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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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April 2, 2014

Living Room Re-Reveal!

Don’t you just wish you had a ‘Do-over‘ button that you could push at any given moment? You know, like those ‘Easy‘ buttons in that Staples commercial?

I’m a talker. And being a talker means you feel this overwhelming compulsion to fill any silence or voids in conversation with words. Sometimes they make sense and are totally relevant to the topic and other times they leave the other person scratching their head and wondering why they ever started talking to you in the first place.

I can see it happening and my mind is saying “stop talking you big dummy” but my mouth is moving too quickly for my mind to catch up with it and so I end up saying things like, “hey, have you ever wondered why you drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?”

how to decorate a traditional living room




Hence my need to have a ‘do-over’ button with me at all times.

But, here’s the glorious thing about blogging. I get to have as close to a ‘do-over’ as possible when I share updates to rooms in my home!

So let’s pretend that this is the very first time you are seeing my living room, OK?

Because almost a year ago I revealed my living room here . But I just pushed the ‘do-over- button and this is the reveal! The REAL reveal. For now at least! 😉

tray display on glass coffee table

One of the biggest changes I made was to switch the placement of the sofa and chairs and I love it sooooooo much more! I mean, soooooooo much!

It just seems cozier and it really opened up the space between the living room and dining room.

traditional french country living room atthepicketfence.com

I searched high and low and wasted a ridiculous amount of time trying to find just the right pillows for my button tufted chairs.

But the solution ended up being tucked away in my bin of leftover fabric and trim where I found scraps of drop cloth and some burlap fringe I had intended for another project. A half an hour later and I had the perfect pillows.

Gotta love free!

button tufted chair with drop cloth pillow atthepicketfence.com

I also searched high and low for a garden stool that didn’t cost too much. Have you ever seen the prices on those? I need a ‘do-over’ button to get over the sticker shock! But I finally found the perfect one at Ross Dress for Less and I love the touch of metallic tones it adds to the space.

metal garden stool

You know, what’s interesting about the concept of a ‘do-over’? It doesn’t actually wipe the slate clean, does it?

No matter how much I wish I could take back all of those times I’ve filled the awkward pauses in conversations with random stories about totally ridiculous things…like how I need to remember to bring tweezers with me into the TJMAXX dressing room because the lighting in there, while horrible on the one hand, is actually perfect for seeing EVERY.SINGLE.HAIR on my face…I just can’t un-say them.

And, in my home, there are rarely going to be times where rooms are just wiped clean.

I will get new pieces here and there and will re-arrange and move furniture from one side of the room to the other.

mirrored dresser on sides of fireplace

But, I’m pretty sure my great-grandfather’s spectacles will always be sitting here on top of the mirrored chest.

antique glasses on top of wood box

And I can’t see this bench going anywhere else anytime soon. In fact, I know it won’t because I have a little girl who is particularly fond of lying down on it and playing with her stuffed animals right there in front of the fireplace.

wood bench with rush seat in front of fireplace

And this sofa? Well we have had that for 15 years and the pillows might get changed now and then but the sofa isn’t going anywhere anytime soon either.

pillows on off white damask sofa

I’m fairly certain that someday my kids will be fighting over who gets my grandmother’s china cabinet but, for now at least, it’s found it’s home on this wall.

antique china cabinet in living room

So, even though technically this isn’t a room makeover, I think a ‘do-over’ will…well…do.

traditional-french-country-living-room-atthepicketfence.com_

Don’t you? 🙂

Thanks so much for coming by and spending time with us At the Picket Fence today,

Vanessa signature

 

38 Comments Filed Under: Decorating Tagged With: decorating, living room

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Comments

  1. Janette @ The 2 Seasons says

    April 2, 2014 at 4:24 AM

    Love it!

