As a longtime OB/GYN and mother of two, Dr. Jamie Routman was used to days that revolved around caring for others. When she finally had the chance to create a space just for herself, she knew exactly what she wanted: a quiet room where she could tune out the noise and tune into a good book—and maybe enjoy a glass of wine.
She turned to one of her patients and friends—local designer and shop owner MK Quinlan—to help her realize that dream. Together, the two transformed a neglected screened-in porch into a light-filled sunroom, complete with eclectic art, textiles, and dedicated space for her beloved plants and books.
“Our home has an open floorplan, which is nice, but I wanted to create a space where I could close the doors and just be surrounded by beauty,” Jamie says.
“We jokingly refer to it as her ‘ladies’ lair,’” says MK. “Guys get their man caves, but someone as busy as Jamie needed a dedicated place of her own, too. She’s an incredible doctor, but also a voracious reader, writer, and artist. She needed a place where those things could be a priority—even if just for an hour.”
“I think I just wanted a space that felt like mine—a room I had decorative control over,” Jamie adds. “The rest of our house is pretty muted… a lot of grays and beiges and neutrals—very Richard Tubbs.”
Eager to give the bare-bones space more texture and charm, MK had the walls paneled in shiplap, which, along with the existing brick fireplace, was painted in Farrow & Ball’s Vert de Terre. Reclaimed brick was laid in a herringbone pattern over the concrete slab flooring for a lived-in sunroom appeal.
Dr. Routman’s most specific—and exciting—architectural request was for custom stained glass windows.
“I went to a lot of Mass growing up, and I always absolutely loved stained glass,” she says. “But I didn’t want something that felt super ornate or cathedral-like. I wanted it to be playful—a way to have pops of color and make it look a little bit modern, but also bring in some of that nostalgia.”
Together, she and MK designed a unique pattern that Keith Jones of Birmingham Art Glass was able to execute beautifully.
A mix of rattan and wicker chairs and a bistro table anchor the sunniest corner of the room, offering a place for late-night games or a glass of wine with girlfriends. The antique Seguso Murano caged glass pendant light was purchased from a local estate.
The most beloved piece in the room is a one-hundred-year-old bergère chair, purchased at Hanna Antiques and recovered in Kelly Wearstler’s “District” fabric.
“An important part of any interior that I get my hands on is finding a way to make contradictions,” says MK. “The feminine, soft lines of this antique chair paired with the architectural, new-age fabric was, in both Jamie’s and my eyes, the pièce de résistance. We even spent time trying to name the chair—but I’m not sure we landed on anything we were excited about!”
The painting above the fireplace is by renowned Alabama artist Nan Cunningham, and the mirror and large textile work were both purchased locally at Tricia’s Treasures. A vintage Moroccan rug from Paige Albright Orientals offers something soft underfoot.
A sofa was a must on Dr. Routman’s list. “Can you imagine a ladies’ lair without a place to recline?” she laughs. But the room’s narrow width made finding the right-sized sofa a challenge. MK worked with MCJ Co. Interiors to custom-make a sapphire velvet beauty that fits perfectly while still leaving space to navigate the room.
“I start my day in this space pretty much every morning,” Jamie says. “I make some tea and sit out there, crack a window, and just listen to the wind chimes or the birds. It’s so peaceful.”
She also uses the room for writing letters, playing mahjong with friends, and even the occasional cat nap. “I’m a napper,” she laughs. “So if I get the chance, that’s where I go.”
“The most rewarding thing about design is being able to help tell your client’s story through the items you select,” says MK. “Our goal was to create something really comfortable, but most importantly to give Jamie a place that reflected her personality, her interests, and allowed her mind to wander.”
For Jamie, it’s been the perfect place to go whenever she needs a minute.
“Every woman needs a room like this in her life.”
See more of MK’s designs @shopmkquinlan.