• 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
  • 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

September 22, 2017

Fall Decorating Home Tour with Shaw Floors

I have a confession to make…

sometimes I talk to inanimate objects.

Case in point, over the weekend I began packing away the last remnants of my summer decor to make way for all of the fall-ness to come, and as I placed a bag of seashells in the plastic summer decorating bin I whispered to them, “See you next year guys!”

And, I know that when it comes time to open the lid of the box of Christmas ornaments I will gaze down at them and quietly say, “Hello, old friends!”

This is totally normal, right? Right? Because, I’m not sure I really have any control over it. It just comes over me.

This need to bid farewell or say hello to my seasonal decor.

Maybe, it’s just because it all seems to come and go so quickly these days. One minute I’m filling up bowls with seashells and the next I’m stringing lights and hanging ornaments on a Christmas tree.

So, I think that taking that moment, that pause in the midst of the shuffling of things to acknowledge it, helps me to mentally and emotionally make that transition.

Because, friends, I’m having a hard time lately with how fast life is going! My babies aren’t babies anymore and my appointments to get my hair colored are getting closer together and my husband and I are celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary next month and I’m pretty sure summer just started so I don’t know how on earth it can be time to decorate for fall already. I even saw a Christmas commercial on tv the other day. That’s too soon even for me!

But, as I began to sort through the bins in the attic and pull out the pumpkins and the wheat wreath and the pinecones, I could feel that shift beginning to happen in my spirit. And as I puttered around adding a fall touch here and a fall touch there, it was as if my home was telling me that it was ready even if I wasn’t.

It was ready to rise up to the deeper colors and the richer tones.

It was ready for pumpkins and wheat stalks and plums in a bowl that you try and get photos of before your plum-loving family devours them.

It was ready to see how all of the fall-ness would look with our new Shaw floors because last year at this time these were just a mere twinkle in my eye and now I have gorgeous Epic Plus Arden Oak floors in my family room, breakfast room and kitchen. If floors could clap their hands, these floors would have because they were pretty much made to enhance all of the beautiful fall-ness I added.

It was almost too simple this year. As my home seemed to rise up to embrace the changing season, I felt myself adding the layers and the textures without even putting very much thought into it.

It was like by some innate instinct, my house and I knew what needed to go where in order to celebrate Autumn more simply. Less, ‘fall threw up all over my house’ and more ‘fall came knocking gently on the door and I invited her to come and sit a spell.’

The longer we live here, the longer I feel like my home and I have a kind of rhythm going. We get each other. And we’ve come to understand each other better and better over the years.

As we’ve made big changes to this house over the years, changes like painting the cabinets and installing new flooring and purchasing new furniture, I’ve found that when it comes to seasonal decorating, I so love the backdrop that I’ve created I don’t feel like I need to ‘frou-frou’ it up all that much.

Simple hints here and there are enough for me these days.

And did you know that there isn’t a fall candle in the whole world that will make your house smell as amazing as a freshly baked loaf of pumpkin bread?

Now, at the beginning of this blog post, I know I asked you if it was normal for me to talk to inanimate objects, but the truth is that it doesn’t really matter what you think and I’ll tell you why.

The other night my husband came home from work and, per usual, came into the kitchen where I was making dinner to greet me and chat for a few minutes before heading upstairs to say hello to the kids and change out of his work clothes.

When he re-emerged he was wearing his comfiest of comfy sweats and we talked about how weird it was to suddenly have these cooler temperatures that would warrant breaking out all of our favorite oversized, elastic waistband apparel.

And then he said it…

“Want to know something?”, he asked.

“Of course!”, I replied.

“It’s totally weird but, well, when I pulled out these sweats that I haven’t worn since last winter, I said to them ‘hello, old friends’.”

My heart went pitter-patter and right then and there I fell even more in love with this man I’ve been with for 21 years.

Because, he gets it. He gets me.

So, I told him that I had whispered goodbye to the seashells that morning and greeted the fall decor like the old friends that they are.

And he smiled and put his arm around me and we didn’t even need words because we understood each other in all of our weirdness so perfectly.

We both understand that in the midst of the glaring indications of the changing season, the falling leaves and the pumpkin-spice everything and the shorter days, there are these lovely little indications too.

Like seeing the first fog hanging over the fields as we drive to school.

Following behind a truck filled to the brim with freshly harvested corn.

Zipping up boots that haven’t seen the light of day in many months.

Pulling on those sweatpants that are so wonderfully soft and broken in.

And lovingly greeting those inanimate objects that you know you’ll be packing away again all too soon.

I’m so thrilled that you could join me for the tour of my home all dressed up for Fall and I want to say a big thank you to Shaw Floors for hosting this week long Fall extravaganza as we’ve taken the tour of all of the homes of the Shaw Styleboard Team! Visit them all for more beautiful Fall ideas and inspiration!

