One of my favorite projects was the sunroom we built onto the back of our house a couple of years ago.
It used to just be one big deck out there, but now we can enjoy the beauty of our wooded yard year-round.
In July we went on vacation, and when we got home I had and email from a rep at a popular decor and furniture store who said she’d seen a photo of my sunroom decorated for summer and loved it. She asked me to send a similar shot of it decorated for fall for them to use on their website and newsletter.
Cool, right?
Trouble was, we haven’t had the sunroom that long and I couldn’t find a single photo I had taken of it decorated for fall last year. And she wanted me to email it to her within 24 hours. D’oh!
So instead of unpacking from our trip and falling into bed, I stayed up all night dragging boxes of fall decorations up from the basement and staging the sunroom so I could take the photos first thing in the morning.
(Wish you could have seen my family’s faces when they woke up the next day and saw fall all over the house. Ha.)
So, bleary-eyed and half awake, I took the photos and edited them that morning.
Just as I was about to mail them off to make her 24-hour deadline, another email popped in from her: “Never mind. I extended the offer to several bloggers and went with the first one who sent her photos in. Looking forward to working with you in the future, though!”
Womp-womp.
All of that is to say that these photos were actually taken in July. And I have just not been motivated to decorate it again yet.
So in the spirit of full disclosure, I have to admit to you that it’s still “summer” in my sunroom right now and looks more like this…
When I was decorating it for fall, I kept wishing I had some wood furniture to warm it up more. The green ottomans were kinda bugging me. They looked too summery.
Then I had an epiphany. The small cedar chest in my bedroom would work!
So I lugged it down to the sunroom to try it out:
Much better! The wood just looks more fall. I liked it so much that even after I returned all the rest of the decorations to storage, I kept the chest out here.
So that’s the state of things here at my place right now. Thanks for stopping by!
Cara {RedHouseDryGoods} says
Oh no, that is a sad story! The decorating early and photography just put you ahead of the game though. It looks fantastic, so welcoming!
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Cara! You’re right, in the end I was glad to have the photos, at least! 🙂
Jake's a Girl says
Well! I think i’d have hunted her down and made her eat a plastic pumpkin. 😉 ha.
I thinks it’s lovely. Love your sunroom. Your hubby did a great job turning the sitting room into a dining room. Love your blog, too.
Jake’s a Girl
hookedonhouses says
Ha! I was having a few fantasies like that when I got her “never mind” email, for sure. 😉
Laura @ Finding Home says
Julia – your home is so lovely – I love that your books are meaningful – and that story about your sun room is so something I would do! I love the wood out there – it does look more “fallish”. Wishing you a great week and thank you SO MUCH for being part of our home tour.
hookedonhouses says
Thanks for including me in it, Laura! 🙂
Beth says
I love your house in any season, but I do especially love how warm and cozy it is in the fall. (I also love how Maizie makes the photos about _her_. Adorable.)
Now I want a cup of cider.
Lauren @ Mom Home Guide says
Beautiful home! I think you have great decorating skills! I really need to do some fall decorating.
laney says
…i loved loved loved seeking your beautiful home!…you should share it more often…blessings laney
Esther George says
“never mind” email…not very classy. Hi Julia I just wanted to say you never fail to impress and inspire. Thank you for sharing your lovely home. Regards Esther from Sydney.
The Yellow Cap Cod says
Julia, wow. Everything is just beautiful. So warm and welcoming. I have been in love with your sunroom since you first posted about it. Still hoping for one of my own someday. It looks so pretty decorated for fall. Too bad for that furniture company. Best, Sarah
Christine says
What a great tour, your home is just lovely. You may not have formal training as a Decorator (like me, I wing it) but you definitely have a knack for it!
Thank you for doing all that hard work and decorating your home for Fall…..in July! I don’t know if I’d have done it, lol.
Pamela Gordon says
I think your home is beautiful and you have great decorating talent. I especially love your sunroom and got a lot of inspiration from it. I love the colours you chose. What a shame your photo wasn’t chosen for the article! Have a blessed week.
Pamela
T. says
I love the clock on your family room wall! I also like that grouping on the wall with your son’s art work. So personal and meaningful, and it looks great.
mary says
Looks great! I love the glass pumpkins on the dining table
Bette @Somerset Lane says
Your home and your sunroom is soo cozy. I used to have a teeny tiney sunroom in our first home and loved taking Sunday naps in there. I love your dining room curtains.
hookedonhouses says
It’s my favorite napping spot, too! I can’t seem to get through a book out there without nodding off a little. Ha.
