• 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

February 27, 2015

Fireplace Makeover Reveal!

Some people count sheep to fall asleep. Or their blessings.

And while I definitely try both of those (plus a little Tylenol PM!) when I’m suffering from insomnia, nothing helps me relax and calm my mind more than envisioning rooms all redecorated. I envision rooms in my own home, my friends’ homes, and homes which only live in my imagination.

simple french country styled fireplace atthepicketfence.com

And while very rarely do I get the chance to see those visions come to life, there are those times when everything I saw in my mind’s eye as I drifted off to dreamland actually comes to fruition and it’s even BETTER than what I had envisioned.

So it was with the makeover that took place recently in my home involving a whole lot of dreaming and a whole lot more paint!

Last week I shared with you how we transformed a built-in china cabinet and you can see that makeover here.

And while I’m not ready to show off the entire family room makeover, I am going to whet your whistle a bit and show you the fireplace!

Here is how it looked BEFORE…

family room before2

…and here it is NOW!

white french country styled fireplace makeover atthepicketfence.com

I honestly get a huge grin on my face every time I look at it. And I swoon a little bit…ok, who am I kidding? I swoon A LOT! šŸ˜‰

Just look at how the lighter color enhances all of the wonderful details.

fireplace details atthepicketfence.com

I freely admit to having just a wee bit of fun decorating it once it was all done.

Adding simple wood candlesticks.

wood candlesticks on mantel atthepicketfence.com

Dried lavender in an urn

french country simple fireplace decorating atthepicketfence.com

Old books and a ‘faux’ deer antler.

vintage books on the fireplace atthepicketfence.com

The change is dramatic, no?

before and after fireplace makeover atthepicketfence.com

And just wait until you see the rest of the room! Hee hee!! I’m soooo excited about how the shelves turned out and have had a blast accessorizing them. Off to hang curtains now and I’ll meet you back here next week with another reveal!

Hope you have a fantastically fabulous weekend friends,

Vanessa signature

42 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas, Mantels

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Minty St. Patrick’s Day Cake Mix Cookies
Next Post: $100 Visa Gift Card and Pepperidge FarmĀ® MilanoĀ® Cookies​ »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susie @ The Chelsea Project Blog says

    February 27, 2015 at 2:46 AM

    Yowza! Love the new look….and love all of the accessories…..especially the artwork. Congrats on a beautiful redo.

    Reply
  2. Sissie says

    February 27, 2015 at 3:49 AM

    Oh my what a lovely transformation. Looks beautiful!!

    hugs
    Sissie

    Reply
  3. barb says

    February 27, 2015 at 3:58 AM

    Glad you are only showing it a bit at a time – something to look forward to! And swoon over that artwork – did you do it and what is it?

    Reply
  4. Judy McMillon says

    February 27, 2015 at 4:06 AM

    Its just beautiful!! There was a time when I yearned for dark wood but now I’m so glad we never changed anything. I love what you’re doing. Can’t wait to see more!

    Reply
  5. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    February 27, 2015 at 4:28 AM

    It looks gorgeous. What a dramatic change. Love it.

    Reply
  6. Peg says

    February 27, 2015 at 4:30 AM

    It’s GORGEOUS Vanessa, and you are as well!
    : )

    Reply
  7. Kim says

    February 27, 2015 at 4:32 AM

    Yes, yes, yes. I’m so glad to see you painted that dark wood!! I know the whole room will look super!

    Reply
  8. Nancie says

    February 27, 2015 at 5:00 AM

    Wow! A gorgeous transformation! Can’t wait until I see the rest of the family room!

    Reply
  9. Cathie says

    February 27, 2015 at 5:24 AM

    The room looks lovely. How did you know what to put in the place of the mirror with brassy rods going over it? It looks perfect but I wouldn’t have known how to find it or use it in the first place.

    Reply
  10. laura@top this top that says

    February 27, 2015 at 5:35 AM

    looks great Vanessa!

    Reply
  11. Linda says

    February 27, 2015 at 6:04 AM

    Looks amazing, love it!

    Reply
  12. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    February 27, 2015 at 6:32 AM

    Truly amazing transformation Vanessa!…I can just see you doing the Happy Dance when it was completed…great mantlescape…just gorgeous!…

    Reply
  13. Lisa Barno says

    February 27, 2015 at 7:17 AM

    Lovely! Love those candlesticks.

    Reply
  14. Debra@CommonGround says

    February 27, 2015 at 7:36 AM

    this is absolutely gorgeous! Can’t wait to see the whole room. I’m like the others, we want to know about that wonderful artwork on the mantel!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:28 PM

      Thank you Debra! I purchased the artwork a few years ago at TJ Maxx and it’s one of my all-time favorite pieces! šŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Lorie Sullivan says

        August 18, 2015 at 2:32 PM

        I love the artwork above the fireplace. Is it one of a kind? Beautiful!

        Reply
        • At The Picket Fence says

          August 18, 2015 at 4:49 PM

          Thank you Lorie! I purchased it at TJ Maxx a few years ago and totally agree with you that it’s beautiful! šŸ˜‰

          Reply
  15. Joanne says

    February 27, 2015 at 8:02 AM

    The miracle of a little paint.

    Reply
  16. Cindy says

    February 27, 2015 at 9:06 AM

    Absolutely love the artwork on the mantel. The transformation is beautiful!!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:27 PM

      Thank you so much Cindy!

      Reply
  17. Anita says

    February 27, 2015 at 9:38 AM

    Love it Vanessa!! And I love the art — it reminds me of an overdyed rug, which I am loving:-)

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:26 PM

      Thank you so much Anita! Have a great weekend sweet friend!

