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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 30, 2011

DIY Faux Wainscoting in the Dining Room

Ok. So, we all know that “faux” is just a fancy word for “fake”, right?
But I gotta tell ya, there is nothing fake about my love for my dining room walls now.
Faux Sho’!

Here is where it all began…
Sigh…green carpet…’nuff said.
I might not be able to do anything about that carpet right now, but I could do something with the walls!
Once I got my feet wet adding a chair rail and picture frame molding to our powder room, I knew my miter saw and I were going to be inseperable as we tackled the dining room.
I never thought I would get so much satisfaction out of seeing 2 corners match up!
Once I added the chair rail I was all set to start cutting the trim for the picture frame molding.
And then I spotted these on Clearance at Lowes!
There may or may not be a nice couple in our city who are still talking about the crazy, desheveled lady covered in saw dust and caulk they met in the wood trim aisle at Lowes who went on and on all about how excited she was to find these premade picture frames on Clearance and
how much time and energy that was going to save her.
 Just sayin’!
Here we are with the chair rail and the frames installed.

And after 2 coats of paint (make sure it matches your existing trim!), my faux wainscoting came to life!
Heather’s in love with her farmhouse sink and I’m in love with my walls.
We are deep like that here at the Fence!
My sweet hubby changed out the light sockets and switch plates from cream to white so they would blend in.

Looking back towards the living room, you can see that it isn’t truly an enclosed room. Which meant that the wainscoting had to have a point at which it came to a stop.
The walls are slightly rounded and my plan is to eventually put a chair rail in the living room as well. But to create the look of true wainscoting, I needed to have a “line” to define where it ends.

This was easily accomplished by taping off the wall in a straight line from the point where the chair rail ends.

Now, I really did love how the wainscoting turned out but what I wasn’t lovin’ so much was how stark this black table now looked against it.
I’ve been on the hunt for awhile now trying to find just the right sideboard for this space but haven’t had any luck yet. It can’t be very deep because there needs to be room for the chair to be pulled out so it has been a bit tricky to find something that will work.
Hmmmm….
What if I just switched it out for this one in the family room?
Definitely an improvement! Lighter, brighter and free!

I had my eye on this chicken wire cloche forever but the price tag kept me walking away from it every time.
Until a few weeks ago when it was 75% off!

My next challenge? This chandelier. You can see how it isn’t an easy one to switch out since the ceiling angles up to meet the 2nd story of our house. Even painting it would require renting scaffolding or teetering on a very tall ladder. Neither option thrills my heights-fearing hubby!

I do love how the wainscoting helps to ground and define the space now
and helps it to not feel so cavernous.
Until I figure out what to do with that light, I will just continue to admire my handiwork in the dining room and walk around the rest of the house trying to decide which space will be the next victim of my miter saw!
I think I just saw these walls raise their hands! Didn’t you?
Thanks so much for joining me at the Fence today!
This post will be partying at the following places:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday’s Treasures
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday
DIY By Design: Sizzle into Summer
Guest host On Sutton Place: Open House Party
A Stroll Thru Life: Tabletop Tuesday
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday
Stuff and Nonsense: Friday’s Unfolded
The Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home Party
DIY Showoff: DIY Project Parade
Roomspiration



40 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas

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Comments

  1. Katie says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    Love the wainscoting, and those panel frames are such an awesome find!

    Reply
  2. Michelle Paige says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    Wow! Your home is so beautiful! I love how you made your own wainscoting and learned how to use a miter saw! You are an inspiration!

    Reply
  3. Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    The wainscoting looks fabulous! And I love that you got it on clearance! Great job!

    Pam

    Reply
  4. Carolyn@SweetChaos says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    It looks fantastic! And how awesome is it that someone thought to make the premade panels?? I have a serious weakness for wainscoting. It just gives everything a more custom look. Way to rock the miter saw!! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Jamie says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    GREAT work! And we’ve all been “that crazy lady at Lowes” at some point in our lives, right? hahaha!

    Reply
  6. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜@ Debbiedoos blogging and blabbing says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    That is unbelievable Vanessa! What a HUGE difference that makes in the room. Who will even notice the green carpet? Only you, believe me, this looks gorgeous!

    Reply
  7. Leslie says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    Your home is beautiful!! Great job in your dining room.