Kim says
Julia, you may think you aren’t a decorator, but your home says otherwise. It is beautiful. Shame on that company not using your photos that you worked so hard on. I had a company ask me for photos of my sunroom decorated for fall, too right before the Haven conference and didn’t have time to stage it and take shots so they gave me a week. I know you love your sunroom like I love mine.
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Kim! Wish I could have gone to the Haven conference again this year myself. I love your sunroom, too! 🙂
Jeanne says
I love your space so much! That sun-room!!!! How can I talk my husband into one of those:-) I love your little touches and I have been wanting the buffet that is in your dinning room…I am just running out of room:-)
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Jeanne! I loved your house tour, too. Beautiful!!
Christine Bewley says
I love your decorating style! I’ve been jealous of your gorgeous sunroom since I first saw you building it!
Angela says
Jake’s a Girl–you are cracking me up. No everyone in my house wants to know what is so funny.
Julia, This is my first visit here, but I like what I see. You have a beautiful home and your sunroom with the bead board ceiling <3.
Debbie W. says
I LOVE your house – it looks so inviting – so of course you should be part of the amazing bloggers that are being featured for fall! And I agree with others who are hearting that teal buffet in your dining room!! Thank you so much for sharing!!
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Debbie! I appreciate that. 🙂
Rachel says
Oh! It looks great! I love the fabric of your curtains and chairs in your family room! It’s always been a favorite of mine and it’s fun to see it in a room. 🙂
Donnamae says
You have a lovely home, and you have great decorating skills! I’m loving these home tours…I got a 13 on your test…guess I’m obsessed! 😉
hookedonhouses says
Yeah, if you got a 13, you’re going to fit right in around here, Donnamae! 🙂
Melissa Ellen's Loft says
Your home is beautiful… I really enjoy the bold colors you use!:)
hookedonhouses says
I do love color! Thanks, Melissa. 🙂
Stephen Saint-Onge says
Love this room. Looks amazing.
Yes, seems we are all thinking fall home design now…
All about creating spaces that are comfortable and inviting – yet say “welcome home.”
Mulled cider, apple pie, smoldering fire… Love this time of year.
Thanks for sharing this one!
Have a great creative day Julia!
hookedonhouses says
That means a lot coming from you, Stephen — thanks!
Rick S says
Julia,
Love your fall home. Just think of it as a practice run for when fall is here. Now you know you can get it done in no time.
I know with my 4 Shih Tzus they need to be center stage and seem to show up even when I think they are not in the picture. They are an “it’s all about me” dog.
rick
hookedonhouses says
So true! She seems to time it perfectly to sneak into most of my shots. Ha.
Gee says
MOrning Julia. Thanks for allowing me and coffee to walk about your luvly home. :-/ sorry about the Fall sun room dramas. Next time… Agreed… I luv the chest in the sunroom 🙂
Hugs, Gee
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Gee!
Margo says
Pretty! So clean and welcoming. I love the wood chest in front of the couch too, says welcome to me. Happy Fall.
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Margo! I forgot to mention that I’ve had that cedar chest since I was a little girl so it has sentimental value for me, too.
kemper says
I love your whole house. I am pretty jealous of that fantastic clock in your family room.
hookedonhouses says
Thanks! I kind of have a thing for clocks. I keep buying them, even though I don’t really need any more!
Vanessa says
Julia your house is so beautiful!! I’ve got some serious sun room envy and can absolutely 100% relate to the email you got. Had more “womp womp” moments than I care to remember! LOL! It was so fun taking the tour of your lovely home and we are thrilled to be apart of this series with you!
Vanessa
hookedonhouses says
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has those womp-womp moments as a blogger, Vanessa! Ha. Thanks! 🙂
Susan says
You have a beautiful home. You definitely have a natural talent for decorating 🙂
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Susan!
Christina from Dallas says
I just love those glass pumpkins on your dining room table. Where did you get those? Also its so refreshing to hear someone being honest about their decorating or lack thereof. It seems sometimes that a lot of bloggers house’s just magically transform overnight from summer to fall. I like your account of what really happens! Even if your not a decorator, I think your decorating is very tasteful and not over the top. Just my style.
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Christina! I got the pumpkins from Home Goods. Aren’t they fun?
