5 Solarium Ideas to Steal From Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott
It only took minutes for Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott to fall in love with their 100-year-old historic home. The couple was instantly drawn to the abundance of trees on the property, dubbing their new abode the Park House.
In the two years that it took them to completely renovate—the full journey was just published on DrewandJonathan.com—they added a solarium, Deschanel’s dream feature. Pulling off the glass-enveloped room took a bit of architectural sleight of hand, namely building out a new section to even it out an odd shape on the side of a house. “Jonathan knows whether an idea is practical or not,” Deschanel says. “And he knew just how to turn this patio on the asymmetrical side of the house into a solarium.”
The finished solarium is somewhat a mix of Hollywood glamour meets cozy casual, complete with an elegant glass ceiling, a fountain, a bevy of olive trees, and a balcony that connects to each bedroom. The simple patio is now Scott’s “favorite room in the whole house,” he says.
What’s more, despite the abundance of windows, the historic home and the solarium are LEED-certified and will end up using less grid energy than a small apartment. “This isn’t just a smart house. It’s a genius one,” Scott says.
“This is a house that suits our tastes and needs, aesthetically and functionally,” Deschanel says.
Here, five solarium ideas inspired by Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott’s design.
Let there be light
A solarium wouldn’t be a solarium without plenty of windows. The courtyard is hugged by a tasteful glass ceiling and doors and windows with black-painted mullions. The grid-like design allows for plenty of natural light to stream in while still giving the space structure.
Bring in trees
Scott and Deschanel included several olive trees, as well as boxwood shrubs in large planters, to cushion the solarium from the inside. With the abundance of trees in the backyard, the solarium garden creates an homage to nature throughout the entire property.
Opt for graphic tile
The black, white, and gray tile is a unifying element of the solarium. The eye immediately goes to the graphic check pattern that almost looks like a cool rug. Its multicolor palette plays nicely with the pastel pink sofa, almost elevating it, and anchors the black paneling of the walls.
Employ black paint
Black paint allows the walls recede into the background, brining in the focus on the design of the solarium. Unlike white, which can draw too much attention, the inky hue allows nature to peek through the glass panels without distraction.
Choose airy furnishings
Forgo serious furniture in lieu of lighter, airier pieces. A structured rattan chair is both sophisticated and casual for a sunroom setting. In Deschanel and Scott’s home, the rosy couch that one can liken to a cloud emphasizes that the solarium is a place to escape and daydream.
See the full house transformation in the new issue of Drew + Jonathan Reveal, available on newsstands, on Amazon, and online now.
