JOHN BIDDELL INDIAN SUMMER
As I write this editorial, we are experiencing what people of my generation always called an Indian Summer. I did a bit of research (see, Google can be useful for things other than finding cute cat videos) to find out where the phrase originated from, and apparently it was a term first used by a Frenchman called John de Crevecour in 1778, referring to a spell of warm, hazy autumn weather that enabled Indigenous Americans to continue hunting for longer. So now you know, and hopefully you’ll get the relevance of this in a moment, as this month I want to talk about conservatories.
For me, the biggest benefit of a conservatory is not that it is a room solely, or even mainly to be enjoyed in the height of summer when the temperature inside can be all but unbearable, but that it can be comfortable and inviting both in the spring and autumn, when the sun is shining but doesn’t have much heat in it.
I believe a successful conservatory is one that looks like it’s always been there, and it’s meant to be there. It blends in with the architecture of the house, both in style and proportion. It is thoughtfully situated with regards to both access from within the house, and its place in the garden. It doesn’t stick out like a huge blister, and its perimeters are softened by shrubs and plants, thus making it the perfect halfway house between indoor and outdoor living.
So how can we achieve this, and what are the pitfalls to look out for? If you are starting from scratch and planning to add a new conservatory, the first and fundamental point to consider is the function of your new room. Will it be an extension of a family area to provide extra all day space? Will it run off a kitchen to give an al fresco feel to dining? Or will it be a quiet bolt hole away from the hustle and bustle after a demanding day working from home? Of course, you may want it to be all these and more, but be careful not to try to cram a quart into a pint pot (sorry, that should now be 1.136 litres into a . . . no, it really doesn’t translate). A cluttered and over-furnished conservatory is a disaster, not only aesthetically but in practical terms too. As soon as the overall feeling of space and relaxation is lost, so is the desire to use it.
When considering the location of a new conservatory it’s also worth considering the impact it will have on the room to which it is attached. Generally, the addition of a conservatory, however thoughtfully designed, will take some light from the original room.
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HOME S & INTERIORS JOHN BIDDE L L - INT ERIORS EXPER T
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