In this post: we follow the steps that sustainable interior designer Amy Cuker took as she tackled her sunroom renovation project.
The Home Green is reader-supported and may receive a commission if you decide to purchase through a posted link, at no cost to you. Images courtesy of Down2Earth Interior Design and Amy Cuker.
There’s a growing interest among interior designers to help their clients create more sustainable spaces, but what happens when the designer is working on their own space? Looking at how sustainable interior designer Amy Cuker from Down2Earth Interior Design recently undertook her sunroom renovation gives us a clue.
Like many of the beautiful classic homes in the Philadelphia area, Amy’s house features a 3 season sunroom. Also like many non-core home spaces, this space became an afterthought for the designer. Amy was ready to remedy that and set out to breathe some new life into this space.
Amy's sunroom before the renovation.
Step one in decorating a sunroom: do your research (don’t worry, it will be fun!)
Images representative of Amy's Mexican inspiration
One of the first things an interior designer will do — and that the rest of us often forget — is to seek inspiration and create a plan. Amy knew she wanted this space, one that she would be using most in the fall and spring, to be colorful and relaxing. She wanted the final sunroom renovation to capture the essence of some of the best times that she spent with her family on vacation in Mexico. She created several mood boards (9 to be exact!) based on the colorful indoor/outdoor spaces that are common in the warm climate of Mexico, and landed on one final winner.
Step two: prepping for your sunroom renovation
Getting the sunroom ready for it's new design
SW Waterfall
Before you start decorating your space, and while it’s still relatively empty, it’s a good idea to consider if the space needs any repair or prep work. This could include repairing or replacing broken and non-operational windows and doors, fixing loose floor tiles, or touching up your paint.
Luckily, in Amy’s case, her sunroom didn’t require any major repairs or structural modifications. She decided to tackle a major enhancement and brought an unexpected and fun detail into the space by painting the ceiling. She chose Sherwin Williams “Waterfall” which coordinates well with the design and also hints to the idea of sky in a way that’s particularly fitting for this outdoor adjacent room.
Step three: sourcing materials
Finding design inspiration didn’t mean that planning was done. Next, Amy set about figuring out what materials could bring her sunroom renovation to life in an eco-friendly way.
Having spent years advising clients on how to make their designs more eco-friendly, Amy knew that one of the best ways to lower the negative impact of a design project is to reuse. Often with some minor cosmetic adjustments, like a new paint color, an old piece can have a completely new look. In this sunroom renovation project, there were several key pieces that Amy was able to bring back to life with a little TLC.
Wicker furniture
Amazingly enough, this wicker furniture came with the house and is actually too big to be moved out! (She theorizes that they were brought in before the construction on the room was complete.) Luckily, each piece is beautiful and just needed a new coat of paint and cushion reupholstery to be brought back to life.
Dresser/credenza
This dresser is a live example of how reusing one piece of furniture can save so many resources. The dresser was originally a curbside find that was repainted for the nursery of one of Amy’s children. With a fresh coat of gold paint, it’s now experiencing (at least!) it's third life as a credenza in this project.
Coffee table
One of the amazing things about this coffee table is that it highlights how doing a little DIY salvaging can help you create a piece that’s more special and unique than you’ll ever find new. The first step was to put on the base layer of bold turquoise paint. Next, Amy’s artistic mother pieced a one of a kind design on the top based on traditional Otomi Mexican embroidery to really bring the theme to life.
If you don’t have furniture available to repurpose, don’t fret! As you can see, much of what Amy used was obtained secondhand from sources that are readily available in just about every neighborhood including thrift shops and online marketplaces. There are also an abundance of great and eco-friendly manufacturers of new indoor/outdoor furniture. A few of our favorites are Room & Board, Loll, and Polywood. Check out our comprehensive guides to buying vintage furniture and eco-friendly outdoor furniture below.
Step four: accessorize your sunroom renovation
Now that the basics were down, Amy needed to find those finishing touches. Among the key final details in this sunroom renovation were throw pillows that really brought the colorful vision to life. A great thing about smaller accessories like pillows is that they are easy and cost-effective to switch out and have a lower footprint than constant replacement of a larger piece like a sofa or table.
Key things to look for in textiles for your project include OEKO-TEX®, GREENGUARD, and Certipur-US® certifications. These certify that the pillows or other fabric items you’re buying are safe for the air quality of your home. In addition, it’s not as hard to find Fairtrade-certified textiles and pillows made of recycled materials these days.
In her search for pillows that worked with her theme, Amy was excited to discover the company Intiearth which specializes in responsibly sourcing textiles from indigenous communities in Peru. Their pillows not only fit well with Amy’s design, but she felt great knowing that she was sourcing them from a company that prioritized fair trade and sustainability.
When it came to the largest textile in this space, Amy made sure to pick one that would stand the test of time. The bright color and vibrant pattern not only work well with the look of the space but it will also hold up well to the wear and tear of an indoor/outdoor space.
In addition to soft furnishings, artwork played a major role in bringing this space to life. Two pieces are particularly noteworthy. The first is a bold, abstract piece by UK artist Kimberly Godfrey. The second is from an artist even closer to home for Amy: her mother. Both of these pieces highlight how original artwork brings character to a space that’s difficult to replicate with mass marketed prints.
The final step: sunroom renovation enjoyment!
Amy certainly succeeded in creating a space that is both beautiful and eco-friendly, but the true test is if it’s now a space that functions well in her life and home. The great news is that the answer is a resounding yes on both counts. Among the many possibilities that the space has opened up, Amy shares that she now puts her sunroom renovation to work as a practice space for her band, a cozy gathering area for an occasional book group meeting, overflow seating for parties, or a secluded spot to nap in a sunbeam.
Amy’s sunroom renovation proves that it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive to create a beautiful and sustainable space that can add so much versatility to your home. Through thoughtful design and resourceful thinking, it’s possible to craft a stunning and adaptable space in your home that reflects both your style and commitment to sustainability.
Free tips and inspiration in your inbox.
Enter your email address below to receive the latest news from The Home Green. By signing up to subscribe, you consent to our terms & conditions and privacy policy.
