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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 11, 2015

Entry Decorated for Summer

Oh friends. When I think about how I used to over-complicate seasonal decorating I feel shameful.

I mean, seriously, the LAST thing decorating should be is complicated. I know I’ve talked about it before here but I think it’s worth revisiting.

Decorating is merely a creative extension of our personalities. It’s a physical manifestation of our likes, dislikes and way of living.

fresh flowers on entry cabinet for summer atthepicketfence.com

And I’ve realized that the more I over-think or overanalyze it, the less my decorating choices actually reflect me. Funny how that works, right?

Never is this more true when it comes to decorating for summer. When we choose to battle the strands of white lights at Christmas, we know we are inviting in the possibility of some frustration and possibly a few choice words muttered under our breath.

But who wants to spend more than a few minutes decorating your house indoors when all of the glories of summer await you outside? Not me!

And a few minutes is really all you need to add a vase of fresh flowers.

Lisianthus flowers atthepicketfence.com

A bowl of seashells.

seashells in bowl on entry table atthepicketfence.com

A framed photo of something summery or if you happen to have a poem your grandmother wrote to you and your sister back in 1977 you could frame that too. 😉

framed poem on entry table

And a favorite summer quote written on a chalkboard.

summer chalkboard quote and decor ideas atthepicketfence.com

Aside from how quick and easy this was, the best part about this kind of summer decorating is that it was practically free!

Easy summer entry table decorating atthepicketfence.com

OK, on second thought, the best part was actually that it only took a few minutes which meant that I had more time to enjoy the best parts about summer…watching my kiddos run around in the yard on a warm evening, catching up with friends over a meal cooked on the grill, sitting with my hubby on the deck drinking cocktails after the kids are in bed and just simply feeling the warmth of the sun on my head.

And frankly, I’m even more determined now to take this approach when it comes to the other seasons too. Because really all we need is to add touches which simply enhance what we already have and give a nod to the time of the year.

So, picture me nodding to summer right now! 😉

I’m so excited to be joining these lovely ladies again this month for our ongoing Budget Decorating Series. Be sure to pay them a visit!

Budget Decorating updated

TIPS FOR ARRANGING GARDEN FLOWERS-button for Budget Friendly Ideas-stonegableblog.com

STONE GABLE

grain-sack-placemat-with-strpe-budget-event

CEDAR HILL FARMHOUSE

And as always, thanks so much for meeting me at the Fence today,

Vanessa signature

9 Comments Filed Under: Budget Decorating Series, Decorating, Summer Tagged With: budget decorating, decor, decorating, summer, summer decorating

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Comments

  1. Peg says

    June 11, 2015 at 3:59 AM

    Simple is always oh so lovely.
    Love all you do Vanessa! : )

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 11, 2015 at 8:39 AM

      Thank you so much Peg!! Appreciate you!

      Reply
  2. june says

    June 11, 2015 at 5:27 AM

    Vanessa,
    Lovely as always…the most important message I have taken in from the blogs I follow such as yours is less is more. I use to fret and work to exhaustion for it to all be perfect. No more.
    Unfortunately it took until 60 to get it.

    Embracing each day and being grateful for our blessings is what is best for all of us. Our homes are the jewelry of our life.

    Love the flowers but cannot tell what they are. Please share.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 11, 2015 at 8:39 AM

      Thank you so much June! The flowers are Lisianthus which are one of my most favorite because they were used in my bridal bouquet many years ago. 🙂

      Reply
      • june says

        June 11, 2015 at 11:32 AM

        Thanks…my son’s wedding is a year from today. I will have to show this flower to my future d in kaw.

        Reply
  3. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    June 11, 2015 at 6:44 AM

    Perfectly decorated for summer!!! Yes, I so agree with your decorating philosophy!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the chest had holds all your easy-breezy summer decor!!! I love visiting… always leave inspired and filled! xo

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 11, 2015 at 1:41 PM

      Thank you so much sweet friend! I love doing this series with you!

      Reply
  4. Lauren says

    June 11, 2015 at 3:20 PM

    I absolutely LIVE for summer so I agree — spending time fussing inside is not my thing but I love decorating for summer. I so enjoy the lighter curtains, bedspreads and pillows I bring out and yes, of course, fresh flowers! Your entry looks just perfect to me!

    Reply
  5. jane@Bluebird1959 says

    June 11, 2015 at 7:47 PM

    Words of wisdom Vannessa! I plan on taking your words to heart. 🙂 Jane

    Reply

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“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”
General Douglas MacArthur

Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom and the principles upon which our country was founded. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables t I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables to pit next to our outdoor couch and when I spotted these plant stands at @walmart from their @betterhomesandgardens line I knew they would be perfect…and they are!! 👏🏻 This is not a sponsored post. I’m just happily sharing this great find and why we should always be open to thinking outside of the box when it comes finding solutions for our decorating dilemmas.

