HAPPY PLACE

It took time and patience before Natasha Miller was able to transform her family home into the tranquil retreat she had longed for, with a gentle scheme and sensitive improvements

- SHARON PARSONS

Natasha Miller admits, 'My home really is my sanctuary,' and it's not difficult to see why. This mellow Kentish barn, nestled in the North Downs, is a calm, cohesive, light-filled space which feels effortlessly stylish. But there's more to it than that. Natasha has a degenerative eye condition which means her sight is severely impaired. I have no peripheral vision, which can make everyday life a bit challenging,' she explains. 'So coming home to a place where I always feel relaxed and safe has become increasingly important."

The barn has been home for Natasha, husband Alan and their three children since 2007, but it's only in recent years that she has been able to indulge her passion for interiors. 'When we moved here from a Victorian house in Ashford all those years ago, it ticked everything on our wishlist. We wanted a characterful home in the country which was big enough for all of us, and close to good schools and amenities. This was perfect for us.'

The couple were, however, resigned to a long wait before they could make substantial changes. Busy family life ate into both our time and our budget,' she recalls. 'We simply lived with everything we already had, and it wasn't until our brood began to fly the nest that we had the opportunity to reimagine it all.'