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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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July 26, 2016

Why French Country is My Favorite

When I got engaged to my husband in 1997 and began to plan for our home together, I knew exactly what I wanted for our bedding. I had seen a comforter in a movie (Father of the Bride??) and just like the moment when I realized my husband was ‘the one’, I had no doubts that this comforter and I were meant to be. It was a sage green Ralph Lauren set (I found it at a discount outlet) with muted burgundy floral details. I loved it so much that I registered for all of the coordinating burgundy and sage green things I could find. Don’t forget, this was the late 90’s.

Bless my heart, right?

vintage scale

 

Even though I was quite certain at the age of 22 that the sage green and burgundy comforter perfectly captured my style, it’s still taken me MANY years to really feel confident in my home decor choices. In fact, it’s only within the last few years that I feel that I can actually state what I believe to be the style that most represents me.

And today, I’m going to tell you why I have a love affair with all things French Country.

You see, I kind of think of French Country as the little black dress of home decor styles.

It can be dressed up to appeal to a more formal, elegant sensibility.

mirrored glass cabinet

Traditional bedroom with a French country flair

Or dressed down for a more casual, comfortable feel.

Family room windows with woven shades atthepicketfence.com

 

metal lantern in a wire basket as easy summer decor

It can have hints of farmhouse style.

hydrangeas in milk bottles

Vintage inspired summer tabletop decor atthepicketfence.com

And definitely hints of cottage.

shutter doors as backdrop for french country decor

Breakfast nook with farmer's market sign atthepicketfence.com

In French Country designs, vintage and heirloom pieces are easily incorporated, expected even.

basket tray vignette

 

china cabinet with cream ware www.atthepicketfence.com

And I think that French Country style gives a nod to the traditional without being stuffy.

French Country mantel decor with rooster print

French Country style allows me to bring in some European elements and indulge the fact that I alternate between being a wannabe Francophile and a wannabe Anglophile. A little bit of French and a little bit of British.

entry table with french country decor

Almost 20 years ago, when my eye was drawn to that sage green Ralph Lauren comforter, I wasn’t really thinking about whether or not it was MY style. I just knew I liked it. And the funny thing is, I think that it would quite possibly still work in my house today.

You see, that’s the thing about defining and refining our tastes. It’s about tapping into what we are naturally drawn into and understanding what it is about those things that we love so much.

But for years I got distracted by what I saw everyone else doing and allowed their home decor choices to cause me to second guess myself.

What to love about French Country style from atthepicketfence.com

But now, I’m finding that just as I’m feeling more comfortable in my own skin at the ripe old age of 40 ;-), I’m also feeling more settled in my decorating skin.

I only wish I had held onto that sage green comforter!

Thanks so much for meeting me at the Fence today,

Vanessa signature

20 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas Tagged With: decorating

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Comments

  1. Gee says

    July 26, 2016 at 8:03 AM

    Aaaah French ountry. So comfortable and easy to live with. Luv your touches!

    Reply
  2. Linda Hogeland says

    July 26, 2016 at 8:20 AM

    Your style is as lovely as you! I always enjoy your posts and your pretty pictures. Your home is beautiful, but also , so welcoming and warm and comfortable!
    Have a great day!
    Linda

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 26, 2016 at 9:09 AM

      Awww…thank you so much for your kind words Linda! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Betty Whatley says

    July 26, 2016 at 8:32 AM

    Loved the items and comments on Country French. It is also one of my favorites. It not only looks beautiful, clean and so homey with all the different things you use with it. There are just so many different colors and old things as well as beach things you can use with it. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 26, 2016 at 9:10 AM

      Thank you so much Betty!

