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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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March 11, 2014

Kids Art Center and a Little Redemption

The older I get the more I’m realizing that I just have to come to terms with the things that I will never be good at.

Walking through a room without bumping into something

Monopoly

 Cartwheels

And drawing

I’m pretty much permanently stuck at a 1st grade level when it comes to my artistic abilities. Actually, that might be stretching it a bit.

Let’s just say that I’m typically the last person chosen when it comes to picking teams for Pictionary.

galvanized buckets on art desk

Fortunately, though, we always have the hope that our kids might redeem our short-comings, right? And when I realized that my daughter was showing considerable artistic talent I was not only beyond impressed at her ability but also relieved at this chance for redemption.

Kids Art Desk Center from atthepicketfence.com


Our playroom recently hit ‘puberty’ and is going through some changes. Gone are the wooden train table and little red play kitchen and in their place are a Foos ball table, dart board and media center.

And now there’s one more addition. A space for my little artist to call all her own complete with a desk, display space and this fun lamp she helped to create.

celebrating art lamp from atthepicketfence.com

I picked up this white desk at a garage sale for $20 and an inexpensive upholstered cube is the perfect seat. It tucks right under the desk which helps maximize space in this room.

When D. Lawless Hardware  asked if they could send me some of their hardware I knew exactly where I wanted them to go.

cube stool ottoman as art desk chair

These beautiful antique milk green glass knobs were the perfect way to add a pop of color and vintage detail to the desk.

milk glass knobs on desk atthepicketfence.com

Above the desk, a framed bulletin board gives my artist plenty of room to display her creations.

bulletin board for art center atthepicketfence.com

And numbered galvanized buckets provide storage for all of her artists tools.

numbered galvanized buckets holding art supplies

Blank sheets of paper are at the ready in a wire basket. A ream of printer paper wrapped up under the tree might have been her favorite Christmas gift last year!

wire basket with paper on art desk

The addition of a piece of laminate (cut to size for free at Lowes) protects the top of the desk…

laminate on top of desk atthepicketfence.com

…and also provides even MORE display space.

displaying art under laminate on desk

This one is my favorite.

bird drawing

My sweet girl absolutely loves her art center.

And as her mom, I want to encourage her talent and create opportunities for her to develop it.

kids art center from atthepicketfence.com

And, I’ll admit, I’m also hoping that someday when we are all playing Pictionary together and it comes time to choose teams and she hesitates for a moment over whether or not to select her mother, I can say “But remember when I created that amazing art center for you?”

I’m not above a little guilt. Isn’t that what mothers are for? 😉

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18 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Family, Kids Tagged With: kids, kids rooms

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Comments

  1. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    March 11, 2014 at 4:20 PM

    Oh I am the last one to be picked at Pictionary too!…Love your art center and that lamp is the best…I must do that too for my little sweetie…and fantastic hardware…D.Lawless Hardware is the best…and hey, the legos, monopoly, and such never go away…they are just played by the next wonderful generation….I am gazing at toys on the floor as we speak…I am getting to know all of the names of My Little Pony!

    Reply
  2. Jill Flory says

    March 11, 2014 at 6:10 PM

    Wonderful little art center! I can see why she loves it – I’d take one too 🙂

    Reply
  3. chelsea says

    March 12, 2014 at 4:25 AM

    Such a cute little center!

    Reply
  4. Cheryl at Snaps of Ginger says

    March 12, 2014 at 7:12 AM

    What a perfect space!!! Open, uncluttered, organized…

    AND I’m there with you in my artistic abilities!

    ~Cheryl
    https://snaps-of-ginger.blogspot.com/

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      March 12, 2014 at 9:13 AM

      Glad to know I’m not the only one Cheryl! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  5. debbiedoos says

    March 12, 2014 at 7:25 AM

    Well sounds like we are not good at the same exact things. The drawing always frustrated me. Love the new space and how cute is that lampshade. Love the buckets too!

    Reply
  6. Laura @ Housewife Hellraiser says

    March 12, 2014 at 9:02 AM

    Really cute. I want to sit there and draw! I love the lamp too; so creative!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      March 12, 2014 at 9:12 AM

      Thank you Laura! Every once in awhile she lets me sit there. LOL!

      Reply
  7. Kim Byers @ The Celebration Shoppe says

    March 12, 2014 at 9:20 AM

    What a lovely way to declutter your daughter’s craft space! Now if only we could do that for ourselves {smirk}

    Reply
  8. Tania says

    March 12, 2014 at 11:43 AM

    Can you provide a bit more detail about the laminate for the top of the desk. What dept. in Lowes would I find this product. I just finished painting a desk for my daughter and would love to protect the top as you did. It looks almost like glass! Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

    Reply
    • Vanessa says

      March 12, 2014 at 4:37 PM

      Hi Tania! The plexi glass at my Lowes was over near the cabinet knobs/etc. but I’m sure if you asked at the service desk they will point you in the right direction. 🙂 I love that it protects the top of the desk but isn’t overly noticeable you know? Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  9. Wajiha says

    March 13, 2014 at 7:17 AM

    Hey! I am in the process of decluttering my daughters’ crafts unit and i am finding it SUCH a ordeal, i tell you. So refreshing to see some of the ways you’ve mentioned. I feel inspired now. Thanks a bunch for that!

    Reply
    • Vanessa says

      March 13, 2014 at 8:30 PM

      Thanks so much for coming by Wajiha! And believe me when I say that I had to do a LOT of cleaning up before I could snap those photos of my daughter’s desk. LOL!

      Reply
  10. Midwest Basement Tech says

    March 14, 2014 at 7:16 AM

    This is such a cool idea! Love it.

    Reply
  11. Michelle@WeeFolkArt says

    May 6, 2014 at 9:11 AM

    What a beautiful space. I am in the process of updating my kids’ bedrooms and they all need that special spot, just for them, in which they can create. I love the whimsical touch of the crayons inside the lamp.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Using Jade & Jadiete In and Around the House says:
    September 16, 2014 at 11:03 AM

    […] Even the simplest of details can make a difference. Replace some knobs in a unsuspecting area with those made of jadeite for a pop of color and fresh appeal.{found on atthepicketfence}. […]

    Reply
  2. Using Jade & Jadeite In and Around the House | Club Oferteproprietari.ro says:
    September 16, 2014 at 11:50 AM

    […] Even the simplest of details can make a difference. Replace some knobs in a unsuspecting area with those made of jadeite for a pop of color and fresh appeal.{found on atthepicketfence}. […]

    Reply
  3. Using Jade & Jadeite In and Around the House says:
    September 16, 2014 at 12:55 PM

    […] Even the simplest of details can make a difference. Replace some knobs in a unsuspecting area with those made of jadeite for a pop of color and fresh appeal.{found on atthepicketfence}. […]

    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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