T. says
I just got a Pottery Barn catalog in the mail today. They have several styles of glass pumpkins, and all their fall decor has free shipping right now. I’m not affiliated with them, but thought this info might be helpful. (Or tempting!)
Julie {Lilacs & Longhorns} says
Your house looks beautiful! Funny and not so funny story about your overnight decorating adventure…it was fun reading about it! And, the bright side…you had it done for this tour!
Thanks for letting us peak inside your home!
Julie
[email protected] says
Your sunroom is delightful. I am very jealous. Thank you for sharing both your summer and fall versions. Glad I found your blog and will be following.
Sue says
Not a decorator? I think you are! Your home is beautiful. So understated and calm. I love it. I also love your ottoman. Can I ask where you got it?
Thanks, Sue
hookedonhouses says
That’s so nice, Sue — thanks! The yellow ottoman is from Target. I linked to it on their website in the post above if you want more info on it. I think it was about $69? And it has storage, which is what I needed. It hides lots of my bedroom junk!
Sue says
Thanks Julia, I meant the ottoman in your living room. How nice of you to reply.
Thanks, Sue
hookedonhouses says
Oops! I forgot I showed you two different ones. Ha. It’s from Grandin Road:
https://www.grandinroad.com/chesterfield-tufted-ottoman/indoor-furniture/benches-ottomans-and-stools/460776?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=11&redirect=y
And here’s my post about it from last year:
https://hookedonhouses.net/2012/10/03/getting-cozy-in-my-family-room-for-fall/
Tamara says
Nicely done!!! I don’t understand why more people don’t decorate for Autumn. It is actually the only decorating season that makes sense: September thru November and not redecorating again after a month. I avoid the entire Halloween and Thanksgiving themes and stick to Autumn as a whole incorporating those colors into my home, as you have done. Great job!! Love the sunroom.
Laura says
Your house looks beautiful. I especially like the dining room. Nice art!
Karen Watson says
Your home is so lovely Julia! I’m so envious of you gorgeous Sunroom!! Both the Summer and Fall looks are fabulous!
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Karen! Love your blog. 🙂
Thistle says
Hello sweet friend! SO happy so be “touring” with you! Your home is beautiful and wonderful and warm and welcoming….just like you!
Happy day!
karianne
hookedonhouses says
Same here! Loved your tour. Your home is gorgeous, as usual, and so inspiring! xo
KayJay says
Awww, your home is absolutely beautiful, warm, peaceful, and inviting! If it were mine, I would never want to leave — can you relate to that? 🙂
missgulfsouth says
Julia…….your house is dreamy. I am in love, LOVE, I say, with your mercury glass collection!!! Nothing is better than pops of turquoise in fall decor, and I adore your buffet and the colors in your bedroom. Everything is so welcoming and cozy. I’ll be right over for tea. ?
missgulfsouth says
The question mark is supposed to be a heart…….not sure what happened with that. Here’s another……. <3
jen says
Juila
I love your house so much its beautiful and cozy
The sunroom is my fave of all
ps your dog is adoreable
Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says
Julia, Well, the decor store missed out big time because I love how you decorated for fall! The trunk looks so great in the sunroom…love the contrast it creates. I’m always so surprised when I run around my house and find something in one room that will work in another…it’s like I have tunnel vision most of the time. lol Love seeing Maize in your pics, Julia…she is adorable! 🙂
Dawn says
Your home is beautiful! I think you are a designer!
Carol Ann says
Really, really nice…are you sure you’re not a decorator? Love the sunroom!
lilkunta says
as always, your house is sooo lovely.
I was going to ask if you have a big garage or where do you keep all the extra ans season furniture and decorations, but now have read it is in your basement. Is your basement organized by season? is there a section of ottomans?
hookedonhouses says
Thanks! Yeah, I’m one of those annoyingly organized types who keeps the seasonal decor in Rubbermaid boxes on shelves in the basement marked “FALL” and “CHRISTMAS,” etc. Each shelf is for a different season.
I put my green ottomans in the playroom right now since I use that same color of green up there, too. And since I like the wood chest in the sunroom so much, they might stay there awhile!
lilkunta says
there is NOTHING WRONG with being orrganised. I crave to be more orrganised.
jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says
Beautiful! Your little pup is so cute! 🙂
Brandi @ Nest of Bliss says
Wow! What an absolutely beautiful home you have! I adore the little squirrel!
hookedonhouses says
Isn’t he cute? I couldn’t resist that little guy.
Nancy Scanlon says
Love, love your home! So inviting, and warm. Your guests must never leave :). Do you happen to know the paint color in your family room? Thank you for sharing!
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Nancy! It’s “Pecan” by Eddie Bauer. Glad you like it!
jep says
Boy did that rep miss out, your house and especially the sunroom have that “welcome home” look we all want our spaces to have. I agree with the person who said you are a decorator. Great Job Julia! Thanks for sharing. And, I so enjoy the photographs with your dog in them….:-)
hookedonhouses says
You always leave the nicest comments — thanks! 🙂
Linda says
Where did you get those beautiful yellow pillows. My daughter and daughter-in-law say I have too much brown even though I have pops of green, red,and black. Maybe I will try a pop of yellow unless you can suggest another color.
hookedonhouses says
I got most of them at Target — cheap! 🙂
Sandy says
Julia, I’d say you’re a decorator. I love the style of your home! And for someone who is hooked on houses, you know a great home when you see it. I could just see me running around like crazy staging photos and then being turned down because I didn’t get the photos in on time. I bet your adrenaline was skyrocketing! You cracked me up with that story. Something better will come along. Maybe your sunroom will get featured in a magazine. It’s gorgeous. Love the ceilings and the windows make it very light and airy. I love the toile chairs in your family room too!
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Sandy! I always say nothing’s ever too bad if you can get a good story out of it, right? Ha.
Kim says
Julia, your house looks lovely and I love the simple touches you made to each room. They make your home feel warm and inviting.
Kelly says
Great idea to bring the pine wood chest down into the sunroom! It really warms it up. What a great room to snuggle up in and read a book!
Bonnie says
And I thought things like that only happened to me! lol. My house is getting a cleaning today….so I’m going to pull out the fall stuff. Yours looks great…and happy. : )
Wendy says
Julia,
Your house is lovely! I enjoyed the tour very much. Would love to see what you do for the holidays! Many thank for the peek into your home.
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Wendy! If you hop over to my “MY HOUSE” page, you can see how I decorated for Christmas last year. Here’s the link:
https://hookedonhouses.net/my-house/
It looks a lot different with silver, white, and red instead of orange in here! 🙂
Gina B. says
Julia- I always feel like you are my good friend with whom I share a cup of tea in the morning. Even though we have not met. I began reading your blog a couple years ago and it was a few weeks before I realized – oh my goodness. You are from Cincinnati. By then all the gals in our family were merrily following along. All of us have been transplanted outside of the Queen City. But when we hop into Hooked, it is like going home again. (And don’t I wish I were going home to some of the beauties you find for us on this site!) Thank you for sharing with us your lovely home, and for letting us say a little prayer in real life (albeit 12-hours-drive away in HOT Texas) when your son left for college. I felt your pain… I always love tucking in with a teacup and a brief moment to peak in on the houses with you. Enjoy the fall!
hookedonhouses says
What a nice comment! You made my day, Gina — thanks! 🙂
Melinda @ love melinda says
I think you have great decorating skills! Your house is so lovely, it makes me want to curl up with a blanket and a book…
Jocelyn says
Well Julia, I looked at the other entries, and so far I liked yours the best. Your sunroom was warm, inviting and really shouted Fall!! Thanks for taking the time to prepare a fall setting, even though you didn’t get to submit the pictures. It’s their loss 😉
hookedonhouses says
You’re too kind! Thanks, Jocelyn. 🙂
mishelle says
First off you are selling yourself short. You have talent for decorating. Your house looks warm and inviting! Second, Maize is darn cute! 🙂
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Mishelle! 🙂
Gina @ The Shabby Creek Cottage says
Julia,
Your home is so lovely! I don’t know that I’ve ever seen so much of it – and it’s just so gorgeous! It’s so cozy and warm – beautiful job!
xoxo
G
Barb Shilling says
I love your blog! I am a “yes” for many quiz questions- I have been known to watch ‘The Family Stone ‘ just to drool over the family home!
Love houses and beautiful color palettes.
Alie B says
LOL! What a humorous story! 🙂 Well, I think your home looks (looked?) fab! Love the trunk idea. You’re right….much more fall. Great job!
Pivoineus says
I love fall and I also change a few things at home to feel more cosy such as blankets and candles !
If I could I would change the curtains as well !
Jennifer @ The Old Painted Cottage says
Julia, your house is just beautiful. I really enjoyed the tour!
oxox
Jennifer
jo says
you are too modest. your home is serene and beautiful–no clutter!
Kelly - Talk of the House says
Looks great!! I really like the chest better in the sunroom too. The wood looks great there! (and the footstool in the bedroom too.) I also love your dining room. You and your husband did a very nice job with that area. AND I am very glad to know that it is really summer in your house still. It just kills me that all the blog world has gone crazy with fall decorating, and we have had temps in the nineties here until the last two days. And if pumpkins were out in front of our grocery stores, they would be baked! The beauty of living in the south. 🙂
lisa says
Love your fall decorations! But I can’t get over the nerve of the gal with the ‘never mind’ email. Some people!
Your blog is a fun little “just for me” moment in my day. Thanks for all the pretties you give us!
Carol Hake says
I would just love for my house to be that clean! Looks gorgeous Julia!
hookedonhouses says
Well, I did pick a few things up before I took the photos. Ha. Thanks, Carol!
Jennifer rizzo says
I love your home Julia! You have an amazing touch for making me feel welcome even though I’m not there!
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Jennifer! Your tour was beautiful this week. Loved it!
Renita says
Your home looks so beautiful and inviting! Love everything about it. You have now inspired me to get out my fall decorations and buy a couple of pumpkins! Thanks so much for sharing your lovely home.
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Renita! Always love hearing from you. 🙂
Wendy says
Your home is looking really lovely, Julia. All your hard work has paid off.
GemmaMae says
Julia, your home is just beautiful. So elegant, and at the same time so comfortable and welcoming! I love the sitting area in your bedroom, and that wall color is gorgeous. Great accessories, love all the birds. My favorite “accessory” though has to be that sweet faced doggie! Happy Fall!!
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, GemmaMae! I have to say she’s my favorite accessory, too. 🙂
Belinda says
That cedar chest is beautiful. Love your decor!
Debbie says
Oh your Fall decorations are just beautiful! Especially love your Sun room! I grew up in Ohio and miss all the greenery, trees, snow and wonderful neighborhoods!
I can’t remember how I found your site, I think it might of been through Susan Branch I’m not sure, but I love love your site! Thank you for all of the hard work you do to bring it to us.
Fellow Buckeye,
Debbie
hookedonhouses says
Love hearing from a fellow Buckeye! Thanks, Debbie. 🙂
Francesca says
Julia your house is just gorgeous! Love how you update your home every season! Is it okay if I put some of your pictures on my pinterest, with your credit of course? 🙂
hookedonhouses says
Of course! I’m glad you liked it! 🙂
Carmen says
I have always loved your home! It’s so warm and welcoming!
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Carmen!
Maria Deleon says
Just wanted to say you have a beautiful home!. I am glad I stumbled upon your website!
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Maria! 🙂
Kelly says
Julia, I luuurve your house and your sunroom especially. The local store missed out when they went with another blogger’s photo!
hookedonhouses says
Thanks, Kelly! 🙂
Mónica Palmerio says
Me encantó la decoración de tu casa. Te escribo para que me orientes acerca del origen del cofre de cedro.Todos mis muebles son del mismo estilo ( cedro, y tienen más de 70 años). Mi madre me decía que eran normandos.pero yo no he encontrado parecidos. No sé de qué zona de Europa pertenecen.Ella los hizo copiar de unos originales. MUCHAS GRACIAS!!!
Rachel Wilder says
Just found your site and loved it. I’m a romance writer that loves houses, too. I create them for my characters so when I’m writing a scene I can picture exactly where they are sitting etc. Silly, I know but lots of fun.
I adore your sunroom! You are very talented, esp to decorate without a huge budget.
Looking forward to visiting here again.
Rachel
Gina Y says
Julia- I always enjoy reading your blog and following your FB page. I enjoyed seeing this post last Fall, how you updated your sun room. I had to come back to this page to look (again) at the overstuffed chairs in the bedroom. I’m looking for exactly that (with an ottoman) and wanted to ask where yours were purchased? Also, I’m looking for something super comfy that’s perfect for movie watching, book reading and dozing off in. Any recommendations? Thanks for sharing your home with us, your readers. Gina
hookedonhouses says
Hi Gina! I got the Ektorp sofa and chairs at IKEA. Love ’em! 🙂
Gina Y says
Thanks for the quick response Julia! That’s exactly the one I was considering buying 🙂