THE GREAT ESCAPE In an enviable rural coastal location, this barn-style contemporary home is designed to blend in beautifully with its surroundings
This rural coastal home offers spectacular views – and a soothing retreat from everyday life
Picture a place where you can stroll along a secluded stretch of beach, picnic in a wildflower meadow and bike ride down windy country lanes.
This idyllic spot was discovered during a weekend away in the south of England by a couple who were in search of a house by the sea. A tumbledown neoclassic orangery was already situated in the grounds but, as it was unsuitable for refurbishment, the pair enlisted Wendy Perring, owner of award-winning architects Pad Studio, to replace it with a barn-style contemporary home.
The brief was to design a low-energy dwelling, taking inspiration from local agricultural buildings and ultimately, reimagining the traditional-style barn. Sustainability was at the forefront of the design, not only for the architects, but also for the couple, who wanted their new home to embrace its beautiful surroundings yet create minimal impact on the landscape.
A mix of willowy grasses and tall-stemmed purple verbena was planted to soften the lines of the barn, which features two types of timber. Douglas fir planks jut out on the exterior, blending in with the nearby Monterey pines, while salvaged boards used on the remaining exterior bring a weathered look.
Despite a lengthy planning application process and a brand-new construction, which took a year to complete, the family and their friends were eventually enjoying the barn. In just over a year, the dwelling had already become embedded within its coastal setting which, according to Wendy Perring, was aided by the patina of the recycled timber cladding. ‘Its low-lying humble form, earthy natural materials and sensitive relationship to the landscape also help to blur the boundaries between inside and out,’ she explains.
Step inside and the decor tells a different story to the property’s rustic exterior. Sculptural linen pendants hang from high vaulted ceilings like a series of art installations and set a tone of timeless elegance. In the spacious living area, the meadow and glimpses of the sea can be viewed from the frameless picture windows, bringing the tranquillity and beauty of the exterior into the barn. Although its footprint is compact, the property was designed to be open plan, maximising space and allowing the interior to be flooded with light and texture, with vast sliding glass doors encouraging a fluid insideoutside connection. ‘The covered veranda forms an outdoor room that increases the sense of space indoors and prevents alfresco dining being dampened by our British climate,’ explains Wendy.
Interior designer Willie Nickerson was commissioned by the couple to work his magic on the look of their home. He chose a pared-back
feel to keep the emphasis on the scenery, with organic textures and fresh leafy-green hues to echo the foliage, while introducing a touch of soft pink to complement the scheme. Willie and the homeowners sourced vintage finds and antique pieces, which has resulted in a charming mix of old and new. ‘We also worked with the architects to give the house a personality of its own and the fresh and modern styling has been warmed up with a selection of rugs and paintings,’ explains Willie. ‘Hopefully the handprint of the interior designer is rather faint!’
The architects were keen to create a relaxing space and draw the new-build property even closer to nature. To achieve this, wood – in its various species, finishes and textures – features throughout, with pale timber flooring, wire-brushed cabinetry and wooden tables and chairs. ‘We crafted a natural material palette as a backdrop for the owners’ own elegant furnishings, artefacts and artwork, all of which echoes their fun-loving quirky characters,’ says Wendy.
It was important to the couple that the layout of the barn should be functional and offer ample room for entertaining. Starting in the hall, the space flows via the kitchen and seating area through to the dining table, which is at the far end. Located next to the woodburner, in this cosy and inviting corner, is a full-height internal chimney. This is built from bricks made from local pale clay – a textural design feature that is repeated at the front entrance and around the exterior.
The kitchen, which is the central focus of the ground-floor area, showcases industrial element, such as polished-concrete worktops and an integrated sink poured in situ, contrasted with custom-made rustic wire-brushed oak cabinetry. Thanks to its open-plan design, whoever
The INTERIOR features a palette of NATURAL materials
The brief was to re-imagine the TRADITIONAL-STYLE barn
is preparing food can chat to guests seated in the living area – and even keep one eye on the boats sailing by in the distance.
Imposing doors crafted from oak lead onto the entrance hall from both the front and back of the house. A large Douglas fir plank has been fashioned as a long bench, while a high shelf is useful for storing sun hats and blankets, kept handy for hot days and chilly evenings on the veranda. A corridor connects the entrance hall and central living space to two ground-floor bedrooms, which are both decorated in a calming coastal style. Whitewashed cladding, reminiscent of a beach hut, is carried through from the front entrance and along the corridor to the walls of the main bedroom, where it’s accented with soft greens and aqua tones. Simple curtains frame the generous picture windows in both bedrooms, allowing the view to be the star of the show.
Alongside the sophisticated decor, the couple’s sense of humour is apparent in the shape of a full-size fireman’s pole placed by the front door. Adding a playful touch to the living space, it draws the eye up to the mezzanine children’s zone – a spacious loft complete with five beds. In this sleepover den, the couple’s three children and friends can climb up a miniature paddle staircase at bedtime, and exit in the morning by whizzing down the fireman’s pole!
This truly is a house that everyone can enjoy. Whatever the season or the weather, the family and their guests can make the most of the beautiful surrounding countryside – taking in the panoramic views with a drink on the terrace, or snuggled up indoors.