• 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
  • 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

July 9, 2015

French Country Sconces

I’m all for individuality, both for people and houses. I will cheer you on as you discover how you’ve been uniquely created and how that discovery in turn leads to your own creativity. I will admire how you turned a room in your home into a one of a kind space. How you have that nautical themed bathroom next to the western themed bedroom next to the room filled with ‘I Love Lucy’ memorabilia. And I will never, ever say that it’s wrong. Because I don’t live there. You do!

But as for me and my house, I crave a bit of cohesiveness.

white french country sconce over fireplace

And in a house, when one room runs into the next, I really think that we can’t ignore a very important word…flow.

My living room and dining room have a bit of separation but in reality, they are really one big space. At least, that’s how I’ve always viewed them. You see, while they might be technically considered 2 rooms, you can’t see one without the other. So, when it comes to decorating these spaces, I’ve tried to create cohesiveness, flow and an easy transition from one to the next.

That meant, when I had the new chandelier installed in the dining room recently, I also decided to switch out the sconces above the living room fireplace.

French Country dining room with white chandelier atthepicketfence

These are part of the same line as the chandelier (from Wayfair) and I may or may not have swooned a bit when they were installed.

french country style sconce and mantel decor

They’re elegant and chippy and light and airy and while they definitely have their own individual style, they scored big points on the cohesiveness chart too.

white iron french country sconce from wayfair.com

I could have kept the old sconces. They would have been just fine.

But, strange as it may sound, when there is ‘flow’ in my home, I find there is also ‘flow’ in my heart.

You see, I think that the heart reflects the home which reflects the heart which reflects the home and so on and so forth.

french country living room style

And in this season of my life, both my heart AND my home are craving flow….cohesiveness…softness. Nothing too jarring.

There is so much in our lives that tugs and pulls and tosses us this way and that. So, my home has become a place where I find myself needing continuity. Maybe even needing just a touch of predictability.

So as the winds of life continue to blow, I think me and my house will just go with the flow.

Like how I did that there with the rhyme? 😉

Vanessa signature

 

 

18 Comments Filed Under: Decorating Tagged With: decor, decorating, lighting

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « New Dining Room Chandelier
Next Post: Before Our Big Announcement »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hope Williams says

    July 9, 2015 at 4:05 AM

    I so understand this. Same ending, different circumstances. We have had this house for 1 1/2 years. Since our first Saturday night here, we knew if was a BAD mistake! My house is our personal hell. Great neighborhood, 1 neighbor from hell. My husband has mentally and emotionally checked out on finishing this house for resale. Not the original plan, but this is the only way to escape this situation.
    I long for my home to be my flow, my rest, my recharge, my queen-dom.
    I totally get the cohesive, I crave it, I need it. I long to sit in my porch in the evening, I long for a home not in complete upheaval of remodeling.
    I long……
    Blessings to all, Hope

    Reply
    • Sue says

      July 9, 2015 at 6:50 AM

      Oh poor Hope! I can relate, having been through several remodels. However, my husband has always been on board so it worked for us. I can’t imagine trying to get through that without his support. Is there no way you can remodel and change just a few of the most important things in your house to make it bearable to stay there? It sounds like you are really down about this whole situation, and I can only say I am so sorry for you and I wish I could help. Please don’t lose hope, you will find a solution if you keep an open mind!
      Good luck to you.

      Reply
  2. Julia says

    July 9, 2015 at 6:54 AM

    Scones are very swoon worthy! I love them and that new chandelier!

    Reply
  3. Julia says

    July 9, 2015 at 6:55 AM

    While scones are swoon worthy so are those SCONCES!!

    Reply
  4. Nikki says

    July 9, 2015 at 7:19 AM

    Beautifully done!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 9, 2015 at 10:59 AM

      Thank you Nikki!

      Reply
  5. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    July 9, 2015 at 8:27 AM

    Beautiful Vanessa….and your home so reflects your go with the flow attitude….which is a really good thing!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 9, 2015 at 10:59 AM

      Thank you sweet friend!

      Reply
  6. Denise of Coffeeberry Cottage says

    July 9, 2015 at 10:02 AM

    Just had to stop and tell You Your home is SO GORGEOUS.I agree,the flow from room to room can be calming.Denise

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 9, 2015 at 10:17 AM

      Thank you so much Denise!! I really appreciate it! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    July 9, 2015 at 11:40 AM

    Hi Vanessa, I love the chandelier and the sconces….beautiful!
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 9, 2015 at 1:43 PM

      Thank you Sherry! So appreciate you popping over! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Jessica says

    July 9, 2015 at 11:43 AM

    Beautiful, Vanessa! Love how fresh and airy your home looks!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 9, 2015 at 1:42 PM

      Thanks so much Jessica!! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Lisa Mothersead says

    July 9, 2015 at 5:12 PM

    The sconces look high end and the flow is nice! I need to shop Wayfair more!