    Reply
  8. Rachel says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    I absolutely love that you got those frames for a steal – save TIME AND MONEY! (Let alone stress!) 🙂 Looks great! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Debra @ Common Ground says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    Oh Vanessa, I’m lovin’ your space! That wainscotting real or not is amazing! You did such a wonderful job! My monster light fixture is just like yours except more “monster-y”. I’m thinking that chalk paint might work, little nervous about trying it though…
    If you get a minute come help out Dianne at Design Challenge. xoxo

    Reply
  10. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    WOW Vanessa you are goooood!! I’m lovin your walls too, and I love how you brought in the white table. Looks beautiful! We did the same thing in our dining room and hallway a few months ago and I couldn’t be happier! Martina

    Reply
  11. FABBY'S LIVING says

    August 30, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Fabulous wainscoting Vanessa! I love the way it turned out, your dining room looks beautiful and elegant, I love it as I have it around our living and dining room too. Your house is very pretty, I love the photos you took of it. Nice chandy too! Thanks for sharing.
    Lots of hugs. FABBY

    Reply
  12. marina {yummy mummy} says

    August 30, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    You are so creative! And I love the chicken wire cloche! I may have a go at making a diy version 🙂

    Reply
  13. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    August 30, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    Vanessa, you did a great job on that trim. I let the mr. do those kind of jobs here. I do like the furniture switch you made to. Thanks in advance for joining the party.

    Reply
  14. housedressingblog.blogspot.com says

    August 30, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    Love the walls, you done good!… and where did you get those plaid panels? I am in deep lust over them!

    Reply
  15. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    August 30, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    Really wonderful transformation. It’s great that you even changed out the switchplates. Details like that make all the difference. Love the white too!

    Reply
  16. Pamela says

    August 30, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    Looks amazing Vanessa!! I really do need to go back to Lowes and get them again. You have shown me I CAN do this project!

    Reply
  17. Graces Goodies says

    August 30, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    It turned out so well! Love the white table in there:)

    Bianca

    Reply
  18. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    August 30, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    Your diningroom looks amazing. I totally love your wainscoting. It is just fabulous and it turned out sooooooooooo good. I really like the white buffet in there also. It is perfect and your vignette and wall collage is gorgeous. So pretty. Such a huge difference. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  19. NanaDiana says

    August 31, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    You did a wonderful job on those walls! LOVE that you found that framing and that it was just perfect for the job. What a time saver. Hmmm…I think those wall are quaking to see if they are gonna get nailed next! xo Diana

    Reply
  20. Refresh restyle says

    August 31, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    I think your faux looks fabulous ! And the white buffet was the perfect move!!! This post is full of eye candy, love the new cloche!
    Debbie

    Reply
  21. Debbie says

    August 31, 2011 at 2:14 AM

    Faux Sho? You make me laugh.

    I also admire the dining room. It looks great!

    Reply
  22. Michele Smith says

    August 31, 2011 at 2:48 AM

    Beautiful! You did a fantastic job. Your home looks some cozy and inviting!

    Reply
  23. Christie says

    August 30, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    It looks amazing! I think it does create such a warm space! Your entire home is so inviting! Love to you! Christie

    Reply
  24. FiliGrace says

    August 31, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    Wow, nice job! 🙂 Congrants!

    Found your post via DIY by Design blog. 🙂 I joined the party, too. 🙂

    xoxo
    Grace.

    Reply
  25. Anonymous says

    August 31, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    on the light change the shades. love what you did to your room.

    Reply
  26. Shelia says

    August 31, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Woo Hooness! I love it! What a great job you did! So so pretty and I know you’re enjoying it so much!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  27. tableandtop.com says

    August 31, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Your home is very pretty. Love the post!

    ‘Please visit our new website http://www.tableandtop.com‘

    Reply
  28. Youaretalkingtoomuch.com says

    August 31, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    Love.Love.Love! I have got to get my rear in gear on doing this! Love, Me

    Reply
  29. Toni says

    September 1, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    You did an amazing job. I am scared of saws so I would never attempt this. Yea for you!! The white table is perfect. Your home has so many interesting details. Love it.

    Reply
  30. Honey at 2805 says

    September 1, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    The changes made such a difference. It’s absolutely beautiful!

    Reply
  31. Poppy says

    September 1, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    Absolutely fantastic job! what a difference the picture frame moldings and the chair rail made… it gives such a beautifully custom look to your dining room. I like how you placed the white console table and the wire cloche is such a darling… pretty vingette with the lamps and silver teaset. You have a gorgeous house! Thanks for having us over every Thursday. Have a safe Labor Day!~Poppy

    https://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  32. Honey at 2805 says

    September 1, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    Your really did a fabulous job-it looks so custom. Custom by Vanessa!

    Thanks so much for participating in the first Potpourri Friday Party!

    Reply
  33. Karen says

    September 1, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    You did a fabulous job, it looks just like custom wainscoting.

    Reply
  34. Tracy Suzanne says

    September 2, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    Trim and molding makes the biggest difference. You did a great job Vanessa! I’m know you’re lovin’ it.

    Hugs…Tracy 🙂

    Reply
  35. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    September 3, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    You are such a worker bee. This looks like it was professionally done. Those frames are amazing. So glad you came to the party!

