The Best Room In The House

Although conservatories were once a sign of wealth and opulence, one can scarcely find a home without one these days, either in America or abroad. Once erected as separate greenhouses, more and more homes are now equipped with an attached glassed-in room. Depending on locality, this room may be referred to a a Florida room, an enclosed patio, a sun room or a conservatory. Regardless of nomenclature, it's a green space where a family can combine the beauty of nature with the comfort of a living room.

The Age of Exploration (15th through 18th centuries) brought exotic spices, trees and rare plants from far lands to Europe, where they were treasured and nurtured. Starting with wooden enclosures to protect them from cold weather, more and more elaborate shelters were constructed to shelter delicate tropical foliage, starting with simple greenhouses and culminating in elaborate conservatories. Incorporated into the stately homes of France and England, they became the social centers of the elite, where glamorous dinner parties and balls were hosted by the upper classes. The most opulent of the conservatories of the time was the orangery of Louis XIV, built as part of the Palace of Versailles.

Less elaborate conservatories have been part of home architecture since the 1800s, when far-ranging European explorers brought back exotic plants, citrus trees and rare spices from the Far East for the enjoyment of their noble patrons. In their early incarnations, they were simple greenhouses, used to grow and shelter non-indigenous plant species. Before long, however, wealthy families incorporated them into their homes, competing with each other in size and grandeur of the architecture and contents. Arguably the most opulent of these was the orangery at the Palace of Versailles, built by Louis XIV.

Before long, French and English nobility adopted the custom of incorporating glassed-in rooms into their homes, and as time went on, these conservatories became more and more ornate. They evolved into the social focus of the haute monde, who hosted elaborate balls and dinner parties, competing with each other for the most flamboyant architectural designs. Probably the crown jewel of the era was the orangery of the Palace of Versailles, the home of Louis XIV.

The early nineteenth century saw Charles Darwin discovering and recovering heretofore unknown plant species and returning them to the West for study. This gave rise, in turn, to an upsurge in public conservatories which featured new architectural styles and housed extensive indoor gardens. New engineering advances enabled the construction of massive metal and glass enclosures for the display of an infinite variety of plant species and, in some case, birds and butterflies as well.

Although there was a brief hiatus in conservatory building during the Great Depression and World War II, the invention of insulated glass and a resurgence of interest in gardening and a more natural lifestyle increased the enthusiasm for glass enclosures. The seventies saw ornate Victorian architecture scaled back and integrated into every style of home, from mansions to tract houses.

Once the exclusive purview of the wealthy, conservatories are now within reach for everyone who enjoy combining outdoor beauty with indoor comfort. Whether it's called a sun-room, enclosed patio, Florida room or conservatory, it's the place that welcomes every member of the family to the happiest room in the house.

Martin Troughton is an expert in the industry of home improvement. If you would like further information regarding conservatories or are looking for a reputable conservatory company please visit http://www.anglianhome.co.uk