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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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February 6, 2015

Kitchen Desks Outdated? Say It Ain’t So!

The other day my son and I were sitting together watching Chopped when a car commercial came on for the new 2016 version of whatever model of car it was. “They already have 2016 cars Mom?” , he asked. “It’s just now 2015!”

And so began a lively discussion on the science behind advertising along with explaining how mommy’s car might just seem old and outdated but it was actually WAY better than those brand new 2016 cars because it’s paid for. 😉

Are kitchen desks outdated atthepicketfence.com

Just like those new car models seem to come at us as soon as we’ve adjusted to the last one, every time a new year rolls around it brings with it a whole new list of design trends accompanied by the list of ones that have now been deemed outdated by ‘them’. You know ‘them’, right? The ones who are that mysterious ‘they’ and you can never quite figure out who ‘they’ are but you are quite certain that ‘they’ don’t actually exist in your reality.

kitchen desk southern living

source

As soon as the clock struck twelve and we rang in 2015, social media was flooded with articles declaring what was ‘out’ and what was ‘in’. I read several of those articles but then had to stop because it was making me feel like I might as well just tear down my house and start all over. 😉

One of the items ‘they’ referenced as being horribly outdated was the kitchen desk. Say what?

First of all, the whole idea of a desk being outdated cracks me up. It’s a desk.

kitchen desk chair atthepicketfence.com

Secondly, we have a desk in our kitchen and I cannot imagine what I would do without it. Frankly, it is one of the most hardworking, yet probably the most underappreciated, spaces in our home.

desk in the kitchen atthepicketfence.com

It’s part homework station, phone charging station, laptop holder and general hub of our home.

kitchen desk atthepicketfence.com

Of course, once evening rolls around, this is how it really looks.

A truly real-life beautiful mess, right? 🙂

kitchen desk real living atthepicketfence.com

Now, I know that ‘they’ have to come out with those lists every year to justify ‘their’ existence as leaders in the industry. If ‘they’ don’t establish the trends then what on earth would we do?

kitchen desk2

source

Well, I’ll tell you what we would do. First, we would appreciate the fact that we even have a home, just as it is.

Then, we would create spaces that work for US. Not for THEM. And we would do them with OUR budgets, not THEIRS.

If you hate the idea of a desk in the kitchen, by all means, rip it out and put in a wine fridge or extra cupboards or a recliner with a built in refrigerator for that matter. Whatever floats your boat. We won’t judge!

kitchen desk 3

source

But, as for me and my house, our kitchen desk is staying put.

It might get a fresh coat of paint soon though! 😉

Vanessa signature

P.S. Our friend Shannon from AKA Design wrote an AWESOME article about Design Trends and we highly encourage you reading it if this topic hits close to home!

home-decor-trends-wkg

15 Comments Filed Under: Decorating

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mimi Matthews Passionista At Large says

    February 6, 2015 at 4:13 AM

    PREACH it, sister!!

    Reply
  2. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    February 6, 2015 at 4:51 AM

    I love my kitchen desk, well actually, it is in the sunroom adjacent to the kitchen, but then again the sunroom was originally the breakfast room!….I do not pay much attention to the trends…I feel the kitchen desk is an integral part of the kitchen and home…and I love yours!

    Reply
  3. Katherines Corner says

    February 6, 2015 at 6:40 AM

    Love this. Trends schmends, keep and have what you love always. 🙂 I hope you shared at my Thursday hop. You can link up through Sat midnight) xo

    Reply
  4. Mary @ 120 Spring Street says

    February 6, 2015 at 6:40 AM

    I decided to get off the “trend wagon” a few years ago. Trends are never ending – just ways for “them” to get us to spend more money, always wanting the newest trend. I started thinking of my mom and how she lived – as a product of the depression; she made do with what she had. As a result, my brother and I now have treasured items that have been in our family all our lives – and I wouldn’t trade that for all the trends in the world. Great post here!
    Mary

    Reply
  5. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    February 6, 2015 at 6:55 AM

    If I had a desk in my kitchen it would definitely stay. I put one in the breakfast area, so that is second best for me. Love your, so keep it.

    Reply
  6. Linda J says

    February 6, 2015 at 8:51 AM

    If a trend strikes my fancy, I may indulge. If not, I don’t. I’m a retired designer and my training was always “function first”. I also enjoy classic décor. That means what works in your home, is attractive to you and you enjoy for whatever reason – go for it! I just love you guys!

    Reply
  7. Lisa Mothersead says

    February 6, 2015 at 9:11 AM

    I have missed the kitchen desk from my previous home so many times. I had cubbyholes above and nice cabinets and it was functional and super cute. Our current home is smaller (empty nesters) but newer and more custom. But, I really hope to have a kitchen desk again. Yours looks great. Love your home.

    Reply
  8. Catherine says

    February 6, 2015 at 10:31 AM

    I’m truly surprised at the interest in the kitchen desk–I NEVER designed a kitchen that had one. No one wanted it! Either because they had a dedicated office or the kitchen footprint was too small to lose valuable cabinets and counters!
    I never had one of my own to try out and know first-hand if I’d like it or not, but those I know who do have one treat it like a dumping ground and it always looks awful.
    Interesting dialog!
    Catherine

    Reply
  9. Deb says

    February 6, 2015 at 1:04 PM

    So funny I had to read this one! I have a desk in my very outdated kitchen…yet we painted the cabinets white to make it much prettier. I actually hate the desk and we never use it. I keep thinking maybe if we add a really cute industrial style chair over there it will make it much more trendy. Not quite sure what to do with it…but I say if you use it who cares if they consider it outdated. We just never use ours…I would totally appreciate more cabinet space.

    Deb

    Reply
  10. jane@Bluebird1959 says

    February 6, 2015 at 2:36 PM

    I’ve decided that what’s “out” for 2015 should be lists of what’s out for 2015, lol! I personally love a desk in the kitchen…very practical for the electronics charging, homework, Bill paying, you name it. I can’t imagine a desk in the busiest room in the house ever being outdated. After having said that, we did take ours out a few years ago because it was small and I really needed more counter and storage space. I do miss it though! Jane

    Reply
  11. Joanne says

    February 6, 2015 at 3:07 PM

    I hadn’t heard that, but then the trends change so fast, who can keep up. When I renovated my kitchen the designer wanted to put one in. Noooo! I thought it would just be a catch all, as Catherine said earlier. Plus, I have an office. But…if you use your desk a lot and you want to be in the hub, you should have a desk. It’s all about individual likes, needs and wants.

    Reply
  12. Leslie says

    February 6, 2015 at 7:54 PM

    In a house we built quite a few years ago we added a desk just off the kitchen. It was great, but in our current house we ripped it out in order to gain a more open concept. I don’t have space to store a bunch of desk junk which is a challenge at times, but I wouldn’t give up the openness we have now to have it back.

    Reply
  13. Teresa says

    February 6, 2015 at 11:29 PM

    Our kitchen in our new house (new to us) is too small for a desk, but I wish I had one so I could sit at it and clip coupons, write my grocery shopping list, go thru my recipes and organize them. I don’t like cluttering up the kitchen table with coupons or recipes

    Reply
  14. Carol Ann says

    February 7, 2015 at 10:23 AM

    I just wish I had space for a kitchen desk!! And yes, I would probably paint it…

    Reply
  15. donna says

    February 8, 2015 at 6:13 AM

    I don’t believe that kitchen desks are “out”. Kitchens are the hub of most homes, especially those with school age children. In our last home we had a desk in the kitchen and I loved it. I thought of it as my mini office. It was a great place to organize all of the paper coming into our house that I was responsible for. We now live in a house that will not support a kitchen desk. Believe me, I’ve thought of every way possible to make it work and this kitchen is just too small. So for now, I have a small desk that sits just off of the kitchen and it works. Love your blog and keep up the good work!

    Reply

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"Define your day", she told me as I held my newbor "Define your day", she told me as I held my newborn son. My mom and I were talking about how blurred my days and nights had become and how easy it would be to just stay in my pajamas 24/7. She encouraged me to make an attempt to put on 'real' clothes in the morning even if they were just nice sweatpants (bonus if they were clean!) and to throw a little bit of makeup on. That simple advice helped chart a course for my years of motherhood that continues today. And recently I began thinking about how critical it is that we not only seek wisdom from those ahead of us in our stage of life but that we are willing to apply it as well.

So, I asked this question on my personal Facebook page; "What is something you feel you've done well to create a peaceful/meaningful home for yourself and your family?" The catch was that the question was geared towards women in the 40+ age range. The responses came flooding in and were so wonderful and insightful. So, I'm going to be starting a new series where I share this wisdom with you and will include the first name of the woman who offered it. 

Today we start with Alison who said "I learned to set my alarm early to get up and moving before my kids woke up. I showered, got dressed and did my devotions while the house was quiet. It set my heart and perspective for each day.”

Is this something you do in your life too? What wisdom would you offer to a mom of young children?

I truly think our culture would greatly benefit from more women in different seasons of life being willing to invest in each other. 🍂

#wearthehomemakers #homemaking #motherhood #parentingwisdom
If bread pudding is on the dessert menu at a resta If bread pudding is on the dessert menu at a restaurant I’m definitely ordering it! It’s one of my all time favorite treats. So I decided to try my hand at making some here at home with a little fall twist and it was SO delicious!! 🍎

Ingredients:

6 slices of day old bread (french, sourdough or even brioche works great)
2 cups of heavy cream
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
For the apples:
3 peeled and chopped apples of a tart variety
1 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons flour (or corn starch)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350
Cut bread into cubes and place in a greased 8 1/2 x 11 baking dish
Whisk together in a bowl the eggs, cream, vanilla, rum, cinnamon and nutmeg and then pour it over the bread cubes. In a separate bowl, mix together the apples, brown sugar and flour/corn starch. Pour the apple mixture on top of the bread mixture making sure to spread the apples evenly across every part of the bread mixture.
Bake for 45 minutes. 
Enjoy!

#falldesserts #breadpudding #fallrecipes #desserts
When one kiddo wakes up not feeling well after onl When one kiddo wakes up not feeling well after only a week of school, you take the opportunity to make Saturday a truly restful day. Pancakes on the griddle, puttering around the yard admiring the way the limelights have begun their autumn journey from white to green to pink. Sprinkling touches of fall around the house a little bit at a time. Savoring the slowness of it all and taking care of my people in this place that provides us all with a respite from the world even if just for a day.

Hope you’re weekend is off to a great start and that you make it a priority to slow down for a bit and soak up the beauty around you. 🍂

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #falldecorating
As summer slips into fall, I can’t help but thin As summer slips into fall, I can’t help but think about how grateful I am for the reminders all around me of God’s Sovereignty over everything including the seasons. It can be challenging in our world today to trust that there isn’t a single thing happening that surprises Him.

In a way, decorating my home to reflect the changing season serves as a tangible reminder of this trust. Even something as simple as seeing a pumpkin on my mantel or a basket of mums on the coffee table fill me with peace because they represent the things that remain constant and true.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8

#wearthehomemakers #homemaking #club31women
I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consumin I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consuming seasonal decorating. When I think back on the years where I would feel all of the pressure to come up with something fresh and creative I’m seriously embarrassed. Truly. Because it was such a waste. A waste of my time, my energy, my resources. Something clicked with me a few years ago. I was just done. I needed to simplify. I needed to not spend an obscene amount of time looking at fireplace mantels on Pinterest and trying to figure out how to make mine look amazing. I needed to put it all in the proper place in my heart and my mind. Which meant, it had to go waaaaayyyy down on the priority list. So far down it almost wasn’t on it. And I needed to confess to the Lord that I had allowed it to become an idol. 

Yes, I want to have a home that I enjoy. Yes, I love pretty things. But something really amazing happened when I finally released it all. When I decided to not give into the pressure and panic I would feel when I would scroll through my Instagram feed. When I just laid it all down and said…enough. There was this incredible irony in it. Because, the less time I took to decorate my home for each season, the more I found myself loving the results. I think that all along I had just been getting in my own way. It’s really taken a lot of time and prayer for me to finally be at a place where even though I still struggle with insecurities and I still have doubts from time to time, I’m becoming increasingly more confident in who God created me to be. And, just like my home, I’m finding that as I relax into myself, letting go of the comparisons and the pressure, the more I can actually lean into the calling He has placed on my life. 🍂

Leave a comment if you can relate! 

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking
“As the alluring song of September begins to whi “As the alluring song of September begins to whisper in my ear, my passionate spirit yearns for the splendor of its promise.” (Peggy Toney Horton)

Happy September dear friends! While I’m not quite ready to let go of summer and I plan to make the most out of the lingering, warm days, I’ll admit to starting to think about my fall decor this year. And one way to get inspired is to take a look back at previous years. Here’s just a glimpse at some of the ways I’ve welcomed Autumn to my home! 🍂

#september #falldecorating #falldecor #falldecoratingideas #wearethehomemakers
Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning the corner and getting closer to fall but I’m not quite ready to let summer go. So I’ll just be over here continuing to whip up some super simple summer meals for my family that frankly can be enjoyed in any season. These shrimp rolls I made the other night were definitely a hit and would be great for any of your upcoming holiday weekend gatherings!

