The Conservatory
The Conservatory reached the height of its popularity towards the end of the nineteenth century. It offered a glimpse of green and natural organic matter from otherwise somber and gloomy rooms. It was popularized by John Claudius Loudon, caught on quickly and appealed to mny who were wealthy enough to have one. As glass began to be manufactured in larger and larger sheets prefabricated conservatories became available and promoted through catalogues.
Flowers and plants featured heavily in the Victorian home and flower arrangements and pot plants could usually be found in most rooms. The conservatory could be used to cultivate these to be used in the rest of the house but also offered an opportunity to experience a tropical environment.
Typical features of a Victorian conservatory included:-
- Tiled floor
- Glass walls – part stained glass (Gothic theme very popular)
- Wicker of bamboo furniture
- Iron planters and garden furniture
- Potted palms
- Tropical plants
- Flowers
- Caged birds
- Planters and pots with organic decoration
- Classical statue
Popular plants included:-
- Palms
- Ferns
- Orchids
- Strawberries
- Grape vines
- Parlour palms
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