      Reply
  18. Michele says

    February 27, 2015 at 12:19 PM

    Whoo hoo! WOW what a difference paint makes – another awesome re-do. Congrats, it’s fabulous!
    Can’t wait to see the rest of the space – what little bit hints at us looks pretty darned awesome.

    Have a wonderful weekend, you two!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:25 PM

      Thank you so much Michele!!

      Reply
  19. Diane says

    February 27, 2015 at 1:22 PM

    So pretty! And I thought I was the only one who envisioned rooms when I was nervous or couldn’t sleep! I also use this trick during take-off and turbulence when I am flying! Now I know I am not crazy (or at least alone in my craziness) LOL

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:25 PM

      LOL Diane!! You are definitely not alone in your craziness!! šŸ˜‰ I do that while I’m flying too. Thank you so much for coming by today and for your sweet comment about the makeover!

      Reply
  20. Janet says

    February 27, 2015 at 1:35 PM

    Vanessa it looks great in white. I love painted white furniture. I too want to know about the beautiful framed artwork on the mantel.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:20 PM

      Thank you Janet! The artwork on the mantel is from TJ Maxx and I purchased it about 4 years ago. My absolute all time favorite piece!

      Reply
  21. Cindy says

    February 27, 2015 at 2:57 PM

    OH MY!!!!!! And you were worried about what people might think with all the paint…hehehe. THIS IS GORGEOUS TO THE MAX! I love this green with the white. WOW! Your totally inspiring me to get with it and start painting my house

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 7:51 PM

      Thank you Cindy!! I know I was so worried but everyone has been so nice and honestly I love it so much I don’t care what anyone else thinks! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  22. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    February 27, 2015 at 4:41 PM

    Beautiful, Vanessa! It’s amazing how paint can transform a space.
    xx,
    Sherry

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 5:31 PM

      Thank you so much Sherry!! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  23. Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says

    February 27, 2015 at 6:03 PM

    It is just beautiful, Vanessa! And the way you have accessorized it is stunning! Can’t wait to see more of the room!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 7:55 PM

      Thank you so much Jane! Hope you have a fabulous weekend friend! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  24. Anna says

    February 27, 2015 at 8:15 PM

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! I know exactly what you mean about falling asleep dreaming about spaces, that’s exactly what I do. šŸ™‚

    Anna

    Reply
  25. Gilly @ Colour Saturated Life says

    February 27, 2015 at 9:15 PM

    What an incredible transformation…..I just love how it looks and how you have it styled…beautiful!

    Reply
  26. Courtney says

    February 27, 2015 at 10:31 PM

    It is SO pretty Vanessa!! I love the change and know the rest of the room will be amazing as well!

    Reply
  27. Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says

    February 28, 2015 at 5:36 PM

    Wow it looks incredible! That may just convince me to do the same with mine instead of tearing it off to put stone – that my husband and I cannot agree on! Love the new look!
    Shelley

    Reply
  28. Jack Sander says

    March 1, 2015 at 4:06 AM

    The difference in tremendous, for the good, and the candlesticks just enhance the overall look of the fireplace.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      March 1, 2015 at 7:43 PM

      Thank you so much Jack!

      Reply
  29. kristin says

    March 4, 2015 at 5:01 PM

    I LOVE this!! So very pretty! Love all the decor around it, you are so talented! XO

    Reply
  30. Kara says

    March 5, 2015 at 8:45 AM

    I know how long white cabinetry has beckoned to you and how long you have put a cheerful face on the dark wood. But now change is happening – yay! It looks SO beautiful, fresh and updated, and just more “you”. I love it!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Cindy 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!

  • Simple Fall Decorating Ideas

    Simple Fall Decorating Ideas
  • Autumn Home Decor Tour

    Autumn Home Decor Tour
  • Apple Bread Pudding

    Apple Bread Pudding
  • Paper Bag Pumpkins

    Paper Bag Pumpkins

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

  • Simple Fall Decorating Ideas September 14, 2023
  • 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

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

On Monday my heart just felt so heavy. Yes, the po On Monday my heart just felt so heavy. Yes, the pouring rain outside contributed to my feelings. But the primary cause was this overwhelming flood of thoughts about how much in our world and in our culture is going off the rails. I’d planned to make pumpkin bread that day but I was tempted to just curl up in a ball on my bed, pull the covers over my head and pretend that this would actually solve something. I didn’t give into that temptation though. Instead, I got out my favorite pumpkin bread recipe and found that, as I worked and prayed and hummed worship songs, my spirit began to settle. When the world feels very loud, the demands of family and home can actually help to quiet our souls. As each family member walked through the door later in the day, they commented on how wonderful the house smelled. It’s better than any fall candle in my opinion! And I knew that the extra loaf that I get from the recipe would be a welcome treat for my widower neighbor. So, if your heart is feeling a bit unsettled this week too, maybe this recipe will come in handy!

Pumpkin Bread:

Ingredients:
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7Ɨ3 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. šŸ‚
Happy first day of Autumn!! šŸ‚ Here’s a super Happy first day of Autumn!! šŸ‚ 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.ā€

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. šŸ‚

#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!! šŸŽ

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. šŸ‚

#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.

ā€œThe grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.ā€ 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. šŸ‚

Leave a comment if you can relate! 

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking
ā€œAs the alluring song of September begins to whi ā€œAs the alluring song of September begins to whisper in my ear, my passionate spirit yearns for the splendor of its promise.ā€ (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! šŸ‚

#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 šŸ¤

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.*
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence