• 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
  • 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 7, 2011

A “Sew” Simple Update and a Revisit

For some time now, I have asked my patient husband the same question.
“Don’t you think our curtains need a little something extra?”
To which he replies,
“I think they are great but I know you are going to change them so
does it really matter what I say?”
To which I reply,
“Of course it matters!”
To which he replies with that knowing look.
The one that says, “yeah right!”
He is right. I’m going to change them either way, but I just like to live under the illusion (or maybe delusion?) that he finds all of my decorating questions endlessly delightful and only one of my many charming qualities.
It was love at first sight with this fabric. I was even more certain it was “the one” when I realized it was in the Clearance Section of Hancock Fabrics.
Apparently someone had custom ordered it and then changed their mind.
Their loss was my gain for sure!
There wasn’t much of it though…just enough for 2 pillows and 2 panels.
Or so I thought…
When I had finally had enough of the “panel plainness” I went digging through my fabric remnant bin…hoping…wishing that there might be just a little bit of this left.
And then….there it was!
Just enough to add a “valance” to each panel.
With some trim (at 40% off, of course), I knew it could be given that extra “umph” I was hoping for.

Ahh…so much better!
And did my darling hubby even notice?
Of course not!
That is until he went to pull the panels across the window to block out the morning sunlight and realized that my extra little touch was just not quite as long as the panels so they didn’t close all the way.
Oops!
Thank goodness he loves me!
Now, some of you have seen our Master Bedroom before.
But, we have made so many new friends too here at the Fence that I thought it would be fun to not only show my curtain update, but the rest of this space as well.
This is the view that greets you as you come up the stairs and look to the left.
Coming in a little bit further, our master bathroom is just around that armoire.
This armoire was our first major furniture purchase as a married couple (almost 13 years ago!).
Looking into the Master Bathroom from the bedroom.

This little settee at the foot of the bed was a Craigslist find!
I was a bit nervous about the stripe but once we got it in here I knew it was meant to be.

Hubby’s nightsand was a Tuesday Morning piece that I stalked for awhile until the price came down.
It was worth the wait!
This desk was given to us by our realtor when we moved in.
They were relocating her mother to an assisted living home and asked if we would want it.
Are you kidding?
Pretty desk…good.
Free…good.
Pretty free desk? You betcha!

This collage illustrates how so many different patterns and colors can blend together seamlessly.

At least, I think they do!
Looking back into the room from the master bathroom.

Now, would you like to know what my favorite thing is in this room?
It’s our bed.
Ok…get your minds out of the gutter because THAT is not why!
It is because it was handmade by my Father-in-law as our wedding gift.
And because it has details like this….

And one other little one that he added as a surprise.
And yes…we are just weird enough to actually sleep on the side of the bed corresponding with our initial.
And yes…I realize the monogram is dusty.
It sits hidden behind that settee and only comes out on display for Blog Photos!
So, what would be the point of dusting it if it was just going to be covered up again?

I have my limits you know!
Thanks for joining me at the Fence today,
This post is partying at the following places:

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday Treasures

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
DIY By Design: Swing into Spring
Elements Interiors: Whassup Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday
No Minimalist Here: Open House Party

30 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « A Simple Solution for Coffee Lovers and Introductions…
Next Post: Etsy Shop Giveaway from Maggie Jane’s Vintage… »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. alison says

    June 7, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    awww…your hubs and my hubs have a lot in common when it comes to ‘understanding’ our urge to change, frill and otherwise fluff our little nests…and your room is lovely…that fabric was a fortunate find and i like all the bits and pieces that have stories behind them…they all work together so well…thanks for sharing babe!

    Reply
  2. Shelia says

    June 7, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    Husbands! Gotta love ’em! 😉 Oh, you’re just the smartest one! I love the trim you’ve added – just a little special touch! That fabric is gorgeous! Your bedroom is gorgeous! I’m in love with your light fixture! Man, I’d never want to leave this pretty room! 🙂
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  3. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    June 7, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    My husband sometimes comes in weeks later and says “how long has X been there?”. LOL! I love your dressed up panels and your master bedroom looks wonderful!

    Reply
  4. April says

    June 7, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    my hubs wouldn’t notice curtains either, and that conversation sounds VERY familiar! 🙂
    your room and bath are just gorgeous–serene and warm all at once.

    all the different textures and colors DO work together well!

    Reply
  5. Janet says

    June 7, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    Hi Vanessa, so nice to meet you. Thanks for visiting and joining my blog. It will be fun to follow each other. I love your Master bedroom. Everything came together so well. Janet Blondell

    Reply
  6. Honey at 2805 says

    June 7, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    The whole room is charming and inviting, Vaness. I think you dressed up your panels quite well! The bed is just a wonderful treasure to have! And monograned too–you must feel like royalty!

    Reply
  7. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says

    June 7, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    I agree with Honey…charming and inviting! And I love all your patterns. The more the merrier is my philosphy! We have a few hand made pieces by family and they are priceless. I can see why your bed is your favorite thing in the bedroom. Precious and Priceless!

    Reply
  8. larsenhernandez2011 says

    June 7, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    I absolutely love your bedroom! A year ago I decided to change up our bedroom I went with a more masculine feel with a touch of ME. Greys, blacks and pinks! I love it but miss the softer look. As for hubbys, mine is the greatest! I told him for our 25th ann. that I appreciated him for letting our home be my canvas.

    Reply
  9. Traci says

    June 7, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    My hubs must be the most observant man on the face of the earth because he notices EVERYTHING!!! Y’alls conversation sounds a lot like any we have regarding decorating. I think the curtains turned out great!

    Reply
  10. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    June 7, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    My hubs would notice but it would take a few days perhaps. Your master retreat is so gorgeous! Love the curtains.

    Reply
  11. NanaDiana says

    June 7, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    What a gorgeous room. I have seen it before but it is prettier every time I see it. That bed is a treasure for sure!! And I love your draperies..and what a find that little settee was/is! Love it all! xo Diana

    Reply
  12. Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says

    June 7, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    What a pretty bedroom! You girls are doing some great stuff over here, way to go. Love that coffee station post below, I’m a big fan of syrups fancy coffee stuff.

    Reply
  13. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    June 7, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    Beautiful master bedroom Vanessa!! What a beautiful treasure your bed is, I have many pieces in my home too that my dad made for me and I treasure them all! Martina

    Reply
  14. Thoughts for the day says

    June 7, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    Beautiful room and bathroom I am totally jealous, it is picture perfect.

    Reply
  15. elizabeth says

    June 7, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    Beautiful master suite Vanessa!
    I also loved the coffee station idea.

    Reply
  16. Lori says

    June 7, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    Hi Vanessa! I just love your master bedroom and bathroom! The “valance” you added was just what the panels needed. It’s perfect!

    My hubby & I have the same conversation! He knows I’m going to do what I want no matter what he says so he just agrees w/ me!

    Lori : )
    Thrifty Decor Mom

    Reply
  17. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    June 7, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    Do you know what I love? I love guessing whether the post is by you or Heather before I get to your signature at the end. I’m a pretty good guess now!!

    Oooh, and I’ve just seen your Facebook thing. I’ve ‘liked’ you!!

    Sarahx

    Reply
  18. Sue says

    June 7, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    Just add yourself a pretty blind underneath the panels and you’ll have instant privacy. Great fabric choices, Vanessa. I have always loved to mix and match patterns, even though way back when, people looked at me as if I was weird when I told them they’d all flow together. It’s still one of my most favorite things about helping a client. I like taking home all the discontinued fabric swatches, too. I just got one from the Paula Deen line that will make the perfect accent pillow. On one side, of course! I still have to go hunt for a companion fabric. Love that chandy over the bed, btw. hugs, Sue

    Reply
  19. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    June 7, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    Great job on the curtains…Marty at A Stroll Thru Life did that to hers recently. What a great idea. And if it’s any consolation, my husband notices nothing, nada, zero. We have been married almost 30 years and it still bugs me sometimes. You’d think I would be used to it by now! Have a great rest of the week…~Ann

    Reply
  20. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    June 7, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Love your gorgeous bedroom and your drapes look fantastic. I like the valance. I think it adds so much to them. Your batthroom is stunning also. I really love the mix of fabrics. That is always my favorite thing. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  21. Brooke @ Inside-Out Design says

    June 7, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    It’s so nice to have husbands who accept our quirks! I live under the same illusion- I like to tell myself that my hubby finds all of my decorating chatter fascinating…I’m sure half the time he’s imagining stabbing out his eardrums with a pencil….lol!
    Your bedroom is gorgeous!! Great job with the curtains, they are so beautiful.

    Reply
  22. Christine @ Stonehouse Living says

    June 7, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    Hi Vanessa,

    Your Master Bedroom Suite is just Beautiful!
    The handmade bed what a treasure piece. I love the Armoire. All of that extra storage!!

    The fabrics are fabulous, I really like the stripe and the new valance & trim.
    You were right, it is just what they needed…
    All the Best,
    Christine

    Reply
  23. Debbie says

    June 7, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Your windows look great, and I giggled at the way the husband discovered them. They closed our Hancocks here, and I am still pouting.

    And I love your bedroom. The minute the first picture came up, I remembered about the bed. I think that was one of my first visits here when I read it.

    I really do like your taste.

    Reply
  24. Joselyn @ The DIY Spot says

    June 7, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    You have a beautiful bedroom. Your valance addition adds that extra wow factor. Love your bed, I can see why it’s your favorite. I have never seen a monogramed bed before. Kudos to your father-in-law.

    Reply
  25. Paula Jo @ Home Decor Accents says

    June 7, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Oh, I love the fabric of the curtains. Your bedroom and master bath is just beautiful. Good job!

    Reply
  26. Richella says

    June 8, 2011 at 2:00 AM

    Your room is beautiful! What a gorgeous, restful space. And that bed?? I can scarcely believe your FIL made it for you! That’s so cool. I love the monogram! 🙂

    Reply
  27. Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents says

    June 8, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    What a gloriously beautiful bedroom! The bed, oh my! The settee, the bedding, the light fixture, the master bath…..just stunning!

