A magical transformation - from an old barn into a cozy summer house. Renewal of old, darkened wood What we build from
“Beautiful Country House” welcomes everyone! Do you think it is possible to turn an old barn, which has stood in desolation for a long time, not just into a living space, but into a house from which you do not want to leave and which you are not ashamed to boast of in front of guests? Yes, it can be. A selection of photographs will prove it to you.
The old barn does not at all give the impression of a cozy and glamorous family nest. But this is only at first glance. You will be surprised to learn that miracles in life happen from time to time.
See how amazingly stylish old cowsheds can become, turned into residential buildings by a professional designer. They are all unique and each of them has its own beautiful history. We have selected the most worthwhile ones. Enjoy!
Impressive project
We're going to start with this amazing home. The owner has designed the premises as residential with the possibility of holding various events in it. The structure, which previously housed a utility room, now includes a workshop that doubles as a kitchen, an apartment with a bunk bed and a bathroom.
The transformation took place with simple materials and common colors. The result is an original house that has its own flavor.
Josephine's family home interior design
This glamorous family mansion also used to be an old building that served as a habitat for animals. It is located in a wonderful picturesque place. Inside, the design and decor are simple but beautiful. The house has concrete floors and exposed wooden beams for character. A glass chandelier adds glamor and sophistication to the space. The result is an image in the eclectic style, where all its details are cozy, modern and harmoniously combined.
400 m2 became a magnificent home
Here is another lovely family home with an amazing secret. Initially, it was a barn, with the passage of time in places moldy and aging. Now it is a beautiful and cozy family hearth, with an area of about 400 m 2. To implement all the ideas of the project, it was slightly expanded. Now it will be difficult to find a more comfortable family home.
The old structure has been transformed into a modern and multifunctional living space
Located in Norfolk, UK, this structure, originally a barn, has been rebuilt according to a design project. It has done a lot of transformations. According to the plan, the building was supposed to look more open and airy than it was before.
In order to give the room its originality, some of the features inherent in the barn have been preserved. For example, the wooden beams remained intact. Everything else was replaced with a new one. Polished concrete floors and plywood furniture interact beautifully to create a beautiful contemporary look.
Spectacular transformations in Quinta
In fact, this is the current model, designed by Dutch architects. The main idea of choosing a building to transform it into a residence was to create a room that would organically fit into the surrounding local flavor. At the same time, a modern living space had to be created. As you can see, the idea was a success and found its embodiment.
An abandoned barn turned into a family hearth
Located in the province of Cáceres, this old barn was abandoned for a long time before its current owners discovered it. They turned to architecture firm Abaton for help transforming the barn into a family estate.
As a result, the house turned out to be unusual, with its characteristic charm and rich history. The walls were lined with stone, which gave the character. The exterior has been preserved almost in its original form, while the interior has been transformed into housing that has features of our era. This beautiful manor house, where the whole family lives, is surrounded by a magnificent natural landscape.
The barn has been converted into a modern building with a swimming pool
This extraordinary place to live has also been converted from a former barn. There is a strong contrast between interior and exterior. The main reason that the appearance remained practically unchanged was the desire of the architects to organically integrate it into the surrounding terrain.
From the outside, the structure looks like a traditional agricultural building, while the interior is surprisingly modern and livable in comfort. Two new wings were added to the structure, one of which houses a swimming pool.
An old barn turned into an eco-house
When you are thinking of converting an old building into a modern family mansion, you are taking a responsible step in front of the surrounding nature, taking care of its safety. After all, you are actually trying to revive an old building and reuse it instead of building a new one.
This barn went even further and took care not only of ecology, but also of aesthetics. It has been transformed into a lovely green manor house with rustic charm. The house is located on Bainbridge Island in Washington DC. The architect has created modern and environmentally friendly housing with its characteristic features.
Renovated former bank
This building previously housed a bank, which stood in Leesburg (USA, Virginia), on the banks of the Potomac River. Its owners initially wanted to demolish the building, but after being refused, they decided to renovate and reuse the building. The barn still has tremendous potential, despite its venerable age.
