Beautiful converted barn now for sale

Eastfield Barn, Fishlake £1.25m www.fineandcountry.com/uk/bawtry

Successfully converting barns into dwellings that reserve the original character of the agricultural building is not an easy task.

The most common mistake is made in carving up the vast open space into too many rooms, losing the original feeling of height and space and covering period features

John and Rowy Buitekant were mindful of this when they renovated an existing conversion and converted an adjoining derelict section of barn to create one large property. Their thoughtful design resulted in a sensational, 6,000 sq ft home.

The couple bought the Grade II listed buildings in the sought-after village of Fishlake, near Doncaster, 20 years ago.

“We felt that the barn should be as open as possible and that’s what we set out to achieve,” says Rowy.

The attention to detail is remarkable and the exposed Georgian brick, trusses and beams speak of the property’s past life and the double height, open plan living space is the heart of the home.

“A barn is a big open space and we didn’t want to fill it and have lots of clutter. We knew if we did we would lose the original character, which is why we kept the interior pretty simple so the beautiful beams and walls would be the main features,” says Rowy.

The kitchen is sleek and practical as Rowy is a former cookery teacher who likes to entertain. Upstairs, the star of the show is the glazed mezzanine area, home to the main bedroom.

The Buitekants are selling their home to downsize but will miss their beautiful home.

“We have loved living here,” says Rowy, who adds: “The village is so pretty and there’s a cafe and bistro and a lovely community here in Fishlake. The transport links are also excellent and we are a 10-minute drive from the M1/ M62 and one and a half miles from the M18 and there are rail links to London from Doncaster.”

The property has an open plan space with sitting and dining areas, a games room and a woodburning stove. There is also dining kitchen, a cloakroom and utility room, gym, vaulted guest suite and shower room and a bedroom.

Upstairs, are the main bedroom with dressing room and ensuite, two further ensuite bedrooms, another bedroom plus a house bathroom.

Outside, there is a gated entrance, a workshop in one of the outbuildings and a south-facing garden with decked patio and outdoor kitchenette.

Thevillage issopretty andthere’s acafeand bistroand alovely community herein Fishlake.

HOME: The barn conversions have resulted in a sensational and spacious six bedroom home in one of East Yorkshire’s prime rural villages. The property also has easy access to motorway and rail links.