• 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

May 10, 2011

I “Simply” Love Monograms!



I have a thing for Monograms.

I think I might secretly be “preppy” at heart!
But, until recently, I have not really used them very much in my decorating.
Maybe this was because I knew that once I started I wouldn’t be able to stop!

The discovery of these monograms on the website of our Sponsor



did not help the downward spiral into a serious love affair with all things monogrammed.
You may recall this little table I transformed for my daughter’s room to which I could not resist adding this giant ‘L’ for my sweet Lauren.

Since then, the great
“Moving around of the Princess’ room to make way for a Big Girl Bed” has provided me with one more opportunity to spread some Monogram Love.
This is how her room looked Before:

And once things were rearranged, her dresser ended up on this wall instead.
With a BIG.BLANK.SPACE. over it!
Hmmm…what to do?

Why, shamelessly add another Giant Monogrammed ‘L’ of course!
I’m just chocking it up to helping my youngest learn the
first letter of her name REALLY well!
Ahhh…it looks just as sweet on the wall as it did on the table!
But, even I could admit that the monogram looked lonesome once it was up there.
(By the way, can you tell how difficult it is to photograph this room? The angles are so weird and you can see how the wall color looks completely different in every picture!)
I knew I needed to add something to help out the monogram and also to accent the angles of the ceiling in this corner of the room.

Enter these darling little plates I found at an antique store. 
I just love the subtle detailing and knew that they would high-light the monogram rather than distract from it.

Another layer of sweet vintage charm and one step closer to the completion of this room!

Can you see me peeking around the corner? Didn’t want you to see me in my sweats!

And one last look from another angle.

I’m so excited about the way her room is coming together

 and will show you more next time!


We want to also take a moment to introduce you to our May Etsy Shop



which is owned by the fabulous Alicia from La Famille.  She has the most beautiful items for sale in her shop.  Items like these:

Birthday Banner--Orange
Birthday Banner

Seed Packet Caddy
Seed Packet Caddy


and her beautiful pillows 
Burlap Numbered Pillows
which just so happen to be featured in the May edition of Country Living Magazine!  How cool is that?!

For the month of May Alicia is offering our friends at the fence free shipping on any of her items (excluding the framed art which includes shipping in the price).  Just use code: MAYPF when making your purchase!  We want to invite you to visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/LaFamilleAtHome to see all of the other beautiful items for sale and stay tuned for an upcoming giveaway sponsored by https://www.etsy.com/shop/LaFamilleAtHome 

Thanks for joining me at the Fence today,

And, don’t forget about our Virtual Blogger Baby Shower for the victims of the Tuscaloosa Tornadoes. There is still time to donate! Just click on the graphic below or the link above to see how!

All those who make purchases will automatically be entered to win two different drawings! Dianne will be giving away a $50 gift card to Home Goods at her blog The Inspired Housewife and us girls here At The Picket Fence will be offering a $25 gift card to TJ Maxx!

So many of you have already generously donated and blogged about the shower and we want you to know how moved we have been and how grateful we are! Bless you!

Linking to these parties:
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday Treasures
DIY By Design: Swing into Spring
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday

17 Comments Filed Under: Community, Decorating, Etsy, Good Ideas

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « A Blogger Baby Shower for Tuscaloosa!
Next Post: Happy Birthday Heather! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amanda says

    May 10, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    It looks wonderful surrounded by the plates! Not saying for one minute it doesn’t look perfect as it is, but adding one word to each plate describing your little girl would be lovely! Please don’t be offended thinking I’m telling you how to ‘finish’ your already superb work, it just popped into my head!

    Reply
  2. Tina says

    May 10, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    I just posted about ‘mammograms’, so when I first read your post title I read “I love mammograms”! Crazy…
    But, I love how your monogram turned out! Beautiful! It was such a pretty room to begin with, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what you come up with next! So far your off to a great start!

    Reply
  3. Jodie says

    May 10, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Vanessa,

    Love the monogram and the plates are the perfect compliment! I just love this sweet room!

    Warm Wishes,
    Jodie

    Reply
  4. Dear Sweet Home says

    May 10, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    I love the monogram – it was the perfect thing for that space. I have “issues” with big, blank spaces above pics / furniture so I think it is perfect! And, the plates are darling! I love how sweet it all looks and I look forward to seeing the “finished” room! Also, what a wonderful idea for the Tuscaloosa baby shower – I definately want to be involved in that 🙂 I will go to that post and read for further details!

    Reply
  5. Rachel says

    May 10, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    I wish I could do something like that in Maggie’s room but it is floor to ceiling PRINCESSES! 🙂 Looks beautiful! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Midwest Magnolia - Melissa Lewis says

    May 10, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    We Southern girls love our monograms!!! I love the display above the dresser. I have a similar dresser in my guest room and now I am totally going to be on the lookout for some plates so I can do this!

    Reply
  7. Judy says

    May 10, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    I love monograms as well. Yours looks perfect in your daughter’s room. So sweet surrounded by the plates. Can’t wait to see the rest of her room. BTW beautiful dresser as well.

    Reply
  8. Sherry@Back2Vintage says

    May 10, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    “L” is for Lovely!!!

    Reply
  9. NanaDiana says

    May 10, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    I love monograms too! Especially on men’s shirt cuffs! I love what you did with the L…It is LOVELY, and I LOVE it. I really LIKE how you surrounded it with the plates. What a special touch…and I LOVE the peek at your LURKING around the corner! xxoo Diana

    Reply
  10. Sue says

    May 10, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    Lauren is a lucky little lady! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Sue says

    May 10, 2011 at 10:07 PM

    Even before I scrolled down after seeing your monogram, I said to myself’ “Vanessa needs to add plates around this.” woo hoo- I scroll down and there are plates surrounding the vinyl! Looks good- really filled the space! I have a monogram on my leaner mirror- it made it pop! ~ Sue

    Reply
  12. Michele Smith says

    May 10, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    So adorable!!! I love that monogram, I NEED one for my little girl. 🙂
    Love how you added the plates too. Super cute!

    Reply
  13. michelle says

    May 10, 2011 at 11:33 PM

    Her room looks so sweet and pretty Vanessa, you are doing such a wonderful job! I love the monograms and there is nothing wrong with wanting to teach your little ones how to read. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    May 11, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    Your little girl will wake up eac morning with a sunny disposition in such a pretty yellow bedroom.
    Your use of monograms and plates is beautifully done.

    I love monograms too! Thanks for the info about The Simple Stencil. The monogram you chose looks wonderful!
    Yvonne

    Reply
  15. Cindy says

    May 11, 2011 at 4:12 AM

    Love monograms! What a precious room, you’ve done an amazing job…love it!!!

    Reply
  16. Debbie says

    May 11, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    I think it looks just plain perfect. I’m a huge monogram lover. As to preppy? I don’t bother to keep it a secret. I came of age in the 80s after all.

    And you made me giggle peeking out from the corner. That’s as funny as the camera hand taking pictures in your bathroom.

    Reply
  17. Melanie says

    May 12, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    Love it!!!

    I would love for you to come link up your post at my “Encouragement is Contagious!” linky party! And… please link up some of your other favorites from blogs you love! Then, those bloggers will also get lots of unexpected, encouraging comments!

    Blessings!
    Melanie

    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

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
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! ✨
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence