Tuesday, April 27, 2010

State Of The Sunroom & A Winner!


Thank you so much to everyone who participated in my first giveaway. I really enjoyed all the comments. And, I am really excited about all the new blogs I've found through this process.

The winner was selected through the highly scientific and certainly random process of calling my sister and asking her to pick a number. And the winner is..........My Interior Life. Kathy, e-mail me and we can start collaborating on the perfect new accessory custom made for you (or you can choose one you've seen. Congratulations.


This week I'm posting about my Sunroom again, which continues to be a work in progress


When we moved into this house three years ago, one of the most attractive features was the "porch" with the walls of windows looking out into a sizable (for this area) back yard that backed up to woods.

From this room I watch the flowers grow and the wildlife as I sip my morning coffee. It's the perfect place to start and end the day.

Exterior shot of sunroom Before


View to woods from inside. Taken this morning- can you find the bunny in the tall grass?


When I say it was one of the most attractive features, I mean it had potential.

Originally our sunroom was a porch. The previous owners put up the windows and a wood floor to make it into a three-season room. The windows are actually sliding glass doors that slide open. It was a cool porch, but I was determined to turn it into a family room.


Before with previous owner's furniture

On moving day I put the living room furniture from the old house in the sunroom because I had high hopes that a space heater would get us through the winter. Unfortunately a space heater wasn't big enough and it reached freezing temperatures indoors.

I never wanted to spend a lot of money on this room since it wasn't a room we used year round. I made burlap curtains that were purely utilitarian. I picked up a rug that I didn't love, but thought it would wear well and not show the dirt.


Previous arrangement


In December we put in a heating/cooling unit making the room year round room. It works like a charm!

So now I've been reworking the room to make it prettier, lighter, and more functional.


The chair is still not finished, but now I think I want to find matching chairs that are smaller and lighter for this side.

I rearranged the furniture so now the focus is on the pond and garden rather than the TV.


Before with previous owner's furniture

I got this coffee table over the weekend at an estate sale. It has the bamboo detail with cane in the center and a glass top. It's a little too orange, so I'm going to paint it white.
New furniture arrangement


Dining area before with previous owner's furniture.

The only lighting this room had was the original exterior sconce style lanterns. I took them down. I hung this temporary Ikea light just so we can see what we're eating. The chairs are also from Ikea.

I'm thinking I might rework the chandelier I currently have in my dining room (that's a post coming soon).

Current dinning area arrangement.

This room makes me very happy. It's where we eat, craft, watch TV, entertain, and do everything else a family does.

What do you think? Do I need curtains or window treatments at all and if so, what style.



Thanks for stopping by today!

Julie








9 comments:

the gardener's cottage said...

There isn't anything about this room that I don't love. You are so lucky to have a room such as this. I, personally would not put any window treatments up. I love the coffee table as is. Love the chairs, everything! Heck, I even like the IKEA pendant. It has such a garden conservatory feel to it.

~janet

My Interior Life said...

Yeah, I can't believe I won!! I never win anything. I'm about to head out for the day but will email you as soon as I get home this afternoon to discuss the details. I am so excited, I can't tell you. Thank you, thank you!!

And I love your sunroom. I'm not sure I would add curtains as it might obscure the view, but in the corners I guess it could add some softness. And you new coffee table is great. I think it will look fabulous once you paint it!

Thanks again, Julie!

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

Julie, I love your sunroom. I would not use any window treatments unless privacy is an issue, then I would use some bamboo shades. Looking forward to more posts!

Marija said...

I don't think that I could be any more jealous of your sun room. How incredible?! Congrats to My Interior LIfe - I was so overwhelmed last week and somehow missed your giveaway!? And I love pearls. There's always next time :)

Hope you're having a great week!

Marija

carla said...

Hi Julie,

When I say I never win anything I mean it, ha ha, I will keep trying. Congrats to My Interior Life, hope you do a post showing the piece she ends up with.

Your sunroom looks great, so family friendly with style, wouldn't change anything, table even looks great as is.

Carla

Anonymous said...

Julie it looks great. I love what you have done with and hope to see it in person soon.

Annie

ps. I am so glad you are blogging now.

Anonymous said...

I just came across this website through one of the blogs you follow. It is amazing...http://www.appleyhoare.com/furniture.asp Holy cow I want one of everything.

Unknown said...

My in-laws did the same thing with a porch, and now spend all their time there. Yours is gorgeous, love seeing the pics!

kayce hughes said...

love all of your plants. no curtains needed it is beautiful.