The Greenhouse Effect

Between traveling and my serious magazine perusing, I found I was always drawn to English and European homes.  There were several features that kept turning up in my files--stone walls, matching chimneys on either side, a steep roof, and twin peaks in the front.  I could post many examples of each, but this one--irregular roofline, center chimney and all--is one I found especially charming.

As the planning got underway, I began noticing conservatory additions on English homes.  They are almost exclusively added to the rear of a house as a transition to the back garden.  Since I was planning for Oregon, i.e., rain, I thought it would be novel and practical to add one to the front of the house--as a light-filled, protected front porch.  This photo became part of my vision. 

To combine my concepts and show the architect what I had in mind, I superimposed one on top of the other.  This collage became the inspiration for the front of my house--with a chimney on each side.  

But I didn't stop there.  The "greenhouse" look became a theme.  We planned for a patio and breezeway covered with glass, and an actual greenhouse.  Fast forward to last week, and the first installment arrived on this very long trailer.   

Now the site is littered with crates and four men are here from Tanglewood Conservatories in Maryland for the next few weeks to build two of the four structures.  This is the first conservatory structure Tanglewood has built in Oregon.  As you can see, they're getting some beautiful weather to work in.

They're working simultaneously on the breezeway ceiling and doorways on each end.  Unfortunately, they discovered much of the glass that came in this shipment was damaged in transit and will need to be replaced. 

One interesting thing--a camera has been mounted on a tree facing the entry that takes pictures every five minutes and sends them to the engineers back in Maryland who keep an eye on the progress.  I feel assured it will be well built.