Jody has a pretty amazing sunroom but has been stuck by the previous owner’s wall color choice and some accessories she doesn’t love. When I saw the photos of her space, I instantly noticed the open feel and great natural light. This space has too much potential to not be something great for Jody and her family.
Here are a few of Jody’s concerns (excerpts from her original email):
- “Color scheme is from previous homeowner . . . I really prefer neutrals (browns, black, grey, camel, white, cream) with lots of textures, patterns and mix of metals. No idea what color to put on the walls. I hate how the yellow stops low below the skylights.”
- “Currently there is an ugly white fan. Would love a neat light fixture for this space.”
- “The rug. Indoor/outdoor of some sort, because I let kids eat in this room.”
- “Window seats. I would love a new color scheme in neutral but interesting tones.”
- “Bookshelves are dark with no details. No idea how to make them interesting.”
Here’s the plan.
So, first things first: the wall color. It was even hard for me to think while I was looking at the pictures of the yellow walls. Jody loves neutrals, so I would freshen everything up with a clean slate.
Adding pattern and texture.
Next, I’d work on changing things over to a warmer, more neutral color palette. I’d take away the red rug and the bright silhouette art. (I actually asked her about those, and she said they’d work perfectly over the boys’ beds.) I’m recommending the same rug we have in our living room now. (It’s the PB one I’ve written about lots of times. It’s soft on the feet and shows no kid spills, I promise.)
To soften things up, I would suggest adding curtains to the window behind the sofa and to the door on the opposite side of the room. I’d repeat the fabric as pillows on the sectional, adding in a couple of more patterns.
Statement pieces.
Two more big “statement suggestions” for the space: an overhead light and painting the bookcases. This space calls for something big. I love, love, love this 36” sputnik. The specific one I found isn’t cheap, but if I had to choose a piece to invest in, this would be it. I think it would change the entire look of the room. (A much cheaper alternative might be to do a DIY project like this one.)
Ideally, I would go ahead and finish out the bookcase wall by adding another upper shelf in the middle. I would complete the look by painting the built-ins a dark color and by installing library wall sconces above each one. The window seat is another place to add pattern—and layer with more pillows, in the same colors/patterns as on the sectional.
The Overall Look:
A couple of other suggestions: lamps for the console table to bring in more lighting and a sturdy coffee table instead of the ottoman. I put together a board of how I see the room coming together as a whole.
rug // wall color // bookcase color // library wall sconce
curtain/pillow fabric // sputnik chandelier // window seat fabric
black pillow // gray pillow // white lamps // coffee table // art
Affiliate links used.
I think Lowes sell a Sputnik in silver for about $200. Spray it gold and it would be a much easier diy than the one above and way cheaper than the other one. :)
Yes, I think that could be a good alternative. Not quite as in love with the boxier look, though.
Here’s the link for anyone who wants it: http://www.lowes.com/pd_511350-43501-FD13-033_0__?productId=50096172#img
http://m.lowes.com/pd/Style-Selections-18-Light-Brushed-Nickel-Chandelier/50096172
Yes they do! We have it in our kitchen space and love it! The brushed finish is much less “brushed” than one would expect and mixes great with our polished nickel island pendants. Would be beautiful sprayed gold too.
Oops just saw that Emily had already linked the Lowe’s one.
The bulbs that came with it were not my favorite; we replaced with smaller, clear round bulbs.
What an amazing space! I would kill for that room. Love your suggestions! I hope she sends photos after she implements your plan because I’d love to see how it turns out.
gorgeous space made even better! love your suggestions and looking forward to the transformation. Will take some work but hopefully a fun process.
Those windows are amazing! I agree about building the middle bookcase; it would be some added work, but would add so much to the space. The light is awesome… it would be tempting to find a much cheaper version, but if I had that room and happened to have the funds, the originally would probably be worth it for the impact it would have on the space!
Love all your suggestions Emily! That light is beautiful and worth every single penny! I hope the owner splurges on it! Hopefully Jody will run with your ideas and implement them asap! Please let us see the after!
Jody sent me here and I love your plan for her sunroom! I think you are spot on with her love for leopard print, and I love the SW Bronze color for the bookcases. What a great rug selection too, I might have to look into that one myself!
