Conservatories - Letting the Sun In

Although conservatories are currently popular design features, housing anything from kitchens to reading rooms: they were originally designed and constructed by Dutch farmers over 300 years ago to house plants. The farmers wanted to devise a method which would accommodate and protect their prized plants during the formidable European winters. The conservatory was the basis for the modern day greenhouse and served the farmers extremely well. For many years the conservatory remained a functional and practical attachment. Later conservatories could be spotted all over Europe and North America as fashionable appendages to stylish homes. Today the conservatory's original purpose has given way to being used as an indoor/outdoor space. The successful conservatory is one which is created and designed to bring out the best elements of the home and the outdoors. Build a conservatory! Conservatories are stunning additions to any home, but they do take a fair amount of planning and decision making. One of the most important decisions is the design of the conservatory itself. There are several points to consider when making design decisions; the most important is that the conservatory must compliment your main building. Victorian style conservatories added on to