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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 27, 2011

A Tale of Two Mantels…Part Two

Ok….so you are going to have to forgive me while I get all mushy-gushy here for a minute.
Can I just tell you how proud I am of my sister??!!!
Her Kitchen Island Transformation is beyond incredible and the fact that she did the bulk of it all by herself truly amazes me! I think she is such a great example to all of us, that we can bring our vision for our homes to life, not break the bank and learn new skills along the way. You rock Heather!
And your photography skills ain’t too shabby either!
Now, since we are on the topic of bringing a vision to life and not breaking the bank, I would love to share with you how I did that on a much smaller scale when I tackled dressing up my
Living Room Fireplace Mantel for Fall.

As with my Family Room Mantel, a Harvest theme, keeping things simple
 and avoiding the craft stores as much as possible were the goals!
Those craft stores just suck you right in don’t they? I think it’s all those coupons. Feels like I’m just throwing money away when I don’t use them…at least that’s what I tell my hubby!
I love the juxtaposition of the white urns against the dark wood of the mantel.
Still loving my corn husks and their many different functions.
Still haven’t made Tamales with them.
I have had this urn forever but it used to be a red-ish/gold-ish tone.
So I took a can of white spray paint to it and then sanded it up to let some of the base color come through.
The wheat bunches were stuck down inside for added height and then faux flowers and gourds were tucked around the base to add a pop of color. I think it provides just the right amount of drama and creating this could not have been easier!
Most of these gourds I have had for years but this is the first time I have ever used them on my mantel.
Bead and berry filled branches at the ends finish it off.
This is the time of the year when I feel like the color pallette in my home really comes to life.
The buttery yellow walls seem to take on a soft glow.
And the reds, greens and golds all seem to perk up, ready to welcome Autumn in all of its glory.

Thanks for letting me share my mantel with you today at the Fence,
This post is partying here:
The Lettered Cottage

Savvy Seasons: Autumn Arrives Party

Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday
Stuff and Nonsense: Friday’s Unfolded
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home Party
2805: Potpourri Friday

32 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Decorating, Good Ideas, Holidays

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Previous Post: « My kitchen island transformation…Part One
Next Post: Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 34! »

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Comments

  1. Becca says

    September 27, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Bravo *clap clap clap* Bravo !! This is beautiful, Vanessa !! It’s truly a fabulous mantel, showcasing Fall in fine fashion. Love the old books … the corn husks (mine are still in the bag … lol) … the painted urn and pumpkins and guords! Great hurricanes, too … I had those same ones, but broke them. Waaa. Well, well done, friend! xoxo

    Reply
  2. Becca says

    September 27, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    And, PS: YES, I’m truly amazed and inspired by Heather’s gorgeous new island! She did an awesome job … you girls rock. Creativity doesn’t run short in your family, that’s fo’ sho’ !! xo

    Reply
  3. Kelly says

    September 27, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    Looking good! You’re all ready for fall. Now all you need is a fire in the fireplace.

    Reply
  4. housedressingblog.blogspot.com says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    Vanessa, it’s so organic, you truly captured the essence of fall! I’m coveting your ottoman coffee table, and the fact that you have a mantel… this is the first house I’ve lived in that doesn’t have a fireplace. The Hubster promised to put one in after-market, I’m still waiting!

    Reply
  5. NanaDiana says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    Vanessa-It is absolutely beautiful! I love it. Very homey and comfortable looking. A mantle to be proud of …and…. I am proud of your sister too…she did a phenomenal job! xo Diana

    Reply
  6. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    Your fall mantel looks great. I love the urn with the corn husks and your old books are perfect!

    Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Beautiful mantel! I love the urn with the corn husks!

    Reply
  8. Kathryn Ferguson Griffin says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Loving the white urns! My fav! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    Reply
  9. Richella says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Your mantel looks lovely, Vanessa! You did a great job! And I love all the ways–other than tamales–you’re using those corn husks! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    Gurl you done good on Mantel II! I love the corn husks and the pretty orange pops here and there. Loves it!

    Reply
  11. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    September 28, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    It’s so pretty Vanessa!! And ummm is that a wedding picture I see that I want to see more of ???
    XO

    Reply
  12. The French Hutch says

    September 28, 2011 at 12:25 AM

    Your mantle got great results. Love the white urns and the bright colors. Your mantle is lovely with the dark wood and I love the tile. After seeing yours I think I need to do a little something to mine. I understand your mushy-gushy sister feelings too. Have a great evening……

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

    Reply
  13. Alison @ The Polohouse says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:35 AM

    This looks so pretty!
    Love the design of the arrangement!
    xx
    Alison

    Reply
  14. The DIY Show Off says

    September 28, 2011 at 2:40 AM

    It’s a beautiful and inspiring mantel! Perfect for autumn harvest. So warm and inviting!

    Reply
  15. Betsy (BB) says

    September 28, 2011 at 3:09 AM

    This looks great! A great fall mantel and so inspiring! I love those old books!

    Reply
  16. very merry vintage style says

    September 28, 2011 at 3:47 AM

    Very nice. Love the angle of that first photo– Stop by and link up if you have time.
    Mary

    Reply
  17. Cindy says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    So pretty…the perfect fall touches!

    Reply
  18. Debbie says

    September 28, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    Great job, Vanessa! I love the colors for fall too. I’m working on mine. I’ve been working on it. I thought I liked it and then got sucked into blogland and a state of dissatisfaction so I’m dinking again.

    Reply
  19. Judy says

    September 28, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Great job Vanessa. I love your mantle. I have got to tackle mine…hopefully today. It’s raining here so it will be a perfect day to get some fall decorating done. Thanks for inspiring me…as always.

    Reply
  20. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    September 28, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    *wolf whistle* You have set the bar very high this year, Vanessa! Your mantelpiece arrangements are LOVELY!

    The colours all tie in so beautifully. I am feeling thoroughly inspired…

    Sarahxxxxxx

    Reply
  21. Kim says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    Vanessa your mantle looks Fall-licious!! I agree about the white urns against the dark mantle – great contrast. You did good girl!
    xoxo,
    Kim

    Reply
  22. CAS says

    September 28, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    The mantel looks beautiful! I think you’ve done a super-fantastic job on both mantels. I really do love your buttery-yellow walls. Everything looks so cozy!
    🙂 CAS

    Reply
  23. Mandy says

    September 28, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    Gorgeous! Love the black hurricanes with the pinecones and candle :-).

    Reply
  24. Willow says

    September 28, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    Beautiful mantel. I love this time of the year don’t you.

    Reply
  25. Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful} says

    September 29, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    It’s looking great and oh-so-fall! It makes me even more excited for the cooler weather to get here! Yay for fall!!!

    Reply
  26. andrea says

    September 29, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    It all looks fabulous with the yellow walls! It lends itself to a very cozy atmosphere and sometimes simple is striking. andrea@townandprairie

    Reply
  27. FABBY'S LIVING says

    September 29, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    How beautiful your mantel came out Vanessa! I love such pretty elements you used for it, like the black hurricanes, books and pumpkins, very inspirational! Thanks for sharing,
    FABBY

    Reply
  28. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    September 29, 2011 at 11:48 PM

    Your mantle is beautiful, Vanessa! I love both of them.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  29. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    September 29, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    Vanessa, I forgot to thank you for linking to the Open House party. I always appreciate your participation. Thanks!
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  30. Ellen says

    October 3, 2011 at 11:19 PM

    Just the mantel all dressed up for fall. It all looks so nice together. Very well done.
    Hugs,
    Ellen

    Reply
  31. Savvy Seasons says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:59 AM

    Vanessa~
    Your mantle is truly gorgeous. You have balanced it out to perfection. I love the wheat arrangement and the pops of color around the base, it looks so elegant. I also like the urn with the corn husks, great idea. Fantastic job! Thanks for sharing and linking up! XOXO ~Liz

    Reply
  32. Lella Loves... says

    October 15, 2011 at 12:21 AM

    Hello there 🙂
    Just to say, my heart skipped a beat when I saw the pumpkins.
    I am obsessed with pumpkins and I am so happy to see I am not alone!
    Delightful blog.
    Can’t wait to browse your archive.
    Lella xx

    Reply

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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
Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. W Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. We woke up to the sound of chainsaws and rushed downstairs to find that our backyard neighbors were having two of the huge trees that line our shared fence removed. These trees have been here longer than the neighborhood and no, they weren't dead or causing damage to roofs, foundations, etc. They were beautiful and gave us wonderful privacy. We had no notice of this happening so this came as quite a shock. Because we were given no notice, we didn't have the chance to cover our outdoor furniture or plants and everything is now coated in a thick layer of sawdust including the fresh bark we recently put in the garden beds. And now our lovely privacy is gone, replaced by a direct view of an above ground pool and RV. I know, I know, it's totally a first world, privileged kind of problem to have. But, now we have to spend thousands of dollars on plants to try and recapture some semblance of privacy. Now we have days worth of clean up to do after we had JUST done a massive freshening up of our backyard. My overarching feeling has just been weariness at the way our world is today.

