Chic Michigan Greenhouse Mixes Modern and Rustic Materials
A designer creates a magical retreat for a homeowner with a cherished rose garden
Bryan Anthony
February 5, 2022
With Michigan’s brief summers and long winters in mind, this homeowner desired a private retreat in her backyard where she could tend to her prized roses, arrange bouquets or simply sit back with a cup of coffee and a good book anytime of the year.
She reached out to designer Rachel Nelson to create a glass greenhouse in her backyard that would on one hand feel like it had always been there, and on the other feel fresh and modern. The result is a greenhouse that functions well for the homeowner’s gardening needs and fits her aesthetic tastes.
She reached out to designer Rachel Nelson to create a glass greenhouse in her backyard that would on one hand feel like it had always been there, and on the other feel fresh and modern. The result is a greenhouse that functions well for the homeowner’s gardening needs and fits her aesthetic tastes.
Photos by Brett Mountain Photography
Greenhouse at a Glance
Who uses it: An avid gardener
Where: Oakland County, Michigan
Size: 445 square feet (41 square meters)
Designer: Rachel Nelson of RL Concetti
Builder: Wisconsin Greenhouse
The homeowner’s bedroom has a door that opens directly to a bluestone pathway leading to the greenhouse. “She wanted the greenhouse to be close to her bedroom, so she didn’t have to trudge through a bunch of snow in the winter to get to it,” Nelson says.
Stacked stone wraps around the bottom of the greenhouse exterior, making it look more connected to the land. “We didn’t want it to stick out like a sore thumb,” the designer says. “The stone grounds the greenhouse and makes it look more substantial.”
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Greenhouse at a Glance
Who uses it: An avid gardener
Where: Oakland County, Michigan
Size: 445 square feet (41 square meters)
Designer: Rachel Nelson of RL Concetti
Builder: Wisconsin Greenhouse
The homeowner’s bedroom has a door that opens directly to a bluestone pathway leading to the greenhouse. “She wanted the greenhouse to be close to her bedroom, so she didn’t have to trudge through a bunch of snow in the winter to get to it,” Nelson says.
Stacked stone wraps around the bottom of the greenhouse exterior, making it look more connected to the land. “We didn’t want it to stick out like a sore thumb,” the designer says. “The stone grounds the greenhouse and makes it look more substantial.”
Find a designer near you
Custom cedar planter boxes line the interior perimeter of the greenhouse; they were made to the homeowner’s precise specifications. “They’re at the perfect height so she doesn’t have to stoop to take care of her roses,” Nelson says. “The layout also allows her to get to them from all different angles.”
The wood structure seen here at the back of the greenhouse is made of antique barn wood. One side of the structure contains a powder room, and the other side houses heating and electrical equipment.
The wood structure seen here at the back of the greenhouse is made of antique barn wood. One side of the structure contains a powder room, and the other side houses heating and electrical equipment.
The greenhouse is heated in winter, and some of the windows can be opened to keep the space cool in the summer. A built-in fan on the back wall near the peak of the roof also helps regulates airflow.
“Greenhouses can get really hot and stuffy if there isn’t proper air circulation,” Nelson says.
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“Greenhouses can get really hot and stuffy if there isn’t proper air circulation,” Nelson says.
Shop for outdoor furniture
The seating area includes a pair of outdoor chairs from Tidelli Outdoor Living, a circular concrete coffee table and an indoor-outdoor rug. “We went with a teal-and-coral color palette,” Nelson says. “It’s a fun color combination that adds some brightness and a modern touch to the space.”
Nelson transformed an antique workbench into a potting station by adding a sink and an industrial-style faucet in matte black.
She also designed a shelving system attached to the potting station, with black pipes and reclaimed-wood shelves. A pair of black task lamps at the top of the shelving provides lighting for the work area.
See how to set up a potting station
She also designed a shelving system attached to the potting station, with black pipes and reclaimed-wood shelves. A pair of black task lamps at the top of the shelving provides lighting for the work area.
See how to set up a potting station
A collection of teal and coral-colored vases, some previously owned by the homeowner and some bought for the project, gives her a large selection of vessels to hold the rose bouquets she likes to arrange and then display throughout the house.
A wood pocket door in the structure at the back of the greenhouse opens to reveal the powder room, where Nelson continued the teal-and-coral theme. The walls are painted in Jazz Age Coral by Sherwin-Williams.
“I love the experience of opening the door of this aged barn wood structure into a bright and modern powder room,” Nelson says. “It perfectly encapsulates that blend of old and new we were striving for in the entire greenhouse.”
“I love the experience of opening the door of this aged barn wood structure into a bright and modern powder room,” Nelson says. “It perfectly encapsulates that blend of old and new we were striving for in the entire greenhouse.”
The stylish sink wall has gray concrete tiles on the bottom half and handmade blue-and-white geometrical tiles on the upper half. The teal concrete sink has a ribbed pattern and is from Kast.
The other side of the powder room includes more of the stunning handmade tile, plus a trio of reclaimed-barn wood floating shelves holding a collection of knickknacks and potted plants.
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Absolutely love but the bathroom seems to be missing towels, towel holders, toilet paper holder, and room for soap! It is adorable but I think needs some function too. All in all, I would LOVE to have this greenhouse!
We too have a Wisconsin Greenhouse and absolutely love it! Really neat to see how this one turned out.
Wonderful in every way!! I too would love this beauty in my yard but sadly hail occurs here several times throughout the summer and often quite large. Sigh!