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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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October 21, 2016

When Cost Leads to Creative Decorating

We have a saying in our house. ‘Just because we can doesn’t mean we should.’

At the heart of it is our desire to teach our children how to be good stewards of their resources. How to stop and really think about each purchase and whether or not it is the best use of their money.

But sometimes this lady wrestles with taking her own advice. Because when I get a decorating idea in my head it’s really hard to not move forward at full throttle to achieve the look I want.

Fall fireplace decorations atthepicketfence.com

 

And as fall wove its way through my house this year I was spending a shameful amount of time dreaming about how amazing it would look to have a GIANT chalkboard over my family room fireplace. I even had the perfect quote to write on it all picked out. I scoured all of my usual local haunts but continued to come up empty handed as the only available chalkboards were just not quite big enough.

So I took to the interwebs in my search and spent more shameful amounts of time trying to find the GIANT chalkboard I envisioned in my mind. And I did find some. But they were expensive…really, really expensive. I found the absolute cheapest one among those expensive chalkboards and even went so far as to put it in my online shopping cart but I just.couldn’t.do.it.

I couldn’t spend the money. And it wasn’t about whether or not I had the money in the bank to spend on it. It was about whether or not I should use that money to buy a chalkboard that was probably going to end up in my attic for most of the year only to be taken down for the occasional photo opp.

I sat on my couch with my finger hovering over the ‘purchase’ button and stared up at the painting above my fireplace. And that’s when it hit me.

white french country styled fireplace makeover atthepicketfence.com

What I really wanted was something that exact size. And wouldn’t it just be so handy if that painting could serve a dual purpose.

Hmmmmm….

The wheels began to turn and the creative juices started flowing and it dawned on me that maybe my favorite painting could actually be the answer. What if I were to turn the back of it into a chalkboard?

I hopped up and raced over to take a peek at the backside only to discover the most delightful surprise.

The back was already painted black!! Oh sure, I knew it wasn’t actual chalkboard paint, but a quick test with a piece of chalk confirmed to me that it would definitely do the trick.

All I had to do was paint the area (using paint I already had on hand) around where the painting was attached in order to create a kind of frame around my faux chalkboard.

The quote went up and as I stood back to admire it I couldn’t believe that I had achieved the look I wanted without spending a dime!

Cozy fall fireplace decorations with an oversized chalkboard

The thing about stewardship is that it really doesn’t have anything to do with the amount of money you have in your pocket. It really has to do with how you are going to spend it.

Is it wrong to buy something new for our homes? Of course not. But being good stewards involves wisdom and wisdom is what we need to apply to every decision we make, even if it’s about a chalkboard.

Wisdom is what kept me from clicking ‘purchase’ on that expensive oversized chalkboard I found online. It prevented me from putting money into something that really should be used for other things.

I believe that stewardship is what leads us to resourcefulness. And resourcefulness and creativity go hand in hand.

Fall farmhouse style family room atthepicketfence.com

After all, just because we can doesn’t mean we should.

Thanks so much for meeting me and my faux chalkboard here at the fence today,

Vanessa signature

11 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas Tagged With: budget decorating, decorating

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Comments

  1. Cindy says

    October 21, 2016 at 3:15 AM

    I too struggle with the exact same problem you do…we want what we see in our mind and we want it right now. But how you literally “turned it all around” was amazing! A beautiful sentiment…a lovely fall season to you…

    Reply
  2. Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says

    October 21, 2016 at 5:09 AM

    What an amazing idea! You are so resourceful – and I love the quote!
    Shelley

    Reply
  3. Esther says

    October 21, 2016 at 6:18 AM

    Sometimes the ideas I come up with are the most creative part of my art. I always say I have one good idea a day. Sometimes I have to give them away for non-art. You thought it through and came up with “one good one”.

    Reply
  4. Carol Neibling says

    October 21, 2016 at 6:46 AM

    I just went thru that problem. I wanted (needed) a replacement for my serger so I could make some microwave potato potato bakers for some gifts. When I went to the store I couldn’t get over how expensive they were. Finally I chose the less expensive one and it works just fine and one of these days it will go in the cabinets. I would rather use that money to help a family at Christmas time.

    Reply
  5. margaret says

    October 21, 2016 at 8:29 AM

    What a great idea! Good stewardship can be applied to our time, money, and so many other things.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  6. Bonnie says

    October 21, 2016 at 11:26 AM

    What a wonderful reminder to consider first whether there might be a better price or if I’m able to make it myself or to ask myself if I really need it before making any purchase. I’m on a very tight budget and it truly makes me happy and helps my bank account too when I am resourceful.

    Reply
  7. rose l. says

    October 21, 2016 at 12:23 PM

    Lovely home.

    Reply
  8. Melanie says

    October 23, 2016 at 4:37 PM

    Amen!

    Reply
  9. Julia says

    October 29, 2016 at 8:28 PM

    First I love your faux chalkboard and the quote! Second I did something similar today. I wanted a pretty bottle for my kitchen counter to put olive oil in and found one while shopping last week but the price was a bit much. As I was cleaning my kitchen this morning the prettiest bottle ever caught my eye – one that I have had for awhile and it’s perfect for my oil and didn’t cost a cent!
    Also I’m buying your book as gifts for my daughters!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 30, 2016 at 6:48 AM

      Isn’t that so wonderful when you discover the perfect thing right under your nose and for free?! Love that you shared that with us Julia and thank you so much for wanting to give our book as gifts. We are honored and humbled!

      Reply
  10. Clive Osborne says

    November 8, 2016 at 3:15 AM

    Great post. We love repurposing things and moving items around the house for a new lease of life. Too often we buy things just to throw something else away.

    Reply

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Happy weekend friends! My halls are decked and I’m so thrilled to finally have my Christmas home tour ready to share with you! There’s even a crooked star on one of our trees that I’ve made peace with after much consternation. Follow the link in my bio to read that story and see more of my house all dressed up for the season. ✨🌲
#traditionalhome #traditionalchristmas #timelesschristmas #christmashometour #frenchcountrychristmas
I’m working my way through a GK Chesterton Adven I’m working my way through a GK Chesterton Advent devotional and the first day there was a line in his writing that has been running through my head ever since I read it. “Advent is a desire in the Now for Not Yet”.

Every Christmas there’s this ache in my heart that accompanies my love for the season. I take such pleasure in decorating my home and making all of the preparations but there’s often a sense of melancholy that creeps in. I used to worry about this feeling and analyze it to death. But then I realized that it’s actually a good thing. God created in me this desire for something, Someone, beyond this present world. As such, my soul is longing for the ‘not yet’ even while I’m going about the work of living in the ‘now’. That tension is always with us whether we acknowledge it or not but it’s even more present at Christmas.

As we prepare our homes and our hearts to celebrate the birth of the ONE who came to fulfill the prophecies and promises, may we embrace those feelings and let them serve as a reminder of the hope we have in Him.

#adventdevotional #wearethehomemakers #advent #gkchesterton #proverbs31woman #club31women
This is such a busy time of year and I’m always This is such a busy time of year and I’m always on the lookout for easy recipes that use minimal pots and pans therefore requiring minimal cleanup. 🙌🏻

This one sheet roasted veggies, sausage and gnocchi definitely fit the bill! And I don’t know how I’ll go back to boiled gnocchi after tasting it roasted. 😋

Here’s how easy it is to make: 

Preheat oven to 425

Use any combo of veggies you like. I used sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts and red onion. 

Dice into small pieces and spread on a sheet pan. 

Slice up the sausage and add to vegetables. Then add the uncooked gnocchi. Drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil and add a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. You can also add any herbs you like! 

Roast in over for 25 minutes stirring once halfway through. 

While it’s in the oven, melt a stick of butter in a saucepan and add in two teaspoons of garlic. 

When you remove the pan from the oven, drizzle the butter/garlic mixture over the top and stir well to coat everything. Top with Parmesan cheese! 

Easy peasy and SO yummy! ✨

#sheetpandinner #sheetpanrecipes
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
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