laid it all down and said…enough. There was this incredible irony in it. Because, the less time I took to decorate my home for each season, the more I found myself loving the results. I think that all along I had just been getting in my own way. It’s really taken a lot of time and prayer for me to finally be at a place where even though I still struggle with insecurities and I still have doubts from time to time, I’m becoming increasingly more confident in who God created me to be. And, just like my home, I’m finding that as I relax into myself, letting go of the comparisons and the pressure, the more I can actually lean into the calling He has placed on my life. 🍂

Leave a comment if you can relate! 

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking
“As the alluring song of September begins to whi “As the alluring song of September begins to whisper in my ear, my passionate spirit yearns for the splendor of its promise.” (Peggy Toney Horton)

Happy September dear friends! While I’m not quite ready to let go of summer and I plan to make the most out of the lingering, warm days, I’ll admit to starting to think about my fall decor this year. And one way to get inspired is to take a look back at previous years. Here’s just a glimpse at some of the ways I’ve welcomed Autumn to my home! 🍂

#september #falldecorating #falldecor #falldecoratingideas #wearethehomemakers
Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning the corner and getting closer to fall but I’m not quite ready to let summer go. So I’ll just be over here continuing to whip up some super simple summer meals for my family that frankly can be enjoyed in any season. These shrimp rolls I made the other night were definitely a hit and would be great for any of your upcoming holiday weekend gatherings!

Shrimp Rolls 🍤

Ingredients
1-2 lbs of shrimp that is peeled, deveined and tail off (If using frozen make sure it’s thawed completely)
1/3 cup mayonnaise 
1/2 of a lemon
2 Tbsps chopped scallions
1 Tbsp chopped dill
1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley
1 Tsp of Old Bay seasoning (more if you like!)
pinch of sea salt and pinch of black pepper
Hoagie Rolls
Softened butter

Directions: Gently pat the shrimp with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Roughly chop the shrimp and place in a bowl. Add mayonnaise, squeeze half of lemon and stir to combine before adding in the scallions, dill and parsley. Stir to combine and then add the additional seasonings. Spread butter on hoagie rolls and toast in the oven until lightly browned. Pile on the shrimp mixture and enjoy! 

#shrimproll #foodie #weeknightdinner #easydinner #seafoodlover
Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. W Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. We woke up to the sound of chainsaws and rushed downstairs to find that our backyard neighbors were having two of the huge trees that line our shared fence removed. These trees have been here longer than the neighborhood and no, they weren't dead or causing damage to roofs, foundations, etc. They were beautiful and gave us wonderful privacy. We had no notice of this happening so this came as quite a shock. Because we were given no notice, we didn't have the chance to cover our outdoor furniture or plants and everything is now coated in a thick layer of sawdust including the fresh bark we recently put in the garden beds. And now our lovely privacy is gone, replaced by a direct view of an above ground pool and RV. I know, I know, it's totally a first world, privileged kind of problem to have. But, now we have to spend thousands of dollars on plants to try and recapture some semblance of privacy. Now we have days worth of clean up to do after we had JUST done a massive freshening up of our backyard. My overarching feeling has just been weariness at the way our world is today.

I think about how often we try to do right by people, to be respectful and courteous. To be thoughtful and considerate. And it’s not reciprocated. How its starting to seem more and more like people have just given up on those seemingly small niceties. And my soul just feels heavy. Because I feel like so much of what used to be common courtesy is not so common anymore. Drivers on the roads are angrier and more reckless than ever before. Red lights being run are an everyday occurrence around town. On our recent family vacation, I heard more people using the F word out in public than ever before even while around children. Where are manners? Where is kindness? I'm finding myself being surprised when someone is thoughtful because it seems like a rarity. And that's just all on a micro, local level. Don't even get me started on the insanity in our world/culture. After I returned from grocery shopping (which can also be soul crushing), I found myself desperate for a reminder of the truth. 

*Part 2 continued in the comments.*
How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully grasp our strengths or our weaknesses until we are put to the test? Little did I know how much I would love my role as a wife, mother and homemaker until I became one. And that in my endeavor to do those roles to the best of my ability, it would bring to the forefront gifts and talents and blessings that I use outside of these walls.

As I water others, I’m watered too because it brings such joy to care for those around me. But it can also make me see more clearly the areas in which I’m lacking and be a very humbling reminder of how much I still need to grow and learn.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Have you done any ‘watering’ of others this week? How has it blessed and ‘watered’ you in return?
“Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you “Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you make.” Statements like this from my kids fill me with so much joy and such a sense of assurance that my role as the maker of this home is one that makes an impact on them in both big and small ways. It’s not just sheet pan shrimp boil. 

It’s nourishment
It’s time together around the table
It’s laughing as we try to get the butter sauce out of the pan
It’s a memory
It’s an imprint on their lives 

The ordinary act of making a meal becomes EXTRAordinary. And I try to keep that in mind as I do this task day in and day out, year after year. 

***

Ingredients: 
1 pound baby red or yellow potatoes
Green beans or corn (4 ears cut in half) whichever you prefer
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt and pinch of black pepper 
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (12.8-ounce) package smoked andouille sausage, thinly sliced
Crusty bread for dipping 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook potatoes until just tender, about 10 minutes. Put potatoes, shrimp, sausage and green beans or corn on baking sheet. Pour butter over top. Sprinkle with old bay seasoning and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Bake for about 12 minutes or until shrimp is pink. 

#shrimpboil #sheetpandinner #sheetpanmeals #homemaking
Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and lig Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and light cocktails! My husband is my own built in bartender and he put this together the other night. 

2 jiggers of gin (you could also use vodka) 
*you should do a jig when using a jigger 😉*
Crushed ice 
Grapefruit tonic 
Squirt of lime 
Sprig of mint 

Easy and so refreshing!! ☀️

#cocktails #summercocktails
There is something magical about the late summer e There is something magical about the late summer evenings. Maybe it’s because we have a greater sense of the fact that these long days are slowly shortening and we want to savor them as much as we can. I know I intend to do just that. 

I hope you’re having a wonderful August so far dear friends!
Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our hou Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our house all summer long. We’re big on the ‘build your own’ method of making dinner especially on very hot days. Simplicity for the win! 
#recipes #easydinner #easydinnerideas #homemaking
In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grou In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grouping of beats. No matter what else a piece of music has in terms of its pitch or tone, the rhythm never changes. Its the stabilizing force and brings order to a composition that would be completely chaotic without it.

The same can be said of rhythms in our lives and in our homes. When everything else feels out of control, rhythms and patterns provide us with stability and something that we can rely upon to give us a sense of security in a very insecure world. But, too often, we associate the rhythmic things we do in our lives as merely tasks to be gotten through rather than gifts which provide much-needed balance.

Whether it’s making the coffee every night before we go to bed or doing my devotional in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up or watering my garden, these simple tasks provide a rhythm to my day that is truly grounding. 

What’s something that you do that you would classify as a rhythm or pattern in your week?
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence