LIVING THE DREAM

Alison and Russ Mabon relished the challenge of converting a run-down barn into the house they always wanted

- ALEXANDRA PRATT

EXTERIOR

The couple chose heat-treated poplar for the exterior cladding and created a covered patio that can be used all year thanks to the fire. Cladding, price on request, Vastern Timber. Patio flagstones, £19sq m, Markstone Granite

HOME TRUTHS

THE PROPERTY Detached home converted from an agricultural building

LOCATION Devon

ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen-dining room/snug, games room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (all en suite).

PURCHASED Land was purchased in 2006

PREVIOUS HOME ‘We lived in a farmhouse,’ says Alison.

KITCHEN-DINING ROOM/SNUG

A woodburner zones the open-plan space. Stûv woodburner, £7,500, The Fireplace Company. Island bar stools, £120 each, Casa

KITCHEN

Open, double-height spaces can be echoey so wool rugs and special sound-absorbing wood panels (left) were used. Kitchen, price on request, McCarron & Co. Worktops, from £240m, Markstone Granite

MAIN BEDROOM

The couple’s love of design details can be seen in the unusual headboard, crafted from walnut batons by a carpenter to Alison and Russ’ design. For a similar chair, try Cavendish leather armchair in Vintage Cigar, £729, Barker and Stonehouse. Walls in De Nimes estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

SITTING ROOM