I think about how often we try to do right by people, to be respectful and courteous. To be thoughtful and considerate. And it’s not reciprocated. How its starting to seem more and more like people have just given up on those seemingly small niceties. And my soul just feels heavy. Because I feel like so much of what used to be common courtesy is not so common anymore. Drivers on the roads are angrier and more reckless than ever before. Red lights being run are an everyday occurrence around town. On our recent family vacation, I heard more people using the F word out in public than ever before even while around children. Where are manners? Where is kindness? I'm finding myself being surprised when someone is thoughtful because it seems like a rarity. And that's just all on a micro, local level. Don't even get me started on the insanity in our world/culture. After I returned from grocery shopping (which can also be soul crushing), I found myself desperate for a reminder of the truth. 

*Part 2 continued in the comments.*
How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully grasp our strengths or our weaknesses until we are put to the test? Little did I know how much I would love my role as a wife, mother and homemaker until I became one. And that in my endeavor to do those roles to the best of my ability, it would bring to the forefront gifts and talents and blessings that I use outside of these walls.

As I water others, I’m watered too because it brings such joy to care for those around me. But it can also make me see more clearly the areas in which I’m lacking and be a very humbling reminder of how much I still need to grow and learn.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Have you done any ‘watering’ of others this week? How has it blessed and ‘watered’ you in return?
“Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you “Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you make.” Statements like this from my kids fill me with so much joy and such a sense of assurance that my role as the maker of this home is one that makes an impact on them in both big and small ways. It’s not just sheet pan shrimp boil. 

It’s nourishment
It’s time together around the table
It’s laughing as we try to get the butter sauce out of the pan
It’s a memory
It’s an imprint on their lives 

The ordinary act of making a meal becomes EXTRAordinary. And I try to keep that in mind as I do this task day in and day out, year after year. 

***

Ingredients: 
1 pound baby red or yellow potatoes
Green beans or corn (4 ears cut in half) whichever you prefer
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt and pinch of black pepper 
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (12.8-ounce) package smoked andouille sausage, thinly sliced
Crusty bread for dipping 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook potatoes until just tender, about 10 minutes. Put potatoes, shrimp, sausage and green beans or corn on baking sheet. Pour butter over top. Sprinkle with old bay seasoning and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Bake for about 12 minutes or until shrimp is pink. 

#shrimpboil #sheetpandinner #sheetpanmeals #homemaking
Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and lig Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and light cocktails! My husband is my own built in bartender and he put this together the other night. 

2 jiggers of gin (you could also use vodka) 
*you should do a jig when using a jigger 😉*
Crushed ice 
Grapefruit tonic 
Squirt of lime 
Sprig of mint 

Easy and so refreshing!! ☀️

#cocktails #summercocktails
There is something magical about the late summer e There is something magical about the late summer evenings. Maybe it’s because we have a greater sense of the fact that these long days are slowly shortening and we want to savor them as much as we can. I know I intend to do just that. 

I hope you’re having a wonderful August so far dear friends!
Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our hou Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our house all summer long. We’re big on the ‘build your own’ method of making dinner especially on very hot days. Simplicity for the win! 
#recipes #easydinner #easydinnerideas #homemaking
In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grou In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grouping of beats. No matter what else a piece of music has in terms of its pitch or tone, the rhythm never changes. Its the stabilizing force and brings order to a composition that would be completely chaotic without it.

The same can be said of rhythms in our lives and in our homes. When everything else feels out of control, rhythms and patterns provide us with stability and something that we can rely upon to give us a sense of security in a very insecure world. But, too often, we associate the rhythmic things we do in our lives as merely tasks to be gotten through rather than gifts which provide much-needed balance.

Whether it’s making the coffee every night before we go to bed or doing my devotional in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up or watering my garden, these simple tasks provide a rhythm to my day that is truly grounding. 

What’s something that you do that you would classify as a rhythm or pattern in your week?
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