Themes for the summer room

[lazyitus]

We need to decorate downstairs at the back of the house.

The room has a nice big patio door end and looks out onto the garden. Its great in the summer but in its current state is not 'user friendly'.

I want to turn it into a really nice summer house type room and can't decide on a theme.

Would Moroccan look naff, would minimalistic look stupid? What are the other options?

Any style guru's on here with good ideas?

[gtr-gaz]

I suggest you watch a few episodes of "Changing Rooms"
That will give you an idea of what is really naff!

[Twincam16]

Morrocan 'naffness' depends on what your garden's like. If it's an intriguing and large mixture of ornament and interesting plants up against high walls and inviting pathways then perhaps.

If it's your usual patch of grass, kids toys, washing line and lawnmower then it would be a bit visually jarring.

Minimalism's all right but it tends to look a bit tatty if its used in a utilitarian sense.

What about a sense of 'colonial lounge' about it? A big comfy wicker chair or two, some big muslin drapes, a few 'antique' things lying around, a bookcase, a place to store a few bottles of spirits and wine, and a radio - no TV though, it might turn the room into a bit of a single-function place.

Lighter colours but not white (way too minimalist) and not terracotta either (too cliched and doesn't really work without a proper Mediterranean theme). A light blue or green would work well - green would help the room blend into the garden better actually.

[Marki]

Go Thai or Indian ..........

[lazyitus]

I like your ideas, TwinCam. The 'colonial lounge' is a decent suggestion.

Marki said:

Go Thai or Indian ..........

maybe

>> Edited by lazyitus on Tuesday 3rd May 19:33

[wedge girl]

Don't deviate too much from the rest of the decor, unless you are going for a total revamp, otherwise it will look odd and out of place.

Matt yellows work well - towards the mustard end rather than the bright primrose.

This is a good site for inspiration www.dulux.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/HomepageView?storeId=10752&catalogId=10051&langId=-1

[simpo two]

lazyitus said:

The 'colonial lounge' is a decent suggestion.

Yep - 1920/30's Agatha Christie style with Fraser Nash parked outside...

[Twincam16]

simpo two said:

lazyitus said: The 'colonial lounge' is a decent suggestion. Yep - 1920/30's Agatha Christie style with Fraser Nash parked outside...

That's precisely what I had in mind, actually. Red & white pinstriped afternoon jackets, straw hats and dial telephones all round.

I was thinking more SS Jaguar myself, or maybe Lagonda V12.

[mawds]

Parking space for the elephant may be a little tight.

[Twincam16]

mawds said:

Parking space for the elephant may be a little tight.

[groomi]

Try to avoid an obvious 'theme' as it will always look out of place.

Moroccan isn't a theme... it's what houses in Morroco look like. You know, with all the sun, palm trees etc. In Blighty, we have rain, grey days and brown grass...

My advice would be to try to bring some of the garden into the room... and perhaps vice-versa?

Ie. pale green or yellow walls with an earthy tone floor. Keep the ceiling white and avoid anything with a tacky finish. A few good details look much better than lots of cheap ones.

Hope that helps...

[JagLover]

lazyitus said:

Would Moroccan look naff, would minimalistic look stupid? What are the other options? Any style guru's on here with good ideas?

I'd say for a summer room you need a very simple design, light colours and not much furniture-because the main feature is the sun and the view of the garden.

[titiany]

JagLover said:

...and not much furniture-because the main feature is the sun and the view of the garden.

Yup - and avoid loads of material - summer rooms should not be full of soft stuff - it's hot and inappropriate.