Seeing Green

PHOTO COURTESY OF CONSERVATORY CRAFTSMEN
Spectacular, climate-controlled private botanical gardens in Tucson, Arizona.

As home design shifts toward personalized sanctuaries—think fitness studios, creative workshops, or collectors’ garages—greenhouses and conservatories are having a moment. They give plant lovers a beautiful, functional space to curate their collections year-round while doubling as an unexpected venue for quiet mornings, weekend hobbies, or intimate entertaining.

The team at Conservatory Craftsmen in Minneapolis, Minnesota, specializes in the design and construction of garden rooms, greenhouses, conservatories, and orangeries, adding sun-welcoming, temperature-controlled spaces to clients’ properties. More than simple see-through glass rooms, these sophisticated custom builds feature multiple design elements that afford a fresh connection to nature for their clientele.

“There are unifying factors for anyone who chooses to invest in one of their tailor-made structures,” says Evan Cohoe, vice president of sales and marketing. “Our clients want a light-filled space so that they can extend a growing season to enjoy their lush tropical plants,” she explains.  “And just being in a space filled with plants is the common thread with our clients. Every client is a plant person.” 

The company, which currently has a waitlist of approximately one year, begins new conversations with potential customers by learning about their goals, property composition, and budget. From there, they facilitate a custom design and tailor the look to client preferences. Cohoe says they are always mindful of building a space that connects thoughtfully to the existing structure, whether in historic, traditional, or modern style.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CONVSERVATORY CRAFTSMEN
A beautiful conservatory linkway in Greenwich, Connecticut, showcases both historical appreciation and modern innovation.

Cohoe and the team at Conservatory Craftsmen pride themselves on delivering creative solutions that make every project feel unique, inviting, and fully functional for the homeowner’s needs. For one current project in a historic home on the Delaware River in New Jersey, Cohoe says it was critical to preserve the house’s architecture and history, but they’re working to open up its closed-in, dim breakfast room. For this project, only a nontraditional roof will do—one that visually fits the era of that house. Cohoe says the new light-filled space will extend the dining area and become an inviting place to gather with friends—surrounded by plants and with views of the river.

One fascinating project in the Conservatory Craftsmen portfolio is located in Greenwich, Connecticut, and features a bespoke conservatory linkway that connects sections of a historic house. For Cohoe and the team, this pale green wood-and-glass structure required consideration of the property’s age as well as the mindful integration of modern utilities to create an efficient yet beautiful space for gathering. The conservatory was part of a very extensive renovation and, like many of their projects, involved architects, designers, landscapers, and engineers to bring it to life.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CONVSERVATORY CRAFTSMEN
An English-inspired design for a private urban home in Indianapolis.

Managing temperature and humidity in conservatories and garden rooms is essential for both the plants’ health and the overall home environment, so these rooms are usually heated and cooled independently and separated by French doors or folding walls, Cohoe says.  Depending on seasonal demands, her team considers an expansive array of automated cooling and heating options, from adding mini-split units to installing more involved mechanical systems, to ensure the space remains consistently comfortable for plants and people in any season.

It’s good to keep in mind that a conservatory or greenhouse doesn’t have to be grand to feel extraordinary. Even a compact space filled with lush plants can become a welcome refuge from everyday life—a place to nurture seedlings, savor quiet moments, and stay connected to the natural world all year long.