As a plant lover I’ve always dreamed of having a home greenhouse. We had scheduled quite an extensive remodel/house addition 3 years ago and this was my chance to add the greenhouse. As I researched building and maintaining a greenhouse, I quickly learned I didn’t want to work that hard nor did I want that much responsibility with heating, cooling, air flow, ventilation, etc, etc. There was so much involved! I wanted this to be fun as I got older, not more work so I scratched the greenhouse idea and downsized to sunrooms. My contractor was extremely helpful when he learned how I wanted these rooms to function. He suggested wide sills made of concrete. He ordered the forms and poured the colored concrete in place. He troweled in a piece of plastic like handi-wrap and then pulled it out which gave the surface that leather – like texture. Here’s a close up.
When I overwater plants I never have to worry about the finish on the sills. It’s been a great compromise!
Sorry – don’t know why that photo posted twice.
Concrete – what a great idea! Not only good for plants but for kitties as well. My window sills are all scratched up from a certain someone jumping up to watch the birds and squirrels.
Love the look of the concrete.
I think I can see a bird cage off to the right. Haven’t heard about birds. Or I missed it.
Dorothy Sheldrake
Wow, that looks great–really warm and welcoming in the cold winter months. And concrete windowsills were an inspired idea. How nice to have a contractor who listens to what you want and works with you. They aren’t all like that.
They look wonderful and very functional. I think it’s better than a greenhouse and much easier too.
Great idea! Smart contractor. You have an Awesome green thumb.
I live in such a dark house the plants don’t like it. I tell my husband the next house would be great with a sunroom. We spend quite a few months in doors in the winter, so this would be so nice to have. I love yours. I love all your plants too. Thanks for showing us, drool, drool.
Hi Mary, Such a wonderful green thumb you have. I love the spindly cactus in the white pot in picture #2 and the rosy pink delicate blossoming one to the right of it….will look for one when I’m at the garden center. Looks as tho your snow is melting.
I noticed the bird cage as well…..curiosity has the best of Dorothy and me.
Off to sew the latest posting from Temecula’s blog Friday sew along.
I’ve forgotten when your new book will be available.
Hope to make good use of our LEAP YEAR DAY on Monday.
Love the way the concrete shelves turned out.
great place to start some vegetables. From VA
Sounds like you had a great contractor who listened and was very creative! I really like the concrete-the texture is an added, custom touch. Thank you for answering my question!
Your jade plant is fantastic. All your plants look happy. It’s healthy for the people that live with plants too. Looks like everything you do you do well. Keep up the good work.
I love your jade plant.
Your sunroom is wonderful. You have so many plants and they are so interesting. A question: Do you have to do anything to the kennels after each dog leaves? Evidently the plastic made the cement window sills sooth, not porous like regular cement finish.
You’ve given me ideas for my sunroom. It’s on the north side and should get new windows. Some shelves for plants would be wonderful.
I really love the window sills. So glad you are feeling better.
Clever! We are currently working with an architect to put and addition on the house as my 86 year old mother prepares to move in. I feel overwhelmed with trying to think of upcoming problems, and solutions. One piece of the addition is a 15 x 19 sewing room. I’m not sure what I need to have in that space after light (window) and floor plugs….it’s supposed to be fun but I’m going crazy! Love your windowsill concept!
Love the pictures. What a great idea!
That was a GREAT idea for the window sills! Anything to make our lives easier! Would love to have a sunroom!
Mary – I see a birdcage – at least I think that’s what it is – in the right corner of the photos. You have birds too??
What a wonderful idea…I may just have to use it..my thumb is mostly brown but I have had success with succulents.
I am so jealous! You have quite the green thumb. Your sunrooms are so bright and cheerful.
Thanks
The only thing missing from your sunroom, would be my Amish bentwood rocker and me! HA
I can just picture myself, settled in a rocker, covered in a flannel quilt, reading or snoozing among all those plants. It’s truly an….AHHHHH moment!!