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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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October 5, 2018

Fall Home Tour 2018

Confession…most, if not all, of the years I have shared my fall home tour here with you, there has been quite a bit of ‘staging’ done prior to taking the photos.

Vintage suitcases trying to look casual all stacked on top of each other with pumpkins spilling out. Extra throw blankets and pillows tossed onto chairs which makes it more than evident that no one is actually supposed to sit there.

There would be tables set for parties that were never going to happen or freshly baked bread with just a few pieces sliced up to look like they were waiting for someone to walk by and grab one.

I would huff and puff and sweat as I moved around furniture and rearranged things to get the perfect shot and then as soon as I had captured the image, huff and puff and sweat moving things back to the way they are normally arranged.

Which means that what you would see was not really an accurate portrayal of how my house looks on any given day.

Now, from a photographer’s perspective, there are always things which have to be adjusted to get the best look, always staging involved.

But, this year I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

This year, I wanted it to look like it would if you just popped over to pay me a visit one day. Granted, normally you would see dishes in the sink, a laundry basket or two, papers on the desk in the kitchen and socks, so many socks. What is it with kids leaving socks everywhere?

But, for the most part, this is my home…unstaged.

Now, for the sake of full disclosure, I will say that for my fall mantel blog post I shared last week, I did move a couple of chairs away from the wall and had them flank the fireplace.

And I won’t be taking you to see the rooms upstairs because with a 15 and 11 year old, well, you understand.


But, if you’re ok with a blogger sharing a fall home tour that has a little less and doesn’t look like the inside of a home decor store exploded everywhere, then I’m your girl!

All I wanted this year was to see ripples of fall through my home rather than huge splashes.

To have little pops of the colors of Autumn here and there but only if it could be done in a matter of minutes and didn’t involve any huffing and puffing.

I’m not going to have a table laden with gorgeous place settings and handmade napkin rings.

But you are welcome to sit down on a stool at the kitchen island and talk to me while I figure out what to make for dinner.

Lately, more than ever, I’ve been feeling that pull towards simplicity in my seasonal decorating.

And not just in my decorating but in my life too. My desire to have a peaceful home is greater than it’s ever been. With so much coming at us all of the time, creating a haven for myself and my family means I’m choosing to control what I can control.

And because I believe a peaceful home begins with a peaceful heart, I’m giving myself the gift of really enjoying the seasons rather than making them stressful by dragging out decorations that will only be used for a photo or spending hours staging rooms that look like they’re an advertisement.

So, I’ll just keep sharing ideas for your homes that I think you might like and inspiration for your heart that I think you might enjoy.

Because my desire isn’t to just have a home that is beautiful to look at but, instead, to have a home that is beautiful to live in.

Thank you for letting me open my door to you today dear friends,

32 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Decorating, Good Ideas, Home Tour Tagged With: fall, fall decor, fall Decorating, fall home tour

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Comments

  1. Kim DeBastos says

    October 5, 2018 at 8:53 AM

    Love the subtle “hints” of fall decor. Very pretty!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 5, 2018 at 9:18 AM

      Thank you so much Kim!

      Reply
  2. Darlene says

    October 5, 2018 at 9:04 AM

    Love the simplicity and you are correct, let’s just live and enjoy our lives!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 5, 2018 at 9:18 AM

      Thank you so much Darlene! Have a great weekend!

      Reply
  3. DJ Baggerly says

    October 5, 2018 at 9:07 AM

    Vanessa, I love your post and your home ! It looks so peaceful and comfy, something I always hope my home will look like. With two fur babies, there are days I think I have two toddlers around, their toys are all over the place! What is wonderful when you come into your home after you’ve been a way and there is a peace…..you’ve found the right combination.
    I used to go all out with decorating; however, now as I’ve gotten older, like you I’ve scaled back. It’s more peaceful, not in my face. As God watches over us, may your home be filled with love, laughter and wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 5, 2018 at 9:18 AM

      Thank you so much for your kind words DJ! I know that fur babies can definitely be like toddlers. Teenagers can too sometimes! LOL! Peaceful is definitely my goal for my home and I love hearing from folks who feel the same way. Thank you for stopping by today!

