Wisconsin Sunroom Gets Revamped for Entertaining
The finishes and layout didn’t fit the homeowners’ style, so they remodeled for a midcentury vibe
Before
The backstory: Before the renovation, this 1923 lakeside sunroom felt closed off and dark, and ultimately, it served as a catchall for furniture that didn’t fit in other rooms. The family that lives in this house enjoys entertaining and figured there had to be a better way to make use of this space for gatherings of family and friends.
Scope of work: This project was a remodel of a Madison, Wisconsin, home that included the kitchen, dining room and sunroom.
The backstory: Before the renovation, this 1923 lakeside sunroom felt closed off and dark, and ultimately, it served as a catchall for furniture that didn’t fit in other rooms. The family that lives in this house enjoys entertaining and figured there had to be a better way to make use of this space for gatherings of family and friends.
Scope of work: This project was a remodel of a Madison, Wisconsin, home that included the kitchen, dining room and sunroom.
After
Style: The homeowners chose a clean, white paint to brighten up the sunroom walls and give the space a more open feel, and selected furniture that reflects their love of midcentury style. The other dramatic change is the floor tile.
Floor tile: The homeowners chose a blue-and-white patterned cement tile to give their space a clean and lighthearted look. It’s a dramatic departure from the heavy tiles that previously covered the floors.
French doors: As part of the remodel, the homeowners had their existing French doors painted the same bright white as the walls and changed the hardware to a contrasting color. The doors lead to a patio that overlooks the lake, and when they are open, this room feels like an outdoor porch.
Furnishings: The sofa spans the entire wall, supplying ample seating as well as clean, straight design lines. A pair of Bertoia chairs opposite the sofa creates an intimate conversation space without blocking the lake view.
Wall paint: Decorator’s White CC-20, Benjamin Moore; cement floor tile: Tess III in Pacific Black and Pacific White, Cement Tile Shop; accent chairs: Bertoia gold wire chairs; fireplace: Jotul; door hardware: Emtek
Style: The homeowners chose a clean, white paint to brighten up the sunroom walls and give the space a more open feel, and selected furniture that reflects their love of midcentury style. The other dramatic change is the floor tile.
Floor tile: The homeowners chose a blue-and-white patterned cement tile to give their space a clean and lighthearted look. It’s a dramatic departure from the heavy tiles that previously covered the floors.
French doors: As part of the remodel, the homeowners had their existing French doors painted the same bright white as the walls and changed the hardware to a contrasting color. The doors lead to a patio that overlooks the lake, and when they are open, this room feels like an outdoor porch.
Furnishings: The sofa spans the entire wall, supplying ample seating as well as clean, straight design lines. A pair of Bertoia chairs opposite the sofa creates an intimate conversation space without blocking the lake view.
Wall paint: Decorator’s White CC-20, Benjamin Moore; cement floor tile: Tess III in Pacific Black and Pacific White, Cement Tile Shop; accent chairs: Bertoia gold wire chairs; fireplace: Jotul; door hardware: Emtek
Before
Before the renovation, the rounded steps took up valuable floor space in the sunroom, and the wall separating the kitchen and living room from the sunroom made it feel closed off.
Before the renovation, the rounded steps took up valuable floor space in the sunroom, and the wall separating the kitchen and living room from the sunroom made it feel closed off.
After
Bar: The addition of a bar area by the new steps is a game-changer for entertaining. The new bar, with two under-counter beverage fridges and a sink, allows the family to offer drinks to their guests without having to walk up to the kitchen, which was almost like leaving the party.
Stairs: Replacing the protruding round steps with a simpler style helped make way for the bar. The new steps are made of the same white oak used in the dining room, a sturdy and bright wood.
Cabinets surrounding wine fridges: Brookhaven frameless cabinetry, WoodMode; countertop: White Cliff by Cambria; cabinetry hardware: Top Knobs Europa
General contractor: Jon Moore of MBR
Bar: The addition of a bar area by the new steps is a game-changer for entertaining. The new bar, with two under-counter beverage fridges and a sink, allows the family to offer drinks to their guests without having to walk up to the kitchen, which was almost like leaving the party.
Stairs: Replacing the protruding round steps with a simpler style helped make way for the bar. The new steps are made of the same white oak used in the dining room, a sturdy and bright wood.
Cabinets surrounding wine fridges: Brookhaven frameless cabinetry, WoodMode; countertop: White Cliff by Cambria; cabinetry hardware: Top Knobs Europa
General contractor: Jon Moore of MBR
Sunroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin
Size: 288 square feet (27 square meters)
Designers: Erica Weaver and Denise Quade of Denise Quade Design (space planning and cabinetry design) and Cynthia Paggie of Paggie Design Studio (finishes, furnishings and accessories)