‘Inside, It Was A Seventies Disaster'

Sarah Allchorn bought a barn with bags of character on the outside but a chronically dated interior, and gave it a radical rethink

- Sarah Allchorn

Finding a barn in need of renovation in Oxfordshire is a rare opportunity, as most have already been converted, but to find two was a dream come true for Sarah Allchorn. ‘I was already living and running my design business, Style Infusion, in the area, having bought and renovated a Cotswold stone cottage in a village 10 minutes away. I was now looking for a house that also had a separate building large enough for my studio.

‘Fortunately, I saw a barn for sale with an adjacent smaller barn included in the price. Both were ideal for transformation into a new home and work space.’

The main barn had been converted into a house in the Seventies and was in need of complete refurbishment. The smaller barn could become a comfortable studio with some work. ‘Both buildings had a character on the outside, but inside it was a disaster! Timber purlins and beams had been removed in the main barn, in favor of Seventies cornicing and twee fireplaces. It was habitable, but the tatty kitchen, multicolored carpets, peach floral wallpaper, and ancient bathroom became unbearable! Once the small barn had been refurbished to create a studio, office, bedroom and en-suite shower room, I moved into it while the main barn was done.’

The first step was securing planning permission for a timber-framed extension. ‘I wanted to gain as much space and natural light as possible, which meant taking the interior back to a shell and extending,’ says Sarah.