A Luxury Greenhouse Lures Manhattanites to the Country
1 recommendation about a beautiful lunch spot, and this whole project’s scope changed.
During an interview about designing a terrace, landscape architect David Fierabend sized up his potential clients’ tastes and suggested they check out Terrain immediately. “They went the following day, called me while they were eating there and told me that they needed the greenhouse at Terrain’s restaurant.” All of a sudden the small patio job expanded into a bigger master plan that included an expansive greenhouse. And Fierabend landed the job.
The clients own a home in Manhattan; this is their country home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. One of those owners “is a fashionista, was from the high-end style industry for decades and has amazing taste,” states Fierabend, of Groundswell Design Group. “She’s these fascinating collections of all kinds of items — outdated hardware, rulers, nuts and bolts, but she keeps them meticulously organized and exhibited; none of it appears the least bit cluttered — it reminded me of a showroom or how an Anthropologie store is merchandised.” (The very same men and women who own Anthropologie created Terrain.)
Check it out and you’ll see why the few now spends even more time at the country than they do in Manhattan.
Greenhouse in a Glance
Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Size: 1,200 square feet
Groundswell Design Group, LLC
“My clients wanted something simple; they had been completely over renovating after working on the home renovations for so long,” Fierabend states.
They own about 6 acres surrounded by a beautiful agrarian landscape of fields and woods. “It’s quintessential Bucks County attractiveness,” he states.
Groundswell Design Group, LLC
The main home is ’70s modern, with big windows. The renovations maintained the groovy modern vibe whilst infusing it with their particular industrial tastes.
The greenhouse is on an axis with the main home, which makes it an extension of the home. When there are plenty of potted plants inside, its principal function is for lounging and living, not growing crops; it contains a dining area and a living area.
Additionally, it includes heat and air conditioning. “Now they spend more time out here than they do at the primary home,” Fierabend states. It brings them even closer to their serene country surroundings.
Groundswell Design Group, LLC
Taking a cue from his client’s penchant for collecting, Fierabend made this sculptural arrangement of vintage watering cans in lieu of a dining table chandelier.
Fierabend also catered to his clients’ penchant for industrial style. The glass walls and concrete floor bring the modern industrial, and the reddish Tolix seats, watering cans and bench bring in some rustic vintage, appropriate for your country setting.
Groundswell Design Group
River birch trees and waves of blossoms produce a sinuous border along the face of the greenhouse, supplying a light display that rustles in the end. “My clients live near The High Line in New York City and wanted that sort of meadowesque plant palette, nothing fussy,” Fierabend states.
The plantings also soften the geometry of the greenhouse and axial plan. The implanted border is a wonderful transition out into the greater meadow around the greenhouse. It features asters and echinacea, which relate to the wildflowers beyond.
Groundswell Design Group
The greenhouse is a great spot for enjoying sunsets. Fierabend chose weathered classic barn lighting throughout the greenhouse and put everything on dimmers for mood light at night. Fans and operable windows circulate the fresh air.
Groundswell Design Group
Fierabend also designed an intimate terrace between the primary house and the greenhouse. He is always eager to utilize reclaimed things in his projects; the terrace substance is made of recycled composite railroad ties.
Groundswell Design Group
Terraces navigate the grade changes between the primary house and the greenhouse, whilst gabion walls produce a boundary around the outdoor patio area. These were crafted by fierabend from minnow cages. Reclaimed Cor-Ten steel encircles succulent gardens, and a custom made firepit creates a toasty centre for chilly nights.
Watch other ways designers are using Cor-Ten steel at the landscape
Groundswell Design Group, LLC
Large boulders serve as measures from the new terrace to the greenhouse and relate to the stones in the gabion walls.
Groundswell Design Group
A massive terrace, open to both the living and dining sides, anchors the space. Together with radiant floor heating, it keeps the greenhouse warm and comfortable in winter.
The homeowners sponsor a party for about 150 people each year. “This year the subject was ‘Cocktails, Canapes and Campfires,'” Fierabend states. “The wife made the denim throw cushions from her garbage pile for the party,” he states. “Her occupation in vogue left her with a variety of fabrics which would amaze you; she’s heaps of Comme des Garçons fabrics lying about!” Stacks which are meticulously folded and coordinated, of course.
Groundswell Design Group
The space is so cozy at night, it is possible to see why the homeowners prefer to spend some time here constantly. “Everything has a place here, and nothing ever looks messy,” Fierabend states.
Groundswell Design Group
The owners have fallen so in love with their country home and greenhouse they changed their work and lifestyles so that they could spend over half their time.
More: Studio Option: A Kit Greenhouse Becomes a Creative Home Office