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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 15, 2014

Dixie Delights Parade of Homes Tour

Oh boy do we have a treat for you today! Once upon a time Vanessa was sitting on her couch watching the HGTV show “My House is Worth What” and there was this lovely couple giving a tour of their home and the wife was just so sweet and so friendly and their house was absolutely beautiful!!

dixie delights home exterior

Flash forward YEARS later and Vanessa was visiting one of her favorite blogs, Dixie Delights, when she noticed the tabs at the top included one called “HGTV House”. Curious, she clicked on it and couldn’t believe her eyes! There was the house! The one she had seen on HGTV so long ago. It belonged to her new blogging friend Amanda (it was the one they had previously owned) and rather than thinking that this was just coincidence, she took it as a sign that this connection was meant to be. Since then, we have enjoyed getting to know her better and have found her to be every bit as lovely, warm and welcoming as her beautiful home!

Enjoy the tour!

at the picket fence parade of homes

Hi everyone! I’m Amanda from Dixie Delights and I was positively delighted when Heather & Vanessa invited me to share my home tour!! They have been so very kind to me while I learned how to navigate this blogging world.

Welcome to our home! I have loads of before and after pictures, sources and details on each of the room links below.

Foyer
foyer 1

I grew up on one of Savannah’s barrier islands and, now that I’m firmly planted in Atlanta, I try to reflect the marshes, rivers, and moss laden trees of my childhood in my decorating. I call my design style Southern Coastal, and it is very much a reflection of me.

Formal Living Room
July 2013 109 copy

I have two young boys and let me just tell you that it has been no small task to balance my love of shiny, beautiful over-the-top things with durable, down-to-earth, utterly invincible elements.

Dining Room
April 2013 224 copy
Kitchen
July 2012 113 copy
Mud Room
mud room 1

This has led to crazy sounding ideas like mixing crystal chandeliers, outdoor rugs, family antiques and Ikea furnishings all in the same room.

Den
den 1
Powder Room
March 2013 368 copy

The needs of our young and pretty non-stop family have significantly influenced my style.

Boys’ Bedrooms (here and here)
October 2012 417 copy

November 2013 373 copy

Boys’ Bath

January 2013 434 copy
Guest Suite (bedroom and bath)
March 2012 327 copy
Master
January 2013 053 copy
April 2013 166 copy
Basement
basement 4
Porch
July 2012 922 copy

Well, that pretty much wraps it up! A BIG thank you goes out to the ladies at At the Picket Fence for the invitation to join y’all today. You can take the whole house tour here. Pop on over and visit at Dixie Delights any time!

Amanda

Thank you so much Amanda for sharing your stunning home with us! We just wish we could come hang out with you on your beautiful new porch!

Click here to see all of the homes in our At the Picket Fence Parade of Homes Series.

`We hope you have a fabulous weekend!

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14 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas, Parade of Homes

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Comments

  1. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    March 15, 2014 at 5:43 AM

    Amanda has an absolutely beautiful home! She has done a great job decorating it. This one should be on HGTV, too!

    Reply
  2. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    March 15, 2014 at 5:49 AM

    Amanda’s home is exactly what her blog name infers…a real “delight”….Love her blog and her southern style! Great feature ladies…have a most wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  3. Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says

    March 15, 2014 at 6:12 AM

    She really has a great style and such a sweet personality to go with it! It’s funny, I saw that same HGTV episode years ago and remember loving her home so much. When I came across her blog I felt like something was familiar and then realized where I knew her and her first home from! I was so thrilled she was blogging so we could all continue to be inspired by her fabulous decorating!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  4. Rach says

    March 15, 2014 at 6:14 AM

    I love the shocks of blue in the mostly white rooms. It gives a little more color while leaving the rooms looking so bright. Natural light is wonderful! It’s a beautiful home!

    Reply
  5. Jean from Georgia says

    March 15, 2014 at 6:37 AM

    Guest bedroom is beautiful, and has a very calming effect on me. Love the white plates on the walls, and would love to be sitting on that porch with my morning coffee while planning my day.

    Reply
  6. kristins says

    March 15, 2014 at 7:54 AM

    I love her house, so warm and welcoming! Thanks for the beautiful tour.

    Reply
  7. Carol Reddin says

    March 15, 2014 at 4:46 PM

    Beautiful home! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  8. Pam @ diy Design Fanatic says

    March 15, 2014 at 6:24 PM

    Amanda has a beautiful home and I love her style! Thanks for sharing it!

    Reply
  9. Lauren says

    March 16, 2014 at 6:08 AM

    Amanda’s home is one of my absolute favorites! Love her style and blog. She has so many wonderful decorating ideas!

    Reply
  10. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    March 16, 2014 at 7:35 AM

    Love Amanda! Her boys’ rooms are so precious and she has a way of combining styles effortlessly. Great feature, girls!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  11. Lisa says

    March 16, 2014 at 5:58 PM

    Absolutely STUNNING! Thank you for sharing!!!!!!

    Reply
  12. Bebe says

    March 17, 2014 at 2:17 PM

    What a gorgeous home ~ loved seeing all the pics! I think the color of the dining room is great ~ pretty and soft. The white plate accents are great, too! Thanks for sharing this!
    Smiles, Bebe 🙂

    Reply
  13. Mrs. Stewart says

    March 20, 2014 at 9:37 PM

    That boy’s bedroom with the linen-colored buffalo check has been in my mind for a while now as curtain inspiration! If only we were just a little closer to an IKEA, I’d scoop up some of that fabric myself!

    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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