• 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 to Michele Smith 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!

Must Reads

#Itching4Spring HomeTalk and HGTV Twitter Party

Recent Posts

  • Why We’ve Chosen Vacations Over Projects April 26, 2022
  • A New Look for the Family Room March 1, 2022
  • Christmas Kitchen and Family Room December 19, 2021
  • Christmas Home Tour Part One December 10, 2021
  • Easy Hot Cocoa Station November 21, 2021

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

Happy Independence Day!! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙 M Happy Independence Day!! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

May we never take for granted the freedom given to us not by earthly authorities but by the ONE true authority. And may we live in such a way as to honor those who fought for and protect freedom and liberty. 

“Independence Day, freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to sha Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to share all of the details of our family room shelving makeover but I’m super impatient and just had to give you all a sneak peek!! We are SO happy with how they turned out and it finally looks like I’ve always envisioned. Our quick fix years ago (scroll to see the before photo) never felt quite right but now? Soooo much better!! 🙌🏻 Big shoutout to our amazingly talented friend Matt @redemptive_woodworx for bringing our vision to life and doing such impeccable work.

I hope you all have a great start to the 4th of July weekend and make sure to check my stories later for Friday Funnies!
The month of June is coming to a close and it has The month of June is coming to a close and it has been JAM packed! The highlight by far though was my son's graduation from high school. When I started blogging, he was only 6 years old and some of you have been apart of my community here for that entire time. Now, he's 19 and there is a reason parents are told not to blink because the years truly do go faster than I ever could have imagined. He has become such an incredible young man we are so excited to see how God is going to unfold the next chapter of his life. We celebrated with parties galore (SO many open houses to attend!) and made memories we'll forever cherish. My mama heart was filled to bursting with the joy of it all! Now we're taking some time to just enjoy these warm, summer days making even more memories because, when you’re at this stage of parenting, you know all too well how much you need to grasp every opportunity to spend time together.

I hope your summer is off to a great start too dear friends! 🪴
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts o “And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Happy first day of summer dear friends!! I can’t believe it’s been so long since I posted something new here but life has been crazy. I’ll have some new photos of house projects and life events to share with you soon but, got now, I’m just going to enjoy this gorgeous first day of summer after our ridiculously long, wet spring. ☀️
“It was June, and the world smelled of roses. Th “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” (Maud Hart Lovelace) 

Welcome June!
“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”
General Douglas MacArthur

Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2022 At The Picket Fence