Shrimp Rolls 🍤

Ingredients
1-2 lbs of shrimp that is peeled, deveined and tail off (If using frozen make sure it’s thawed completely)
1/3 cup mayonnaise 
1/2 of a lemon
2 Tbsps chopped scallions
1 Tbsp chopped dill
1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley
1 Tsp of Old Bay seasoning (more if you like!)
pinch of sea salt and pinch of black pepper
Hoagie Rolls
Softened butter

Directions: Gently pat the shrimp with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Roughly chop the shrimp and place in a bowl. Add mayonnaise, squeeze half of lemon and stir to combine before adding in the scallions, dill and parsley. Stir to combine and then add the additional seasonings. Spread butter on hoagie rolls and toast in the oven until lightly browned. Pile on the shrimp mixture and enjoy! 

#shrimproll #foodie #weeknightdinner #easydinner #seafoodlover
Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. W Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. We woke up to the sound of chainsaws and rushed downstairs to find that our backyard neighbors were having two of the huge trees that line our shared fence removed. These trees have been here longer than the neighborhood and no, they weren't dead or causing damage to roofs, foundations, etc. They were beautiful and gave us wonderful privacy. We had no notice of this happening so this came as quite a shock. Because we were given no notice, we didn't have the chance to cover our outdoor furniture or plants and everything is now coated in a thick layer of sawdust including the fresh bark we recently put in the garden beds. And now our lovely privacy is gone, replaced by a direct view of an above ground pool and RV. I know, I know, it's totally a first world, privileged kind of problem to have. But, now we have to spend thousands of dollars on plants to try and recapture some semblance of privacy. Now we have days worth of clean up to do after we had JUST done a massive freshening up of our backyard. My overarching feeling has just been weariness at the way our world is today.

I think about how often we try to do right by people, to be respectful and courteous. To be thoughtful and considerate. And it’s not reciprocated. How its starting to seem more and more like people have just given up on those seemingly small niceties. And my soul just feels heavy. Because I feel like so much of what used to be common courtesy is not so common anymore. Drivers on the roads are angrier and more reckless than ever before. Red lights being run are an everyday occurrence around town. On our recent family vacation, I heard more people using the F word out in public than ever before even while around children. Where are manners? Where is kindness? I'm finding myself being surprised when someone is thoughtful because it seems like a rarity. And that's just all on a micro, local level. Don't even get me started on the insanity in our world/culture. After I returned from grocery shopping (which can also be soul crushing), I found myself desperate for a reminder of the truth. 

*Part 2 continued in the comments.*
How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully grasp our strengths or our weaknesses until we are put to the test? Little did I know how much I would love my role as a wife, mother and homemaker until I became one. And that in my endeavor to do those roles to the best of my ability, it would bring to the forefront gifts and talents and blessings that I use outside of these walls.

As I water others, I’m watered too because it brings such joy to care for those around me. But it can also make me see more clearly the areas in which I’m lacking and be a very humbling reminder of how much I still need to grow and learn.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Have you done any ‘watering’ of others this week? How has it blessed and ‘watered’ you in return?
“Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you “Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you make.” Statements like this from my kids fill me with so much joy and such a sense of assurance that my role as the maker of this home is one that makes an impact on them in both big and small ways. It’s not just sheet pan shrimp boil. 

It’s nourishment
It’s time together around the table
It’s laughing as we try to get the butter sauce out of the pan
It’s a memory
It’s an imprint on their lives 

The ordinary act of making a meal becomes EXTRAordinary. And I try to keep that in mind as I do this task day in and day out, year after year. 

***

Ingredients: 
1 pound baby red or yellow potatoes
Green beans or corn (4 ears cut in half) whichever you prefer
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt and pinch of black pepper 
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (12.8-ounce) package smoked andouille sausage, thinly sliced
Crusty bread for dipping 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook potatoes until just tender, about 10 minutes. Put potatoes, shrimp, sausage and green beans or corn on baking sheet. Pour butter over top. Sprinkle with old bay seasoning and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Bake for about 12 minutes or until shrimp is pink. 

#shrimpboil #sheetpandinner #sheetpanmeals #homemaking
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