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Give Me a Wall, a Roof, or a House of Glass
Swoon over spaces warmed by sunlight — from one side, or many
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 »
Sometime around one year ago, I sat down and typed one of my first articles for Houzz. It was the dead of winter and sky was washed in a palette of tired grays. The bleak atmosphere quickly became rather routine, and soon I began seeking the most sun soaked rooms of my house.
It got me thinking about the affects of sun dampened spaces versus the small amount of light that my house usually allows, and suddenly I found myself collecting photos of conservatories, greenhouses and rooms with glass walls. It sparked the idea for an ideabook titled Life in a Glass House, and here I am, one year later, trekking along the same path.
Feel free to swoon over the photos below for some sunny spaces sure to enhance your mood during the days in the deepest months of winter.
It got me thinking about the affects of sun dampened spaces versus the small amount of light that my house usually allows, and suddenly I found myself collecting photos of conservatories, greenhouses and rooms with glass walls. It sparked the idea for an ideabook titled Life in a Glass House, and here I am, one year later, trekking along the same path.
Feel free to swoon over the photos below for some sunny spaces sure to enhance your mood during the days in the deepest months of winter.
by LKM Design
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The amount of light pouring through this angled wall of windows is nothing short of amazing, and I think this photo could quickly step its way into my ever expanding list of pipe dreams. The encompassing lush greenery makes this lounge-worthy area really come to life.
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by Kia Designs
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| Awaking to sunlight stretched across the walls and in through the ceiling is high on my wish list, and this bedroom embraces the task with all its might. The dark paneled walls keep the room from feeling stark or cold, which is certainly crucial as the snow starts to gather. |
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Imagine arriving at this house for the first time at the invitation for a dinner party. The beautiful glasshouse architecture leads me to guess that the owners have no trouble finding house sitters — but then again, perhaps they never leave. I know I wouldn't.
This otherwise dim living room is greatly enhanced by the lengthy glass roof above. A solution like this seems particularly helpful for rooms with North-facing windows.
So I realize that this isn't necessarily a conservatory or a greenhouse, but there's no denying that it still looks just as inviting. I like this concept because it seems obtainable for many homeowners. The floor-to-ceiling bay window go much further than a common picture window in terms of aesthetic beauty, and I'm guessing that most of us have an area where we could accomplish something similar.
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| While this photo may have been pulled from your wildest dreams, it's still fun to imagine such an inviting space. This is probably where I'd be typing right now if I had something like this hanging off the side of my house. Oh, and the pool is just an added bonus. |
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| A space like this would be the perfect hangout for entertaining visitors of all types. Call me odd, but this dome of glass has a peculiar way of making me feel like a dollhouse miniature sitting beneath a glass cloche. |
Many of the photos in this story are focused around relaxing spaces amplified through the use of large windows. This room, however, is an actual greenhouse where work somehow manages to still feel like play.
My guess is that this breezeway creates a channel connecting the house to the garage. It's certainly an ingenious way to make sure all the tools find their way back to their homes after various interior projects. Because, really, who's going to pass up a chance to walk through a corridor as gorgeous as this one?
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| A tunnel of sun piercing straight into the center of the house? Yes, please. I don't know what's cooler — looking in from the outside or looking out from the inside. Either way, this courtyard is pretty spectacular. |
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| A beautiful, lively, in-home greenhouse, I'm going to venture to guess that most of us would have no trouble filling our free time in this room alone. Pruning by day, reading by night, and catching up on phone calls in between. A room like this would surely be a great escape. Have a pic? Share your wall of glass below! More: Life in a Glass House, Part I Sliding Walls Bring the Outside In The Case for Interior Courtyards |
Ideabook published on Feb. 8, 2012.
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I've once seen an enormous green house attached to a modest 'normal' house. The owners virtually lived in the green house. It was so impressive, I'll never forget it.
Our house has a solid gable roof, but the walls (except those to the north) are all glass, floor to ceiling. I especially love the sunny winter days when, no matter how cold it is outside, the house is lightfilled and warm. Like today: while sitting at the dining table with my notebook, I'm basking in the sunlight.
Rain storms and snow falls are really quite magical.
I love these other glassed in places featured here too! I hope the inhabitants are enjoying their spaces as much as we do ours.
I've always been a little concerned about the energy bills and potential problems behind something like this, so it was nice to hear from those of you have experienced similar spaces first-hand.
Conservatory Craftsmen- I tend to get up to the cities about 2-3 times a year...I might have to take you up on the offer and swing by some time! I'll be in touch when I do. :)