Irreversible transformations of a 200-year-old building
Another example of how obsolete buildings can find a new life after reconstruction. The bicentennial barn located in Fonsdorf, Austria was old and abandoned until the current owners decided to revive it. The architects managed to completely rebuild it and turn it into a stunning living space.
Spectacular transformations
The last project we are going to present to you today is a truly amazing transformation of a building located in Zutphen (Netherlands). The barn became a family residence on a project developed in 2004.
The architects have created a new extended living space. It contains a large kitchen, study and guest area. The structure was not completely demolished and reformed. Only some of its elements have been replaced by modern ones.
Categories:In country design, even utility blocks can be not just a barn, but a real work of art. I bring to your attention interesting ideas for utility sheds, houses for tools and workshops. All these structures can be made for a summer residence with your own hands, decorated to your liking.
Hozblok can be without windows to prevent easy theft of the tool if your site is located in a not very quiet place.
The wall of the shed can be decorated with painted plastic plates screwed in with self-tapping screws. In my dacha, this is how the northern wall is decorated, I painted them myself.
Your workshop can also be with a small porch, where you can sit and take a break from summer cottage affairs and worries.
The classic design of a pretty utility block, decorated with ampel flowers, as well as tub and tray compositions.
The octagonal guest house can be used both as a workshop and as a utility block.
Hozblok, combined with a garage. Even a shed can have a beautiful front garden with flower beds.
Stylish guest house made of foam blocks can also serve as your workshop.
Here is another beautiful idea for a hozblok of a passionate summer resident. The doors, as I like, are glazed to the floor.
A great idea of a utility block combined with a guest house.
The idea of imitating windows with trays of flowers will revive the plain walls of the barn.
Nice composition of a shed and a pergola with a resting place.
A classic barn in the country or a private courtyard.
Still, it's nice that there are people who create beautiful landscape design solutions from ordinary, familiar buildings.
It would seem like a barn, but here is the porch, here are the flowers - and already a completely different feeling! Some kind of joy ...
If you paint the shed in light shades, then it will immediately become more fun on the site.
Old tools can be hung on the walls and decorated in a rustic country style.
A neat guest house, sheathed with shingles.
A beautiful idea for a shed in the country - a flower bed and trays with flowers, a path of stone slabs leading to the building.
High barn with a pitched roof and windows for light from the ceiling.
The original utility block for storing inventory in the country.
The idea of a workshop on a summer cottage - I can assume that an artist creates his masterpieces here!
Scandinavian-style natural roof - turf can be found on old houses in Norway. Well, here the designer's idea was to plant a flowering lawn.
Some ideas are so good that they can even become the basis of a small country house, and not a utility block.
The photo shows a completely working option for a summer house on a plot of 6 acres.
A wenge-colored shed - a stylish color solution!
A stone utility block in an English estate - the building is more than one century old, and more than one century ahead!
A simple idea of a barn for storing inventory in a summer cottage.
A beautiful frame shed, sheathed with plywood.
A squat utility block is a design idea for your summer cottage.
The original solution is an imitation of shutters on the window.
Such utility blocks can be made with your own hands in a week, thereby you will gain a place where you can store the tool. But don't turn the room into a pantry!
The idea of designing an approach to outbuildings in the country.
It would also be nice to provide a canopy over the door so that in the rain you can open the door without standing under the falling drops of water.
An unusual solution for the entrance group made it possible to create an additional door.
Solid barn built in Western style.
The idea of the utility block is a square workshop.
The idea of a utility block with an asymmetrical roof.
Hozblok with a beautiful entrance door on massive hinges.
Unusual utility block with walls made of wood cuts. I have already met a similar solution many times, I wonder how labor-intensive and reliable it is?
On this, let me say goodbye to you today, see you tomorrow! Stay tuned for updates, share ideas with your friends, get inspired and create unique beauty on your site!
This little country story is about how a photographer daughter made her own studio in the backyard for her mother, who loves to paint. Previously, this modest building housed work equipment, which was moved to the basement of the main house. The same place, suitable for both arts and life, was decorated as a gift.
In fact, for us, summer residents, this house is just one more confirmation that a small space can be magically inviting and cozy. Maybe even more than a huge cottage.