Now we’re ready to head into this beautiful weekend! ☀️
What do you do when you want to use a bunch of boo What do you do when you want to use a bunch of books in your decorating but it can cost $50 or more for just ONE brand new book? Head to the secondhand bookstore of course! I’m so excited about this new look in my family room and this easy, inexpensive decorating tip I’m bringing to you for this #tiptuesday
Today feels like one of those days that is worthy Today feels like one of those days that is worthy of a chef’s kiss. Blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, perfect mid-70’s temps, a gentle breeze blowing through my hair as I walk around my yard to see the status of my flowering plants.

This morning I was running errands and the weight of hard things that are happening in the world, the culture, my own community and even in our circle of friends just felt so heavy.

But, as I was exiting a store, I passed a couple who were in their late 60’s/early 70’s and holding hands as they walked through the parking lot. I happened to glance over just as the husband lifted his wife’s hand up and planted a kiss right on it. It was a moment that reflected such love and tenderness and it was made sweeter by the fact that they weren’t spring chickens. I felt honored that I had been the one to observe and appreciate that moment.

What an incredible thing it is that as humans we are able to hold so many emotions in our souls all at once. To feel sorrow for the pain a friend is enduring, grieve the decline of a culture drifting further from the Lord, ponder how to navigate a challenging school situation, marvel at and enjoy the beauty of creation right outside my door and feel joy at getting to see a tangible example of lasting love while walking through a parking lot.

I truly believe that as we mature in our lives and in our faith, we learn to embrace the tension that comes with the collision of different emotions and recognize that they can all coexist at the same time without one taking something away from another. Simple joys make the hard stuff a bit easier and hard stuff makes us appreciate those simple joys even more.

What’s a simple joy that you are thankful for today?
Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here are some highlights…

*Friday night I joined some wonderful ladies at church for a time of fellowship and yummy desserts. I made a strawberry lemon coffee cake and it was amazing if I do say so myself. ☺️ We are new-ish to this church and have just felt so warmly welcomed and folded in which has been very healing.

*Saturday was filled with getting our outdoor spaces spiffed up and my guys got our new table put together!

*Sitting outside for lunch with a yummy salad and iced tea felt like a little slice of heaven.

*Sunday we went to the iris gardens with my in-laws and then came home for naps and the most mouth watering ribs that my sweet husband had on the smoker all day.

*This glorious weekend ended with some ferocious rounds of UNO-corn (a hilarious version of UNO) and brownies my sweet daughter made for our dessert.

How was your weekend sweet friends? 🌸
I am absolutely and completely a better version of I am absolutely and completely a better version of myself when the sun is shining! Raise your hand if this is true for you too.

And, not only do I feel myself seeming to physically rise up from a slumbered state to greet the sunshine we've been longing for, I find that it seems like my house is rising up too. Every room, every nook and cranny (even though I now see dust bunnies that I missed during my cleaning on the dreary days), every leaf and flower outside...it's all coming to life and breathing fresh hope into my spirit. What a gift it is to be able to enjoy this home in all of the seasons of the year and of our lives. Now, I'm going to head outside and clean our deck and maybe there will be some time leftover for those dust bunnies!
I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispenser I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispensers! They come with pre-made labels for SO many different options and would make a great Mother’s Day gift! I love how they add a bit of pizzazz to my kitchen. And they go perfectly with some of my antique accessories like the little dish my mother in law gave me for salt and pepper and the tiny toothpick holder which belonged to my great grandmother. 

If you’d like the link to order them, just leave a comment with the word ‘bottles’ and I’ll send it your way. They’re even on sale right now! 🙌🏻
The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This is what I’m thinking (and sometimes saying out loud) every time I pass my dining room window and see my lilac tree bursting forth. I should probably just go full Paul Revere and ring a bell while I shout the news for all to hear. I’m sure my family would love that!

Lilac season is so bittersweet because it’s over way too soon but, fortunately, I’ve figured out how to capture the deliciousness of the fragrance by making my own lilac scented room spray. It’s SO simple!

Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka.

Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

This sweet little project was first featured in my book Life in Season and is definitely one of my favorites.

Have the lilacs started blooming where you live?
The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard ar The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard are at their peak and I’m here for it!
It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the gr It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the greatest joys of this stage in my parenting journey is getting to see the results of the years spent pouring into my children. The worry, the sleepless nights, praying, questioning our decisions and learning to trust in the Lord Who loves them even more than we do. We definitely didn’t do everything right, but what an an amazing experience it is to watch them become these incredible teens/young adults. My tip this week might seem simple, but I believe it can make a major difference in the lives of our children, in our homes and maybe, just maybe, in the culture too. 🌸
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