• 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

May 17, 2011

Can a Vanity make you Vain?

Well, I don’t know about that….
But I was willing to take that chance when I found this darling piece!
I’m so excited about this addition to my daughter’s room and
could not believe how perfectly it fit the bill.
The best part? Someone had already lovingly restored it saving this mama a lot of time and energy!

Check out what the top surface looks like. I just adore the damask detailing!
But, as it is currently in the room of a not quite 4 year old, it will probably get a nice piece of acrylic over it as protection against the inevitable. You know…crayons, markers, gum (don’t get me started on that one!) and probably a whole host of other things I could never predict but you KNOW they will happen!

And here are some more details…

And it just keeps getting better! The seller had already lined the drawers with music sheet paper!

Discovering this Dovetail joint was definitely an added bonus!

And check out these gorgeous drawer pulls!

This sweet vanity came with a darling little swivel stool.
But it just wasn’t living up to its full potential.
And it definitely wasn’t going to work in a little girl’s room!
So, it got covered with my favorite new fabric
Plus a thin layer of plastic for added protection against all of the possible ways an almost 4 year old could destroy budget-busting fabric!

Here is a close up of how it all looked once it had been stapled onto the stool.

The little Miss has already discovered the thrill of spinning herself silly on that little stool!

So, will this vanity make her vain?
I doubt it, considering her first order of business was to say,
“Let’s play ‘Library’ mommy! I’m the lady and you have to come get your books here!”
Who needs vanity when there are books to check out?
Thanks for joining me at the Fence today,
This post is partying at the following places:
Green Door Designs: Saturday Spotlight
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday’s Treasures
DIY by Design: Swing into Spring
Elements Interiors: Whassup Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday
No Minimalist Here: Open House Party

38 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « A Frugal DIY shelf, A Featured Blogger and…A winner!
Next Post: An Etsy Giveaway from LaFamille At Home! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    May 17, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    What a great find! The vanity is so pretty with wonderful details! I love the fabric you recovered the stool with!

    Reply
  2. One Heart says

    May 17, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous!! Reminds me of the one my daughter used to have in her room. I still can’t believe I gave it away. 🙁 Love that fabric.

    Enjoy it all, especially the reading time together.

    Much love!

    Reply
  3. Heather says

    May 17, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    What a lucky little girl! I might have just saved this beautiful vanity for myself! It would be a great place to display my tiaras! Just kidding!

    Reply
  4. Debra@Common Ground says

    May 17, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    Every little girl needs a vanity, and every mommy needs a break when it comes to redo-ing them. really sweet, she’ll love it!! xoxo Debra

    Reply
  5. classic • casual • home says

    May 17, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    Oh swoon! I just absolutely love it. Wouldn’t you have wanted it as a child? Or even now?

    Reply
  6. alison says

    May 17, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    …and don’t forget stickers…at least in my house! this is a lovely piece and your daughter is one lucky girl.

    Reply
  7. Here On Crow Creek says

    May 17, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    That is adorable! So pretty! Lucky little girl and that fabric is beautiful!

    Reply
  8. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    May 17, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    OMG Vanessa that piece is gorgeous!! I love it and what a cute little stool to go with it and the fabric you added is fabulous! It looks perfect in your daughters room. Martina

    Reply
  9. Bonnie@Creative Decorating says

    May 17, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    That is just gorgeous! Love everything about it, even the fabric!

    Reply
  10. housedressingblog.blogspot.com says

    May 17, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    Ooh la la! What a fantastic find and I love that fabric. Did you ladies get a new header for your blog? I love it!

    Reply
  11. Ido says

    May 17, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    Love that vanity and your blog! New follower here!
    Have a great day!
    XXXX Ido

    Reply
  12. Wendy says

    May 17, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    What a great find! I love all the details in the piece. So pretty!

    Reply
  13. Conspicuous Style Design Blog says

    May 17, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    This is SO pretty! I have so many mirrors in my house, I sometimes wonder if people are going to think it is because of vanity! I actually hardly ever look in them (except the bathroom one of course)…I have them because I just love the way they sparkle and bounce light around. This one is such a lovely place for a young girl to sit and dream!
    Stacy

    Reply
  14. Kelsey @ trialandstyle.com says

    May 17, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    That is so amazing! I especially love that it was already restored! I love the fabric you used for the stool! So great 🙂

    Reply
  15. Ange says

    May 17, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Oooh, love it!!! The stool fabric is so adorable, it is a perfect match. 🙂

    Reply
  16. Judy says

    May 17, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    Love the vanity. I came across the perfect vanity in a beautiful antique store about six months ago and didn’t buy it. I still am kicking myself about that. I love yours and the new fabric is adorable. Good idea to protect it. What a darling addition to your daughter’s room.

