The original English conservatories were designed and built in cooler European climates to provide a safe environment for tropical plants and to hold flower displays. By the end of the nineteenth century, Europeans were also using conservatories for social and living spaces. Following in this rich tradition, the New England conservatory is designed and engineered to provide a comfortable, year-round addition to the house, sometimes functioning as a space completely open to the main living area. Nestled in the heart of Martha’s Vineyard, the magnificent conservatory featured here blends perfectly into the owner’s country style colonial estate. The roof system has been constructed with solid mahogany and features a soft color-painted interior and a beautiful copper clad exterior. The exterior architectural eave line is carried seamlessly from the existing house and around the conservatory. The glass dormer roof establishes beautiful contrast with the main lean-to glass roof. Our construction allows for extraordinary light levels within the space, and the view of the pool and surrounding landscape from the Marvin French doors provides quite the scene. The interior is a rustic finish with brick walls and a stone patio floor. These elements combine to create a space which truly provides its owners with a year-round opportunity to enjoy New England’s scenic outdoors from the comfort of a traditional conservatory.

Baton Rouge Sunroom

Beth Claybourn Interiors

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Gallery

Bagdad Oriental Rug

Photo of a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Houston with beige walls, slate floors, no fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Windsor Arch

Woodland Stoves and Fireplaces

Small traditional formal enclosed living room in Minneapolis with white walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and no tv.

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Kritsonis Lindor

Design ideas for a large traditional open concept family room in Seattle with brown walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and wood walls.

Year-Round Light

Sunspace Design, Inc.

Timeless Conservatory

Sunspace Design, Inc.

Kittery Junction was originally constructed by the York Harbor & Beach Railroad Co. between 1886 and 1887. In the days when the locomotive was the preferred method of transportation for much of America’s population, this project site provided both passenger and freight service between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and York Beach, Maine. It was usually the case that a train station constructed during this period would have its own unique architecture, and this site was no exception. Now privately owned, this structure proudly stands overlooking Barrell’s Pond. To capture this view, the new owner approached our design team with a vision of a master bedroom Victorian conservatory facing the serene body of water. Respectful of the existing architectural details, Sunspace Design worked to bring this vision to reality using our solid conventional walls, custom Marvin windows, and a custom shop-built octagonal conservatory glass roof system. This combination enabled us to meet strong energy efficiency requirements while creating a classic Victorian conservatory that met the client’s hopes. The glass roof system was constructed in the shop, transported to site, and raised in place to reduce on site construction time. With windows and doors provided by a top window manufacturer, the 2’ x 6’ wall construction with gave us complete design control. With solid wood framing, fiberglass R-21 insulation in the walls, and sputter coated low-E sun control properties in the custom glass roof system, the construction is both structurally and thermally sound. The end result is a comfortable Victorian conservatory addition that can easily withstand the harsh elements of a Maine winter. We’ve been designing and building conservatories in New England since 1981. This project stands as a model of our commitment to quality. We utilize this construction process for all of our sunrooms, skylights, conservatories, and orangeries to ensure a final product that is unsurpassed in quality and performance.

Victorian Living Design Ideas with Slate Floors

The best room for gathering with your family and friends in a cosy environment is your living room or family room. You want to hang out where the lounge furniture is the most comfortable and sofas or chairs create a sense of homeliness. Filling this important space with cheap furniture is unlikely to bring you the same long-lasting comfort as a quality chaise lounge or a couch. These choices will directly affect the quality of your evenings as you wind down from the daily grind. While planning a renovation or redesign, weigh up the priorities of seating, heating, an entertainment unit and bookcases. Identify your main activity in the room and and design around that. Many Victorian living rooms aren't complete without a fireplace, but if you can't accommodate that, invest in built-in or furniture that suits your home. Common trends include Danish furniture and other kinds of Scandinavian furniture. Plush sofas, recliner chairs and sofa beds will always be popular. Finally, when the big components are planned out, think about what colour scheme and decor will best suit you and your family. If needed, an interior designer can help here.

Should I include a fireplace in my living room or family room?

Depending on your climate, a fireplace might be a great way to add warmth and interest to your living space. Even if your location is warm year-round, you can always add a faux fireplace or nonfunctioning fireplace as part of your decor. There are many options to choose from, so be sure to check them out. A wood-burning fireplace gives an authentic experience, though a gas one still emits heat without the mess. A double-sided or corner unit strays from the ordinary, or you can go with a wood stove fireplace if you're looking for a piece of art. If you want a contemporary touch, veer away from the traditional wood or tile mantel by going with stone, concrete or metal instead.

What kind of built-ins should I add to my living room?

Although it might not seem glamorous, having enough storage is instrumental when it comes to keeping the room organised and practical. Built-in bookcases, shelves and cabinets are a great way to add hidden, functional storage for all the knickknacks you accumulate. Movie and gaming buffs will love a custom entertainment centre, with enough cabinets for movies, speakers and electronic accessories; you can even create a media room with a projector and lounge chairs! If you still have room to spare, include a booth for homework or craft projects.

How do I decorate my home interiors?

When it comes to decorating, neutrals are always the safe option because they look good and never go out of style. They also give any artwork you hang enough breathing space. If you do want to try out a bolder colour scheme, add colour with walls and Victorian accessories. That way, if you get sick of a colour, you can quickly repaint the walls and find new knickknacks, instead of having to replace your sofas every time trends change. Popular colours include blue, green and grey, but don't be afraid to try bright colours like red or yellow, even if it's just on an accent wall. Finally, make sure there is plenty of light. Recessed or track lighting are great ways to hit every corner — better yet, add more natural light by installing additional windows or a skylight.