Wanna come over?
Well. You have no choice. You’re going to hang with me in my favorite spot in the house for a little while…my Under the Tuscan Sunroom.
But I’m putting the proverbial cart before the horse. Let me back up a few steps by way of introduction.
*clears throat*
As you may or may not recall, My groom and I spent two weeks in Tuscany with dear friends a couple of years ago.
We ate and drank like kings and queens and gluttons, oh my.
We took in breathtaking countryside scenery and strolled quaint cobblestone streets.
And when we returned? I wanted a way to commemorate the exquisiteness of those two weeks.
Not a photo album…
Or a set of postcards…
Certainly not a Hard Rock Cafe – Tuscany T-Shirt
Hmmm.
I paced around my home, mental wheels turning…
…until I happened upon the nondescript room just off the kitchen known as The Playroom.
Which was a complete joke. Because in a house with three Cherubs, isn’t every room the flippin’ playroom?
It had army green walls, tattered oatmeal colored carpeting, and it reeked of neglect and lack of purpose.
Then and there, I decided that The Cherubs’ Playroom would be relocated to the basement…and my groom and I set about transforming the space into a sunroom.
An Under the Tuscan Sunroom, if you will.
Solid walls were replaced with through-the-looking-glass views of our gardens.
Three coats of just the right yellow perked things up.
Stacks of Magic Tree House books and scads of Legos were given new homes in the basement
And tranquil details took their places.
It’s a tiny space, really. Not much room for anything beyond a throwback velvet chaise and a couple of accent chairs.
And that’s just fine by me.
But, far and away, the highlight of this room…
What makes me linger and reminisce every time I pass by the open doorway…
Is the collection of photographs shot from my tourist’s vantage point
That now adorns the cheery yellow walls
Of our Under the Tuscan Sunroom.
Do you have a favorite room in your house? Tell me about it!
Inspired by a prompt from Mama Kat’s Writing Workshop
How lovely! I love that idea! What an awesome way to cherish those memories every day!
I love it, Kim. Pour a nice glass of cab, settle onto the chaise…and I’m right back in Tuscany.
I live in Canada so, I have yet to experience things like warm sun.
Kidding.
our house isn’t big enough for fancy rooms. But we are putting a sledge hammer to our kitchen and that makes me feel all sorts of saucy.
I love the picture wall. Did you map that out before you hung them?
You ARE all sorts of saucy, girlfriend. Re: The pics…I mapped the big ones and then kind of free-wheeled it after getting those in place. Biggest, longest jigsaw puzzle ev-ah. xo
hands down my favorite room too <3
Must come over and sit soon, my friend!
She’s a beauty.
With a killer color consultation courtesy of
Love the photos. And the sunny yellow. I hated the yellow until I went to Italy with my groom. Now, my kitchen and dining room is a bright Tuscan mustard, and with the sunlight streaming in, it just makes me happy. Like this room makes you. Nice job! I’d be happy to sip some vino with you there anytime.
Me, too! I’ve never done yellow before this room. Italy will do that to a girl, I suppose. Doing BlogHer this summer, by any chance? My sunroom and I are a stone’s throw from Chi…
What a cozy and warm living room you’ve created with own travel photos as well.
I’ll surely remember to revisit this page for redecorating ideas.
At the moment, my fav space is my bedroom, which doubles as an home office. It’s the only place that is kid free, therefore tidy.
Thanks, Ally. But I fear that you won’t find many more design tips ’round here. Darn MamaKat…alwsys pushing me outside my comfort zone.
And three cheers for your bedroom!
Pretty, pretty, pretty! But tell me, how long did it take before the kids took those Zen garden rocks out of the dish and distributed them all over the house?
Ha! Dyanne, *that* didn’t happen, but something else *did.* I’ll hit you up with a pic later today.
I love the feel os the sun on my body……………………………..
Yup. And when you can “fake” sun with yellow in the dead of winter? That’s pretty awesome, too.
What a fantastic room! I adore big windows, and the contrast of the yellow walls with the black and white photos is perfection.
Thanks, Maryanne! It was really fun to do…and it’s even more fun to sit it.
It’s beautiful! I’m coming over.
Girl. You know you’re welcome anytime. Bring your cherubs.
Oh my goodness, I love the room (and yes, every room is a play room with 3!) THe pics of Tuscany are breathtaking. Oh, I want to go!
Thanks, Alexa. We definitely had several “just pinch me” moments when we were in Italy. Breathtaking for sure!
Sue this is absolutely beautiful!!! I need my own tranquil spot. :/
Hey…you bring the beauty with you, what with your *hair* and *nails* and all. I? Need to get a room, apparently.
every single room, even the bathroom, is the playroom. these pics are gorgeous. never thought i’d like a yellow room but this one rocks
I know, right? I’ve always looked down my nose at yellow…too cliche or something. But not anymore. I am in lust with this room.
Oh how lovely! I want a Tuscan vacation and a room at home to remember it! =)
Thank you for spreading JOY and sharing at the Oh What a HAPPY Day party.
Holly at Not Done Growing
Yes, I want to visit! I’m lucky to live on about 3 acres of park like land with floor to ceiling windows in the living room so I totally understand!