THE OWEN’S GREENHOUSE project is a personal environment art project inspired by the warm, mystical atmosphere of the Practical Magic books, written by Alice Hoffman and the 1998 film of the same name. Rather than recreating the film exactly, I used my own interpretation of the books description of the greenhouse with the films visual aesthetics and my own decorative tastes to explore the emotional and visual language of the Owen’s world. Sunlit glass, overgrown botanicals, candles, smoke and a spell of rose petals, lavender, and love.

The Owen’s Greenhouse

Interior view of a greenhouse or garden room with wooden shelves filled with potted plants and flowers hanging from the ceiling, and various gardening supplies on the tables.
A greenhouse with plants and flowers on wooden shelves and glass panels overhead.
Indoor scene with a table decorated with candles and green foliage, with a background of a wooden shelf filled with potted plants and framed pictures.
A rustic wooden table decorated with candles, plants, vintage jars, and papers, creating a cozy, vintage-inspired scene.
A cozy indoor space with a glass greenhouse wall filled with green plants, pink flowers, books, and various decorative items, illuminated by sunlight.
A glass greenhouse filled with various potted plants, flowers, gardening supplies, and sunlight streaming through the windows.
Interior of a greenhouse with various potted plants, a glass door, and wooden shelving, with pink flower petals scattered on the floor.
View of an indoor greenhouse with large potted plants, a wooden shelf, and sunlight coming through glass walls and ceiling.
Interior view looking up through a glass ceiling with wooden framing, surrounded by greenery and potted plants, including a copper watering can on the right side.
A dark image showing a cozy indoor setting with plants, lit candles, and some wrapped gifts or decorations on a table.
The image features a rustic wooden porch with potted plants, candles, and a decorative table, with a view through latticework panels, suggesting a cozy outdoor space.
Dimly lit indoor space with wooden shelves, potted plants, and candles, creating a cozy atmosphere.
A greenhouse or garden shed filled with plants, flowering and potted, and gardening supplies, with a small sink and a candle on a table.
Indoor space with plants, candles, and shelving, dimly lit with warm ambiance, possibly a cafe or restaurant.
Interior of a greenhouse or botanical space with wooden and metal structures, lush hanging and potted plants, and natural light filtering through glass panels.

DEVELOPMENT

The abundance and clutter of the greenhouse was inspired by working a spring at a garden center. Lush plants crowding dusty terracotta pots, hanging vines clinging to beams and pressing against glass, and chipped wooden tables scattered with dirt. Most of the plants, with the exception of the “bell flower tree” were inspired by real plants available at the garden center, using close up pictures of the leaves and their shapes as inspiration.

Beyond the garden center, the use of archival art from “The Met’s” Public Domain Archive helped lend a natural crafty feel to the details of the space. Within the greenhouse public domain art is used on:

Wine bottles 1 & 2: "A witch carrying a child on her broom" (1880-1910) & "A woman dancing with a cat in a suit" (1880-1910) by Jose Guadalupe Posada (Edited, Met Public Domain)

Soil Bags 1, 2 & 3: “Book of Flower Studies" (1510-1515) by Master of Claude de France” (Edited, Met Public Domain)

Jasmine Wallpaper: “Jasmine” (1872) by William Morris (Edited, Met Public Domain)

Prop and Texture Flat Lay, Wine bottles feature "A witch carrying a child on her broom" (1880-1910) & "A woman dancing with a cat in a suit" (1880-1910) by Jose Guadalupe Posada, Soil bags feature "Book of Flower Studies" (1510-1515) by Master of Cla

Prop and Texture Flat Lay, Wine bottles feature "A witch carrying a child on her broom" (1880-1910) & "A woman dancing with a cat in a suit" (1880-1910) by Jose Guadalupe Posada, Soil bags feature "Book of Flower Studies" (1510-1515) by Master of Claude de France (Edited, Met Public Domain)

Prop and Texture Flat Lay

Prop and Texture Flat Lay

Plant Flat Lays & Tiled wallpaper "Jasmine" by William Morris 1872 (Edited, Met Public Domain)

Plant Flat Lays & Tiled wallpaper "Jasmine" by William Morris 1872 (Edited, Met Public Domain)