      Reply
  4. Barbara B Edwards says

    October 5, 2018 at 9:45 AM

    I wish everyone was honest in their post and or pictures. We all project the “perfect” side and no one can live up to that pressure.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 5, 2018 at 12:56 PM

      You’re so right Barbara! There is no such thing as perfect so we need to make sure we don’t perpetuate a false ideal. Thanks so much for coming by!

      Reply
  5. Laura Harrie says

    October 5, 2018 at 12:31 PM

    You have a lovely home!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 5, 2018 at 12:55 PM

      Thank you so much Laura!

      Reply
  6. Pamela says

    October 5, 2018 at 1:06 PM

    it’s wonderful, peaceful, useful and intentional.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 5, 2018 at 4:44 PM

      Pamela that is a high compliment for sure! Your choices of words are exactly what I hope everyone who comes to my home feels. Thank you!

      Reply
  7. Diane Lawrence says

    October 5, 2018 at 4:26 PM

    Vanessa-Beautiful!! FYI-Your house is WAY neater than mine EVER is-and there are 3 adults living here!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 5, 2018 at 4:42 PM

      Awww thanks so much Diane!! And believe me it’s definitely not always neat. There’s a reason only a few rooms were shown. LOL!

      P.S. I know I still owe you some photos and a book!!! I’m literally like the most forgetful person ever these days!

      Reply
  8. Cheryl says

    October 5, 2018 at 4:29 PM

    Vanessa, Your message rings true and timely. I have been wondering lately how the frenzy for perfection has gotten so out of control. We all want lovely and welcoming homes but if we get lost comparing our homes and ourselves with others we will never be content. It is a good thing to “share” our homes and to encourage one another to take interest in making our homes a place of beauty and a safe haven. I think you have done just that!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 5, 2018 at 4:45 PM

      Thank you so much Cheryl! I can’t tell you how much your kind words and encouragement mean to me!

      Reply
  9. Marijean says

    October 5, 2018 at 8:31 PM

    This is so refreshing! I can’t thank you enough for keeping it real! Your home looks beautiful!

    Reply
  10. Judy says

    October 5, 2018 at 9:15 PM

    The arrangement on your dining room table is simple, but it is beautiful! I like that it isn’t too busy or bright. It is very comforting and peaceful to look at.

    Reply
  11. Angela Slaughter says

    October 6, 2018 at 4:19 AM

    I have several bins of fall decor that I try to find a place for every year, but not this year. My daughter is getting married next week, so I haven’t had the time to decorate the way I usually do. I have just a few things sprinkled around for pops of color in our main living spaces and that is it. I, like you, Vanessa, am loving the simplicity of the clean, unfussy spaces. I think this will be the standard around my home from now on. This was a great post and your home is so lovely. Thank you for sharing it with us.

    Reply
  12. Lisa says

    October 6, 2018 at 6:02 AM

    I applaud you for just keeping it simply beautiful! It’s so much easier for the average reader to relate to and be inspired!

    Lisa

    Reply
  13. Karen says

    October 6, 2018 at 6:58 AM

    We downsized considerably a few months ago and relocated, so I gave myself permission to cut back on all the holiday decorating. Plus we have some renovations to do to make this home ours. I agree, it’s nice to have a few pops of holiday decor, but lugging out boxes and rearranging the whole house had to stop. So simplify we did and it’s been great. In fact our whole move centered around being more authentic in our lives and our home. You home is lovely and has breathing room without all the fuss. By the way, we have the sock issue too! I don’t understand that at all. Both my husband and my 13 yo son leave socks about and then the pup carries them around. First world problems I guess!

