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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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June 9, 2017

Dining Room Buffet Table Makeover

I’m pretty sure that free furniture is the best kind of furniture. Well, maybe I should clarify that. I’m pretty sure that free furniture that is vintage and lovely and perfectly fits a space in your home is the best kind of furniture.

A couple of years ago, my in-laws moved into a retirement community and with the purchase of their home came several items left behind by the previous owner. Some were…ahem…interesting to say the least.

But, one piece was a beautiful vintage Drexel dresser. My mother-in-law/love knew that I had been looking for something to replace my giant china cabinet that I had recently sold and she kindly offered me the dresser.

I first shared it with you here and I was convinced that I really wanted to leave it untouched. But, two years later, I was starting to feel like it was just a bit too yellow-y and against my yellow-y walls it just wasn’t working for me anymore.

So, one day last week I decided it was time to give it a little bit of a facelift.

And, apparently it was sooooo little of a facelift that when my husband came home from work and I excitedly ushered him into the dining room and asked, “Do you notice anything different?”, it took a LOT of prodding from me before he realized it had been painted. 😉

But, that’s ok because I honestly didn’t want to do anything too dramatic and even though I know some folks really like a super distressed look I wanted to keep it fairly crisp looking. I used DecoArt Chalky Finish paint in ‘Primitive’ color.

I did lightly sand over the raised molding detail to let some of the gold come through and I love how it adds more depth to the piece.

I also decided to keep the original hardware and I left the top as-is because I liked the contrast of the darker wood against the lighter color on the body.

I have several projects that I’m planning to tackle around the house this summer and it feels so good to get the first one checked off the list!

Even if I’m the only one who notices it. 😉

What are some of the projects you are hoping to get done this summer?

Thanks so much for meeting me at the fence today friends!

24 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Dining Room, Good Ideas Tagged With: budget decorating

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Comments

  1. Sandy says

    June 9, 2017 at 3:26 AM

    It’s beautiful!

    Reply
  2. Kim says

    June 9, 2017 at 5:21 AM

    Vanessa, that sounds like my husband. It looks great white. We are supposed to tackle the master bath at some point. It was supposed to be started in April, but life got in the way.

    Reply
  3. Susan says

    June 9, 2017 at 5:59 AM

    How do you like the yellow color of your walls in northern light. Most of my windows are on the north east side of the house and to my eye it gives colors a gray-green cast. I love white walls but they are just dreary in this house. What is the name of the paint and where did you purchase it? Do you think it will stay the soft beautiful color that you have or turn green in my conditions?

    Does anyone out there know of a white-white that can stand up to northern light, especially on gray days?

    Thanks

    Reply
  4. Beverly Cook says

    June 9, 2017 at 5:59 AM

    I did notice the crisp difference right away, Vanessa! 🙂 I love it! I have similar colored walls, and I know the smallest change in furniture color can make a piece like yours pop beautifully! ❤️

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:26 AM

      Thank you so much Beverly! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Heide V says

    June 9, 2017 at 9:00 AM

    It looks fresh and beautiful, and still like itself….job perfectly done 🙂

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:26 AM

      Thank you so much Heide!

      Reply
  6. Pamela says

    June 9, 2017 at 10:27 AM

    Looks great. Love the original hardware.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:26 AM

      Thank you Pamela!

      Reply
  7. Vicki Obenhaus says

    June 9, 2017 at 10:35 AM

    What a wonderful piece! My goal this summer is to tackle the shutters that I have gathered over the past 10 years and put a clear coat of something on them to preserve their chippiness and attach it to the wall behind our bed as a headboard. There are other things that need to be done, but if I get that one thing done, that will be a great success!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:26 AM

      Oh that sounds like such a neat project Vicki! And I agree that even if you just get that one thing done you can count it a success! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Kathy Hunt says

    June 9, 2017 at 11:01 AM

    So glad you’re enjoying it still! Love what you’ve done with it!

    Reply
  9. Julie Briones says

    June 9, 2017 at 1:34 PM

    Oooo, I love the ‘white’ update… and how you just sanded the moldings. It was a good choice!

    My updates for this summer: My half-finished-dresser-turning-TV-console
    Little chair that will be turning white
    Side-table that will be getting a ‘grain sack’ look
    And…. eventually, but probably will not get done this summer. The Hoosier aka baker’s cabinet that I inherited from my mom’s move into a retirement home. It will be white, as well! @.@

    Can you guess what my mantra is when I’m shopping?… “Paint it white” >.<

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:25 AM

      LOL Julie!! That is quite the list! It sounds like you have your work cut out for you but it also sounds like you love it and I know everything will turn out just beautifully. Have a great weekend! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Robin says

    June 9, 2017 at 4:02 PM

    Love the finished look. Anxious to try this product on a buffet. How long do you have to wait to put things on it?

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:23 AM

      Hi Robin! It dried really quickly, especially since it was a warm day. I didn’t do anything to the top so I was able to decorate it right away but I waited a few hours before I put the hardware back on. 🙂

      Reply
  11. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) says

    June 9, 2017 at 9:17 PM

    Looks lovely! Nice job, Vanessa! That sideboard is beautiful!

    Have a great weekend with your family!

    Blessings!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:22 AM

      Thank you so much Mary-Ann! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Doris Raab says

    June 10, 2017 at 7:10 AM

    Very pretty and the hardware is gorgeous!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:22 AM

      Thank you so much Doris!

      Reply
  13. Sandy says

    June 14, 2017 at 6:27 AM

    I love the subtle changes that you made to the buffet/dresser. I hope to find a nice buffet to replace the Hoosier cabinet I have in my dining area. It’s nice to be able to add lamps to a buffet pice. It takes forever for my husband to notice any changes I make to our rooms.

    Reply
  14. Rose L. says

    June 14, 2017 at 10:01 AM

    It looks nice and job well done!

    Reply
  15. Shirley @Housepitality Design s says

    June 26, 2017 at 5:04 PM

    I love it! …. great job and it looks fantastic….and I definitely would have noticed it!

    Reply
  16. Ashlyn says

    July 17, 2017 at 7:19 PM

    Love the county chic look!! I actually love it both ways but I will say, with the gold, it looks more expensive. =)

    Reply

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Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Advent is VERY different from just simply doing a ‘countdown to Christmas’. It’s not about having little drawers filled with candy or doors to open with prizes inside. Those things are so much fun and definitely help to build anticipation as you head closer and closer to the big day.

But Advent, from the latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’ keeps the focus completely on celebrating the arrival of the King who came in the form of an infant.

This is one of our favorite family traditions and over the years I’ve figured out how to incorporate the Advent candles into my decor without using the traditional wreath. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as we head into this sacred season. 🌲

#advent #adventdecoration #wearethehomemakers
Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Bec Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the Saturday after and my house is almost completely ready to start the season! So I’m sitting with my coffee and just soaking it all up knowing that now I can focus on shopping, hosting and preparing our hearts for the start of Advent. The only thing left to do is get our fresh tree for the front room and then the decorating is done. 

Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest fo “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! 🍂
Christmas has arrived in the family room where I k Christmas has arrived in the family room where I keep things simple but festive! We’ll get a fresh tree after Thanksgiving which will go in our front room bay window but this slim faux tree with its colorful ornaments tides us over for now. Which room in your home gets the Christmas treatment first? Or do you just start doing a little at a time in each room? 🎄

*pillow covers are from @jshhomeessentials
I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST I share this recipe every year 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!! 🦃
How do I want people to feel when they walk throug How do I want people to feel when they walk through my front door? That’s always at the top of my mind when I’m decorating my entry for each season, particularly at Christmastime. 

✨I want them to feel like my home is greeting them with a smile.

✨I want them to feel like this is a place where care has been given to details (but not to the point of being too stuffy or too busy or too overwhelming). 

✨I want them to feel like there is peace here.

✨I want them to feel like they are welcome…because they are. 

My home is a reflection of my heart and my heart is a reflection of the ONE for whom I live and try to honor and praise all of my days, but especially at Christmas.

How do you want people to feel when they come into your home? 

#christmasentry #simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
This is not a criticism of those who are sharing t This is not a criticism of those who are sharing their great new Christmas finds but rather an encouragement to those of you who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and trying to resist the temptation to purchase more items than you really need.

Several years ago I felt a conviction in my heart about how much time and money I was spending on trying to create a new look every Christmas. I was not being a good steward of my resources and I was far too easily swayed by the peer pressure in this area. And a funny thing happened when I smashed this idol that had taken up residence in my heart. I suddenly found renewed joy in decorating for the season. By keeping things simple and maybe only buying something like a new spool of velvet ribbon, I actually realized that I could be far more creative reusing and repurposing what I already had.

In the coming weeks your news feeds will be filled with temptations for MORE. Maybe, this year, you too can find the joy in LESS. 🌲

#simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
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Do you have a hot cocoa or coffee station at your house? Here’s a look back at years past if you’re needing a little bit of inspiration!
#hotcocoa #hotcocoabar
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Whatever it is, I’m savoring every last bit of it as we enjoy the most beautiful final days of Autumn here in the Willamette Valley. The rain is forecasted to return later this week and I’m planning to move onto twinkling lights and evergreen boughs but, for now, here’s a little last look at Autumn in my home. 🍂

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I laughed out loud yesterday as I was listening to I laughed out loud yesterday as I was listening to a podcast. Not because something funny was said but because the timing of the statement was perfect. The guest on that episode was offering encouragement to pastors about how to stay true to God’s Word during these tumultous times and then encouraged the rest of us to be thinking of how we can show love and care towards our church pastors. He said, “maybe even have them over for dinner!” And that’s when I laughed out loud because we were hosting our pastor and his family for dinner THAT VERY NIGHT!

After the heartache of leaving the church we had attended for over 20 years, it was such a joy to have this incredible shepherd and his wife and daughter in our home. We’ve witnessed them tirelessly, sacrifically giving so much to their congregation and the community at large and we loved that we were able to give them the opportunity to receive. They are some of the warmest, kindest people you’ll ever meet.  The meal was simple (roasted chicken and vegetables recipe from @jocooks), the dessert was made the night before and it really required so little from us in terms of effort.

Friends, take care of those who are in the trenches of preaching/teaching right now as it is not an easy time to be in that role. Bake them a loaf of bread, drop off a gift card to a restaurant or maybe even have them over for dinner (but don’t use that time to complain or critique 😉). 

I truly hope that it blessed them as much as it did us! 🍂
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