    Reply
  2. Ann says

    April 2, 2014 at 4:31 AM

    This is one of my favorite rooms. Ever. It’s light-filled eye candy. I totally know how you feel about never having a clean slate. I won’t either and have tried to embrace it instead of wishing I could change everything! Hope you are well and enjoying some warm days ~ Ann

    Reply
  3. Ashley @ 3littlegreenwoods says

    April 2, 2014 at 4:35 AM

    Do overs are totally allowed! {Thank goodness!}

    I love the color of the room and your grandmother’s china cabinet is absolutely gorgeous. My grandmother has gifted me with several of her pieces and I cherish each one.

    Reply
  4. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    April 2, 2014 at 4:58 AM

    I love do-over’s. I do them all the time. Love your room, so pretty and so bright and cheery. Hugs, marty

    Reply
  5. laura@top this top that says

    April 2, 2014 at 5:26 AM

    pretty ‘do-over’ Vanessa!

    Reply
  6. june says

    April 2, 2014 at 5:45 AM

    LOVE THE DO-OVER! HOW FUN. I’M IN THE PROCESS OF ONE MYSELF WITH MY LIVING ROOM. LOVE FLOWERS BUT TIRED OF THE FLORAL SOFA AND MATCHING WINDOW TREATMENTS. DECIDED TO GO WITH A SOLID OR TONE ON TONE SOFA THIS TIME AND ACCENT WITH PILLOWS. IT WILL BE FUN BECAUSE SEASONALLY I CAN POP A FUN PILLOW ON THE SOFA.

    WHERE DID YOU FIND THOSE FLORAL PICTURES ON THE WALL? LOVE THE COLORS!

    june

    Reply
  7. Kim says

    April 2, 2014 at 6:01 AM

    Vanessa, that room looks so good and I love how bright it is. The furniture placement is perfect.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      April 2, 2014 at 7:13 AM

      Thank you so much Kim!

      Reply
  8. Doreen says

    April 2, 2014 at 6:27 AM

    Love your living room – especially those pale yellow walls! So bright and cheery!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      April 2, 2014 at 7:13 AM

      Thank you Doreen! 🙂

      Reply
  9. martina says

    April 2, 2014 at 6:27 AM

    BEAUTIFULLY done Vanessa!! My living room is the room in my house to that’s a do over’s do over lol!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      April 2, 2014 at 7:13 AM

      LOL Martina!! I think mine should be called a do over’s do over too! Thanks for coming by!

      Reply
  10. classic•casual•home says

    April 2, 2014 at 7:30 AM

    I loved this post!!! I always have a least one room ready for a “do Over”…even just mooing things around. Love the sofa and pillows and your grandpa’s spectacles.

    Reply
  11. ange says

    April 2, 2014 at 9:22 AM

    It looks fantastic Vanessa! I love how bright and airy it feels yet elegant and lovely too.

    Reply
  12. Sandy says

    April 2, 2014 at 9:26 AM

    Vanessa, your “do-over” living room is beautiful. I like the garden stool between your two chairs.I am planning a “make-over” for our 35 yr. old living room. I found on a blog, a wall of glass enclosed shelved cases and my husband agreed to call a carpenter after Easter. I have so many beautiful items stored and now they will be showcased.Wall color and carpet or wood floors still not solved. This room once completed will be it’s finale.

    Reply
  13. Victoria says

    April 2, 2014 at 9:51 AM

    Well I am that silly woman that changes up the furniture arrangements every couple of months. I have to put a sign on the door saying ‘BEWARE furniture is re-arranged’! I like the new set up but heck I liked the old one too. Your home is so light and bright. I love, LOVE the metal stool/table. The tones are so great.
    I don’t think my living room will ever be in its FINAL state…. which is good for me.
    Thanks for sharing it is beautiful.

    Reply
  14. Kassie says

    April 2, 2014 at 11:42 AM

    I love the room. Looks so fresh and spring-ish. Cute post, too….you made me laugh. 🙂

    Reply
  15. Judy says

    April 2, 2014 at 11:57 AM

    Vanessa I never get tired of looking at your home and I absolutely LOVE your living room. It’s such an inviting space. You truly have done a wonderful job. I don’t think our homes are ever completely finished. I am always feeling the need for a do-over too. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home.

