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Life in a Glass House
Create a Sun-Filled Sanctuary With Walls and Ceiling of Glass
My husband and I live in a 1950 ranch-style home a few miles west of Madison, Wisconsin. When I'm not working, I like to do projects around my house, get out in my solo canoe or go camping, read design and psychology blogs and work on mixed media art.
My husband and I live in a 1950 ranch-style home a few miles west of Madison,... More »
Originally intended for holding plants over the cold winter months, greenhouses and conservatories have been around since the end of the Renaissance era. Later, they became a sunny place to host tea parties and eventually morphed into a concept that is now known as a sunroom. These large glass structures are still sought after by many homeowners and come in various shapes and sizes. I've always liked the way that being in a sun-filled glass room makes me feel — calm and rested and close to nature.
A dining room like this allows you to have breakfast in the morning sun and a glass of wine under the stars at night. I don't think this homeowner's friends would ever turn down a Friday night dinner invitation.
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| Reaching high into the sky, this curved lean-to design offers glorious views of the city and a sitting room filled with heaps sunlight, perfect for growing large plants. |
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In the same duplex as the previous photo, this home office feels more like a sanctuary than a workplace. The curved glass edge softly hugs the room and is easy on the eyes.
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| A small atrium was the perfect solution to connect this house to the shed. I can only imagine how lovely it would be to sip my morning coffee there each day.
Tip: If you are considering a greenhouse or conservatory, it may be in your best interest to start small. Heating a large glass room in cooler regions can get expensive in the winter, and a small space like this would be much more cost-efficient. |
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When a ceiling of glass isn’t feasible, a large greenhouse-style window is the next best thing. A setup like this is a great option if you want to grow plants that require an ample amount of sunlight or just want to feel closer to nature than a typical window would allow.
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Doing the dishes would hardly be a chore in a kitchen made of windows. The gray floor and cabinets frame the view rather nicely and the green table is right at home near the foliage-surrounded windows.
Tip: if you have a great view like this one, help it stand out by using monochromatic neutrals around the windows.
Tip: if you have a great view like this one, help it stand out by using monochromatic neutrals around the windows.
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A solution that is a bit more budget friendly than glass, this greenhouse was made from a kit and has walls made of polycarbonate, which is a tough plastic material.
Tip: You can purchase a greenhouse kit at places like Home Depot.
Tip: You can purchase a greenhouse kit at places like Home Depot.
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The extension off the back of this house is not only practical for growing plants, but also useful for entertaining friends during a rainstorm. The warm glow of the interior lighting makes this space all the more welcoming.
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Practically touching the trees, this wall of glass would be a lovely retreat when the air is balmy and mosquito-filled. There are also curtains to section it off from the rest of the house, although I don’t know why anybody would want to pull them down with a view this great!
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| Mimicking the shape of the home it’s attached to, this glass house is even more charming with the help of the small ornamental piece that adorns the roof.
Tip: Be sure to match the architectural lines of your home if you opt for a conservatory extension. |
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| Here is the inside view of the structure in the previous photo. You can see that this homeowner uses it as a living space rather than for horticulture, which seems to be quite common these days.
Tip: If you are thinking about a sunroom or conservatory, be sure to furnish it with fabrics, rugs and other furniture that won't be as likely to fade. White seems to be a good choice. |
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by Fatima McNell
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| Although the ceiling is not made of windows, this room still fits in with the overall feel of a conservatory, and it is closer to being a sunroom than anything else. A room like this would definitely be my favorite area of the house!
Do you have a sunroom, greenhouse or conservatory? Please post your photos in the comments section below. Next: See more photos of sunroom designs |
Ideabook published on March 22, 2011.
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I love sunrooms but there has been many a problem with connecting them to the main house- leakage problems. Hopefully now that is not as big a problem as it once was.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/finding-her-way-in-the-suburban-jungle/2011/01/18/ABz8xOJ_story.html