This post is sponsored by Lutron Electronics. The content and opinions expressed here are my own.
The den. The TV room. The guest room. The...blue room? The name hasn't been settled upon yet, but we've been working hard on creating a cozy space in here and I'm excited to finally share it!
I knew from the moment we moved into this home that installing window coverings was a necessity for this room...and sooner rather than later! It is right at the front of the house and very close to the street so we feel a little overlooked. It also gets a lot of sunlight and has a tendency to heat up quickly, especially in the mornings. This is a frequently used space that serves multiple functions, so I wanted to choose shades that would be easy to use with all the functionality that we needed as well as something to complement the aesthetic of the room.
Serena Smart Shades by Lutron checked all of these boxes, and after deliberating over samples (which was tricky as there are so many great options!) I measured our windows (many, many times) and opted for battery powered translucent roller shades from the Harbor fabric collection in the "Sand" colorway. The linear texture is so classic and timeless, which was exactly the look I was going for in here.
Along with the shades I also ordered a Pico Smart Remote. These shades can be controlled via the Lutron App and Smart Bridge but I wanted them to be easy and for my kids (and any guests) to operate. We may end up adding the Smart Bridge later on so that we can get the full functionality of automation, but for now the remote is working great for us.
After deciding on our Serena shades, I worked on other details in the room. I had been planning on using our existing media console and coffee table in here, but sometimes as expected while decorating, the pieces didn't translate as well as I thought.
I ended up selling them on FB marketplace and managed to find a couple of secondhand pieces that were absolutely perfect for the room. I also added a rich burgundy rug which just so happened to have the perfect blue tones in it to tie in the wall color and sofa bed. I love it when a plan comes together!
The Serena shades arrived within a couple of weeks and were very quick to install—and we are NOT the most DIY-savvy of people! Stu installed the rails for each window and I hung the shades, added the batteries and programmed the Pico Smart Remote so that all four shades were synced up. The shades made an instant impact to the room and really made it feel finished—prior to this it had the "did you just move in?" vibe...if you know what I mean! One of my favorite details is the fabric wrapped fascia—it really makes a difference. I was thrilled to find a practical solution for our windows that added the comfort and warmth that had been lacking in here.
Are you ready for a tour??
I had been on the fence deciding between blackout and translucent fabrics for the shades, but ultimately went with the translucent option which means that we can lower them during the day as needed and still enjoy the natural sunlight. For the benefit of our overnight guests I turned the lights on at night and did a privacy check from the outside of the house and can confirm that the shades are perfectly opaque!
I was a little unsure about how the scale of the leather ottoman would feel since it's pretty large for the space and considered using it for our living room instead but we really love it in here! We've always found the sofa a little uncomfortable to lounge in, but the ottoman has solved that problem as we can kick our feet up. It's also great for board games and all the snacks. We'll have to move it out when we set up the sofa bed for overnight guests, but that is pretty infrequent for us at the moment and totally worth the hassle since it adds so much comfort to the room.
I made a textured canvas piece to go above the sofa which I intended to keep as a placeholder while we find "real art"—but it's growing on me! I tried a few different pieces in this spot but ultimately wanted to keep it simple, so this piece fulfilled the brief.
If you are considering motorized shades or blinds for your home I would definitely recommend checking out Serena shades—the quality is beautiful and there are endless options to customize to your own style. I was impressed with how easy they were to install, and they have made our "blue room" a comfy cozy space where we can hang out day or night!
SOURCES
Wall and trim color: SW Smoky Blue
Window Shades (fabric: Harbor Sand)
Light fixture
Door hardware
Rug
Similar ottoman
Dresser - FB marketplace
Side table - no longer available
Sofa bed - no longer available
Throw pillow
Lamp
Lampshade
Faux tree
