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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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September 11, 2015

Simple Fall Entry Decor

Can I confess something to you my friends? Sometimes I just want to stick one pumpkin on one shelf in one room of my house and declare that I’ve decorated my house for fall.

Between working against the book deadlines, running the business that is this blog, getting kids back to school and all of the general craziness of life, it was definitely tempting to do that.

Simple and elegant fall entry decor atthepicketfence.com

But then I found this vintage picnic basket at a second-hand store. And well, I just had to do a little bit more.

Just a bit.

Because isn’t it just so lovely in all of it’s patina covered glory? It really wanted to come home with me and be apart of my fall decor this year.

vintage picnic basket with dried hydrangeas atthepicketfence.com

Here’s the thing though. I spent maybe only 10 minutes decorating my entry for fall. Honestly? That was about all of the time I could give it.

But when it was all said and done, I realized something. Something that it has taken me years to realize but has given me so much freedom.

Seasons are too fleeting to be spending all of your time decorating for them. They are meant to be enjoyed, relished, celebrated. They aren’t meant to be spent getting sweaty digging through bins and bins of decorations or frustrated at the craft store because you can’t find just the right color of fake pumpkins.

vintage picnic basket patina atthepicketfence.com

If seasons are reminders of the passage of time, why would we want to waste that time? I’m not doing it any longer. I’m embracing a more simple approach. One that only takes as much time as I’m willing to give it and lasts only as long as I’m enjoying it.

It only takes a minute (or less!) to throw a plaid scarf over the back of a chair and stack a couple of pillows on top. (The We Gather Together pillow is from Sutton Place Designs)

fall scarf and pillows on chair

And to admire how perfect these vintage prints are in this space.

vintage bird prints atthepicketfence.com

Because, when all is said and done, I’m finding that it is the simplest things that are the most lovely to me and are able to capture the true beauty of the season.

And those are the things on which I wish to spend my time.

simple fall entry decorating atthepicketfence.com

Now, I’m also spending time over the next couple of days with an amazing group of women and we have some wonderful fall ideas in store for you!

Make sure and come back tomorrow when the bHome bloggers will be featuring more fall ideas and inspiration. I will be sharing more than 30 links to amazing decor, crafts and recipes right here in one place.

bhome fall graphic

 

And bHome is pleased and honored to have Decor Steals sponsor this event. We will be giving away five (5) coupon codes each good for $100 at Decor Steals. There will be 5 winners!  Winners will be contacted on or about 9/19.

How to enter: Download bHome at www.bHome.us and favorite Decor Steals – to do this TAP their star.  Once favorited you will receive a message with the link to enter.  One TAP of that link and you are entered! If Decor Steals is already a favorite of yours on bHome just look out for the message and TAP to enter.  Good luck!

As always, thank you so much for meeting me at the fence today. See you right back here tomorrow!

Vanessa signature

36 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Decorating, Good Ideas Tagged With: Autumn, fall, fall decor, fall Decorating

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Comments

  1. Julie says

    September 11, 2015 at 4:00 AM

    Easy peasy! I’m totally with ya, Vanessa. The more I decorate, the less I decorate! Love the basket & the scarf. I’m obsessed with flannels & scarves. Thank goodness I live where I can wear them. XO

    Reply
  2. Lanita Anderson says

    September 11, 2015 at 4:27 AM

    Love your fall decor, especially the basket with the dried hydrangeas!! Thansk for sharing….
    Lanita

    Reply
  3. Julie {Lilacs & Longhorns} says

    September 11, 2015 at 4:44 AM

    Vanessa, you always seem to manage to say what everyone is thinking — who has all the time to go on decorating frenzies?! Love your inspiration basket and it looks perfect. 10-minute décor is where it’s at! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Kim says

    September 11, 2015 at 5:04 AM

    Yes, so true not to get frustrated and stressed out over seasonal decor. I get so stressed over the holidays and just want to do less and less as I get older. Your front entry says welcome fall so beautifully with just the perfect simple touch.

    Reply
  5. Richella Parham says

    September 11, 2015 at 5:26 AM

    You are so right! I’ve spent way too much time in the past digging through bins rather than enjoying life with my loved ones. And look how BEAUTIFUL everything looks with just the simple little touches you’ve added! Well done, friend!

    Reply
  6. Amy Kaminski says

    September 11, 2015 at 5:51 AM

    I love what you’ve done here. That chest is gorgeous!!! It just depends on the mood for me. Sometimes I like simple and sometimes I like over the top. That’s the beauty of decorating.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 11, 2015 at 8:28 AM

      Thank you Amy!! And yes it really is all about what YOU feel like doing, right? We have to enjoy our homes and if we feel like spending more time or less time decorating it’s really all up to us. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    September 11, 2015 at 6:36 AM

    Gorgeous. Love the plaid and the basket is stunning with it’s pretty flowers. Beautiful entry.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 11, 2015 at 8:28 AM

      Thank you so much Marty!!

      Reply
  8. Heather says

    September 11, 2015 at 6:38 AM

    That’s hit!! I’m coming over for a visit!! Love your gorgeous foyer decor Vanessa – perfection as always! Pinning! xo Heather

    Reply
  9. Nikki says

    September 11, 2015 at 9:15 AM

    That basket with those hydrangeas! You have restored my hope for fall decor. THANKS! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    September 11, 2015 at 11:15 AM

    So very beautiful Vanessa!….I have several vintage picnic baskets and I love that way your is painted…and I have that very same pillow and adore it…Love Ann’s beautiful work!…Have a great weekend and glad to party with you!

    Reply
  11. Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life says

    September 11, 2015 at 11:41 AM

    Yes to keeping things simple! I’m learning that not only do I not have the time or money for anything elaborate, but simple is also just so much more soothing to our eyes and creates a much more relaxing space to be in.

    Reply
  12. Lisa Mothersead says

    September 11, 2015 at 1:34 PM

    Ditto!! Clean and simple.

    Reply
  13. Rose L. says

    September 11, 2015 at 2:58 PM

    Such a lovely vignette, and I adore the bird prints.

    Reply
  14. Pink Camellias says

    September 11, 2015 at 3:54 PM

    We’ve thinned out our holiday decor in the past couple of years as well. We’ve cut our Christmas decor by about half, and I think I will give away more this year. I’m beginning to think I just want real pumpkins for Halloween and live poinsettias and fresh greenery for Christmas. They’ll look beautiful for the season, and then they can be composted. No storage!

    Reply
  15. martina says

    September 11, 2015 at 4:50 PM

    Vanessa not only do I LOVE your pretty vignette I LOVE that beautiful chest too!! The hydrangeas looks so pretty in the picnic basket!

    Reply
  16. Paige.Rose says

    September 11, 2015 at 9:30 PM

    I love how simple everything is, yet how it screams fall in the simplest of way!! The unique plaid throw, the pillow & the basket of hydrangeas are gorgeous!! So lovely!

    Paige.Rose
    from
    http://www.TheQuaintSanctuary.blogspot.com

    Reply
  17. laura@duke manor farm says

    September 12, 2015 at 4:50 AM

    vanessa, i am totally with you. I think blogging puts a bit more pressure in that arena, although blogging i still loved bringing it all out, but the stress of it all wasn’t there. that basket is gorgeous and so are you!

    Reply
  18. Nancy Sharp says

    September 12, 2015 at 5:13 AM

    Simple IS beautiful! And you don’t have to spend so much time putting things away when it’s time for the next season.

    Reply
  19. Doreen says

    September 12, 2015 at 5:58 AM

    Vanessa,

    Your entry is perfection no matter how long it took! Sometimes, less IS more! And, at your stage in life – you are right, there are much more important things to spend your time on! Enjoy the season with your family!!

    Reply
  20. christy @ Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says

    September 12, 2015 at 6:00 AM

    Absolutely…decorating should not be stressful! That basket was great find and a perfect addition to your entry!

    Reply
  21. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    September 12, 2015 at 6:19 AM

    Vanessa, I so agree with your decorating philosophy!!! Yes, let’s gently add the season into our homes! I love your great basket find. What a wonderful patina… and those hydrangeas are PERFECTION with the basket! SIGH! Every time I visit I take away such lovely inspiration! Pinning and featuring you on my fb page!

    Reply
  22. Gail says

    September 12, 2015 at 9:11 AM

    Wisdom in your thoughts about emphemral nature of seasons which should be enjoyed & savored and not at a big box store searching for faux pumpkins,, which just vaguely remind us of the season.

    Reply
  23. Janet (Shabbyfufu) says

    September 12, 2015 at 12:22 PM

    I enjoy vignettes and decorating for the seasons, but have definitely been simplifying my life in so many ways and decluttering my home. It’s freeing!
    xx, Janet

    Reply
  24. Cindy says

    September 12, 2015 at 2:40 PM

    Simple decorating….yes, yes, yes! The beauty is in the simplicity and your decor is simply beautiful!!

    Reply
  25. Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says

    September 12, 2015 at 7:34 PM

    Your words are certainly resonating with me as I stare at a completely empty mantel! But seeing how you painted your vintage picnic basket has inspired me to give one of mine a similar treatment for fall! And I have one of Ann’s lovely pillows, too, that will find a space in my home. Your simple approach is stunningly beautiful!

    Reply
  26. Jan says

    September 13, 2015 at 6:59 AM

    Lovely!

    What color are the walls painted? I’m not typically a fan of yellow, but that is such a gorgeous buttercream…..very, very nice.

    Reply
  27. Mary Beth|Cupcakes and Crinoline says

    September 13, 2015 at 7:22 AM

    Oh, Vanessa, your decor is beautiful as usual. I agree concerning the simplicity of decor. Years ago I decorated everything for every season and then things started to change and now, I do what I like…usually something very simple, admire it and call it a day. Thanks so much for sharing your beauty inside and the beauty you create in your home. xoxo

    Reply
  28. Kelly says

    September 13, 2015 at 7:42 AM

    I would love to come home to this entry everyday! So warm, lovely & inviting. Well done!

    Reply
  29. Anne says

    September 13, 2015 at 11:52 AM

    Well you did a fabulous job for a 10 minute makeover! Absolutely love your beautifully styled entryway! Your hydrangeas are perfect and I am in love with that sweet lightly painted basket! Thank you for your beautiful inspiration sweet friend!

    Reply
  30. susan says

    September 14, 2015 at 6:00 AM

    I love the picnic basket! I love that is painted, just lovely!!

    Reply
  31. debbiedoos says

    September 14, 2015 at 6:13 AM

    Simple, yet says it all! Happy fall my friend. I really love that basket idea:)

    Reply
  32. Stephanie Rose says

    September 14, 2015 at 3:54 PM

    Beautiful! I so love your style. I feel the warmth and welcoming coming through every bit.

    Reply
  33. Sue Holte says

    August 26, 2016 at 8:27 AM

    Your display of dried hydrangea in the basket is simply beautiful!

    Reply
  34. Janette says

    August 31, 2016 at 8:00 PM

    We have been in our current home over 27 years. I am trying to simplify our space so we can enjoy the items we already have. Love the picnic basket idea which I can use for one I’ve had in storage and never use. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

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“Ah, Lovely October, as you usher in the season “Ah, Lovely October, as you usher in the season that awakens my soul, your awesome beauty compels my spirit to soar like a leaf caught in an autumn breeze and my heart to sing like a heavenly choir.” Peggy Toney Horton.

Happy October dear friends! 🍂
On Monday my heart just felt so heavy. Yes, the po On Monday my heart just felt so heavy. Yes, the pouring rain outside contributed to my feelings. But the primary cause was this overwhelming flood of thoughts about how much in our world and in our culture is going off the rails. I’d planned to make pumpkin bread that day but I was tempted to just curl up in a ball on my bed, pull the covers over my head and pretend that this would actually solve something. I didn’t give into that temptation though. Instead, I got out my favorite pumpkin bread recipe and found that, as I worked and prayed and hummed worship songs, my spirit began to settle. When the world feels very loud, the demands of family and home can actually help to quiet our souls. As each family member walked through the door later in the day, they commented on how wonderful the house smelled. It’s better than any fall candle in my opinion! And I knew that the extra loaf that I get from the recipe would be a welcome treat for my widower neighbor. So, if your heart is feeling a bit unsettled this week too, maybe this recipe will come in handy!

Pumpkin Bread:

Ingredients:
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7×3 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 🍂
Happy first day of Autumn!! 🍂 Here’s a super Happy first day of Autumn!! 🍂 Here’s a super simple centerpiece that you can make in five minutes (or less) with just a few pumpkins and extra faux greenery. Let’s spend less time decorating and more time enjoying this season. It’s my favorite!! 🧡

#fallcenterpiece #falldecor #centerpiece #fiveminutedecorating
"Define your day", she told me as I held my newbor "Define your day", she told me as I held my newborn son. My mom and I were talking about how blurred my days and nights had become and how easy it would be to just stay in my pajamas 24/7. She encouraged me to make an attempt to put on 'real' clothes in the morning even if they were just nice sweatpants (bonus if they were clean!) and to throw a little bit of makeup on. That simple advice helped chart a course for my years of motherhood that continues today. And recently I began thinking about how critical it is that we not only seek wisdom from those ahead of us in our stage of life but that we are willing to apply it as well.

So, I asked this question on my personal Facebook page; "What is something you feel you've done well to create a peaceful/meaningful home for yourself and your family?" The catch was that the question was geared towards women in the 40+ age range. The responses came flooding in and were so wonderful and insightful. So, I'm going to be starting a new series where I share this wisdom with you and will include the first name of the woman who offered it. 

Today we start with Alison who said "I learned to set my alarm early to get up and moving before my kids woke up. I showered, got dressed and did my devotions while the house was quiet. It set my heart and perspective for each day.”

Is this something you do in your life too? What wisdom would you offer to a mom of young children?

I truly think our culture would greatly benefit from more women in different seasons of life being willing to invest in each other. 🍂

#wearthehomemakers #homemaking #motherhood #parentingwisdom
If bread pudding is on the dessert menu at a resta If bread pudding is on the dessert menu at a restaurant I’m definitely ordering it! It’s one of my all time favorite treats. So I decided to try my hand at making some here at home with a little fall twist and it was SO delicious!! 🍎

Ingredients:

6 slices of day old bread (french, sourdough or even brioche works great)
2 cups of heavy cream
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
For the apples:
3 peeled and chopped apples of a tart variety
1 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons flour (or corn starch)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350
Cut bread into cubes and place in a greased 8 1/2 x 11 baking dish
Whisk together in a bowl the eggs, cream, vanilla, rum, cinnamon and nutmeg and then pour it over the bread cubes. In a separate bowl, mix together the apples, brown sugar and flour/corn starch. Pour the apple mixture on top of the bread mixture making sure to spread the apples evenly across every part of the bread mixture.
Bake for 45 minutes. 
Enjoy!

#falldesserts #breadpudding #fallrecipes #desserts
When one kiddo wakes up not feeling well after onl When one kiddo wakes up not feeling well after only a week of school, you take the opportunity to make Saturday a truly restful day. Pancakes on the griddle, puttering around the yard admiring the way the limelights have begun their autumn journey from white to green to pink. Sprinkling touches of fall around the house a little bit at a time. Savoring the slowness of it all and taking care of my people in this place that provides us all with a respite from the world even if just for a day.

Hope you’re weekend is off to a great start and that you make it a priority to slow down for a bit and soak up the beauty around you. 🍂

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #falldecorating
As summer slips into fall, I can’t help but thin As summer slips into fall, I can’t help but think about how grateful I am for the reminders all around me of God’s Sovereignty over everything including the seasons. It can be challenging in our world today to trust that there isn’t a single thing happening that surprises Him.

In a way, decorating my home to reflect the changing season serves as a tangible reminder of this trust. Even something as simple as seeing a pumpkin on my mantel or a basket of mums on the coffee table fill me with peace because they represent the things that remain constant and true.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8

#wearthehomemakers #homemaking #club31women
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
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