Go for a Greenhouse Effect With an Exotic Conservatory
Cultivate a rarified hothouse feel with or without all-glass walls; these inspiration photos and product picks show you how
A typical home conservatory is a greenhouse or sunroom with three walls and a ceiling made of glass or some other translucent material. Conservatories were popular add-ons to the grand homes of the English aristocracy in the 19th century.
They were originally developed to allow people to cultivate warm-climate plants, such as citrus, in cold climates. They have a horticultural past and also were often used for amateur scientific tinkering and as a place to collect exotic items gathered during travels. Think small taxidermic pieces, pinned insects and birdcages.
The good news is, you don't have to have a grand Victorian conservatory to bring a little of that lush but controlled exoticism into your home. You can easily steal the look, especially if you happen to have a room with great natural light. You'll need plants (preferably tropical ones), some summery wicker furniture and maybe even some insects displayed on pins.
Here's some inspiration.
They were originally developed to allow people to cultivate warm-climate plants, such as citrus, in cold climates. They have a horticultural past and also were often used for amateur scientific tinkering and as a place to collect exotic items gathered during travels. Think small taxidermic pieces, pinned insects and birdcages.
The good news is, you don't have to have a grand Victorian conservatory to bring a little of that lush but controlled exoticism into your home. You can easily steal the look, especially if you happen to have a room with great natural light. You'll need plants (preferably tropical ones), some summery wicker furniture and maybe even some insects displayed on pins.
Here's some inspiration.
Hallmarks of a real conservatory include glass walls and a glass ceiling. The decor is lush and elegant. Note this chandelier and cushy upholstered chairs.
Here's a much more casual conservatory, but it still has a luxe indoor-outdoor feel with an emphasis on greenery.
Architecturally speaking, this doesn't qualify as a real conservatory, but the look is pure 19th-century English.
A sleek, modern interpretation of the conservatory. This is one amazing kitchen.
Wicker; semitropical plants; layered, lush patterns; and a genteel, teatime feel. All the right ingredients for a cozy conservatory.
Another conservatory-inspired room. It lacks plants, but it has a whiff of exoticism, tons of natural light and lots of comfy indoor-outdoor furniture.
A modern formal dining room inspired by a conservatory. The butterfly light, the large multipaned windows, the bell jar for displaying specimens and the topiary all give it just a touch of that feeling. Gorgeous.
This bright, modern room is a loose interpretation of the conservatory look. It does include exotic touches, like the Moroccan pouf, and a nod to the natural world with the butterfly wallpaper and large fern.
A more nautically inclined take on the conservatory, but still with the requisite ingredients.
Set of 6 Bug Prints
A few items to perfect the conservatory look:
Botanical or entomological drawings help create that exotic-collections vibe. Think Darwin.
A few items to perfect the conservatory look:
Botanical or entomological drawings help create that exotic-collections vibe. Think Darwin.
Natural World Dessert Plates
A conservatory is the perfect place for serving tea. And these bug plates are the perfect place for serving cake.