    Reply
  36. Ricki Jill Treleaven says

    September 3, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Linking over from 2805! I like your dining room and the shadow box molding and chair rail. Nicely done! I think your light fixture and my dining room light fixture were separated at birth. I would like a new light, too, but I probably won’t be getting one any time soon 🙁

    Reply
  37. Ellen says

    September 5, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Love the new look, so crisp and clean. Just in time for the holidays. Sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Linking up from 2805.
    Hugs,
    Ellen

    Reply
  38. Sherry says

    September 6, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    Vanessa,
    What a great idea that trim was. It looks wonderful! I love the furniture switch too! I liked the “walls raised their hands.” That was cute!
    Thanks for joining HSH!
    Sherry

    Reply
  39. Ange says

    September 23, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    I recognized your dining room right away! Isn’t the moulding such a fun touch to add to any room? 🙂 Looks great, as always!

    Reply
  40. Jena @ Involving Color says

    September 25, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    Vanessa, the new molding looks great! We did picture frame molding in our dining room, but the hard way. That was such a great idea to get the premade kind. It really adds a nice touch to your room. Thanks so much for linking up to Roomspiration!

    Reply

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Happy first day of Autumn!! 🍂 Here’s a super Happy first day of Autumn!! 🍂 Here’s a super simple centerpiece that you can make in five minutes (or less) with just a few pumpkins and extra faux greenery. Let’s spend less time decorating and more time enjoying this season. It’s my favorite!! 🧡

#fallcenterpiece #falldecor #centerpiece #fiveminutedecorating
"Define your day", she told me as I held my newbor "Define your day", she told me as I held my newborn son. My mom and I were talking about how blurred my days and nights had become and how easy it would be to just stay in my pajamas 24/7. She encouraged me to make an attempt to put on 'real' clothes in the morning even if they were just nice sweatpants (bonus if they were clean!) and to throw a little bit of makeup on. That simple advice helped chart a course for my years of motherhood that continues today. And recently I began thinking about how critical it is that we not only seek wisdom from those ahead of us in our stage of life but that we are willing to apply it as well.

So, I asked this question on my personal Facebook page; "What is something you feel you've done well to create a peaceful/meaningful home for yourself and your family?" The catch was that the question was geared towards women in the 40+ age range. The responses came flooding in and were so wonderful and insightful. So, I'm going to be starting a new series where I share this wisdom with you and will include the first name of the woman who offered it. 

Today we start with Alison who said "I learned to set my alarm early to get up and moving before my kids woke up. I showered, got dressed and did my devotions while the house was quiet. It set my heart and perspective for each day.”

Is this something you do in your life too? What wisdom would you offer to a mom of young children?

I truly think our culture would greatly benefit from more women in different seasons of life being willing to invest in each other. 🍂

#wearthehomemakers #homemaking #motherhood #parentingwisdom
If bread pudding is on the dessert menu at a resta If bread pudding is on the dessert menu at a restaurant I’m definitely ordering it! It’s one of my all time favorite treats. So I decided to try my hand at making some here at home with a little fall twist and it was SO delicious!! 🍎

Ingredients:

6 slices of day old bread (french, sourdough or even brioche works great)
2 cups of heavy cream
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
For the apples:
3 peeled and chopped apples of a tart variety
1 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons flour (or corn starch)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350
Cut bread into cubes and place in a greased 8 1/2 x 11 baking dish
Whisk together in a bowl the eggs, cream, vanilla, rum, cinnamon and nutmeg and then pour it over the bread cubes. In a separate bowl, mix together the apples, brown sugar and flour/corn starch. Pour the apple mixture on top of the bread mixture making sure to spread the apples evenly across every part of the bread mixture.
Bake for 45 minutes. 
Enjoy!

#falldesserts #breadpudding #fallrecipes #desserts
When one kiddo wakes up not feeling well after onl When one kiddo wakes up not feeling well after only a week of school, you take the opportunity to make Saturday a truly restful day. Pancakes on the griddle, puttering around the yard admiring the way the limelights have begun their autumn journey from white to green to pink. Sprinkling touches of fall around the house a little bit at a time. Savoring the slowness of it all and taking care of my people in this place that provides us all with a respite from the world even if just for a day.

Hope you’re weekend is off to a great start and that you make it a priority to slow down for a bit and soak up the beauty around you. 🍂

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #falldecorating
As summer slips into fall, I can’t help but thin As summer slips into fall, I can’t help but think about how grateful I am for the reminders all around me of God’s Sovereignty over everything including the seasons. It can be challenging in our world today to trust that there isn’t a single thing happening that surprises Him.

In a way, decorating my home to reflect the changing season serves as a tangible reminder of this trust. Even something as simple as seeing a pumpkin on my mantel or a basket of mums on the coffee table fill me with peace because they represent the things that remain constant and true.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8

#wearthehomemakers #homemaking #club31women
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?
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