    Reply
  16. Debbie refresh resytle says

    April 2, 2014 at 12:43 PM

    Beautiful and Refreshing 🙂 Love it!
    Debbie

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      April 2, 2014 at 1:21 PM

      Thanks so much Debbie!

      Reply
  17. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    April 2, 2014 at 3:28 PM

    I adore your living room Vanessa. I love love love the beautiful soft yellow walls. Yellow is such an easy and happy and beautiful color to live with! I laughed out loud about the do-over button for your living room reveal… I so relate! I have probably had 20 dining room reveals this year alone! And every glimpse of your living room is worth it… I’m just ooooohing and aaaahing!I am wild about your take on traditional… it’s fresh and elegant and so wonderfully put together! Perfection!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      April 3, 2014 at 4:31 PM

      Oh thank you so much Yvonne!!! I so love your home and your style that your compliments mean the world! 🙂

      Reply
  18. Suzy @ Worthing Court says

    April 2, 2014 at 3:52 PM

    I loved your living room before, Vanessa, but the do-over is so bright and pretty!

    Reply
  19. Shelia says

    April 2, 2014 at 4:19 PM

    Hi Vanessa! Your living room is just so lovely! Each piece is just so pretty and I adore your granny’s cabinet – gorgeous! Now I’m a talker too and know the feeling of silence – it ain’t right! I have to get the conversation going again. 🙂
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia;)

    Reply
  20. Anne says

    April 2, 2014 at 5:14 PM

    i have only commented on a couple blogs..even though i’ve read them for a couple years…can i ask where you got those cute tufted chairs with the buttons…and if you answer i hope i know how to find it again..lol

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      April 3, 2014 at 7:41 AM

      Hi Anne! I got the chairs at Cost Plus World Market and have truly loved them! 🙂

      Reply
  21. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    April 2, 2014 at 7:10 PM

    Well you “did over” a beautiful room previously and now your “do over” is wonderful..I so love your treasured family pieces from the spectacles to the gorgeous cabinet…and yes, sometimes we search and search for the perfect thing to find it right under our nose, or the fabric bin!…I love the garden stool…perfect piece for the room!

    Reply
  22. Becca says

    April 3, 2014 at 6:07 AM

    You are so witty, Vanessa … love your post! Your living room “do over” (while not necessary) is gorgeous! Your new arrangement is so inviting … love your pillows! And, your metallic garden seat is awesome! Now, will you come “do over” mine, please ?!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      April 3, 2014 at 4:29 PM

      Oh right! Like you need my help! LOL! Thanks so much though sweet friend! 🙂

      Reply
  23. debbiedoos says

    April 3, 2014 at 6:11 AM

    Looks gorgeous!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      April 3, 2014 at 4:28 PM

      Thanks so much Debbie!

      Reply
  24. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    April 3, 2014 at 7:21 AM

    Vanessa, This room is beautiful…just like the rest of your home!
    xx,
    Sherry

    Reply
  25. Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says

    April 3, 2014 at 8:07 AM

    The “do over” is beautiful! What a peaceful and inviting space!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  26. Anna says

    April 3, 2014 at 2:32 PM

    I love the do-over, I think it’s great. I redo makeovers all the time, I think it’s just part of being a blogger. 🙂

    Anna

    Reply
  27. Elena says

    April 3, 2014 at 6:46 PM

    I was wondering what brand and paint color that is? Very bright and cheery.

    Reply
  28. Sarah Jean says

    May 6, 2014 at 3:28 PM

    I paint most of my rooms yellow, but you nailed it with your creation! I’d love to curl up with a good book in that room.

    Reply
  29. password cracker for winrar says

    June 6, 2014 at 2:42 AM

    Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
    you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is fantastic, as well as the content!

    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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