Jen's Before and After

Hi Christine!

You helped me redo my sunroom back in January (sent you a video).  Just got my new rug (different from what you suggested but I love it!) and took pics for you.  Did the paint you recommended, Ramie, and also did the curtains.  Can I just say how much I LOVE it in there now!  Spent the whole day in there on Sunday!  Still need to find a coffee table but it's coming along nicely and my husband didn't complain (too much anyways) about doing all the work for me since I'm due to give birth any day now.  =))

Thank you so much!

- Jen

Thanks for sending after pic's Jen!

Jen's Sunroom

Hi Jen,

Thanks for sending in the video.

I want to start with your wall color. You have a real disconnect with your wall color and everything else. I can imagine the window treatments have yellow in them- but that does not make that paint color work. You can only keep one -- the wall color- or everything else. To really make that wall color work- you would have to go with furniture like this. However- I get the feeling that this whole bright look would then have a disconnect with the rest of your house. Just a hunch- since I haven't seen the rest of your home. But - to assume my hunch is right- we will lose the wall color. I selected Ramie by Sherwin Williams for you. You can see it in the room below.

Yes- I would also take down the valances. Use panels that go to the floor. To keep it light and airy- I selected a sheer from West Elm- in a simple off white. I would not put them on the interior doors- but yes to the rest of them.

Pull it all together with the rug. The rug below is from Homedecorators.com. Get a larger one than your current rug. It should help to ground the furniture- by being at least partially under all of your seating pieces. Pull your furniture away from your walls more- into the room. Remove the bookcase and all the wall decor. It will look better without them. I would move your chairs to another room and use instead a pair of chairs like the one at the top of the post- only $199 each from Homedecorators.com. Without the ottoman- you have room for a larger ottoman in the center. Get a nice large plant for the corner that currently has the bookcase. Your room has beautiful bones- with these small changes it will be your new favorite room in your home. Pull in a couple more patterns- one on your ottoman- and another in some throw pillows.

Thanks again for sending a video! It is so helpful!

Wallpaper Wednesday- The Sunroom

Hi Christine,
Just emailed you about my family room. I figure since I’m taking pictures, I will also ask you about my solarium. I bought the table recently and would like to find some chairs. The chairs shown are my patio chairs. I’ve seen a few inexpensive chairs on the internet and wanted to get your opinion or see if you had any other ideas. Also trying to decide if I should go with a calm paint color or something bold. Window treatments….. Any thoughts? I really appreciate your help. I will be switching out many of the accessories once I get the basics figured out. But any recommendations in that area would also be appreciated.

Dear Maryann,

I would go upholstered or slipcovered on your chairs. This will add softness, and be very inviting. I showed a dark colored chair from Restoration Hardware- but if you don't have "anti-fading" windows- go with a very light color to not show fading.

These photos are from a Barbara Barry job in Jackson Hole. I like the sheer linen Roman shades used in her solarium. They don't detract from the beauty of the windows, but will reduce glare and add a little bit of privacy.

Wall color? I would do a grasscloth wallpaper in your solarium. Not a dark shade- keep it light and neutral. It is a pretty room- you don't need strong colors- keep it all soft- but add texture.
The grasscloth at the top of the post is from Total Wallcoverings.

Barbara Barry's photos from Veranda