    Reply
  17. Amy @ 11Magnolialane says

    May 17, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    I love that vanity. So jealous! I love the style of this room, that yellow toile is so pretty too.

    Reply
  18. Janette@The2Seasons says

    May 17, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    I just discovered your blog. I live in Central Kentucky (Lexington), and my daughter lives in Syracuse, NY, and we have a blog together called The 2 Seasons. We are having a lot of fun with it, too.

    Reply
  19. Amber @ Quilted Euphoria says

    May 17, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    That is the most beautiful piece of furniture I’ve ever seen! So jealous!

    Reply
  20. Sue says

    May 17, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    ALL of your projects have turned out so beautifully! Do you have a link to your finished kitchen? I can’t find it:(

    Reply
  21. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    May 17, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    Great find on the vanity…I have one and it could certainly use some refreshing. I love the white. I guess I haven’t visited for a while because when I got here I couldn’t believe your new blog design. Well done! It looks incredible. You and your sister are so talented…and so lucky to have each other. I’ll try to come back for Inspiration Friday. Hope you are having a great week! ~Ann

    Reply
  22. Gina says

    May 17, 2011 at 11:57 PM

    That is one fabulous vanity…vain or not!

    Reply
  23. Robin says

    May 18, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    Oh how pretty. It’s so perfect. The color, the sheet music used to line the drawers and the little stool. What a great find.

    Reply
  24. Judy says

    May 18, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    I’m so glad you linked up your daughter’s gorgeous vanity. It’s so beautiful!!

    Reply
  25. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    May 18, 2011 at 1:09 AM

    Wow, Vanessa that piece is in such great shape. Love the fabric you covered the stool in, too. Thanks for joining the party!

    Reply
  26. Dee says

    May 18, 2011 at 2:18 AM

    Absolutely darling. Great find.

    Reply
  27. Emily@LovelyBeasts says

    May 18, 2011 at 5:31 AM

    I love this! A vanity that she can enjoy now and forever. And the new fabric you chose for the stool is perfect. So glad your daughter liked it!

    And thanks so much for always supporting my work and my blog! It’s been forever since I finished a project and can’t wait to party on Friday :).

    Emily
    https://lovelybeasts.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  28. Terry says

    May 18, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    Adore the details you did on this piece.

    Reply
  29. Haniela says

    May 18, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    What a fantastic find!
    Fantastic work on this piece.
    I love the color.

    Reply
  30. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    May 18, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Love it all! What a fantastic find. But I’ve gotta say that the library comment is the very best part! That love of books and “pretend” will take her far!

    Reply
  31. Kathy says

    May 18, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    Wow love this so pretty!

    Reply
  32. Pamela says

    May 18, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    Super super sweet Vanessa!

    Reply
  33. michelle says

    May 18, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    What a beautiful vanity Vanessa!! I love all the little details, they are so sweet and so perfect. I can see many hours of hair brushing here. 🙂

    Reply
  34. Cozy Little House says

    May 18, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    This is just stunning! Love the lining of the drawers.
    Brenda

    Reply
  35. Shelia says

    May 19, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    What a sweet piece and I just love it. That is some sweet fabric on the stool too.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  36. Cindy says

    May 19, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    Adorable, the style and colors are so sweet! The vanity and stool are perfect for a sweet little girls room! 🙂

    Reply
  37. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    May 21, 2011 at 2:33 AM

    Hi Vanessa, This vanity is adorable and how great someone had already transformed it. I can see your daughter as a teenager still using it. Thanks for linking up to my party.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  38. Traci says

    May 31, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    What a great piece Vanessa! Perfect for a little girls room & it can grow with her.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic

    Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic
  • A New Podcast

    A New Podcast
  • Taking Decorating Thoughts Captive

    Taking Decorating Thoughts Captive
  • Kids Need Real Answers

    Kids Need Real Answers

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Making the Case for Heirlooms

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic March 21, 2026
  • A New Podcast March 21, 2026
  • An Autumn Home Tour October 9, 2025
  • How to Adapt Your Traditions as Your Kids Get Older December 13, 2024
  • Christmas Home Tour 2024 December 13, 2024

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

Front door wreath….✔️ The very last Christmas dec Front door wreath….✔️

The very last Christmas decorating to be completed and one of the most important since there’s nothing I love more than welcoming people into our home this season.

I bought the wreath for $15 from a wonderful local vendor, reused my favorite bells and added a velvet bow in the color I’m carrying throughout the house this year.

Do you buy a fresh wreath each year or do you use a faux wreath on your front door? 

#frontdoorwreath #christmaswreath #christmasporch
The first day of December and the first Sunday of The first day of December and the first Sunday of advent. As we enter into a month that can be filled with stress, anxiety, worry and even sadness, let us turn our hearts towards the ONE who came as the ultimate, undeserved gift. Because it’s all about Him. 

“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” (Corrie Ten Boom)
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Its that time of year again. I share this recipe e Its that time of year again. I share this recipe every November because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be ma It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be made on repeat for the next month and I’ve figured out the secret to getting the BEST flavor.

Want to know what it is? It’s all about being EXTRA! 

Take the base recipe up a notch by using a full stick of butter, extra tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and an extra 1/2 tablespoon of Lawry’s seasoning salt.

I guarantee you’ll never go back!

You’re welcome. 😉🎄

#chexmix #chexmixupgrade
Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the w Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the week and I’m feeling especially grateful for the twinkling lights around my home which give me so much joy.

The great debate on social media over whether or not Christmas decorations should appear before Thanksgiving is one I just let roll on past me. Because I am so unbelievably thankful for this life, my family, my friends, this country, this home and most of all my Savior. 

Having my home all ready to welcome the next sacred season doesn’t take away one iota from my ability to express gratitude on the official day set aside each year where we do that collectively.

And when the last slice of turkey has been eaten and all of the leftovers put away, I’ll be over here ready to be fully present in the month of December and soak up every bit of it! 🦃🎄
IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures “ IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures

“My children have grown up seeing antique books on a coffee table, vintage toys in their bedrooms and even pieces of furniture that were all passed down from one generation to the next. But as my nest gets closer and closer to being empty, I’m keenly aware of the fact that many of these cherished items might not be as welcome in the homes of future generations.”

*Read the rest over at @cleartruthmedia*
All of my CTM articles are saved in my highlights
Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked it better when I just talked about decorating and didn’t mention anything else. This person preferred me to keep any opinions or convictions to myself and just focus only on content about home decor, crafts and recipes. Aside from the fact that I’m always astonished that people feel so free to say things like that, I do agree that it would be a lot easier and more palatable if I didn’t talk about things like a Biblical Worldview, apologetics and the nature of reality itself. For one thing, Instagram wouldn’t throttle my account with its algorithms that are skewed to diminish voices like mine. It would be much easier to be so tethered to this app that I change everything I post to fit into its preferred framework. I would be asked to be part of influencer groups and activities like I was years ago. But I’m not that person anymore. Yes, the core of this community will always be an emphasis on homemaking which will include decorating and recipes but I can’t separate that from the core of who I am as a follower of Jesus Christ.

It would be so much easier for me to just show you the latest Amazon products I’ve bought and tell you to “comment” to get the links. But I’m not called to take the easy path. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”

I truly believe that so many have been lulled into thinking that the narrow gate wasn’t really all that narrow. But, it’s never been more obvious that it really is. And every day I seek to stay on that very narrow way.  More than ever before, I believe that our world needs to know that there is objective truth and a solid foundation to stand upon as we navigate our lives. My role as a homemaker is predicated on that foundation and everything else flows out of it. Talking about these things isn’t going to get me lots of views here. 

But I live for an audience of ONE.
The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was in 1998. I was a new bride and eager to impress them. It did not go well. Let’s just say there was a bit of a garbage disposal mishap. 

It’s been over 25 years since then and I’ve learned so much about what really matters when it comes to hosting and caring for my family well during the holiday season. 

The peace we long for in our home begins with our hearts. If you want your home to feel more peaceful during the upcoming holiday season, I have five things to consider that will make that not only possible but predictable.

✨ Read the full article over at @club31women ✨

#club31women #wearethehomemakers
Here, in my little corner of social media, you won Here, in my little corner of social media, you won’t find a lot of unboxing of brand new items for Christmas. 

What I’m unboxing are the decorations in the attic that  I’ve had for years and figuring out how to give them a fresh look. I added new lights to an old pre-lit tree that no longer worked because I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I’m putting out a different set of mugs at the hot cocoa station and the advent candles are arranged with greenery from outside.

As our feeds are filled with so.much.stuff, I want to offer you a reprieve. A place where you will find less emphasis on what’s happening in our homes and more on what’s happening in our hearts.

More than ever before, I can see just how much people are needing the hope found in Christ and that will always be the focus here. 

So, while you may not see me unpacking a massive, new tree or telling you to “comment for the link”, what you will see is encouragement to turn our hearts to what matters the most and let that reflect in every corner of our homes this season and all year long. 🌲

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #homemakerschristmas #club31women
Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2026 At The Picket Fence