Orangery

Dec2

A cleverly designed orangery built to the house will be usable all over the, which increases the value of the house also.
Firstly the purpose of the additional „room” has to be decided. It can be useful for anything else beside keeping and wintering plants: reading nook, playroom, additional dining room or living room. It is practical to build in a French door in its garden side for opening it up with the garden in good weather, this way creating an airy but covered outdoor seating place.
The building can be ordered from professional companies, which deliver it in the desired size, color and material after on-site survey. The frame can be made of metal or wood. The first one is the most common because it needs less care and sturdier. Any other color can be chosen beside the classic white, which matches to the house. The advantage of green is fading into the garden view. Black gives a more characteristic look, and also a beloved color for a long time. As far as possible, the roof should be made of the same glassed framework as the walls. Not only for the sake of a more uniform and beautiful appearance, but also for the plants to get more light.
It’s practical to choose a kind of tile or hardwood covering for the floor. These don’t warp by moisture which is important because of the plants kept here. If carpet is preferred, let’s choose one made of coir or sisal. They are nature-looking and easy cleanable. It’s worth to lay a smaller carpet on the tiled floor in winter for improving comfort.
The cooling-heating question has to be solved during the building phase for the sake of all-year usage. Floor heating is the simplest way. If the frame is put on a lower parapet wall, long but narrow radiators can be placed also which will be almost invisible. The proper shading is a must against sunshine and over-warming. Roll-up or roman blinds are the best fitted solutions. They highlight the beauty of the structure with their simple and clear lines. An UV-proof fabric should be chosen for it which looks good with the furnishing also. Don’t forget the roof! It’s practical to make more glass panels openable for the better ventilation.
Attention should be paid to the problems linked to the room’s special features while furnishing, e.g. moisture and strong sunshine. That’s why garden furniture with metal or bamboo frame are good solutions which are more resistant than upholstered indoor furniture. Lighting is important if the room will be used in the evenings also. Let’s treat the orangery as an ordinary room and use floor lamp, chandelier, table lamp and wall scone. The frame commonly suits for hanging a chandelier but it should be discussed with the professional when ordering.
This room is transparent on all sides because of the glass walls. So, pay attention to safety by proper locks and alarm system. During the holidays, it will be a spectacularly decorated room to enjoy from the garden.
If you are not sure about what kind of orangery fits for your house or just want to furnish the present one in style, ask for help of an interior designer.

Church as home

Dec1

Who is drawn by open spaces and high headroom, can live even in a church

Fence

Nov24

The nice and secure fence stops the intrusion, at least partly transparent and tones in with the building

Train as home

Nov21

A railway carriage can be conjured to a cosy home in classic style

Roof garden

Nov17

Roof gardens – in case of lack of space we can enjoy the pleasures of gardening aloft

Driveways

Nov9

Showy driveways with classical pavement – natural materials which don’t block the unresisted flow of water

Built-in attic

Nov8

Building in the attic is one of the best methods for increasing the useful floor space of a house. Such a reconstruction raises not only the value of the property but very comfortable living space can be created with applying some rules.
Pay attention to the quality of insulation because it can largely affect the costs of heating-cooling in the future. Take care of the latter, because these rooms have to be more intensely heated in winter and cooled in summer. The livability of the attic depends on the proper amount of light. If it is possible, more or bigger windows should be built in. If they can be placed only on a high level, let’s choose pieces with handles on their lower part. Since sunshine can be a problem in summer, proper shading should be provided. Mostly roll-up blind or light-reflecting window-foil might be the solution but common curtains shouldn’t be neglected either because of the sloped roof! It can be just as elegant as in an ordinary living room or bedroom, with clever solutions. Attic might be darker in winter than other rooms, so the proper implementing of artificial lighting has to be attended already at the beginning of the works.
A built-in attic can be suited to several functions. In the case of a bedroom, the bed shouldn’t be placed under the skylight because it can disturb the calming rest. If the wardrobe will be here, dehumidifying is a very important task. In the case of children’s room or playroom, safety is a must, especially if there is a balcony also. It’s worth to use additional sound-proofing in the case of a movie or TV room. The proper darkening can be solved here easier. This kind of space can be good for a hobby room or home office also. Take care of placing the desks for avoiding hitting the sloping roof when standing up from the chair. A wider tabletop can be used for this.
Always ask for help of professionals for building-in an attic. Consult with an interior designer for optimizing the final furnishing and for the best usage of the space.

Entrance door

Sep18

The front door is our home’s visiting card so let it be decorative and stylish

French Renaissance

Sep1

During the French Renaissance not only architectural and artistic works were outstanding, but the beauty of furnishing and comfort came into view also. This era is really hallmarked by two sovereigns: François I. (1494-1547) met the new trend following Gothic during his Italian campaigns. He immediately fell in love with the ornaments and anthropocentric vision. When he went home, he implemented these in France. Many Loire castles were built or rebuilt during his reign (e.g. Chambord, Chenonceau, Villandry). He invited Leonardo Da Vinci in his court. Cathrine de Medici (1519-1589) was born is Florence and grew up in the heyday of Italian Renaissance. She took this love to France, where she got married with the future Henry II. As a regent she spent big amounts for furnishing castles, re-buildings (Louvre) and art treasures.
The three-dimensional effect is the characteristic of Renaissance living spaces: huge fireplaces, imposing marble staircases, big collective spaces. The stone walls were covered by richly patterned tapestries which protected partly against cold also. Beds had legs against the coldness of the floor and bugs, and they had canopy which provided not only the private area but protected against draught also. This time it was already common to welcome important guests in bed.
The first versions of wardrobes (dressoire, cabinets) appeared beside chests as main storages. These were richly carved, showing the wealth and rank of the owner also. Furniture had architectural forms: colonnade, arches, sill etc. Framed structure, marquetry, veneer and inlays were first used this time. Chairs could be fix or folding. Upholstery appeared (leather, velvet) which provided more comfortable seating. Tables are not take-apart anymore, they are sturdy and imposing pieces on columnar legs.
The court moved from one castle to another because the large household could be fed by a city and surroundings only for a limited time. In this case, all the furniture, tapestries, cutleries, wardrobes etc. were carried. Paris became the permanent seat of French kings at the end of the Renaissance (during the reign of Henry III. and IV.).
Interior of those times may seem to be a bit over-decorated and outdated from today’s standpoint. But the then feeling and creating artistic values can be implemented in modern surroundings also. Ask for help of an interior designer for this.