Classical Conservatories: A Client’s Conservatory Story

When you look back on your portfolio, what are some of your most memorable projects?

There have been several amazing memories that have come from projects at Tanglewood over the last 25 years, but for one family, the creation of their long-awaited CONSERVATORY was a memorable experience.

We were contacted about this CLASSICALLY INSPIRED CONSERVATORY project by their architect Bill Bertsche from Mercer & Bertsche Architecture & Engineering. From a historic town in New England, the family envisioned a unique structure with a NATURAL INTERIOR crafted after an old room at The Cloisters in Sea Island. After just a few meetings, we could see this project bring out the family’s passion; based on OLD WOODWORKING TRADITIONS, we knew that with our years of EXPERIENCE and KNOWLEDGE of these designs we could help the team incorporate these ideas in the design of their dream conservatory.

About halfway through designing the conservatory, the family had purchased a stunning chandelier from Italy. We will never forget when they told us the chandelier had come in pieces! They emailed us after it was assembled and said, “Took four of us six hours to put up!”, but it was worth it; it turned out to be a masterpiece of its own. When they were finally able to hang the chandelier in the conservatory, the family decided to add STAINED GLASS around the exterior to incorporate the chandelier’s elegant design and color. The marriage of these two turned out beautifully.

It was great having the family so deeply involved in the details of the project and together, we created a conservatory made of painted SAPELE and stained natural SINKER CYPRESS with complimenting custom STAINED GLASS, CUPOLA, fireplace, and more. We partnered greatly with the family, architect, and contractor and are glad we could bring such FLEXIBILITY in DESIGN to their vision. What really made this project special were the relationships formed and watching as this stunning conservatory molded into their dream. After talking with the family when installation was complete, it filled our hearts when they told us it is the BEST ROOM IN THEIR HOME!

We look forward to all the new memories 2021 has to bring; maybe the next memory you make is with us!