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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 16, 2018

Living and Dining Room Hardwood Flooring Reveal

*I’m so excited to be sharing with you today my new Shaw hardwood flooring in my living and dining rooms!*

“It looks so cozy. So homey!”

My husband and I had just moved the last piece of furniture back into the living room after having our beautiful new Shaw floors installed and we were taking a moment to catch our breath and just soak in the changes.

And when he said those words, I looked at the spaces and had an ‘ah-ha’ moment.

You see, I think that in all of my efforts to create spaces that had more neutral tones, there had been something missing. Maybe I had gone just a bit too far. Because when you have off-white carpet and an off-white couch, off-white coffee table and off-white chairs, it just sort of all starts running together.

But, suddenly, these neutral rooms had warmth and character. They looked lived in and like they were always meant to be this way.

Furniture that seemed to blend right in before, popped against the tones of the new floors.

There was a depth added that I didn’t even realize it so badly needed.

Just as these Arden Oak floors from the Epic Plus line did for our family room and kitchen, a charming foundation was created upon which the spaces now look as though they’ve been put together slowly over time rather than just recently.

But the best part is that aside from looking so pretty, these floors are about as durable as they come. I’ll admit to not always being the most careful as I’m scooting furniture around (don’t judge) but I don’t need to worry now because they can take the hits and still look like they’ve never been touched.

And I can’t even believe how much BIGGER the spaces look now with the flooring running seamlessly from room to room.

Here’s the view from the dining room looking into the living room.

And here is the view from the dining room looking into the kitchen.

I could stare at it all day long.

We intentionally selected a color that was not too dark and not too light but just somewhere in that happy middle ground. The darker the floor, the more it shows everything and since we do actually get some sunny days here in Oregon (best kept secret) I didn’t want all of the dust to show when the light streams in through the windows.

I also think that these floors look like they might have been original to the house which is in keeping with my goal of being true to the style and architecture of our home even as we attempt to update it.

With all of the creamy tones in the dining room, the new floors really help to add a lovely contrast and this is truly one of my most favorite spaces in our home.

The other day I had this moment where I looked around and realized that my home finally looks like how I always wanted it to look when I envisioned it in my mind. And for a split second I thought, “I wish it had always looked like this.”

But, then I caught myself. Because there has been so much joy in taking our time to update our home. In the waiting and the saving. There’s been joy in the process of discovering my design style and becoming more comfortable in it.

I know that I appreciate it all so much more because it didn’t happen overnight or in one of those HGTV style 2 day makeovers.

In a world where everything seems to move at warp speed, there’s something to be said for the slow and steady approach. It was the tortoise who won the race, after all, wasn’t it? 😉

 

Thank you so much for meeting me at the fence today friends,

* I am compensated for my partnership with Shaw floors but all opinions are 100% my own*

 

17 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Dining Room, Good Ideas Tagged With: decorating, dining room, flooring, living room

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Comments

  1. Deb Wostmann says

    February 16, 2018 at 6:35 AM

    Looks lovely and a great choice. Living in Oregon myself I get the dreary days.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 16, 2018 at 7:26 AM

      Thank you so much Deb! Where in Oregon do you live?

      Reply
  2. Norma Rolader says

    February 16, 2018 at 7:29 AM

    Totally beautiful and love your home Thank you for sharing

    Reply
  3. PATSY SEELEY says

    February 16, 2018 at 8:42 AM

    So beautiful and perfect for your space and the Oregon climate! I really enjoy watching all you have done with your home. I live in North Plains, OR and we have natural oak floors in our home that are very similar in color. We have an older house at Black Butte Ranch that is a vacation rental and has carpeting I would like to replace. Do you think this flooring would work in a rental or does it take daily maintenance? Thanks for your thoughts.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 16, 2018 at 10:28 AM

      Hi Patsy! First of all, Black Butte is one of our most favorite places on the planet. LOL! These floors are absolutely incredible and require so little maintenance. The other day I dropped some scissors and they went point end right into the floor and there wasn’t even a scratch! I move furniture around and scoot stuff on them and they stay exactly the same. It’s awesome! I think they would be perfect in a rental for sure. Thank you so much for your kind words about my home. It’s so fun connecting with fellow Oregon folks and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      Reply
      • PATSY SEELEY says

        January 16, 2019 at 2:27 PM

        Hi again Vanessa- I am wondering if after almost a year, you are still really happy with your flooring choice. I have had some people try to talk me out of putting this flooring in our Black Butte rental. I would appreciate your thoughts! Thanks!

        Reply
  4. Gabrielle says

    February 16, 2018 at 9:51 AM

    Beautiful, thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 16, 2018 at 10:29 AM

      Thank you so much Gabrielle!

      Reply
  5. Mary-Ann (from Canada!) says

    February 16, 2018 at 10:17 AM

    Your new floors are beautiful! Enjoy! Blessings!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 16, 2018 at 10:29 AM

      Thank you so much Mary-Ann! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      Reply
  6. ROSE says

    February 16, 2018 at 11:14 AM

    I love the look of the floors. A friend of mine is putting same color flooring into his home.

    Reply
  7. Julie Briones says

    February 16, 2018 at 11:30 AM

    Perfect! It TOTALLY warms things up, and compliments the whites/creams!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 16, 2018 at 12:01 PM

      Oh thank you so much Julie!! Hope you are doing well my friend and that you have a wonderful weekend!

      Reply
  8. Deborah says

    February 16, 2018 at 6:20 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous. The whole space and everything in it!! I need some new flooring for our upstairs area and will have to look into Shaw.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 17, 2018 at 6:01 PM

      Thank you so much friend! Hope you’re having a great weekend!

      Reply
  9. Lisa says

    February 17, 2018 at 5:09 AM

    Vanessa your new floors really look beautiful! Such a pretty color that you chose!

    Reply
  10. laura janning says

    February 17, 2018 at 7:30 AM

    your floors look great. everything looks so pretty.

    Reply

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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
Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and lig Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and light cocktails! My husband is my own built in bartender and he put this together the other night. 

2 jiggers of gin (you could also use vodka) 
*you should do a jig when using a jigger 😉*
Crushed ice 
Grapefruit tonic 
Squirt of lime 
Sprig of mint 

Easy and so refreshing!! ☀️

#cocktails #summercocktails
There is something magical about the late summer e There is something magical about the late summer evenings. Maybe it’s because we have a greater sense of the fact that these long days are slowly shortening and we want to savor them as much as we can. I know I intend to do just that. 

I hope you’re having a wonderful August so far dear friends!
Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our hou Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our house all summer long. We’re big on the ‘build your own’ method of making dinner especially on very hot days. Simplicity for the win! 
#recipes #easydinner #easydinnerideas #homemaking
In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grou In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grouping of beats. No matter what else a piece of music has in terms of its pitch or tone, the rhythm never changes. Its the stabilizing force and brings order to a composition that would be completely chaotic without it.

The same can be said of rhythms in our lives and in our homes. When everything else feels out of control, rhythms and patterns provide us with stability and something that we can rely upon to give us a sense of security in a very insecure world. But, too often, we associate the rhythmic things we do in our lives as merely tasks to be gotten through rather than gifts which provide much-needed balance.

Whether it’s making the coffee every night before we go to bed or doing my devotional in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up or watering my garden, these simple tasks provide a rhythm to my day that is truly grounding. 

What’s something that you do that you would classify as a rhythm or pattern in your week?
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