    Reply
  10. Chandler says

    July 9, 2015 at 7:03 PM

    So can you just come and decorate my house for me when I move? Your living room is absolutely beautiful!

    Reply
  11. Georgia @ Silver Spiral Studio says

    July 10, 2015 at 12:30 AM

    BEAUTIFUL! Classy and sophisticated. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  12. Diane says

    July 15, 2015 at 8:29 AM

    I love the color of your walls. Do you know what it is?

    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

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

Grandma’s Banana Bread

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023
  • Nostalgic Christmas Home Tour December 10, 2022
  • Vintage Inspired Hot Cocoa Bar November 21, 2022
  • Autumn Home Decor Tour October 7, 2022
  • Built In Shelving Makeover in Family Room August 31, 2022

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

I just went to make my mid-morning protein shake a I just went to make my mid-morning protein shake and grabbed a banana out of the freezer and was about to put it into my shake before I realized it was a frozen egg roll. Sooooo that's how my day is going so far! 🤪How about you?

It's honestly fairly representative of my state of mind these days as I can't seem to make the date on the calendar match the date in my spirit because it feels like it should be January 45th. Every year this month drags on and every year it seems to surprise me for some reason. In addition, my heart just feels heavy as I witness a lot of darkness and sadness around me. So, I'm choosing to control what I can control by making my house feel as cozy as possible, relishing the sunshine whenever it dares to peek through the clouds, gathering inspiration for warmer weather projects and, most importantly, resting in the comfort of the sovereignty of my Father.

“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work..." Job 37:5-7
What if you could do something at the beginning of What if you could do something at the beginning of your day that would be a gift to yourself later on? That’s what we’re talking about on this week’s Tip Tuesday! #tiptuesday
The sun decided to make another appearance today! The sun decided to make another appearance today! It’s been such a lovely Sunday. Chocolate croissants for breakfast followed by church then naps/football/reading/etc and soon we’ll be heading out to dinner with friends. These are my favorite kind of weekends. Hope yours has been lovely too! 🌿
Yesterday was stormy and cold but today the sunshi Yesterday was stormy and cold but today the sunshine is breaking through the fog and my house just seems happier. We definitely needed to see that light streaming in through the windows and it’s a gift I don’t take for granted.

And yes, there are still twinkle lights on my mantle because those help when the sunshine goes away again. ✨
Happy weekend! The rainy and gloomy weather here i Happy weekend! The rainy and gloomy weather here in the Willamette Valley has me feeling less frustrated about my migraine forcing me to just snuggle up indoors and these flowers in my kitchen are lifting my spirits. What are you up to on this holiday weekend?
It’s time for TIP TUESDAY! This week, I’m offe It’s time for TIP TUESDAY! This week, I’m offering a gentle reminder from my own parenting experience after feeling my heart pricked with conviction about what was waiting for my daughter every day after school. I hope it will encourage you! 🌿#tiptuesday
The day after Christmas I found myself laundering The day after Christmas I found myself laundering and folding all of the linens we used the previous night as we hosted my husband's side of the family for dinner and other festivities. As I laid out each cloth napkin and folded them one by one, I couldn't help but be struck by what a simple, yet meaningful, task it was. It's such an honor and privilege to be the hostess and, at this stage of my life, I realize that this has almost one hundred percent become my role now. Our parents are in their 70's and have either downsized significantly or simply don't have the energy to take on hosting duties for a large group. I could resent this. I could feel overwhelmed by it. But, instead, I'm choosing to embrace it knowing that, someday, I too will pass the hosting torch and I hope that I will be welcomed with love and attentiveness. So, I fold the linen napkins, taking pleasure in the way all of the creases line up and how neat and tidy they look in the drawer of my dining room buffet. These seemingly simple chores are part of the lifeblood of homemaking and my attitude towards them can either be one of gratefulness or grumbly-ness (yes, I'm making up words now). 

And I’m choosing gratefulness. 

“This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.” (Elisabeth Elliot⁣)
Welcome to Tip Tuesday! I’m so excited to be kic Welcome to Tip Tuesday! I’m so excited to be kicking off the year with a brand new series! Each weekly installment will feature a tip for everything from your home to faith to parenting to family life and so much more. My goal for 2023 is to have far more personal interaction with this community while continuing on with the mission of weaving together all things heart and home. I hope you enjoy this first tip and I’d love to hear from you about whether or not you decorate for winter! 
#tiptuesday #organizing #winterdecorating
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. H “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” 

Here’s to beginnings. Happy new year friends! May you experience the majesty and sovereignty of the Lord in 2023 like never before! ✨
Oh how I love this week each year! It’s my favor Oh how I love this week each year! It’s my favorite for sure. Everything is still festive and decorated but there’s none of the stress of the cooking and wrapping and making preparations. It’s the week where we get to take everything slowly and simply enjoy being together while the house still has twinkling lights and we can just be cozy.

What about you? How will you be spending this week? ✨
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence