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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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August 16, 2013

Summer in my Home Tour

Fall is my B.F.F. 

But summer? Well, summer is just so easy you know? Decorating my home for summer is so simple and uncomplicated. I’m going to call it my “B.F.F.F.” (Best Friend’s Friend Forever”)

hydrangeas on coffee table

I can stick the easiest burlap wreath ever on my front door and call it a day.

burlap and starfish wreath atthepicketfence.com

In the summer, my entire foyer is flooded with light and it makes even the simplest of accessories shine brighter. And it couldn’t have been a more perfect time of year to complete my staircase and entry makeover!

entry_table_with_mirror_and_plates atthepicketfence.com

I always say I’m going to tackle a bunch of projects in the summer but then…summer gets in the way. It calls to me to come outside and enjoy the sunshine and the time I have with my kids while they’re out of school. So, instead of sticking to some ridiculous list of projects and goals, I just do things whenever the mood strikes me.

Last week the mood struck and it led to me making a change to the living room. Can you guess what it is? You might have to click here to figure it out.

summer_living_room_decor

Fall (my B.F.F.) is about warming things up but summer? Well, summer is about cooling things off.

Do you remember signing yearbooks at the end of each school year? You wrote things like, “gag me with a spoon” or “that was so rad” or “Mr.  so-and-so science teacher was totally lame”.  (Can you tell which decade I belong to?)

You wanted to sound cool because you knew that these inscriptions would last forever!

And of course, you always breathed a sigh of relief when the same person you referred to as your “B.F.F.” in their yearbook also called you the same thing in yours. Whew!

basket filled with seashells atthepicketfence.com

Being a Southern California girl in high school meant that we had another extra special phrase scattered throughout our yearbooks.

It was easy, simple and uncomplicated. Just like summer.

Two little words that, to me, were just about the coolest thing you could write in a yearbook.

“Stay Tan!”

buffet table vignette

Stay Tan. The few times I worked up all the ‘cool’ness I could muster and actually wrote out those words in someone’s yearbook I felt like I was capturing the epitome of the summer spirit.

Simple…uncomplicated.

blue and white plates in caddy

And that same spirit is how I approach my summer decorating.

roses in a teapot atthepicketfence.com

If I’m going to make any changes they are going to be simple. Like new toile pillows in my bedroom.

toile bedroom pillows

And every few days placing new roses from my garden on my nightstand.

The white ones are my favorite. Maybe because they’re so simple too.

white roses on nightstand

So, as I prepare to reconnect with my B.F.F. (fall), I’m still clinging to the simplicity of summer.

Summer is cool.

Like the surfer dudes who never seemed to have books with them in class but somehow managed to graduate.

Or the girls who had the perfectly teased bangs that didn’t move even when the rest of their head did.

If I could write in summer’s yearbook I would only say two words…

Stay tan!

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

25 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Home Tour Tagged With: decor, decorating, home tours, summer decorating

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jenny says

    August 16, 2013 at 5:45 AM

    Always an inspiration! Thanks! And your summery touches are perfect!

    Reply
  2. Cindy says

    August 16, 2013 at 5:47 AM

    I can’t believe Fall will soon be here! Love your home is summer, so bright and cheerful. Very pretty!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
  3. Michele/Finch Rest says

    August 16, 2013 at 6:16 AM

    Wonderful post – lovely pictures and decor – and awesome way of putting things.

    Well done, indeed.

    Enjoy the last bits.

    Autumn is also my BFF – but, dang it, I am fighting it. I am not even close to being interested or ready. I am enjoying the rest of August as SUMMER!!!!!

    Have a fabo weekend.

    Reply
  4. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    August 16, 2013 at 6:39 AM

    Great post and I love your pretty cool summer colors and decor. Hugs Marty

    Reply
  5. Leslie @ House on the Way says

    August 16, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    Your home is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

    Reply
  6. Debra@CommonGround says

    August 16, 2013 at 7:17 AM

    so beautiful, light and bright!!!

    Reply
  7. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    August 16, 2013 at 7:20 AM

    Vanessa…as I write, the temps here are in the 70’s…is it really summer?…I am not ready to let go of summer too soon either even though Fall is one of my favorite seasons….love all of your fresh summer changes and vignettes…and really am in love with your gorgeous white roses!!…Have a wonderful weekend!!

