• 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
  • Shop My Home
  • 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

June 18, 2020

Open Shelving Decorating Ideas

Hello friends! It’s been awhile since we’ve met here and I’m so thrilled to be back! Between wrapping up the end of the school year for my kids through distance learning (if I never have to do Algebra again it will be too soon!) and all of the other craziness happening in our world right now, I’ve honestly just felt the need to hunker down and spend time processing, praying and being a bit more quiet than usual.

But, the other day, I found myself itching to rearrange the shelves flanking our family room fireplace and give them a fresh look. It’s the first time in a very long time that I’ve felt any desire to decorate.

I took everything off of the shelves and gave them a much needed dusting and then set about rearranging the decor, pulling things from other parts of the house and working with what I already had on hand.

And, as I worked, I felt something inside of me begin to awaken. Something that had gone dormant in recent months. Life has felt so upside down and backwards. Right outside my front door there is upheaval and heartache and confusion and loss…so much loss.

I’ve felt as though all of my creativity has been sucked into the vacuum of a hurting world.

But, as I puttered and cleaned and arranged and rearranged, I felt that spark returning. And if you ever went to a Christian youth camp in the 1980’s you’ll know the song “It only takes a spark to get a fire going” is very true. Granted, they were talking about faith but I think the words apply to decorating too, don’t you?

I was reminded that when the whole world feels out of control and out of order, I have the choice to control what I can control and that sometimes bringing order to your home can also bring order to your heart.

I’ve always believed that a peaceful home begins with a peaceful heart and my own heart has been in a daily battle to feel at peace lately.

One of our greatest challenges in life is to find peace when everything around us is swirling like a hurricane. But experiencing true, lasting peace really has nothing to do with our circumstances.

It’s about knowing that this is not all there is. I don’t put my hope in the things of this earth because they will always come up short.

So, even though it feels strange to ponder the placement of a picture frame or a glass bottle when much of the world feels completely out of place, I can be intentional about making this little corner of it that I call my home a haven of peace. Not in order to lock ourselves away and deny what is really happening, but to be a teeny tiny representation here on earth of the joy and the peace awaiting us in heaven.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Blessings and peace to you today dear ones!

17 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « It Reminds Me of Home
Next Post: Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth Bryan says

    June 18, 2020 at 2:41 PM

    Beautiful words, and once again you describe exactly how I feel right now. Hang on while I go rearrange my bookshelves.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 19, 2020 at 8:52 AM

      Love you friend! xoxo

      Reply
  2. Cindy says

    June 18, 2020 at 2:49 PM

    Vanessa, you are always putting into words just how I feel. It is so good to know others are feeling the very same emotions. I appreciate the great reminder to keep up the good fight and keep my home the “haven of peace” it needs to be. I was getting pretty weary. It was a great “pick me up”. Thank you.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 19, 2020 at 8:52 AM

      I’m so glad this resonated with and encouraged you Cindy!

      Reply
  3. Sherry says

    June 18, 2020 at 3:30 PM

    Thank you. Peace peace wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above.

    Reply
  4. Tammie says

    June 18, 2020 at 4:14 PM

    Your shelves are styled so beautifully! Love the Bible verse. It’s so appropriate for these times.

    Reply
  5. Marti says

    June 18, 2020 at 5:27 PM

    Thank you….you have made my day. Just remembering God is in control and we must continue to trust in Him. What a reassurance we have!

    Reply
  6. Doris Raab says

    June 18, 2020 at 5:38 PM

    I feel peace each time I see pictures of your home. You make some great points in this sad and difficult time. Thank you for sharing your words!

    Reply
  7. Michele M says

    June 18, 2020 at 5:44 PM

    Perfect.

    Amen, sister, amen.

    Reply
  8. Lin Mossgrove says

    June 18, 2020 at 8:24 PM

    Thank you–my heart needed this today!

    Reply
  9. Diane Lawrence says

    June 18, 2020 at 9:38 PM

    Thanks for your encouragement, Vanessa!

    Reply
  10. Kathy says

    June 19, 2020 at 12:56 AM

    Your home is beautiful and peaceful. Thank you for sharing it and your thoughts with us. I think we’re all struggling right now. Life feels very fragile. And strange. Thank you for offering all of us a moment of relief.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 19, 2020 at 8:58 AM

      I’m so glad this offered you a moment of relief Kathy! That was my hope. 🙂

      Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 19, 2020 at 8:58 AM

      I’m so glad this offered you a moment of relief Kathy! That was my hope. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Margaret says

    June 19, 2020 at 7:12 PM

    My favorite verse and thanks for the song reminder! I hadn’t thought if it in years. So peace-bringing.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 22, 2020 at 1:43 PM

      Thank you Margaret!

      Reply
  12. Mary Caliendo says

    June 29, 2020 at 7:49 PM

    Thank you for this post. Peace is so needed in our days currently. Your home is always so beautiful, I love the mindful intention.

