We’ve long had a love of the romantic American barn, with nearby cows grazing in a bucolic field of wildflowers.
We repurpose barns – turning them into houses to live in – like this one, with the addition of a greenhouse at the back.
And, some we turn into places to entertain, or guest houses, like this barn in Texas.
This barn became a pool house.
One of the more popular barn conversions is this one – Bunny Williams’ guest house on her country house estate. Attached to the side is the glass conservatory that acts as an extra dining room.
Inside, the main room of Bunny’s barn is now a casual living room used mostly by her husband John Rosselli.
Another famous barn is at Rachel Ashwell’s Texas B&B, The Prairie. Her restored barn is used for weddings and other events.
My own Elisabeth wants to get married at Rachel’s barn!!
Restored barn’s can be very rustic, which I love.
Or, they can be more modern, more edited, less rough.
I love a cute barn, painted white.
This one is especially pretty – with the unusual green walls and stained rafters – the green paint tones down the more rustic side of barn living.
In 2003, this book by Chris Casson Madden, showed only living rooms. One of the living rooms, in a large barn, has always stuck in mind as being so pretty.
The very large living room in the dark wood barn was lightened with white slipcovered furniture and blue and white pillows and fabrics. Underfoot is a rug that picks up all the colors. Oh, it’s just too gorgeous!!!!
There are several conversation areas in the room, this one has a slipcovered ottoman in blue and white stripes. Mixed in with all the upholstery are English antiques – which gives the room a classic look. Here, almost 15 years later, the living room still looks current and on trend. I would move in today!
A dining table is near the library shelves – some of which cover a hidden jib door with faux books that leads to the kitchen.
Gorgeous.
To order the book, click below:
One of the most interesting projects in the blogosphere was the New Hampshire farmhouse that was restored by “For The Love Of The House” – Joan and her husband Dan HERE.
After moving to New Hampshire from Texas, Joan bought a white farmhouse. The red barn was connected to the white house – and after a long and laborious renovation, the barn became their large family room. The entire renovation lasted years – and we all watched it happening, impatiently waiting for detailed updates from Joan. The barn room was one of Joan’s last projects, and it was one of the best.
And AFTER, the red barn is now gray with a new fireplace. A new terrace was created where the old driveway to the barn was.
The large terrace and the new French doors to the barn. What to do with that old barn door that was once there??? Joan had an idea.
Joan took the barn door and brought it inside while the reconstruction went on. You can see the barn door standing against the studs. This barn would become the family room.
And here, when the barn’s family room was finished, the barn door was hung from hardware - making it an architectural statement. Joan placed a console table in front of the barn door, which she then accessorized with her beautiful collection of antiques. To the left is the powder room.
The finished barn room, dressed for summer. Joan designed every single detail in this beautiful house!!!
Another view of the room, dressed for summer, showcasing her enormous and fabulous herbiere collection.
And another view of the barn door. The terrace is through the French doors. Through the open door is the kitchen.
Today there is a huge interest in barn doors. Go figure! Who would have ever guessed that, but it’s true. Barn doors are popping up everywhere and Joan’s barn door was one of the first ones that I took notice of.
This magnificent blue barn door gained national attention a few years ago - it was at Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne’s former house, decorated by Martyn Lawrence Bullard. Attached to the door is unstained trellis pieces. It was bought at American Garage HERE. I love this door and wonder if the new owners kept it?
Barn doors are now everywhere. They are hot, very trendy, and mostly, they have nothing to do with barns. Why are barn doors so popular now?
One reason is the huge popularity of HGTVs show - Fixer Upper. Joanna and Chip Gaines, the duo behind TV’s most watched design show, use barn doors all the time and while they didn’t start the trend, they have certainly spread it.
Here, in before/after pictures of a barn that they remodeled – Chip & Jo flanked the glass doors with a large pair of barn doors. The black iron hardware actually becomes part of the design.
And then inside that renovated barn that is now a house, they used a second pair of doors that flank the opening to the living room.
In these Before & After pictures of a breakfast room - Fixer Upper used a “barn door” which was added to close off a pantry. This barn door is neither old nor repurposed, rather it is new and available for anyone to buy. The doors are sold in kits that include the hardware.
In the same house, in the bedroom, two barn doors are added to the bath and closet. Don’t they add so much more than just a sliding door? It’s a nice option for a certain look. And since Joanna used the same actual doors all over the house – it makes more of a design statement.
And here, Fixer Upper used a raw wood barn door leading to the bathroom. She then matched the furniture in the room to the door.
Before & After pictures from Fixer Upper – in this kitchen, a pair of barn doors were added to the end of the galley kitchen.
Fixer Upper: Joanna added a single barn door to close off the bathroom. Besides adding architectural interest, the barn door is in reality just a trendy sliding door.
I only looked at a few houses on the Fixer Upper web site – and almost every other house on their show had one or two barn doors. This is a huge trend they have advanced, along with shiplap walls and subway tiles.
Here are some more ideas for barn doors, not necessary FROM a barn, but either store bought or custom made. On this barn-house, double wide and double height barn doors act like a gate, guarding the glass front door.
Here a traditional barn with large doors that slide to open to reveal a wall of glass doors and windows. Again, when closed, they act as a security gate.
Here, an acrylic door lends a modern touch, definitely NOT from a barn. The hardware is also contemporary, chic. HERE. This door shows how far from the “barn” this look has come.
A pair of Cypress barn doors add a certain texture that balances out the straight lines of the shiplap.
A modern look – see Rustica to order doors and hardware. HERE.
A bunk room can be closed off by barn doors, made with shiplap that runs opposite to the shiplap on the walls.
Simple French doors – are hung from the black iron hardware. This would not be too expensive – you could buy these doors at Home Depot for cheap and then all you would need to buy is the hardware which isn’t that expensive. And, it’s a great look!!! Love the black pendant lights that flank the doors.
Seeded glass lets in light but retains privacy.
Here the barn door is made out of the same shiplap as the walls which gives it a seamless look.
Here is a barn door below, with a smaller door above for a tiny alcove window. Or maybe it was just added for effect? While the doors make a great substitute for a hidden sliding door – they are also wonderful to add architectural interest.
Love this! Bright and young with turquoise doors that open to the bathroom.
How to hide the flatscreen? Use a smaller barn door.
Or add two regular sized doors to hide the flatscreen.
And this gorgeous barn door with modern hardware is located in a kitchen. The frosted glass lets in light but gives privacy to the utility kitchen.
Is this really a BARN DOOR? Or is it just a sliding door updated for 2020s??
While it’s called a barn door, it is not kitsch, there is absolutely nothing kitsch about these doors. It’s just pure beauty.
Are traditional sliding doors a thing of the pass now? Why would anyone order a traditional hidden sliding door – when you can have an updated barn door instead?
To check prices and/or order barn doors, click on the pictures below:
AND A FEW MORE THINGS:
Don’t forget the sale at Olivine, 20% off selected merchandise! Call Helen if you can’t come in!!!
AND, finally…
Houston interior designer Ashley Goforth is up for Traditional Home Magazine’s Favorite Designer award.
There are only two days left to vote – so please, please help support Cote de Texas’ favorite designer Ashley Goforth. This is a huge honor for Ashley!
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