How do you give a country barn hints of elegant Eastern style? The couple who live here after moving back from Honk Kong asked designer Emma Capron for help
FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN | STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR
SITTING ROOM
Shelves display the couple’s beloved objects collected while abroad.
SITTING ROOM
Window seats enclose this end of the room behind a pair of new nib walls.
ENTRANCE HALL
The pretty cabinet from the couple’s travels faces the front door.
CLOAKROOM
The fun wallpaper pattern nods to the koi carp in Gail and Len’s pond.
WHAT WAS THE PROPERTY LIKE TO START WITH?
Gail and Len were living in Hong Kong and planning to retire back in the UK after 35 years abroad. While en route to the airport after visiting family in Sussex, they viewed this barn on a whim. The roots are Georgian and an extension was built some 20 years ago adding a long sitting room with views to the garden and a large main bedroom suite above.
HOW DID YOU COME TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT?
Gail picked up a copy of 25 Beautiful Homes at the airport and read an article on one of my previous projects and saw that I was local. Later when they showed me around, I became aware this was only the second time they’d seen the barn. I followed up by suggesting questions to get them thinking about how they might live in the space.
WHAT CHANGES DID GAIL AND LEN WANT TO MAKE?
They wanted a bigger utility room, more storage and they were unsure how to use the space effectively in the 9.5m-long sitting room. They also wanted to incorporate their collection of chinoiserie ceramics and ornate Asian furniture.
HOW DID YOU RESPOND TO THEIR BRIEF?
I extended the utility room and designed new joinery. Gail and Len like playing bridge so I added two nib walls to the end of the sitting room to create a seating nook. Since the cloakroom is the room all guests use, I suggested a statement wallpaper, which they weren’t sure about at first, but now love!
DINING AREA
A heavyweight curtain fabric with a textured embroidery finish helps keep the draughts out.
