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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 16, 2016

Five Ways to Add Summer Style to Your Home

You have no idea how badly I wanted to give this blog post a different title. In my mind, it really should be called, “Stick a bunch of seashells in bowls around your house and call it good!”. But, I was afraid that it didn’t sound quite blog-title-ish enough. So I went for the more ‘professional’ route instead and today I’m going to be sharing with you some of the most easy-peasy ways to add summer style to your home.

Five ways to add summer style to your home atthepicketfence.com

1. Seashells, lots and lots of seashells

Perhaps the easiest way ever to welcome summer to your home is with the addition of seashells.

Simple summer decor with seashells

Over the years, I have found that I do myself a huge favor by simply changing up existing decor seasonally. This vintage scale had a nest on top of it in the spring and now it holds a white bowl filled with seashells.

Vintage inspired summer style

 And this reproduction balance scale received a similar treatment. Seriously friends this all only takes minutes!

seashells on vintage balance scale

2. Nautical Touches

Summer decor doesn’t necessarily have to be overt and obvious. Decorative pieces that have rope trim are always a great way to add a little nod to the nautical.

metal lantern in a wire basket as easy summer decor

A blue and white ticking stripe pillow behind my toile pillows gives the sofa a fresh look.

Bosporus toile and ticking stripe pillows atthepicketfence.com

And, of course, it’s always ok to go for the obvious if you want. 😉

wooden sailboat on mantel

3. The Colors of the Sea

It’s been said that every room should have a touch of black somewhere in it. Well, I think that in the summertime every room should have a touch of the colors of the sea.

It can be as simple as blue napkins tucked under a stack of bowls…with seashells in them of course.

Stacked bowls with seashells

Or vintage books in colors reminiscent of the water placed on a summer mantel.

seashell and vintage books

4. Fresh Flowers

I know what you’re thinking. Duh, right? Of course fresh flowers are an essential component of summer decorating!

Vintage inspired summer decorating idea

But, I’ve had it confirmed to me this summer just how important it is to be strategic in your landscaping. Think about which blooms will go with the color palette in your home and plant accordingly.

hydrangeas in wicker vase holder

And if all else fails, hit up your local farmer’s market! Because this season of having fresh flowers available and affordable goes by way too quickly.

lisianthus flower arrangement

 5. Citrus

Summer and citrus go hand in hand.

lavender topiaries on dining table

And whether you use the real thing or the ‘faux’ thing, adding pops of bright color here and there is a great way to welcome summer to your home.

farmhouse style shelf decor

Now, I realize that none of this is really rocket science. I won’t ever claim to have the latest and greatest of home design to show you.

My hope is that it will just be that gentle reminder that it takes so little time and energy to add simple summer touches throughout your home which is really how it should be.

Because we should be out enjoying it, right? Not spending time decorating for it.

So get out and enjoy it sweet friends…and maybe bring a little bit of it back inside with you.

I’m so glad you could meet me at the Fence today,

Vanessa signature

7 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas, Summer Tagged With: budget decorating, decorating, summer, summer decorating

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Comments

  1. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    June 18, 2016 at 6:59 AM

    Just beautiful Vanessa! You are spot on and your home is stunning this summer! It really reflex the beauty within you! LOVE you!

    Reply
  2. Julie says

    June 18, 2016 at 8:05 AM

    Gorgeous summer inspiration! I forget about using shells, so that’s actually a great tip! 🙂 Thank you, ~julie

    Reply
  3. Gwen says

    June 18, 2016 at 3:28 PM

    I was going to skip right over this. I’m glad I did not. I’ve got oodles of sea shells. We don’t live far from one beach with great shells. I have a clear ocean roar looking square bowl that looked just like a famous artist I’d eye every time I went to an upscale shopping experience across from this world famous hospital id go to weekly. My gift? To look at these world famous designers of glass and I think it was not perfect so they sell to Ross or TJMaxx. I’m getting that out to put some shells in as it will go with my bottles. Time to get out my galvanized tray from magnolia market!! Add my lantern and a bit of rope!!! Hmmm do I have that Bobbsey Twins book?? Ohhh my creative juices are flowing. Birds away. Get out a few driftwood logs. I’ll search now for something to show off layers of black sand from one favorite beach and regular sand from another!!!
    It shall be. But first I’ve got some Bible reading to do and praying. My husband just has not felt well at all for so long. Not an easy path for him. Plus he takes care of me. I’m handicapped. God sees. God knows. God loves.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 20, 2016 at 7:23 AM

      I’m so sorry that your husband is dealing with health issues Gwen! Praying for both of you and I so appreciate you stopping by. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Julie says

    June 19, 2016 at 1:53 PM

    What an inspiring post! Sometimes the simplest things are the best. When things are too complicated I tend to glance over it. But, when things are simple and easy, I think I could do that. I just put out a few shells in my family room. I tend to use the shells only in my outdoor decor. Why not bring it in! I have really been enjoying your blog. I like your decor posts and your thought filled ones as well. You have a gift for sharing your thoughts. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 20, 2016 at 7:23 AM

      Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words Julie! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Emmie says

    June 2, 2018 at 2:42 PM

    What is the source for the Lord ‘s prayer ?