    Big TX Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

    Reply
  28. Zoanna says

    June 9, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    First time here at your blog and I love this post. What a gorgeous bedroom and bathroom .Such sttention to detail.

    Reply
  29. Steve Hunt says

    June 11, 2011 at 6:49 PM

    Thanks for the bed comment, Vanessa! It’s always nice to be appreciated. Love, Kathy

    Reply
  30. Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    June 15, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    Your bedroom is GORGEOUS!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to NanaDiana Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Take the Quiz

Stay updated!

Get all the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • Open Now December 17, 2020
  • Tradition and a Christmas Home Tour December 9, 2020
  • Tabletop Hot Cocoa Station November 29, 2020
  • A New Front Door November 10, 2020
  • Gaining Perspective October 26, 2020

Get all the latest straight to your inbox

Footer

Instagram

I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 y I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 years now and every year I ohhhh and ahhhh over the blossoms like it's the first time I've ever seen them. I gush and I take photos (that look exactly like the ones I took the year before and the year before that) and I make my family come outside and look at them with me which you know they just LOVE to do. 😉 I think that is one of the main reasons why I love spring so much. On the one hand, it's predictable and yet, on the other hand, it still feels like such a surprise after the long months of barren branches.

And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
Are you living with great expectation friends? Bec Are you living with great expectation friends? Because He is risen!

Happy Easter from my home to yours!
Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to be a different kind of Easter for sure but some things don’t change. Have you been baking and getting ready for tomorrow? What’s one thing on your menu that you have to have every year?
If this is Good Friday, why doesn’t it feel so “good”? It all seems backward doesn’t it?

What could be good about the unspeakable pain he suffered? What could be good about the shame and betrayal?

Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

But, I don’t know how to rejoice over His resurrection, unless I have felt the pain of His death. I have realized that in life the sweetest victories are the ones which were realized after a pain-filled journey.

And, so it is with Good Friday. I know there will be victory over death, but I can’t skip ahead in the story.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what he would experience. And he knew why he would go through it. He did it for me. He did it for you.

Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
Sometimes it makes me squirm a bit. Why would anyone do that for me?

Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

There is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love and mercy.

That is why it is called GRACE.

His grace is freely given. We don’t have to pay for it. He paid the price for us already.

Do you remember that movie from years ago called “Ransom”? A couple’s young son was kidnapped and the parents went to hell and back trying to find him and pay the “ransom” demanded by the kidnappers.

Well, Jesus is our “ransom”. (1 Timothy 2:6) His life was the payment.

Why is it called “Good Friday”? Because that wasn’t the end of the story….
.
…It was just the beginning!
Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house that’s become the landing zone for ALL THE THINGS! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤪 I’ve never been more thankful for our rarely used dining room table as it’s become command central for school books and laptops and games.

Where are things collecting in your house right now?
“Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every si “Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every single one of these emotions has made their way through our home in recent days and, my guess is, they have in your home too.

I SO needed this reminder today from the new book ‘Adore’ by @sarahagertywrites.

Adoration isn’t just sitting at His feet gazing longingly with stars in my eyes. It’s bringing my fears and my sorrows and gray roots in my hair that desperately needs to be colored and my messy house and all of the things that threaten to send me over the edge right now and laying them down before Him, soaking up His word and His presence so that when I stand back up, I am changed for having spent the time adoring the ONE who is... Healer, comforter, peace-giver, deliverer, redeemer.

What do you need to bring to Him today? I’ll share mine in the comments and I’d love to hear from you too!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

It feels the most...normal. Daytime is strange and foreign right now. My husband has taken over our home office, I’m suddenly taking over the responsibility of managing my kids’ distance learning and let me just say that teaching 7th grade algebra to my daughter is hugely ironic since I struggled with math all the way through school. I’m trying to do my own work but it feels utterly futile with the constant interruptions which take precedence right now. In the daytime, I’m constantly reminded of how upside down life feels.

But, in the evening, I cook dinner like I’ve always done and we gather around the table like we’ve always done and we laugh and tell stories and then clean up and play games or go on a walk or watch a show. And that feels SO gloriously normal.

So now I love evenings even more than I ever did before and I’m so grateful for this little chunk of time where the rhythms we established years ago are helping to sustain us now when so much of life feels outside of our control.

What feels ‘normal’ to you right now? Whatever it is, keep doing it. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

If you don’t absolutely HAVE to make a decision right now, I want to encourage you to wait until life gets back to normal. If you are finding yourself over-analyzing relationships and family dynamics, I want to encourage you to remember that everything seems more dramatic when looked at under a microscope. And, let’s face it, being homebound with our loved ones non-stop makes us all feel like lab rats in an experiment.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

If you’re able to find flour in the stores (for the love people please stop overbuying!) and you’re doing more baking at your house too you need to add this apricot bread to your list of new recipes to try!

Normally I’d point you to my blog for the directions but I’m going to do you a solid and leave the full recipe in the comments.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
Follow
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 At The Picket Fence