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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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August 1, 2011

Design Challenge presented by Common Ground!


A Design Challenge. Now who among us doesn’t have one of these on a regular basis? You know that corner of your bedroom you just can’t figure out how to decorate. Or, whether you should paint your fireplace or rearrange the mantel. Should you paint some of your traditional cherry furniture white or leave it alone?  Or, you could be like me and have a WHOLE ROOM that is a design challenge!
That is why we were so excited when Debra from Common Ground introduced her Design Challenge Series…
Common Ground
where blogland can come to the rescue of the “design challenged”! Every week Debra will be showcasing a different challenge and we bloggers (and non-bloggers for that matter. grin.) can help solve the challenge submitted.  Isn’t that awesome?! Do you know how much people PAY for design advise, and now we have an opportunity to receive it for free!
So…not only did Debra invite us gals At The Picket Fence, along with several other fabulous bloggers, to be sponsors of Design Challenge…but gasp! I get to BE the first challenge! Yikes! Exciting and scary all at the same time!
As most of you know, I have s.l.o.w.l.y. been working on a DIY kitchen remodel. So, of course once you start on one room all the others start looking a little…well..in need of an update…to put it nicely.  Enter..my formal dining room.
dining-room-entry
It is the first room you see when you walk in my home. 
dining-room-kitchen-view
and it also looks straight into my (in the process of being) remodeled kitchen.
I would love to have it blend better with the Vintage Formal Farmhouse feel I’m going for. Is that even a design style, or did I just make that up? grin. And, I am hoping YOU will be able to help me!

So, how can you help my ho-hum dining room you ask? You did ask right? grin. WELL… you can visit Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday this week, where Debra will be sharing my dining room as the inaugural Design Challenge and offer your suggestions and ideas….did I already say, “Yikes!”?
I thought it would be fun to give you some idea of the look I’m going for to get your creative juices flowing. You can visit my Pinterest Dining Room Board to see some of my inspiration! If you can’t see it, just click to follow us on Pinterest!
So, be sure to join us over at Common Ground this Friday..where you can tear apart gently offer suggestions for my dining room makeover and then I will reveal my newly redesigned room in the next month…or so! Smile 
We would love it if you’d help promote Design Challenge by placing the Design Challenge button in your sidebar!


Thanks for joining me today at the picket fence and we look forward to seeing you at the Design Challenge at Common Ground!  And don’t forget about our $100 e-shopping spree giveaway from Joss & Main going on all week here at the fence!!
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This post is partying at:

DIY by Design: Sizzle Into Summer
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesdays

21 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Design Challenge, Good Ideas

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Comments

  1. Becca says

    August 2, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    What a fun series! I’m sure you’ll receive fun suggestions for your already beautiful dining room!

    Reply
  2. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    August 2, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    I looked at your board and obviously you want wainscotting. I say get to work.

    Reply
  3. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    August 2, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    Ooooh, exciting Heather! I’ve already got ideas just from looking at your room that involves moving stuff around a little. I’m heading off to study your pinterest board! I have a feeling you are going to get so many ideas you won’t know where to start! : )

    Reply
  4. Judy says

    August 2, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    What a great idea. I looked at your board and love all of the inspiration photos.

    Reply
  5. Debra @ Common Ground says

    August 2, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    Thankyou thankyou! This is going to be so much fun…can’t wait!!! I’m heading off to your Pinterest board!
    xoxo Debra

    Reply
  6. pamq says

    August 2, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    Very cool idea!

    Should be very interesting to see/hear all the thoughts of bloggers and then to see what you do with them!

    Always fun to find out how differently everyone sees the same thing…….

    Love all the ruffled skirts on the chairs on your Pinterest board!

    Reply
  7. Shannon Jacobyansky says

    August 2, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    Hmmmm…you’ve got my creative juices flowing. This is my second time to your blog and I LOVE IT!!! Please visit me at my new blog…a work in progress…only a few days old at…

    http://www.grapevinewreath.wordpress.com

    I’ll be back!!!

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    August 3, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    wood floors and wainscotting

    Reply
  9. Debbie says

    August 3, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    This sounds so fun! Of course, I can’t offer suggestions since I’m so remedial. I sure would love to have the help for one of my design space nightmares, though.

    Reply
  10. Paula Jo @ Home and Garden Decor says

    August 3, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Gosh, this sounds like fun, but interesting. I’m anxious to hear what people suggest.

    Reply
  11. Lazenby Family News says

    August 4, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    Oh, this just became my fav blog. Happy, happy…joy joy! I LOVE everything!

    Reply
  12. Ivy and Elephants says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:09 AM

    Wood floors and crown moulding are a must. Wow this is going to be so much fun.

    Paula

    Reply
  13. Shannon Jacobyansky says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:11 AM

    Hey just wanted you to know that I posted your blog on my blog today and wrote a brief article about Heather’s dining room dilema…lol…hope it sends some traffic your way! Thanks for visiting my blog!

    Reply
  14. At The Picket Fence says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:21 AM

    Hi Shannon! I hope you see this. 🙂 Can you post or email me your blog name? I would love to read what you wrote about the design challenge and share it on our facebook page. I tried to email you but your profile is set to no-reply. I think you might have left your blog name for us before and I am so sorry that I can’t find it. Looking forward to seeing what you wrote!

    Heather

    Reply
  15. At The Picket Fence says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:43 AM

    Found you Shannon! Ignore the post above. 🙂 Heather

    Reply
  16. Michele Smith says

    August 4, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    How exciting! What a great series. I’m looking forward to popping in over there on Friday and reading all the suggestions…hopefully I’ll have some for you myself LOL

    I also want to thank you for your sweet comment and keeping me in your prayers. You are one of the sweetest women I have met here in the blogging community.
    Michele

    Reply
  17. Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says

    August 4, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    This sounds like a lot of fun! Such a great series!

    Reply
  18. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    August 4, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls. Great features.

    Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    August 4, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    woodfloors,wainscotting,crown molding,paint a light blue

    Reply
  20. Sue says

    August 5, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    Your pinterest has some beautiful ideas. Your kitchen looks GREAT!

    Reply
  21. Natasha in Oz says

    August 8, 2011 at 12:00 AM

    I can’t wait to see what you come up with. What fun!

    If you have 5 minutes to spare please drop by and check out my latest post. I have started a new Weekend linky party where you can link up posts about your favourite songs or your your favourite Pinterest Pins, or even both! This post would be so great to link up!

    Best wishes and happy weekend,
    Natasha.

    Reply

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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?
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