      Reply
  4. Michelle Mortensen says

    July 26, 2016 at 8:41 AM

    French country is so versatile. It is the style I have used for my home. Incredibly, I never made a conscience decision to decorate in a French Country style. I simply began purchasing items I loved and over time I realized those items all came together to form my style. I love how French Country brings elements of the outdoors inside.
    Thanks for your post.
    Best & Bisous,
    Michelle from Simply Santa Barbara

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 26, 2016 at 9:11 AM

      Yes!! Michelle that is such a good point about French Country bringing the outdoors in!

      Reply
  5. Michele says

    July 26, 2016 at 8:51 AM

    Well written – and I agree with you completely about being confidence in our decor choices and mixed styles.

    I have always been; it’s just I have had my own place in the 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s and now 2016 – and I have gone from going up in a tradition and running screaming away from it and did my time with ultra sleek contemporary for 25 years – then did the touch of Tuscany for quite a while and loved it – and now – golly I wish Mom were still here to see it – I have come back to what I grew up in; transitional on the side of traditional with touches of contemporary, farmhouse and antique. Who knew. My mom HATED my contemporary, but she would absolutely love my home now. She has been gone over 20 years so she didn’t get to see the Tuscany decor but would have liked it too.

    Anyway, not sure why I told you all about me, sorry, haha, just liked this post. It reminds me it is OK to change as we age – it’s just stuff, right? I do wish you’d have held on to your sage comforter set though – kinda wish I would have held on to my sage comforter set too. I had a set that was absolutely gorgeous I gave to my niece. Wonder what she did with it? : – )

    Reply
  6. Eilis says

    July 26, 2016 at 2:24 PM

    You are so right. I fell into French Country by accident when I chose our dining room table and chairs many years ago. It is so comfortable and versatile. I tend to mix in some Italian with mine 🙂 Your photos are just beautiful!

    Reply
  7. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    July 26, 2016 at 6:01 PM

    We all went through that sage green and burgundy in the 80″s and 90’s…I loved navy mixed in with those colors…but tastes and styles change…I would say that I love French Country for all the reasons you do….you can dress it up or dress it down…add a touch of farmhouse, like the wonderful farmhouses in France..or dress it up like an elegant Paris apartment….French Country is so versatile…lots of color, or lots of neutrals…My very first “European” type pieces of furniture was when my hubby gifted me with a new Ethan Allen dining room set…it was called Old World Treasures….then I was hooked…I love your home Vanessa….you style is so perfectly to call it your own!

    Reply
  8. Vicki says

    July 26, 2016 at 6:15 PM

    I totally agree and LOVE your French Country style!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 27, 2016 at 7:11 AM

      Thank you Vicki! 🙂

      Reply
  9. pamela Lepage says

    July 26, 2016 at 7:44 PM

    Love your post. Your house looks great!! I started out traditional and little country and then went victorian and now Im back to farmhouse , french countryfarmhouse and boho with a little rustic. Except Im at point where if I really do not love a item we don’t buy it. 🙂

    Take care.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 27, 2016 at 7:10 AM

      I think that’s the key Pamela! If you don’t love it don’t buy it. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Becky says

    July 27, 2016 at 4:16 AM

    I could have written this post myself. I still have the French provincial bedroom suite my husband and I started housekeeping with 54 years ago! At the ripe age of 19 I knew what I liked and still do to this day!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 27, 2016 at 6:55 AM

      When you know, you know right Becky? I’m sure that bedroom set is just beautiful! Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Char says

    July 30, 2016 at 9:37 AM

    Lovely home. My first two homes were French Country mixed with pieces brought from England. Then I lost my way in my current house. I’m hoping to move soon and return to my style roots.

    Reply
  12. Summer says

    August 3, 2016 at 2:22 PM

    I lean towards french country style too! Love your decor ♥

    summerdaisy.net

    Reply
  13. Melissa Weldon says

    September 11, 2018 at 12:39 PM

    Where did you purchase your sofa? Is it a slipcover? I love it!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 11, 2018 at 1:00 PM

      Hi Melissa! The sofa and slipcover are both from Ikea. We love it too! 🙂

      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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