 Heather At the Picket Fence

Brittany from Addison’s Wonderland

Cassity from Remodelaholic

Beth at Home Stories A to Z

Rhoda from Southern Hospitality

Roeshel from DIY Showoff

Amy from The Blissful Bee

*I am compensated by Shaw Floors but all opinions are 100% my own

20 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Decorating, Good Ideas, Home Tour, Sponsored, Sponsors Tagged With: fall, fall Decorating, fall home tour, fall porch

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « When You’re So Close to Amazing
Next Post: Dining Room Makeover and Paint Color Reveal! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susie says

    September 22, 2017 at 4:55 AM

    Did you ever share your new paint color? I’m headed out this morning to look at changing my yellow walls. Every time I choose a new neutral….it still looks yellow! I want a warm neutral and everyone I try appears yellow. I need help. If I missed it, would you share before I head out?
    Your home tour is truly lovely!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 22, 2017 at 6:49 AM

      Hi Susie! I haven’t done a reveal of the newly painted rooms on the blog yet but I’m hoping to do that next week. 🙂 The colors we used is called ‘China Doll’ from Sherwin Williams and I really love it! It doesn’t go yellow at all but does tend to go a bit more gray sometimes depending on the light. Hope that helps and thanks for your kind words about the home tour!

      Reply
  2. Michele says

    September 22, 2017 at 5:00 AM

    What a happy awesome perfect post – great way to start my weekend; hot cuppa in hand, reading wonderful posts such as this. Thank you.

    I don’t chat with my decor, but I totally absolutely and shall always have talks with my plants. And oh how they thrive! ♥

    It’s still in the high 80s here so I haven’t been wanting to get out my fall bins yet.
    In fact I am thinking of asking if my daughters want to come “shop mom’s house” and take any of the fall stuff I have. It’s my favorite season and I just have too much stuff.

    Happy weekend.

    Reply
  3. Calypso in the Country says

    September 22, 2017 at 5:02 AM

    Gorgeous tour and that mantel is just stunning!
    Shelley

    Reply
  4. Jessica Land says

    September 22, 2017 at 8:13 AM

    Truly beautiful, Vanessa! Any time I need help or have a question about design I just head over to your blog and also to Janna Allbritton’s for inspiration. Blessings to you, friend!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 22, 2017 at 9:01 AM

      Aww…thanks friend!! Janna is fabulous! Love to you and your family! xoxo

      Reply
  5. Cheryl Licht says

    September 22, 2017 at 9:07 AM

    Dear Vanessa,
    I LOVED this! Your décor is beautiful, per the usual. I’d have to say your mantle is my favorite fall piece I’ve seen blog-wise this year. It’s fresh and simple, with an innocent pop of color. It’s truly perfect. But beyond that, I loved your whole post, your personability drawing people in, equally as much as your gorgeous photos. I mean, how could you not read this with a smile on you face! Delightful! Happy Fall to you! And have a very blessed weekend.
    Love,,
    Cheryl

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 22, 2017 at 3:39 PM

      Oh sweet friend! Your kind words were more encouraging to me than you could possibly realize and I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment. I’m grateful for you! xoxo

      Reply
  6. ROSE says

    September 22, 2017 at 10:52 AM

    Your home looks so lovely. I wish I had the energy and money to change decor seasonally. I only do for Christmas.

    Reply
  7. Debbie Wilson says

    September 22, 2017 at 2:50 PM

    Beautiful home and wonderful ideas, Vanessa!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 22, 2017 at 3:38 PM

      Thank you so much Debbie!

      Reply
  8. Ann pauley says

    September 22, 2017 at 3:52 PM

    I’m sorry to say but I can’t say goodbye to Summer, not with 90 degree temps in Michigan!
    We can’t discern one season from another!
    Your home is lovely Btw. Love how you’ve
    Decorated.
    Ann

    Reply
  9. Shirley @Housepitality Design s says

    September 22, 2017 at 8:31 PM

    Your home is beautifully adorned for Fall Vanessa…I had to chuckle at the “hello and goodbye friends” Yes, the things that we treasure are certainly like friends … friends who are always there for us…Love those floors…have to check out Shaw Floors when we get ready to build our “right-sized” home….Happy Fall Vanessa to you and your family….Yes, time goes by way too fast…Lately I have been reminding myself of the words, Carpe Diem!

    Reply
  10. Norma Rolader says

    September 23, 2017 at 2:28 AM

    Oh love your home and the decor Thank you for sharing and God bless

    Reply
  11. Laura Thomas says

    September 23, 2017 at 8:32 AM

    This is all so beautiful! You’ve inspired me to get into fall mode today 🙂 Thanks for sharing your lovely home.

    Reply
  12. Carol Reddin says

    September 23, 2017 at 9:16 AM

    I can almost “smell” fall as I toured your home. Very beautiful!

    Reply
  13. Mimi Matthews says

    September 23, 2017 at 3:56 PM

    I love everything about this post!