    Reply

Leave a Reply 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!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

How to make a faux wine box from www.atthepicketfence.com

Latest Recipes

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Decorating a Sofa Table May 31, 2023
  • Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze April 19, 2023
  • Console Table Refresh March 24, 2023
  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023
  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

There’s nothing quite like enjoying the rewards There’s nothing quite like enjoying the rewards of your labor! The whole family pitched in to get our bark spread around the yard (I’m the master at raking it until it’s nice and even) and by the end of the day we were all done. Now we can head into summer with our big yard projects completed! 🙌🏻 Do you put in fresh bark every year?
Welcome June! I’m so glad you’re here! What’ Welcome June! I’m so glad you’re here! What’s your favorite thing about this month? Mind can be summed up in this quote…

“In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different.” John Steinbeck
“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 and the principles upon which our country was founded. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables t I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables to pit next to our outdoor couch and when I spotted these plant stands at @walmart from their @betterhomesandgardens line I knew they would be perfect…and they are!! 👏🏻 This is not a sponsored post. I’m just happily sharing this great find and why we should always be open to thinking outside of the box when it comes finding solutions for our decorating dilemmas.

Now we’re ready to head into this beautiful weekend! ☀️
What do you do when you want to use a bunch of boo What do you do when you want to use a bunch of books in your decorating but it can cost $50 or more for just ONE brand new book? Head to the secondhand bookstore of course! I’m so excited about this new look in my family room and this easy, inexpensive decorating tip I’m bringing to you for this #tiptuesday
Today feels like one of those days that is worthy Today feels like one of those days that is worthy of a chef’s kiss. Blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, perfect mid-70’s temps, a gentle breeze blowing through my hair as I walk around my yard to see the status of my flowering plants.

This morning I was running errands and the weight of hard things that are happening in the world, the culture, my own community and even in our circle of friends just felt so heavy.

But, as I was exiting a store, I passed a couple who were in their late 60’s/early 70’s and holding hands as they walked through the parking lot. I happened to glance over just as the husband lifted his wife’s hand up and planted a kiss right on it. It was a moment that reflected such love and tenderness and it was made sweeter by the fact that they weren’t spring chickens. I felt honored that I had been the one to observe and appreciate that moment.

What an incredible thing it is that as humans we are able to hold so many emotions in our souls all at once. To feel sorrow for the pain a friend is enduring, grieve the decline of a culture drifting further from the Lord, ponder how to navigate a challenging school situation, marvel at and enjoy the beauty of creation right outside my door and feel joy at getting to see a tangible example of lasting love while walking through a parking lot.

I truly believe that as we mature in our lives and in our faith, we learn to embrace the tension that comes with the collision of different emotions and recognize that they can all coexist at the same time without one taking something away from another. Simple joys make the hard stuff a bit easier and hard stuff makes us appreciate those simple joys even more.

What’s a simple joy that you are thankful for today?
Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here are some highlights…

*Friday night I joined some wonderful ladies at church for a time of fellowship and yummy desserts. I made a strawberry lemon coffee cake and it was amazing if I do say so myself. ☺️ We are new-ish to this church and have just felt so warmly welcomed and folded in which has been very healing.

*Saturday was filled with getting our outdoor spaces spiffed up and my guys got our new table put together!

*Sitting outside for lunch with a yummy salad and iced tea felt like a little slice of heaven.

*Sunday we went to the iris gardens with my in-laws and then came home for naps and the most mouth watering ribs that my sweet husband had on the smoker all day.

*This glorious weekend ended with some ferocious rounds of UNO-corn (a hilarious version of UNO) and brownies my sweet daughter made for our dessert.

How was your weekend sweet friends? 🌸
I am absolutely and completely a better version of I am absolutely and completely a better version of myself when the sun is shining! Raise your hand if this is true for you too.

And, not only do I feel myself seeming to physically rise up from a slumbered state to greet the sunshine we've been longing for, I find that it seems like my house is rising up too. Every room, every nook and cranny (even though I now see dust bunnies that I missed during my cleaning on the dreary days), every leaf and flower outside...it's all coming to life and breathing fresh hope into my spirit. What a gift it is to be able to enjoy this home in all of the seasons of the year and of our lives. Now, I'm going to head outside and clean our deck and maybe there will be some time leftover for those dust bunnies!
I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispenser I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispensers! They come with pre-made labels for SO many different options and would make a great Mother’s Day gift! I love how they add a bit of pizzazz to my kitchen. And they go perfectly with some of my antique accessories like the little dish my mother in law gave me for salt and pepper and the tiny toothpick holder which belonged to my great grandmother. 

If you’d like the link to order them, just leave a comment with the word ‘bottles’ and I’ll send it your way. They’re even on sale right now! 🙌🏻
The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This is what I’m thinking (and sometimes saying out loud) every time I pass my dining room window and see my lilac tree bursting forth. I should probably just go full Paul Revere and ring a bell while I shout the news for all to hear. I’m sure my family would love that!

Lilac season is so bittersweet because it’s over way too soon but, fortunately, I’ve figured out how to capture the deliciousness of the fragrance by making my own lilac scented room spray. It’s SO simple!

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.

This sweet little project was first featured in my book Life in Season and is definitely one of my favorites.

Have the lilacs started blooming where you live?
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence