With huge amounts of natural light, an orangery is the ideal room for easy relaxation and reflection. The vast space and airiness instantly connects you to nature, as if you’re bringing a taste of the outdoors into your home. It’s therefore important to capture the interior of an orangery to reflect this.
Orangeries are becoming a popular alternative to a home extension as the combination of a substantial structure together with the luxury of outdoor living is often the ideal blend. Moreover orangeries are a great way of maximising natural light through a roof lantern and look equally well in both traditional and contemporary residences. They are fitting for use in listed buildings as well as conservation or heritage areas as they can be sympathetically designed to comply with planning and building regulations.
George Bond, founder of George Bond Interior Design, says,
“In this particular orangery, we decided we could maximise the potential of the space by splitting it into two; a window seat for viewing out on to the garden, alongside a spacious dining area for everyday use. Our aim was to create a light and airy interior to match the feel of an orangery, achieving this by using whites and creams to create a perfect base for the deep navy blue, giving the room a striking contrast. We used a mix of plaid and check patterns to create texture, cleverly upholstering the dining table chairs in cream and blue fabric, which alternate as they sit around the table.
“The wall behind the sofa has been mirrored from floor to ceiling, expanding the bright and airy flow of the orangery by capturing the beautiful and ever-changing garden reflections within it. A mirrored wall instantly gives the feel of an even larger room, which is a perfect solution when designing a room that has the feel of the outdoors.
“This interior is a great example of how to perfectly design an orangery. It manages to boast colour, patterns, and life, whilst also acquiring the perfect amount of subtlety to allow the gorgeous garden views to do most of the talking. We feel we’ve cleverly used interior design to highlight and work hand in hand with the natural qualities of the outdoors, creating a perfect outcome for the orangery.”
George Bond Interior Design +44 (0)191 281 7799
[email protected]
Susan White, founder of Iggi Interior Design, also has some great ideas on how to create the ultimate indoor oasis.
“An orangery, conservatory or garden room brings your garden into your home,”
“These indulgent spaces protect us from the elements whilst enveloping us in the inherently serene qualities of the great outdoors.”
“Planning is everything. Really think about how you wish to use the space, this will help when selecting appropriate furniture and plants. For example, different styles and heights of seating produce an informal atmosphere. Choose a colour palette and style which complement the rest of your home. Equally, the current trend of solid colours in taupe, grey and stone work well in all climates and look exceptional year-round. We recommend frames of dark timber or aluminium. Timber weathers to a sophisticated shade of grey that we personally love.
“If you want dual purpose, there is a vast choice of outdoor furniture which would also sit quite happily in the most stylish of interiors. We carefully select fabrics that are long lasting and can be easily cleaned. Today’s weatherproof fabrics feel luxurious and come in a great range of classic colours.”
Susan advises that by using sliding or folding doors and the same style flooring you can create a seamless journey between the garden room and the outside. And, ‘If music be the food of love…’, she also suggests having outdoor speakers and a Sonas system to infuse your private indoor garden with the music you love.
“Lighting is also vital in transitioning a daytime lunch into evening drinks and helps to generate the perfect mood,”
“Select from standard lamps, elegant chandeliers, fairy lights, LED candles and lanterns.”
Finally, for those who do not possess a dedicated garden room, Susan says,
“Why not think of your garden as having four walls and a ceiling? Create the illusion of walls with rows of pleached trees, simple horizontal trellises or evergreen planting. The ceiling could be a garden shade, sail or wooden pergola from which lighting can be hung. Raising or lowering the seating area can have the same effect.”
Iggi Interior Design +44 (0)1306 712 262
[email protected]
