CHESHIRE BARN
One couple’s downsizing dream turned out to be a lot closer to home than they expected
SUE MANSFIELD AND HER HUSBAND, DAVID, WERE LOOKING TO DOWNSIZE. THEY NEVER THOUGHT THEIR DREAM HOME COULD BE RIGHT ON THEIR DOORSTEP...
Sue and David Mansfield’s dream home turned out to be quite literally under their noses. They lived in a country house that had been the perfect place in which to raise their two daughters, Nicky and Kate. In addition it had an old barn in the grounds that was used for storage. But once Nicky and Kate flew the nest,
Sue and David started to think about downsizing and building their own place in a field they owned adjacent to the property.
The couple went to a home improvement exhibition for advice, and this was where they met architect Mark Percival of Architecture:m. He created a design of a sustainable house complete with a green roof, but planners said it wasn’t innovative enough. ‘Instead they asked if we had any redundant buildings, to which we thought of our barn,’ says Sue. ‘And so we asked Mark to come up with a design that converted and extended the building into an eco-friendly house, and it was passed.’
With their architect on board, the Mansfields then employed builder Rick Fernyhough from RJF Building. ‘He was absolutely amazing,’ says Sue. ‘He would look at pictures I had found on Pinterest and loved a challenge trying to recreate them.’
Even though the main structure of the property is the same and Sue and David kept the old footprint, the barn was virtually rebuilt. One of the conditions of planning permission, though, was that the original walls at the back had to be retained. ‘We were, however, allowed to replace some of the windows and doors downstairs – we eventually decided on Clement glazed metal
doors throughout the ground floor, but for the back of the barn, it had to look as it had always done,’ says Sue.
One of Sue’s key requirements for the interior was that it needed to be light and open. Fortunately the barn is south facing, and it was extended at the front to incorporate large windows to ensure that light floods in. A courtyard was also built at the entrance to make it feel even more spacious. ‘The planners wanted the extension to look quite different from the existing building, which is why the front of the barn has a contemporary feel with lots of glazing,’ says Sue. ‘We also wanted to be able to see through the house from front to back.’
The roof of the barn needed replacing, which provided the opportunity to install Velux windows that allow in extra light, while black timber cladding covers the exterior of the extension. Ingeniously, two cupboards have been built into the end walls at the front of the building to conceal a barbecue and freezer.
As an eco-friendly design was required by the planners, the house is heated by a ground-source heat pump, with underfloor heating downstairs and cast-iron radiators upstairs. Solar PV panels, which are fitted on the garage roof, provide electricity and there is a Tesla Powerwall to store electricity. In addition, the floors, walls and ceilings of the house are extremely well insulated, resulting in minimal running costs.
Introducing character was another important factor to Sue. Mark suggested building a mezzanine upstairs, while Sue
was keen to incorporate barn doors leading to the upstairs bedrooms. Rick made exposed beams that he fitted in the bedrooms to create dramatic vaulted ceilings. ‘There’s not a screw anywhere – it’s all done with wooden pegs,’ says Sue.
‘We wanted it to have charm and didn’t want it to be ordinary.’
The kitchen definitely has the wow factor with its soft black units and backdrop of exposed brick. The wall is the original outside wall, which had been painted white for 200 years. The couple had it sandblasted to restore it to its original state. Sue was keen to create an industrial feel in this space. ‘Things we’ve bought over the years have had a leaning towards this style, so we decided on a simple Shaker design. Rick has the first Tom Howley kitchen that was painted black and he took us to his house to see it. It certainly swayed our opinion, so we chose the same design and shade.’ The open-plan living area continues this rustic theme with dark grey mid-century-style sofas.
All in all the work took a year. Sue and David lived in their family home while the renovation was carried out and then sold it before they moved into the barn. ‘We are so thankful that we have been able to downsize into this great space where we can spend quality time with our family, friends and neighbours.
It’s certainly the best thing we have ever done and we wouldn’t change anything. Everything in this house is practical, and it’s a relaxed place that’s easy to maintain.’