CELEBRATING WITH HISTORY

An old barn in the Cotswolds has been transformed into a unique and beautiful home with the help of interior designer Pippa Paton

The interior of the old hay barn at Bibury Farm is so luxurious and comfortable that it's hard to believe it was once a much-used part of a working farm. But upon closer inspection, hints of its previous life can be seen the soaring spaces where hay for the farm's livestock was once stored; the huge doors that allowed access into the building; the great beams where tools and equipment would once have hung.

The farm had been in George Phillips' family for generations, but he and his wife Polly felt that a handful of the buildings needed a new function. Tucked away from the main farm, five of these – the old hay barn, plus a bullpen, a grain store, a cart shed and stables became the objects of the couple's devoted renovation. Due to larger farm machinery and the need for bigger grain stores, these buildings were no longer fit for purpose,' says Polly. We realised that turning them into residential properties would give them a new lease of life.'

George and Polly were passionate about preserving the character of the buildings and enlisted the help of interior designer Pippa Paton, who has received wide acclaim for her sympathetic Cotswolds renovations. Td planned to do the interior design myself, but during a trip to a flooring shop it became clear I didn't have the expertise. In addition to which, I fell pregnant,' says Polly. Pippa had an amazing portfolio so she was the obvious choice.'