GLOUCESTERSHIRE BARN CONVERSION
This Christmas, the Barnes family are welcoming guests to their 18th-century Grade Ii-listed barn conversion, set in 500 acres of stunning Cotswold countryside
This beautiful 18th-century home is the most magical place to spend Christmas
Exterior The large arched picture window allows light to flood into the dining area. Windows, bespoke by George Barnsdale; painted in Pigeon Green, Farrow & Ball
Dining room The giant windows can be flung open after dining, giving the garden a connection to the house. Live edge bespoke dining table, similar at Rough Living. Hans Wegner wishbone chairs in natural ash with black seat, Where Saints Go. Paper decorations, votives, candles, glass candlesticks, and lanterns on table, all Pipii
Kitchen The ceiling battens were left exposed to enhance the rustic feel. Marlborough terracotta parquet tiles, Artisans of Devizes. Rattan stools; sheepskin seat pad in Ivory, all Cox & Cox. Aged brass rise and fall lights, The French House. Votives and lanterns, Pipii. Chocolates, Bettys. Metal tea tin, Lakeland
❝ I STILL WALK IN AND THINK WE’VE CREATED THE MOST WONDERFUL PLACE. EVERY SINGLE PIECE IS JUST AS I’D WANT IT IN MY DREAM HOME❞
This Christmas marks a turning point as Jo Barnes and her family welcome their first guests to celebrate the festive season at Anthology Farm, a pair of Grade Ii-listed barns in the Cotswolds.
It hasn’t been an easy journey to get here. In 2016, after a decade of uncertainty, the family farm in Staffordshire was compulsory purchased to make way for HS2. For Jo’s father-in-law, John, it was particularly emotional as his family had farmed there since 1921.
‘It was a difficult time,’ says Jo. ‘Not only had we lost the farm, but my mother-in-law Rosemary and I had to close our businesses, a farm shop and wedding venue, and start again.’
Fortunately, a farm came up 70 miles down the road in Gloucestershire and the family jumped at it. ‘We could see the potential immediately,’ says Jo. ‘Farms have to diversify these days to survive. The land was perfect for John and my husband Henry to farm and we knew the barns would make a fantastic holiday let.’
Anthology Farm is comprised of two barns, set in an L-shape.
The previous owners had used them as office space and the buildings were full of small meeting rooms, long corridors and dark wood partitions. They opted to move the huge staircase in the middle of the main, bigger barn. Replacing it with a simpler one, set discreetly to the side, opened up a dramatic, doubleheight space that became the dining room.
The huge, arched picture window at the back was updated and double-glazed, and most of the windows were changed to suit the heritage style of the barns.
‘We were really keen to expose some of the brickwork. It’s lovely, honey-coloured local stone from the Doddles Hill mines opposite the farm and we felt it would add real character to the property,’ says Rosemary. ‘Even though it’s a huge space, the light bounces off the walls and makes it feel really cosy.’
The family decided to engage an architect, as well as interior design company Run for the Hills (runforthehills.com), to work on the project. ‘As soon as I saw the barns, I knew I wanted to be part of this project,’ says Run for the Hills founder Anna Burles. ‘Jo did the right thing bringing us on board at the beginning, as we could ensure the architectural design also worked for the interior design. It succeeded because everyone collaborated so well together.’
The family knew they wanted the interiors of the barns to be neutral and monochromatic, but they also briefed Anna to add some eclecticism. ‘We deliberately gave every bedroom and bathroom its own personality,’ says Jo. ‘We wanted them to be cosy, stylish and comfortable, but not too fussy.’
Jo and Henry stayed in the main barn last New Year with their daughters. ‘The children thought it was magical,’ says Jo. ‘I particularly love gazing out of the picture window in the dining room over the Cotswolds. It’s an amazing view, especially when tinged with a little Christmas frost. We love the place so much; it’s got everything my dream home would have.’
Anthology Farm is available to rent through Unique Home Stays, uniquehomestays.com
Living room A neutral colour scheme and abundance of natural textures maintains the essence of the barn. Bamboo pendant light, Design Vintage. Bentley coffee table with removable trays, DI Designs. Sofa and chairs, Isla range, sofa.com. Cushions, H&M. Floral cut-out zinc tealight holders, Pipii. Moss stitch throw in Forest Green, Nkuku
Dining room
A mix of styles, from the industrial mirror to the opulent chandelier, add eclectic charm. specially commissioned, Croft Design Studio. Beaded chandelier, similar at The Forest & Co. Dark wood Jacobean sideboard, belonged to Rosemary’s grandmother, similar ebay Living room
Jo was keen to keep the arrow-slit ventilation windows that would originally have allowed just enough air into the barn to dry the grain stored there. H&M. Glass (on wooden plinth), Lakeland
Bedroom
The beams were stripped back and lightened by Back from Black. Vintage Dutch similar at Vinterior. Floral Sandberg Nippon Wallpaper Collection, Pine Green, Wallpaper Direct Bathroom
Neutrals are offset by Moroccan-style flooring. Oakham black pattern
Walls and Floors. Millbrook roll-top bath, The Cast Iron Bath Company; painted in Elephant’s Breath, Farrow & Ball. Moroccan Nola Nkuku Bedroom
Jo brought the scheme to life with a touch of colour. Blue Isaac fringed Sweetpea & Willow. Gold bark star all Pipii. Morri Nkuku
Bedroom Exposing the roof structure created an airy, open feel and adds the wow factor. Antique Hadschlu Old Gold Woven. Beaded Lisbeth similar at Graham and Green
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