    Reply
  8. Eilis@my-heart-lives-here.blogspot says

    August 16, 2013 at 7:24 AM

    Everything is just beautiful. I didn’t have a “summer” board on Pinterest, but now I’m going to start one with this post.

    Reply
  9. Shelia says

    August 16, 2013 at 7:37 AM

    Hi Vanessa! Your home is gorgeous all dressed up in summer! I just love everything you do.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  10. Ann says

    August 16, 2013 at 7:53 AM

    Oh Vanessa it’s all just so pretty. Love the toile pillows!

    Reply
  11. Gee says

    August 16, 2013 at 8:16 AM

    So bright and cheery!! So summer. Very pretty. Luv your summer touches.
    I did a rearranging in preparation for Fall yesterday. I am still enjoying summer, but making way for Fall.

    Reply
  12. Pam @ diy Design Fanatic says

    August 16, 2013 at 8:55 AM

    Ok Vanessa…how did I not know you previously lived in SoCal? (I grew up and lived most of my adult life in Long Beach) I definitely miss the summer weather there. I never really liked Fall, but this Summer was so strange I’m actually looking forward to it. Love, love, love your pics of flowers, especially the white roses. Gorgeous!

    Reply
  13. Martina says

    August 16, 2013 at 11:00 AM

    Loved taking your summer tour Vanessa…everything looks so so pretty!!
    Fall is my BFF too:)

    Reply
  14. Sharon says

    August 16, 2013 at 11:30 AM

    This is an excellent post! I love any chance I get to take a trip down ’80s memory lane.

    Reply
  15. FABBY says

    August 16, 2013 at 11:51 AM

    I love your ‘stay tan’ saying in Calif. I’m from NY so I think it was, ‘keep cool’…in Winter though, it was easy to keep cool, lol.. Beautiful summer vignettes, I love them all! I also used to love Fall weather the best. Enjoy the rest of the summer my friend.
    FABBY

    Reply
  16. Shannon @Fox Hollow Cottage says

    August 16, 2013 at 12:02 PM

    I love white flowers too. AND your new. white. mantel!!!! It looks so good. The whole room has an effortless flow now… aah. The power of white.

    I think I’ll sign off with “Stay Pale!” winks

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 16, 2013 at 1:16 PM

      Ding ding ding!! Shannon you get the prize for commenting on the painted mantel! Thanks so much friend! 🙂 And yes, “stay pale” is much more appropriate for we Oregonians. LOL!

      Reply
  17. Anne says

    August 16, 2013 at 12:15 PM

    Well guess what???? My BFF is the same as your BFF! I love summer and I am going to hate to see it end…….. Your home is lovely!
    xx
    Anne

    Reply
  18. Pam says

    August 16, 2013 at 3:38 PM

    Summer is definitely my BFF! Your living room looks absolutely beautiful! I love the roses too.

    Have a great day.
    Pam

    Reply
  19. Stacey says

    August 16, 2013 at 4:22 PM

    So pretty! I just loved the makeover in your entry way. Can I ask where you found that great mirror?

    Love the thoughts behind your post. Very clever.

    Reply
  20. MDR says

    August 17, 2013 at 1:22 PM

    Love the white mantel, Vanessa! It makes a huge difference in the room. Good job! Mom

    Reply
  21. Wendy says

    August 17, 2013 at 2:18 PM

    Your home is gorgeous and the summer touches are perfect. I love the white flowers in your bedroom and the toile pillows! Where did you get such perfect pillows? 🙂

    Reply
  22. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says

    August 21, 2013 at 11:20 AM

    You know, I never thought about how simple summer decor is. This was all so true! But I’m excited about fall just as much!

    Reply
  23. Holly says

    September 4, 2013 at 2:14 PM

    Perfectly teased bangs…LOL! That was such a goofy era. Your house looks amazing.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Mine for the Making Pinterest Feature Friday » Mine for the Making says:
    July 18, 2014 at 4:36 AM

    […] you are looking to spruce up your home this summer, you’ll want to check out this Summer Home Tour from At the Picket Fence, pinned to Kim’s Interior Decor […]

    Reply

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“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
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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
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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.

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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.

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