Slow Decorating in the Sunroom

It has been nearly four years since we enclosed our screen porch and made it a sunroom. (I can hardly believe that it has been that long!)

We have loved having this room and we have used it so much. It has been a place for morning coffee, parties, overflow space for celebrations, most of our evening meals, Bible studies, buffet set-up, dessert serving, conversations. 

Although we loved it when it was fresh and new . . . 

. . . over these past four years, we have made a few changes, collected a few pieces, and tweaked little by little. 

We added blinds. (You can read about those  ~ here ~.)

We made an "Ice Cream" sign to hang over the doorway, a nod to Ron's love for making (and eating) homemade ice cream. He collects antique ice cream scoops and always seems to have a number of vintage ice cream freezers too, but that's another story. :)

We have collected some small family treasures and antique goodies, some of which rotate seasonally.  I have had the sailboat since we finished the room, but last year I coffee-stained the sails to tone it down a bit and I like it better. 

From the start, I knew that I would eventually want to have a sofa in the sunroom - a place get comfy or even take a short nap. We had bought the wicker set at a second-hand shop when we first moved into our house. We have gotten our money's worth out of it and it still looks good. But I wanted the sunroom to feel more like a "room" than a porch, and I knew a sofa would accomplish that. 

I have been looking (mostly on Facebook Marketplace) for just the right thing for four years! These were my criteria: 

• white or off-white
• removable slipcovers, for ease in washing
• excellent condition
• photographed in a clean, orderly room (because that's a clue to how clean a piece of upholstered furniture will be) 
• within 100 miles
• a "good" price

With those criteria, you can imagine why it took me so long to find what I wanted! I must say, though, that I did not shop Marketplace every day. I looked when I thought about it which means that during busy seasons I didn't look frequently.  But soon after we returned from our southern trip (and brought back a Windsor chair!), I came across a listing for just the right thing! 

Waiting paid off! This loveseat was in perfect condition. It is quite comfortable and, yes, good for a short nap. 

Serendipitously, Target released an "Americana Geo" collection a few weeks ago and I snagged this throw for just $25.00. Doesn't it look like an antique coverlet? I won't leave it draped on the loveseat because it may fade in this sunny room, so now I am looking for a sturdy basket to keep the throw out of the sun, but handy for use. 

We had to replace one of the little side tables because it was too big. I found this one on Facebook Marketplace for only $25 and a little drive. 

Slow decorating is what I love.  I enjoy collecting things over time and looking for just the right pieces as a room evolves and becomes personal.

What I Brought Home (Besides a Full Heart)

When I told you about our recent trip south to visit our daughter Kati and her family, I told you that we returned home with full hearts, and indeed we did. But we also brought home a few physical treasures. 

I had been keeping my eye out for coral as I shopped in antique stores. This piece called my name and I had some birthday money tucked aside for a special piece. I think I surprised Ron with my choice; he didn't think it looked like my usual style, but he trusted my opinion. I plan to use it as part of my summer mantel. For now, it is atop the cabinet in my sunroom. 

We also brought home a small trove of pottery made by our son-in-law Andrew. Making pottery is one of his hobbies and he is quite good at it! They brought out a couple of boxes of pieces that they were not using and let us take whatever we wished to have. 

I bought a small potted (faux) geranium.

I picked up some beverage napkins, of course. (If you're a longtime reader, you know that I always have a stash of napkins.) I love the pomegranate ones and have tucked them away for next winter when I need a pop of color. The botanical berries will probably show up on my Bible study table soon. Life's simple pleasures. :)

(I also purchased some wool acorns and a few fall stems, but those have already been put away.)

And last, but not least, we brought home a lovely Windsor chair that Andrew had purchased shortly before he and Kati got married. When they moved to their new house three years ago, they did not have a good place for the chair so they asked us if we'd like to have it. They have been keeping it in their barn since then, but we were able to bring it home with us on this trip! 

We have a great place for it, along with something else that we purchased on Marketplace since we have been back home. 

I'll tell you about that in my next post! 

The Resurrection and the Life