Porch Turned Playroom

Nothing is more sour than a poorly conceived addition tacked onto an otherwise great house, but when life hands you lemons―well, you know what to do. What began as a side porch and was later a kitchen was transformed by homeowner Sarah Frances Hardy into a delightful oasis for daughters Sallie, Anne, and Julia.

“We thought about tearing off the addition completely, but the space allowed the girls to have a playroom downstairs. It’s perfect,” says Sarah Frances, who simply recaulked the windows and floors to make the space functional and then fashioned it for fun with a few terrific touches. Have a sip of this sweet space.

The book rack from Pottery Barn Kids has a slim profile and takes up less space than a regular bookshelf, allowing room for play. The forward-facing covers act as colorful art.

Sarah Frances painted the bold pattern on the floor herself. “I didn’t seal it,” she says. “And frankly, I love the way it looks all scuffed up!” We agree. The flaws make it perfect.

This hot-air balloon fabric is by Schumacher and was picked up on eBay for mere pennies. (To find other great kid-compatible fabrics, visit www.warmbiscuit.com.)