Client testimonial: Victorian orangery perfect for family entertaining

From time to time, we ask our customers to write for our blog. Here’s Mrs Q on how an orangery has enhanced her Victorian family home.

When we moved into our current property we already had plans to renovate. Our previous house was fitted with a conservatory which was used on a daily basis and was integral to our family life and social dynamic. As a result, it was always part of the plan to install a glazed extension when we moved to the house we live in today; our home just wouldn’t feel complete without it.

Victorian style

Built in the Victorian era, our property is much older and larger than our previous house, therefore, we wanted a glazed extension that was in keeping with the style, age, and size of the building. We decided an orangery would be the best solution; a part-brick exterior and elegant roof lantern would provide a sense of scale, forming a statement feature in its own right while complementing the existing structure.

When we contacted Westbury, the design team came to visit us in our home and talked us through the process. Their level of expertise and customer service was both refreshing and encouraging, so after narrowing our options down to just a handful of suppliers, we went with our gut feeling and selected Westbury for the job.

Introducing a sense of flow

The property benefits from five acres of outdoor space which we had professionally landscaped. The downstairs layout includes a very large kitchen diner and an equally spacious living room, however, views of the garden are rather limited. The orangery has provided a glazed sanctuary in which we can unwind while enjoying stunning views of our outdoor surroundings, and we can now walk round the entire downstairs in one continuous loop, bringing a wonderful sense of flow to the property.

Perfect for entertaining

We installed underfloor heating in the orangery so that we could enjoy the space throughout the year. However, the way in which the orangery is positioned means that, whilst it enjoys an abundance of natural daylight, it is not stifled by too much direct exposure and therefore maintains a pleasing temperature all year round.

Our interior choices were guided by the designers at OKA. The company has supplied some of the furniture in other areas of the house and so, whilst we decided a slightly brighter theme would be better suited to the glazed, sunny environment in the orangery, the furnishings beautifully complement the interior design of the rest of the downstairs property, enabling us to continue the theme of light and space.

Our orangery is truly a multifunctional zone. We often dine in there whilst looking out onto the garden, and it’s the perfect place for entertaining. As it is situated between the lounge and the kitchen, when hosting larger gatherings we can simply open up the two sets of double doors enabling guests to move freely between the rooms.

Notable features

As the project progressed, we decided to keep one of the property’s original sash windows that now sits on an internal wall within the orangery. This has created a charming feature, and a subtle homage to the building’s history. It also enables the study behind it to capitalise on the ample natural light that floods the orangery.

I am particularly fond of the double doors installed by Westbury. Both the external French Doors and those leading into other areas of the house are heavy and well-crafted, reflecting the style and charm of the property itself.

Read the full case study on Mrs. Q’s Victorian orangery project here.