    Reply

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The first weekend in December seems like a good ti The first weekend in December seems like a good time for my annual gentle reminder about this month. I don’t know about you but, for me, December is a month of mixed emotions, ranging from joy-filled moments to ones that have me wanting to pull my hair out.

There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our families or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.

Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap. Or have a good cry. 

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.

My hope for you is that, as you head into this season, you will be given fresh perspective and that you will give yourself (and your family) permission to just ‘be’. ✨
✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this ✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this year I created a super simple centerpiece for my dining room that incorporates the candles we will use each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. While we will only light one candle each week, I used more than four so that the centerpiece would look a bit more filled in. In keeping with my goal to embrace a softer approach to my decorating, this arrangement works perfectly and helps to keep our focus on the beauty and the meaning  of the Advent season. For more ideas like this, check out my previous Advent post! ✨

#advent #adventcandles #simplechristmas #wearethehomemakers
In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a bit more tender. When Christmas rolls around and I no longer have wish lists that include Lego sets or dollhouses, I find that I want my home to reflect this craving for all things gentle.

So our hot cocoa station this year is much more simple and done in a neutral color palette that just subtly blends in with the rest of the decor. It still feels festive and is definitely still “user friendly” but it’s just a bit less…well…less.

And, that’s ok. It’s not that this area won’t ever again have bright colors (maybe even pops of red!) but, right now I’m happy to have things this way.

With all that is going on in the world right outside our door, my desire is for our home to truly feel like a respite. I want it to be where we come and let our guard down, our heart rates slow and to be flooded with a sense of peace in knowing that here is where we can just simply be. I want it to be a place of rest. Rest from the constant onslaught of news and information. Rest from the seemingly small struggles of school and jobs that can so often feel like big struggles.

And, most importantly, we rest in the comfort of knowing the One who is Sovereign over all and is the reason this month is so very special and sacred.

Many blessings to you dear friends as we kick off this wonderful season! ✨
Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Advent is VERY different from just simply doing a ‘countdown to Christmas’. It’s not about having little drawers filled with candy or doors to open with prizes inside. Those things are so much fun and definitely help to build anticipation as you head closer and closer to the big day.

But Advent, from the latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’ keeps the focus completely on celebrating the arrival of the King who came in the form of an infant.

This is one of our favorite family traditions and over the years I’ve figured out how to incorporate the Advent candles into my decor without using the traditional wreath. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as we head into this sacred season. 🌲

#advent #adventdecoration #wearethehomemakers
Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Bec Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the Saturday after and my house is almost completely ready to start the season! So I’m sitting with my coffee and just soaking it all up knowing that now I can focus on shopping, hosting and preparing our hearts for the start of Advent. The only thing left to do is get our fresh tree for the front room and then the decorating is done. 

Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest fo “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Christmas has arrived in the family room where I k Christmas has arrived in the family room where I keep things simple but festive! We’ll get a fresh tree after Thanksgiving which will go in our front room bay window but this slim faux tree with its colorful ornaments tides us over for now. Which room in your home gets the Christmas treatment first? Or do you just start doing a little at a time in each room? 🎄

*pillow covers are from @jshhomeessentials
I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
How do I want people to feel when they walk throug How do I want people to feel when they walk through my front door? That’s always at the top of my mind when I’m decorating my entry for each season, particularly at Christmastime. 

✨I want them to feel like my home is greeting them with a smile.

✨I want them to feel like this is a place where care has been given to details (but not to the point of being too stuffy or too busy or too overwhelming). 

✨I want them to feel like there is peace here.

✨I want them to feel like they are welcome…because they are. 

My home is a reflection of my heart and my heart is a reflection of the ONE for whom I live and try to honor and praise all of my days, but especially at Christmas.

How do you want people to feel when they come into your home? 

#christmasentry #simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
This is not a criticism of those who are sharing t This is not a criticism of those who are sharing their great new Christmas finds but rather an encouragement to those of you who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and trying to resist the temptation to purchase more items than you really need.

Several years ago I felt a conviction in my heart about how much time and money I was spending on trying to create a new look every Christmas. I was not being a good steward of my resources and I was far too easily swayed by the peer pressure in this area. And a funny thing happened when I smashed this idol that had taken up residence in my heart. I suddenly found renewed joy in decorating for the season. By keeping things simple and maybe only buying something like a new spool of velvet ribbon, I actually realized that I could be far more creative reusing and repurposing what I already had.

In the coming weeks your news feeds will be filled with temptations for MORE. Maybe, this year, you too can find the joy in LESS. 🌲

#simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
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