Kitchen Sunroom Addition: Bringing the Outdoors In

Virginia-based Renu Renovation and Renu Interiors created a pristine patio sunroom for a brand-new addition to a historic home.

Sunroom with one brick wall and three white-painted walls with large windows, featuring a wooden table and chairs and a variety of plants.

This profile was adapted with permission from APC (American Painting Contractor).

One of the best benefits of nice weather is being able to sit outside on the patio after a long day, taking in nature's beauty. In the mid-Atlantic, however, perfect weather is never a given.

That's why one of the driving goals behind this Ashland, Virginia kitchen remodel and sunroom addition was to capture the breezy feeling of patio relaxation year-round.

Overall, the owners of this historic farmhouse were looking for a more modern layout for the kitchen while holding on to its charm. Built in 1730, with a rich history in the horse community, it's even been said that Secretariat once trained here!

Bring In the Light: Sunroom Addition

The original kitchen was dark and had few windows, so Renu Renovations had its work cut out for them.

Working closely with the homeowners, design plans were drawn up to transform the patio just outside the kitchen into an indoor extension and sunroom. This approach provided much-needed space and plenty of windows. With the plans in place, the goal to open up the space and make the beauty of the surrounding exterior more accessible from the inside was within reach.

First, custom cabinets were built to replace the old ones. Then the millwork was custom cut to match the historic paneling in the rest of the house. Once all of the carpentry was done, it was time to paint.

The exterior of a red brick house with a cream four seasons room attached.

Two photos of a homes interior, the first is a dining area with a table and four chairs, and the second is a white kitchen with a black farmhouse sink.

Hand-painted Details

Painting was done by hand, with Cora Lucente, owner and operator of design company Renu Interiors, overseeing the job. "It was one of my biggest jobs done by hand. There was so much beautiful millwork and detail around all the windows. I learned during this job incredible patience and a true appreciation of old-school painters," she said. Renu Interiors learned on Spectrum Paint and RVA Paints to choose the right products.

After caulking and priming, everything was painted with two coats of AURA^® Interior Paint in a semi-gloss finish. "We used AURA Exterior paint in semi-gloss for the outdoors millwork as well, and it was all perfect," said Lucente. The team used Northern Cliffs 1536, from the Benjamin Moore Classics^® Color Collection for both the interior and exterior window millwork.

"The products I use are always dependent on the job. We use the best products for the application, but I exclusively use Benjamin Moore because I've never bought a product from them that I did not like," she adds. "Plus, the paint store is so helpful and I truly trust my paint reps. I feel Benjamin Moore has created a wonderful family and community and if it wasn't for them, my painting woudn't be as good as it is."

The homeowners could not have been more pleased. After spending years planning the renovation and imaging the completed kitchen, the finished product exceeded all their expectations.

About Renu Renovation & Renu You Design

Renu Renovation specializes in historic renovations in Virginia and the surrounding areas. Renu Interiors works alongside Renu Renovation providing painting, wallpapering, tiling, color consulting and design.

This profile was adapted with permission from APC (American Painting Contractor).

One of the best benefits of nice weather is being able to sit outside on the patio after a long day, taking in nature's beauty. In the mid-Atlantic, however, perfect weather is never a given.

That's why one of the driving goals behind this Ashland, Virginia kitchen remodel and sunroom addition was to capture the breezy feeling of patio relaxation year-round.

Overall, the owners of this historic farmhouse were looking for a more modern layout for the kitchen while holding on to its charm. Built in 1730, with a rich history in the horse community, it's even been said that Secretariat once trained here! Exterior of a white-painted sunroom with large windows on a brick house.

Exterior of a white-painted sunroom with large windows on a brick house.

Bring In the Light: Sunroom Addition

The original kitchen was dark and had few windows, so Renu Renovations had its work cut out for them.

Working closely with the homeowners, design plans were drawn up to transform the patio just outside the kitchen into an indoor extension and sunroom. This approach provided much-needed space and plenty of windows. With the plans in place, the goal to open up the space and make the beauty of the surrounding exterior more accessible from the inside was within reach.

First, custom cabinets were built to replace the old ones. Then the millwork was custom cut to match the historic paneling in the rest of the house. Once all of the carpentry was doen, it was time to paint.

Hand-painted Details

Painting was done by hand, with Cora Lucente, owner and operator of design company Renu Interiors, overseeing the job. "It was one of my biggest jobs doen by hand. There was so much beautiful millwork and detail around all the windows. I learned during this job incredible patience and a true appreciation of old-school painters," she said. Renu Interiors learned on Spectrum Paint and RVA Paints to choose the right products.

After caulking and priming, everything was painted with two coats of AURA^® Interior Paint in a semi-gloss finish. "We used AURA Exterior paint in semi-gloss for the otdoors millwork as well, and it was all perfect," said Lucente. The team used Northern Cliffs 1536, from the Benjamin Moore CLassics^® Color Collection for both the interior and exterior window millwork.

"The products I use are always dependent on the job. We use the best products for the application, but I exclusively use Benjamin Moore because I've never bought a product from them that I did not like," she adds. "Plus, the paint sotre is so helpful and I truly trust my paint reps. I feel Benjamin Moore has created a wonderful family and community and if it wasn't for them, myu painting woudn't be as good as it is."

The homeowners could not have been more pleased. After spending years planning the renovation and imaging the completed kitchen, the finished product exceeded all their expectations.

About Renu Renovation & Renu You Design

Renu Renovation specializes in historic renovations in Virginia and the surrounding areas. Renu Interiors works alongside Renu Renovation providing painting, wallpapering, tiling, color consulting and design.

Light green-painted cabinets and white dinnerware add a soft glow as a backdrop to a dining table and white slipcovered chairs.

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