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Dream location


KAREN AND MARTYN CALDICOTTS BEAUTIFUL BARN IS IN THE PERFECT POSITION - ALTHOUGH THEY DID NEED TO BUILD A ROAD TO GETTO IT!
Having lived in the same area for years, Karen and Martyn Caldicott thought they knew it well. However, when they read that a local barn, ripe for conversion, had come up for auction they were puzzled about its location. We took a drive to find it, only to discover that it was next to the farm where I had kept our horses for 10 years. I had never noticed it! says Karen.
The Caldicotts were searching for a bigger home to accommodate their family, including teenage daughters, Sybilla and Clemie and twins, Max and Hugo, who were two at the time. Martyn, who is a builder and developer, was also keen to find a challenging building project and this looked perfect. It was a really good project for Martyn, but it was also ideal as a family home for us. It had the added advantage that it was close to good local schools for the children, says Karen.
And offered a price close to the reserve that was accepted. The sale was agreed under auction terms. It was a tense time. We had to put a ten per cent deposit down immediately and complete within two weeks. We were like headless chickens for a while.
Then the mammoth task began of converting the barn into a home. There was no road access to the property so the very first task was to create a drive across two fields. The barn was a ruin. It had been used for cows so the floors had to be cleared and dug up, along with a few cow pats! says Karen.
There werent any foundations so we had to underpin the walls to stabilise the barn. As there are strict planning regulations regarding barn conversions, we had to repair walls where we could rather than rebuild, although a few had fallen down so those obviously had to be replaced. We werent allowed to add any new openings, so the positioning of windows and doors was dictated renovation for 12 months. Our aim was to create a contemporary family friendly home, says Karen, who had a very clear ideas about how the space should work. The kitchen had to be the focus of our family routines. I worked with Andrew Williams at Quails Usk to achieve that. He designed the keyhole - shaped island, where we can seat ten people, says Karen.
Light fills the house, thanks to Martyns attention to detail. In barn conversions, windows must be the same as those of the original building, which can make the interiors dark. Martyn got around this by giving the arrow slit openings funnel - shaped surrounds to let in more light. He also kept the downstairs open plan, using pillars and the staircase to zone the areas. Upstairs, the landing floors do not reach the outside wall, allowing light to filter down.

Dream location


The inset fireplace was inspired by a similar woodburner that


I went online and found a UK supplier. I visited lots of websites to see different types of installation and styles of fireplaces, then I drew what I wanted and Martyn built it.
Karen used a mix of old and new furniture to create an interesting and comfortable home. I take ideas from magazines and scour local shops to find pieces that wont date, says Karen. I like to add interest with striking pieces like the chrome steamer chest.
Future plans for the property include the creation of a link room of glass and oak to join up the barn with the garages. The space will be a playroom and movie room when it is finished.
The house nestles in its own little valley and the whole family enjoy their country life. I feel lucky to live here, says Karen, especially as we nearly missed out on this barn even though it was right under our noses!
HOW TO...
CREATE A HOLE - IN - THE - WALL FIRE
Solid fuel, wood and gas fires that require a flue all need to be fitted within a fireplace.
The most realistic hole - in - the - wall fires are open, but glass - fronted inserts are the most efficient, says Peter Healy of Stove and Fireplace Advice.
Hole - in - the - wall installation can be expensive. Your installer will have to "break in" above the normal fireplace opening and insert a lintel to support the chimney brickwork. Below the new opening, the brickwork will have to be built up, and some fires need a hearth, says Peter Healy. Alternatively, a false chimney breast can be built for the fire with a vertical flue.
Balanced flue hole - in - the - wall gas fires can be sited directly on to an outside wall.
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