Conservatory Dreams

My favorite thing about the design of eras past is the perfect marriage of form and function.  There was no detail too small or item too common place that it could not be beautified.  Even ash boxes and door latches were covered in flowers, vines, or leaves.  Everything was a fully functional work of art.  As long as I can remember I have wanted to live in a Victorian home filled with details, magic, and whimsy.  Since that's not to be, I wil just have to transform my humble surroundings into as beautiful a space as possible.  

Thankfully Mr. Bleu is very much on board with my dreams and for the past five years or more we have been gathering materials to build a greenhouse.  I asked Mr. Bleu that our greenhouse be more than just a plant-shed, but that it be closer to a Victorian style conservatory where plants are grown for use of course, but also arranged to be aesthetically pleasing. 

Last summer we actively began to build by gathering large stones from around our property and arranging them for a foundation.  Then we cut down trees and Mr. B worked them into timbers and timber framed the whole structure.  Next we tore down a porch at the back of the house and re-used the flooring and ceiling beams.  The large modern windows were free although they nearly cost us a hernia opperation as they are impossibly heavy and we carried each one away from the previous owner, loaded them into the truck, unloaded them, and carried them over to the greehouse.  

The lattice square windows are antique and I purchased them.  The front door, smaller windows, and the pine plank walls were salvaged from my grandparents' house which is about to be torn down.  That salvage job took me three months and was very emotional, but worth the physical and emotional demand.  The walls were then covered with tar paper and wood paneling covered in book pages which you may recall as the backdrop from some of my photos in  years past.  The rug and all of the furniture has been thrifted locally, most of it painted by me to match, and I made the cushion and pillow covers.

Quality greenhouse kits (i.e. made with wood, not just plastic sheeting stretched over a PVC pipe frame) are around $3,000 and much smaller in square footage than this space.  I would generously guesstimate that this greenhouse, even including decorations cost about $1,000.  As most of the cost was spread out over the course of several years, it feels like it was much less. 

So often in life, what we achieve never quite matches our dreams or lives up to our expectations. It's incredibly encouraging when something actually works out according to plans.  This space is everything I hoped it would be and I can't wait to get the sprouting trays in here so we can get some seeds going.   I haven't moved the plants in yet, it's still quite summery outside even if it is October, but that's the last and final step.  For a complete tour of the greenhouse, scroll down to my YouTube Video.

Shopping Info:  Asbury Patchwork Dress from Selkie.

Here is a photo of the greenhouse taken at the beginning of summer 2024 so you can see the bare bones.  The next photo is of the door before I painted it.  For a video tour, click on the YouTube video at the bottom.