Glad I finally made it to your blog… I’ve heard lots of great things, I’ll definitely be back!
Jody please please please send Emily AFTER pictures! What a beautiful space and a beautiful plan!!!
I for one would love to have a room like that in my home! And what wonderful ideas to make if fresh and new! Thanks for sharing.
A chandelier similar to the one used in this room might be nice in that big space!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/267049452882568016/
This Pottery Barn light fixture might also be another choice – and you can probably get it a coupon for 20%. Wish I had taller ceilings to use it!
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/explosion-chandelier/?pkey=cchandeliers&&cchandeliers
Urbane Bronze is a fantastic color! I have it in my current house and used it in my previous house as well.
Love this! Do you ever have anyone follow through with at least some of your ideas or use it as a springboard and then send updated photos?
Laura–I have no idea! I’ve only been able to do a handful of these over the last year (they’re time consuming) but hopefully, I’ll be sure to post if I receive any follow up photos.
Hi Emily,
I actually have completed some of what you suggested for my bedroom. I managed to find mirrors to hang above my nightstands. I actually found them at HomeGoods. So they were very affordable. I’m still saving my money for your other suggestions. So this could take a while. But great design always does.
Your suggestions for this sun-room are terrific!
Glad you found some mirrors! That’s one of the drawbacks of not using an actual budget. (Fun for me–but maybe more time consuming for the reader to complete). :)
:-) You’re a gem to invest so much for others.
Really love all of the details in this room. I so agree with the white paint on all the walls to match the trim and the ceiling. Makes the room look so much more open instead of having that visual yellow line at the ceiling. Would love to see her after photos!
How gorgeous this room would be with all your suggestions! I have to say though that my experience says a sea grass rug would be much more forgiving with two boys eating in the room regularly. I just handed over my PB chenille and jute rug to Goodwill after only a year of ownership and learning that stains are not easy to remove and never come out completely, unlike PB’s sea grass rugs that we have in other areas of the house. We also had a dog that LOVED that rug, to the point he thought he was a cat and used it like a scratch pad!
Jody, please share your pictures with Emily, we would all love to see what you do!
I love your ideas, Emily! I sent the link to my husband and he especially loves the bookcase ideas, lights and wall color. He usually has no opinion either way so that is really saying something! I love all the fabrics. I think I can get pretty close to all these examples. I will definitely share the finished product with Emily when I complete it. Please forgive my photography and the timeline to execute the plan. It always takes longer than I think it will. Thanks for all your kind comments!
So glad you like it–and even more encouraged that your husband did, too :) Can’t wait to see the changes you make.
Sounds lovely! I hope she sends you pics of the finished room so we can all see!
This rug is very budget friendly, a breeze to maintain, soft & durable.
The second view (close up photo) is a truer representation of the rug.
allen + roth Expressway Chestnut Rectangular Indoor/Outdoor Machine-Made Area Rug 8 x 10, $178
http://www.lowes.com/pd_131539-42580-3935075-8X10_1z0s48lZ1z11wmf__?productId=3199649&pl=1#img
This rug is stunning, especially for the price! Thank you for the information :)
I also hate ceiling fans, but based on where she lives and the height of that room, she may want to keep it. Which from a design perspective is awful, but from a real-life perspective is just the way it goes. We took out our ceiling fans in our first house, a mistake I didn’t repeat in our second. Even if it isn’t as lovely to look at, they will stay.
I gotta say, I was really impressed with what you came up with for this room. (Oh and I love this exercise!) It’s a tricky room to think about, with all the great windows and great (but tricky) built-ins. Beautiful design!
When using Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White as the wall color – what color do you suggest for trim in a room? I’ve always loved the idea of a white wall color but confused by what color to use on molding? Any suggestions appreciated!
These are great suggestions — the sputnik light is lovely and I light the idea of the dark bookcases. I would suggest adding some beams to the ceiling for some more architectural detail and texture. It would make it feel cozy and really tie everything together. Like this: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/205758276704768991/
I hope she does everything you told her….it will be so much more updated and cozy even with white walls:)
I tried to channel you through this design ;)
Do you still take online design clients? You helped with my living room and we lived in it for four happy years. Now we are in a new home and would love your help!
Hi Monique! I don’t do online design anymore. . . Maybe someday, when the kids are all in school :)