“The sun,--the bright sun, that brings back, not light alone, but new life, and hope, and freshness to man--burst upon the crowded city in clear and radiant glory. Through costly-coloured glass and paper-mended window, through cathedral dome and rotten crevice, it shed its equal ray.”
~ Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist
My favorite room in the house during the transition between seasons.
It truly is one of the reasons I fell in love with this home!
I customarily find myself a little bewildered this time of year.
Not quite ready to turn my back on Summer, I spend more time in this room, I think, in part, to ease myself into reality.
The cold, hard reality that is a Midwestern Winter! LOL!
Most of the plants outside the sunroom windows are still green. Soon enough, they will grow to cover the view of the neighbor's homes.
This Summer, we replanted 70 arborvitae, 30 annabelle hydrangeas, more Green Mountain boxwood, pear trees, apple trees...
We lost many plants to the cold last Winter.
A place for tea and books...
The shells in the urn help to lessen the sting of colder months ahead...a visual reminder of warmth.
Sunlight flows through every inch of the room.
Craigslist settee and chairs; ebay clock, crown and sconces. The clock was a 3
$30 purchase I pained to resemble a Mora clock, then added a finial and appliqué.
Clock Before
Every item in this room is an inexpensive Craigslist or ebay find except for the large crown. I did find it on ebay but the vendor allowed me to make payments!
Statue stands just outside sunroom. She looks so much like our Gracie!
A pair of corbels from a long gone Victorian mansion act as a plinth when placed back to back.
Altar candlestick collection...perfect for cold nights...
The tallest was formerly a lamp that I dismantled.
I realize we need to paint the trim. Sometimes I wish I were an octopus...but I'd be a procrastinating octopus and I would likely get the same amount done...so I guess I'm okay the way I am. Also, as a human, I have opposable thumbs! Two arms with attached opposable thumbs trumps eight arms with ...hmmm...but they have suction cups. How would that work?
Where was I?
Oh! Yes...the sunroom!
The kitties also love this room. This is where we keep their food dishes!
I'm surprised their are no cats on the furniture in here! This is where they are usually found!
Some cool weather reading...
I am learning to work with the house. It has been through so many transmogrifications!
Thank goodness for Craigslist! I can sell what doesn't work and replace it with something that does!
Say hi to McGillicuddy, everyone!
He is another one who doesn't have opposable thumbs... and is looking for someone to open his cat food.
I guess that's my cue!
xo
Andie
Sharing with...
Kathryn, at the Dedicated House, Before and After Wednesday!
Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous.
Oh Andie, I have been searching for that settee for oh so long and no luck so far. I loce everything about your sunroom. Those windows aND every little detail. You are such a creative genius.
ReplyDeleteLike everything else you put together this is incomparably elegant, Andie -- like a journey back in time when Lords and Ladies dressed in silks and satins lived in spacious, beautifully furnished Manor houses surrounded by parkland.
ReplyDeleteDare I suggest that you might want to bring a few large plants set in Chinese porcelain jardinieres? The room has the look of an 18th-century orangerie. Small citrus trees, an avocado, and of course a ficus, the hardiest and easiest to grow of all potted trees would look wonderful juxtaposed to your fine furnishings.
One of my aunts had a beautiful conservatory with a flagstone floor just off one end of her 40' living room. In winter when snow was on the ground, it was a spectacular treat to see camellias, gardenias, orchids and all manner of begonias in bloom amidst the ferns, ivy, variegated pothos, and philodendron. Of course, she had a "green thumb," and plenty of time to tend her plants. Christmas in that house was unforgettably beautiful. Lie a vstn to some Magic Kingdom for a child. Imagine FLOWERS in bloom against a backdrop of snow!
At any rate, congratulations again and again, Andie, for your boundless creativity, limitless energy, and ever present desire to live as fully, elegantly and beautifully as you possibly can.
And I an't resist adding:
I hope you are as elated as I at the results of yesterday's "wave" election? I feel we have a real chance at reclaiming our country now. Let us pray the Republican victors don't waste this precious opportunity out of complacency or fear of being targeted as guilty of racism -- and that we don't waste time gloating spitefully, although I have to admit the mental image of Obama, Reid, Pelosi, et al. crumpled and desiccated in defeat does give me a surge of unholy glee. };-)>
Just spectacular. The urn with the shells and coral is just stunning, the transformation of your $30 clock is brilliant, the down chair cushions are so inviting, the candlestick created from a lamp base has me thinking...
ReplyDeleteI could go on and on. My house which I have been in for just under 2 years has been completely furnished with Craigslist finds, thrift & consignment finds as well as true antiques and family pieces. I would have it no other way. Just earlier this we I picked up the most perfect pair of asian chairs for my piano room from Craigslist for a steal.
We are kindred spirits in the approach to home decor.
So happy to visit your beautiful home on this gloomy morning here in New England.
Fondly,
-Lisa
You are certainly the Queen of Craigslist! I love how you have collected so many awesome things that fit perfectly in this room. We can tell that it's a comfy space, if cats use it as a regular hang out.
ReplyDeleteYou need some plants. :(
ReplyDeleteAlways love these peeks at your house. Love what you did with the clock!
ReplyDeleteSun rooms! Yours is sparkling from top to bottom, Andie. I'd find myself in this space too. Our sun room doesn't get the wonderful exposure yours does, but that's where you'll find us most of the time. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fabulous room - the attention to the details is just amazing - love your clock -
ReplyDeleteWow - I love absolutely everything about this room - magazine worthy !
Hi McGillicuddy !!!
Is he named after Lucy Ball? ( that was her maiden name on I love Lucy LOL )
xoxo
I am glad you said what I was thinking as I was scrolling, the trim needs to be painted. It really makes your eyes just stop and look at it. In such a soft room the wood color is just wrong.
ReplyDeleteThe clock is stunning, great job and imagination.
It's a lovely room. I respectfully disagree about painting the trim. I think it goes with the floor and adds warmth and balance, and does not need to be painted. Unless you intend to paint the floor? I agree with another poster who suggested you need to add some live plants. Is that next on your list? I hope so. They would add so much, particularly during the cold and sometimes brutally bitter winters in the midwest. We lost so many street trees and homeowner's trees around here where I live (90 miles or so north of you), it was very evident driving through the city all season long. It broke my heart. Would also mildly suggest some kind of material (cloth) to enhance the windows during the winter. Not to cover them, but to add the appearance of a layer of warmth that is so need in January and February around these parts! All of your rooms are such an inspiration. You have SUCH vision, and are truly gifted. Thank you for your blog, and sharing that vision with peeps like me.
ReplyDeleteBelissimo quarto. Sua casa é muito linda, tens móveis muito bonito, são preciosidades. E as plantas quando crescerem vão deixar essa peça ainda mais linda. Coloque bastante adubo na primavera que elas crescem rápido. Aqui estamos nos preparando para o verão e esse ano promete ser muito quente.
ReplyDeleteBjos tenha um ótimo dia.
What can I say after Mr. Freethinke took what I was going to say!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the large crown, small chairs in front the door, and
Dear Andie,
ReplyDeleteI would spend so much time in your sun-room! It is so welcoming, especially this time of year!
So many artful accessories!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Fabulous is about all I can say , you have such talent for transforming items into such treasures to make them look like from years ago ,
ReplyDeleteI would love to see your entire house
Your sunroom is amazing! Thanks for sharing. You are the Star Feature at the Before & After party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week's bash. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2014/11/before-after-wednesday-week-35.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! Your sun room is absolutely beautfiul. I can idle away for hours in there. Hahaha! You definitely decorated it with so much passion. I hope to see the transition of your sun room in the years to come. Here's to more beautiful interior designs! All the best! :)
ReplyDeleteLynne Hollaran @ SGS