Contemporary twist: a barn home for modern life

UF: Please tell me about the style of your home and your ideas for the project.
AP: The barn was previously a corrugated concrete building used for storing hay bales. Our vision was to create a modern interpretation of the brick barn including traditional features such as an open floor plan, slate roofing, wooden shutters, over-sized windows and… the door! We worked with architect Denise Harley to create the perfect family home for me, my husband and our children aged 8 and 10 years.

UF: What was your vision for the entrance? 
AP: The entrance is the first impression of our home so we wanted to make it as welcoming and in keeping with the barn look as possible and I think we've achieved that. We love how the beautiful roughness of the reclaimed wood of the door juxtaposes with the crispness of the architectural glazed wall.

UF: What did your architect bring to the project?  
AP: We went to Denise with a vision, which she interpreted and turned into reality. At our first session she wanted to know everything, even where the sun set and rose. She suggested turning the barn 90 degrees, which maximised the amount of light and warmth in the house. She listened to the way we lived and relaxed. As well as her design skills, Denise brought her knowledge of all aspects of the building process, which ensured the project ran smoothly.

UF: What did you want to achieve with the renovation?
AP: We wanted to create that “Ah!” feeling as soon as you walk through the door – instantly relaxed. We hope our house feels like a home to anyone who walks in. We had a dream of creating a unique home which was tailored to our needs and lifestyle.

UF: Why did you choose Urban Front’s dual Barn door?
As soon as I saw the Barn door, I fell in love – nothing else came close. It was exactly what we wanted and in keeping with the aesthetics of our house. It was a natural choice and goes so well with the external cladding/shutters. It’s unbelievable how many people have commented on our door! We chose RAL quartz grey 7039 for the internal side of the door. It’s a grey with green and brown tones, which complements the wood and matches our frames.

UF: What are your thoughts on the door now that it’s fitted?
AP: I can’t get over how happy it makes me.  Every time I pull onto my drive, it’s the first thing I see… and I smile. 

UF: What colour palette have you chosen for the inside of your home?
AP: I wanted to create a calm and welcoming vibe. The colour pallet comprises of neutral tones with darker accents. The walls are different tones of cream and earthy colours, which change depending on where the sun is located. The house has lots of natural wood and textures throughout to keep the rustic feel of a farm building.

UF: What’s your favourite part of your home? 
AP: We’re over the moon with how the whole house has come together. There’s not one particular part I love though – it’s about the way our home makes me feel, from walking through the barn door to our open plan kitchen diner and looking over the fields, which wrap around the house.