    Reply
  14. Roeshel says

    September 24, 2017 at 4:29 PM

    Everything is so warm and welcoming!

    Reply
  15. Lawanda says

    September 30, 2017 at 7:02 PM

    I love the picture above the fireplace. Would you mind sharing where it can be purchased?

    Reply
  16. Julie Briones says

    October 19, 2017 at 3:19 PM

    This made me cry, Vanessa! Love that you have such a wonderful and blessed relationship with your hubby!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Take the Quiz

Stay updated!

Get all the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • Open Now December 17, 2020
  • Tradition and a Christmas Home Tour December 9, 2020
  • Tabletop Hot Cocoa Station November 29, 2020
  • A New Front Door November 10, 2020
  • Gaining Perspective October 26, 2020

Get all the latest straight to your inbox

Footer

Instagram

I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 y I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 years now and every year I ohhhh and ahhhh over the blossoms like it's the first time I've ever seen them. I gush and I take photos (that look exactly like the ones I took the year before and the year before that) and I make my family come outside and look at them with me which you know they just LOVE to do. 😉 I think that is one of the main reasons why I love spring so much. On the one hand, it's predictable and yet, on the other hand, it still feels like such a surprise after the long months of barren branches.

And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
Are you living with great expectation friends? Bec Are you living with great expectation friends? Because He is risen!

Happy Easter from my home to yours!
Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to be a different kind of Easter for sure but some things don’t change. Have you been baking and getting ready for tomorrow? What’s one thing on your menu that you have to have every year?
If this is Good Friday, why doesn’t it feel so “good”? It all seems backward doesn’t it?

What could be good about the unspeakable pain he suffered? What could be good about the shame and betrayal?

Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

But, I don’t know how to rejoice over His resurrection, unless I have felt the pain of His death. I have realized that in life the sweetest victories are the ones which were realized after a pain-filled journey.

And, so it is with Good Friday. I know there will be victory over death, but I can’t skip ahead in the story.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what he would experience. And he knew why he would go through it. He did it for me. He did it for you.

Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
Sometimes it makes me squirm a bit. Why would anyone do that for me?

Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

There is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love and mercy.

That is why it is called GRACE.

His grace is freely given. We don’t have to pay for it. He paid the price for us already.

Do you remember that movie from years ago called “Ransom”? A couple’s young son was kidnapped and the parents went to hell and back trying to find him and pay the “ransom” demanded by the kidnappers.

Well, Jesus is our “ransom”. (1 Timothy 2:6) His life was the payment.

Why is it called “Good Friday”? Because that wasn’t the end of the story….
.
…It was just the beginning!
Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house that’s become the landing zone for ALL THE THINGS! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤪 I’ve never been more thankful for our rarely used dining room table as it’s become command central for school books and laptops and games.

Where are things collecting in your house right now?
“Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every si “Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every single one of these emotions has made their way through our home in recent days and, my guess is, they have in your home too.

I SO needed this reminder today from the new book ‘Adore’ by @sarahagertywrites.

Adoration isn’t just sitting at His feet gazing longingly with stars in my eyes. It’s bringing my fears and my sorrows and gray roots in my hair that desperately needs to be colored and my messy house and all of the things that threaten to send me over the edge right now and laying them down before Him, soaking up His word and His presence so that when I stand back up, I am changed for having spent the time adoring the ONE who is... Healer, comforter, peace-giver, deliverer, redeemer.

What do you need to bring to Him today? I’ll share mine in the comments and I’d love to hear from you too!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

It feels the most...normal. Daytime is strange and foreign right now. My husband has taken over our home office, I’m suddenly taking over the responsibility of managing my kids’ distance learning and let me just say that teaching 7th grade algebra to my daughter is hugely ironic since I struggled with math all the way through school. I’m trying to do my own work but it feels utterly futile with the constant interruptions which take precedence right now. In the daytime, I’m constantly reminded of how upside down life feels.

But, in the evening, I cook dinner like I’ve always done and we gather around the table like we’ve always done and we laugh and tell stories and then clean up and play games or go on a walk or watch a show. And that feels SO gloriously normal.

So now I love evenings even more than I ever did before and I’m so grateful for this little chunk of time where the rhythms we established years ago are helping to sustain us now when so much of life feels outside of our control.

What feels ‘normal’ to you right now? Whatever it is, keep doing it. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

If you don’t absolutely HAVE to make a decision right now, I want to encourage you to wait until life gets back to normal. If you are finding yourself over-analyzing relationships and family dynamics, I want to encourage you to remember that everything seems more dramatic when looked at under a microscope. And, let’s face it, being homebound with our loved ones non-stop makes us all feel like lab rats in an experiment.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

If you’re able to find flour in the stores (for the love people please stop overbuying!) and you’re doing more baking at your house too you need to add this apricot bread to your list of new recipes to try!

Normally I’d point you to my blog for the directions but I’m going to do you a solid and leave the full recipe in the comments.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
Follow
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 At The Picket Fence