North facing conservatory
North facing conservatory
It was early in January when we decided that a room overlooking the back garden would perhaps be worthwhile, would a North facing conservatory be foolish or wise.
Well, whatever, we got cracking with it at the end of January. When I say we, I really mean, we got someone to do it.
Its not very big, as can be seen, but I remain optimistic.
It rained heavily for a few days after the builders had finished their bit. Unfortunately, not enough effort had been made in preventing the insulation material in the wall cavity from getting saturated.
I was assured, or should I say, informed, that this was nothing to be concerned about as it would soon dry out.
The job was completed a couple of weeks later, radiator connected to the central heating system added, and a double point electric socket fitted. Unfortunately flooring couldn’t be put down owing to damp seeping through to the floor from the walls.
Middle of March, floor finally dried out and there we go, all complete.
As you can see, its small, nothing fancy, but it is finished to a very good standard. Just need to add a few plants on the sills, and when we are feeling a bit more flush perhaps we can change those chairs for a couple which are more comfortable.
Early Spring and the garden is coming to life, well mainly with Daffs as you can see. Perennials are peeking through, buds on the trees are plumping up and all is good to go.
This is going to be a relaxing spot to read, in those in between days when its not quite warm enough to sit outside but nice for the con** sorry Myra says its a garden room.
Thats one of those Roberts bluetune players on the right hand corner, Myra can play her favourite cds, on the tablet I have loads of music tracks which can be played through Bluetooth. The wifi connection in the main area of the house is excellent, unfortunately in the conservatory it is poor, will have to work something out with it.
I am rather pleased with our North facing conservatory and have a feeling it may not be so daft after all.
I had a figure in my head as to how much I was prepared to pay for this job, and received five estimates, the first four came up with sums which did not fit my budget.
The fifth guy came along, I gave him the figure which I was prepared to pay and he got back to me within 24 hours with an acceptable quote. cheaper than the others, one was £1500 pounds more, two of them were two thousand pounds more and the most expensive a whopping £3000.00 more.
I dealt with (Trinity Windows) and they matched the high quality of the product with the most expensive quote.
Hi Alistair, the conservatory looks amazing, you did well to get it sorted so quickly! Really love the little finishing touches too, great job. Keep up the posts!
Hi Alistair I had the same problem with the Internet connection in our garden room. My grandson came up with the BT Hotspot extenders just plug one in near your router and the other near your garden room and they work wirelessly through your electric waves. Marvellous.
Your room looks good just the right size and the garden is looking great you have done so much in such a short time.
Regards Glenis
Its working out just grand.
How lovely! What a nice place to view the garden where there won’t be any bugs or chilly breezes! And it is probably better off in the North position vs. the South where it would get so hot. Enjoy!
Pam, already it is turning out to be bit of a bonus in the North position.
Love it, love it, love it. And north side is preferable, Alistair. In my experience south facing conservatories just get too hot. P. x
Angie, already it is getting more use than I really expected.
I’m willing to bet you don’t regret your new garden room Alistair. Both you and Myra will make full use of this new addition to your home. Well done on taking the plunge.
Very true and sometimes they can be over filled with furniture but with a bit of prudence they can look very beautiful indeed.
Definitely worth consideration Sunil
Hello Alistair, in the winter, it’s absolutely perfect for protecting more tender plants. Now you can have cannas, bananas, palms and dahlias out in the garden for the summer and have them in the conservatory over the winter. With the radiator connected it’s a heated greenhouse for your tropicals!
Janet, the muddy boot thing is well taken care of, I am not as daft as I am cabbage looking.
Your new garden room looks like a wonderful place to relax with a mug of tea and some music, and perfect for admiring your garden as it explodes into growth. Definitely worth doing. Though I don’t think you’ll be allowed to walk in from the garden in muddy boots…
Hi Rick, I guess its a case of me trying to make up for the large garden which we once had.
Although you already had direct access to your garden the addition of an extra “room” which really takes you out there is so good. I have to walk down steps from the kitchen door to get into the garden so never really have that feeling of being part of it which makes me really envious!
Thanks Donna, I am pleased to say Myra is also very happy with it.
Alistair this is just stunning. I love your conservatory. It makes the whole back garden…and a perfect size for relaxing or gardening!
A Summer cottage sounds just ideal Nadezda
Sounds good and it gets you away from that television.
We so much enjoy sitting in our 3/4 enclosed ‘conservatory’ or the sunny bay window.
Just need a pleasant view and very comfortable chairs.
It’s wonderful ‘garden room’ Alister. I love it and would like the same, if I had lived in my summer cottage all the year. I think you could have many pots of plants in it , the sills are wide enough.
No it wouldn’t die, in fact it may do it good, unlikely to flower in the first year after cutting back. If it does well then you will know that it is the type that requires hard pruning.
Thanks,what would happen if I cut it back and it shouldnt be,would it die?
Lorraine, I am surprised that we decided to get a conservatory, glad we did. In my experience a conservatory only looks bad if it is allowed to become tatty.
Hi Anne, the one which flowers in April just needs a tidy up in mid Summer if necessary. If your other one flowered in mid Summer I would say that it was more than likely the type which needed hard cutting back in March. I cut most of ours hard back only because I know they are the type which require it.
Your garden is so beautiful.Do you cut back clematis that are growing over fences etc. I have one growing over a fence here ,If I remember it flowers early summer and its white,not sure whether I should cut it back.Also have a white one in a pot which flowers around April,May and is full of buds should I be feeding and watering it Alistair?
I have to say I’m not a great fan of conservatorys but your one looks really lovely Alistair. Unlike many I’ve seen it seems to fit the house and garden perfectly, it doesn’t dominate. I’m sure you’ve made the right decision and will derive enormous pleasure from it, especially as you have such a beautiful garden.
Got your reply through email Carolyn. but it doesn’t seem to show up on my blog
I don’t do Facebook Carolyn, may get around to it. Not sure how this reply thing works so I will also leave message on my blog.
Alistair
Thank you for the kind comments Carolyn, if you have a blog, drop me the link.
What a lovely idea! Even though you say it is “small”, I think it is just the right size. Over here across the “pond” in the US, we often see beautiful conservatories featured in European gardens but mostly in your country.
I know it will bring a lot of pleasure to both of you.
And I love the look in your garden right now. Nothing like daffodils to make you feel like winter is over.
Thank you for your lovely blog. I always enjoy reading what you are planting or what is blooming or as in this case, new improvement.
Just how I am hoping it works out Annette.
I think you will get a lot of use out of that room. It won’t get so hot as a south facing one could do either.