    Reply
  14. Connie says

    October 6, 2018 at 7:29 AM

    love the simplicity of your fall decor. I appreciate you doing an easy and not over-the-top look. It’s something people can actually apply to their homes! Looking forward to upcoming Christmas decor. Thanks

    Reply
  15. Susan says

    October 6, 2018 at 9:34 AM

    Vanessa, I think your way of simplicity is beautiful! Seems that the less of decorating is more! Your home looks like’home’!

    Reply
  16. Mary Caliendo says

    October 6, 2018 at 9:56 AM

    Beautiful as always! An inspiration for me! thank you

    Reply
  17. Margaret says

    October 8, 2018 at 7:02 AM

    Your home is beautiful and inviting. I like the simple touches of fall ….not a lot of clutter.

    Reply
  18. Doris Raab says

    October 8, 2018 at 11:08 AM

    Your home is beautiful and has just the perfect touch of fall!

    Reply
  19. Linda says

    October 14, 2018 at 8:08 PM

    No huffing and puffing is needed…your home is beautiful!

    Reply
  20. Judy g9QQ says

    October 17, 2018 at 1:04 PM

    Beautiful home, beautiful words, beautiful idea. Less truly is more! When you’re aren’t too busy, could you please tell me where you got those gorgeous stools in your kitchen? Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 18, 2018 at 2:05 PM

      Thank you so much Judy for your kind words! The stools were purchased on overstock.com

      Reply
  21. Adrienne says

    October 27, 2018 at 2:21 PM

    I’ll also confess – – I’m a tad jealous that your house looks THIS GOOD on any given day!!! Your ‘EVERYDAY’ home looks better than if I attempted to stage mine a thousand times. (ok maybe I’m being a LITTLE hard on myself, but you get what I’m saying) All of this to say – beautiful home!

    Reply
  22. Becky Cassera says

    November 5, 2018 at 9:47 AM

    Love everything about this post! Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  23. BJ Gibbs says

    December 12, 2018 at 9:47 AM

    Entering your site for the first time; oh my, it’s almost Christmas. You are saved to my Favorites because I agree with all you shared – photos, ideas, and especially your words! Real and transparent. Others have labeled me a minimalist and though it sounded negative (and a few meant it to be), I now embrace it as the real me. Less is more, and it equates peaceful, orderly, and beautiful, IMO. Your design style is all of these.

    Reply

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Yesterday on the way home from school I had the ra Yesterday on the way home from school I had the radio tuned to my daughter's favorite station and a song that was playing had a line in it that really stood out to me. It made reference to a 'season of the sticks' which I think its safe to say must mean winter. I thought that was such an accurate, albeiet kind of depressing, picture of this time of the year.

While we definitely have more than our fair share of evergreen trees here in Oregon, we also have plenty of trees and bushes that are reduced to sticks during the cold months. But, this morning as I looked out my kitchen window, greedily sipping from my mug of coffee, I marveled at the beauty of the winter sunrise. The sky was all pinks and oranges with frost on the rooftops and a little bit of fog. And, I realized that part of why it was so amazing is because I could see it more clearly through the sticks. The bare branches allowed me a view that I wouldn't be able to see if those same branches were covered in leaves. Being stripped down to almost nothing revealed something magnificent.

We have seasons of the sticks in our lives too, don't we? Times when we feel as though we've been stripped bare and left exposed. It's easy to think that this is a place where all is ugly and dark. And yet, just like the winter sunrise was more visible because of the bare branches, the vulnerability we feel in the winter season of our souls allows us to get a glimpse of beauty that we wouldn't see otherwise. In the lush, warm seasons it's so easy to become comfortable. But in the bare, cold seasons we recognize just how much we need to rely on the One who placed the stars in the heavens and is sovereign over all.

If you feel like your soul has been stripped bare and you've been left exposed and vulnerable, may I encourage you today to ask the Lord to help you to see the beauty in this 'season of the sticks'.

“Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:7
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