The house had great character and bags of potential, but the layout was confused. Previous renovations had left the space feeling fragmented and dark. We needed to undo the damage and give this large family some actual breathing room.
We found a stunning vaulted roof hiding above a false ceiling. The first job was to rip that down. By knocking out the partition walls, we turned a gloomy corridor into a light-filled space.
Nobody likes being stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun. We built a banquette seat right into the island so the cook stays part of the conversation.
Every grown-up kitchen needs a party trick. This wet bar has bi-fold doors that slide away for evening drinks, then close up to hide the mess in time for Sunday brunch.
Proof that you don’t always need to extend. By simply understanding the architecture, we revealed the sociable heart of the home.
The room didn’t actually start out this way. It originally felt quite restricted and disconnected from the buildings potential. Our first major move was taking down an internal wall to open up the floor plan and reveal the full height of the vaulted ceiling. By removing that physical barrier, we gave the kitchen the breathing room it deserved, allowing us to anchor the space with substantial cabinetry that matches the extraordinary volume of the barn.
In a barn of this size, the island acts as the bridge between the professional cooking area and the family’s living space. We designed it to be the room’s commanding centrepiece, but we added a softer, more intimate layer by fitting a custom banquette seat directly into the island’s reverse side. This allows the family to dine or relax right in the heart of the kitchen. Even with the soaring vaulted ceilings, the room feels like a cozy, sanctuary where the cook is never isolated from the conversation.
The secret is in the layering of natural materials. We paired soft, neutral cabinetry with textured stone surfaces and warm timber accents inside the cupboards. By keeping the palette light and airy, we were able to highlight the barn’s original character while making sure the kitchen feels warm and inviting rather than cold and cavernous.
Every great entertaining space needs a ‘party trick’. We included a handcrafted wet bar with bi-fold doors that slide away for evening hosting. It allows the family to transition from ‘daily life’ to ‘cocktail hour’ instantly, keeping the glassware and bottles organised and elegant without cluttering the main workspace.
More than just practical, the drinks cabinet becomes a natural gathering point – inviting guests to linger, help themselves, and feel part of the moment, encouraging a relaxed, sociable flow where the kitchen is as much about connection as it is about function.
Minimalism in a barn only works if you have clever storage. We focused on deep drawers and bespoke larder units, including a ‘breakfast cabinet’ that hides the toaster and coffee machine away. This ensures that even in a large, light-filled room, the visual clutter is kept to a minimum, allowing the architecture of the building to really shine.
Schedule a free consultation with our team to begin your own home design project.
Over 300 pages of design inspiration
