• 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
  • Shop My Home
  • 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 *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Decorating a Sofa Table May 31, 2023
  • Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze April 19, 2023
  • Console Table Refresh March 24, 2023
  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023
  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

Our son just turned TWENTY and I can hardly wrap m Our son just turned TWENTY and I can hardly wrap my head around the fact that we’ve completed two decades of parenting! I’ve had time to reflect on this season of life and shared some of my thoughts over at @club31women.

“Someday, years from now, we will watch home movies of the year 2023. And it will seem like I am peeking into the life of another family. I will have vague memories of those moments but my life will be so consumed with what is currently happening that it will seem like another lifetime. So, I embrace this season…this day…this moment. And I choose to declare that the emotional war in my heart between ‘what could have been’ and ‘what might be yet to come’ is over. I’m waving the white flag. I want my children to know that it is good and proper that they grow up and leave the nest. I want them to know that I can celebrate the passing of time rather than resist it even if there may be a few bittersweet tears that spill over from time to time.”

Head over to their devotional page to read the rest and I hope my words bring you encouragement for wherever you are on your parenting journey. 🤍
There’s nothing quite like enjoying the rewards There’s nothing quite like enjoying the rewards of your labor! The whole family pitched in to get our bark spread around the yard (I’m the master at raking it until it’s nice and even) and by the end of the day we were all done. Now we can head into summer with our big yard projects completed! 🙌🏻 Do you put in fresh bark every year?
Welcome June! I’m so glad you’re here! What’ Welcome June! I’m so glad you’re here! What’s your favorite thing about this month? Mind can be summed up in this quote…

“In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different.” John Steinbeck
“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! 🙌🏻
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence