OPPOSITES ATTRACT
Mid-century classics and urban industrial fittings give Rebecca Herman’s renovated period barn an unexpected contemporary twist
The clever renovation of the barn at the rear of a period semi near York brought an unexpected contemporary twist to this family home
Rebecca Herman credits her passion for design to growing up in the 1960s and 70s with parents who experimented with adventurous interiors. ‘As a child, I was very aware of their love of interiors and belief that your home should be filled with beautiful and meaningful objects,’ she says. ‘The time they spent at auction houses, with me and my sister, encouraged us to develop our own style and to see the value of antique furniture.’
An obsession for seeking out old and interesting pieces began in earnest when Rebecca inherited a 1960s lamp and coffee table from her parents for her first flat in London. Since then, she has continued to mix eclectic finds with family heirlooms. So, when Rebecca and her husband, Dan – who have a son Peter, now 12 – stumbled upon this period semi outside York 13 years ago, they knew filling the
rooms wasn’t going to be an issue – it was the renovation work it needed that was daunting. ‘Our experience only stretched to fitting new kitchens and bathrooms, so we were apprehensive about taking it on,’ says Rebecca. Despite the property’s drawbacks, the couple were swayed by its peaceful ambience and potential, having eyed up the derelict barn in the garden. ‘It had no roof and needed rebuilding but we could see that it would be a great way to extend the house and add a contemporary surprise at the rear of a period property.’
Within a few months of moving in, work began on the front portion of the house, introducing central heating, reinstating sash windows and moving the bathroom upstairs. The kitchen was renovated a year later, and finally the barn was rebuilt six years after they moved in, which gave the couple plenty of time to research and
favourite feature ‘I love the contrast between the new barn and period rooms at the front, which always prompts gasps of astonishment from guests’
plan what they wanted. ‘I loved the idea of having an industrial, urban living space behind the cosy traditional rooms,’ says Rebecca.
With such a vast space to play with, Rebecca sourced shapely mid-century chairs to create intimacy and define the separate seating areas, while also softening the crisp white walls and cool, tiled floor. ‘Converting the barn was a great excuse to introduce another era of furniture to the house – bold retro pieces really complement the rustic aesthetic,’ she says. Rebecca has cleverly eased the transition from the barn to the original house by teaming the G-plan dining furniture with a striking contemporary cluster light. ‘Displaying these pieces together sums up my interior style,’ says Rebecca, whose design takes another twist and turn upstairs, where opulent colours and textures are teamed with an antique brass bed to bring a distinctly traditional feel to the master bedroom.
‘The house has a certain calmness and tranquillity about it, and recently I’ve introduced more houseplants, particularly in the bathroom, which has ramped up the serenity factor,’ explains Rebecca. These thoughtful backdrops of earthy colours are the key to the success of her mix of furnishings from across the eras, as they masterfully tie each scheme together with harmony and balance.
‘Sadly, we don’t have space for any more furniture but I do like buying ceramics and paintings to update our spaces,’ says Rebecca. ‘My sister is also a great vintage hunter and we regularly swap pieces. A love for old things definitely runs in the family.’