Stacey Van Berkel has decorated this space entirely to her taste, not relying on any styles or traditions. Almost all of the furniture was taken from relatives or from their own basement. Something - repainted, for something - new functionality was invented. Natural materials were also used in the decor. For example, a birch twig makes an excellent curtain.
“All I wanted was to create a place that would inspire my retired mother to be creative. She no longer works and lives outside the city, and it would be much more pleasant for me if she painted instead of watching TV. She loved doing it so much when she was younger! " - says Stacy. Helping her mother to realize her old dream of a studio, the girl also made her own - to win some national photography competition. Canada's National Magazine awarded her for the special charm of the pictures that literally splashes out on the viewer and makes them feel better.
“Most of all, I was hampered by a limited budget. For about two years I was hatching this idea, but I was never able to implement it until a friend advised me to use what I have. And the rest - buy later. It turned out that I didn't have to buy anything in addition, except for new bedding and pillowcases on the first floor and a lot of paint cans. I collected all the other things from relatives, neighbors, and even begged one of the tables from a friend in exchange for a photo session, ”says the self-taught decorator.
In general, the house has only one room, which is nevertheless divided into two levels. Downstairs there is a studio and a small living room consisting of two chairs converted into armchairs by means of pillows. On the second level there is a sleeping place, which can be used only in the warm season.
“I probably would never have started working on the decor if I hadn't seen how others are doing it. An acquaintance showed me a small nursery in his house, which was full of old things. She looked not only beautiful, but also very stylish. Then I just decided that I would start lightly - buy white paint and paint everything I can get my hands on with it, ”Stacey started working on this small project with such an initiative.
“I spent more on paint than planned, but in between work days, my aunt suggested that I take two of her old turquoise chairs that used to be on her veranda. Now there is a new seating area, and for me the chairs turned out to be a real treasure. In fact, they look much better than the aunty of the new furniture. "
Little graceful pieces complement Stacy's interior wherever needed. For example, an old turquoise mug was transformed into a vase on the windowsill, where it would be empty without it.
The specially selected and exceptionally soft color scheme of this house consists of the following colors:
- milky white and snow white;
- turquoise and mint;
- pink;
- light green.
“Mother's old easel had to be repainted white, otherwise it stood out too much in the interior. We did the same with the stool. But we found a small turquoise table near the easel gathering dust in our basement. His leg was broken, and I undertook to fix it myself. Then I painted it my favorite color, and it turned out to be a beautiful piece of furniture. Which, by the way, is not scary to get dirty with art, unlike new furniture. "
“Mom says that she has never received the best gift in her life. Perhaps this is because all the repairs were kept secret from her. She only saw that I occasionally bring barrels of paint there, but she did not expect such unearthly beauty at all. Besides, when I told her that there is also a bedroom upstairs, she just gasped. This turn of events was completely magical for her, because all the household members have long written off the old barn, ”says Stacy.
The article is posted in sections:
So, you became the owner of suburban real estate. On the acquired site, as a rule, there are residential or economic buildings left over from the previous owners. Often their technical condition, appearance and location on the territory do not meet the requirements of the new owners. So I want to remake everything in a businesslike manner, so that it is strong and beautiful, according to my taste. Is it worth rushing to dismantle old buildings and what subtleties you should pay attention to is the topic of this article.
“Demolition cannot be rebuilt” - in life we often face the problem of a correctly placed comma. Excessive financial expenses, spent energy and nerves and other inconveniences may depend on a rash choice. Consider the possible consequences - positive and negative - of both options: the demolition of old buildings, and their alterations.
To break is not to build
Although the dismantling process also takes some time, breaking is much easier than building. When the old is lost, it is no longer possible to return it, if suddenly the circumstances or opinion about the building have changed: the demolished can only be replaced by the newly built.
Before deciding what to do with old buildings in the country - to demolish or rebuild, and even more so to grab a tool, answer your question: why you want to change - break or rebuild- an old house or other building on your site?
The first answer: I want to demolish it, because I just don't like the existing house
Perhaps you bought this plot because of its excellent location, because of the picturesque surroundings, it is convenient to get to the city from here, your loved ones live nearby, or you had a thousand more reasons to choose this particular plot of land.
But you never liked the house itself, because it is an architectural freak, a dilapidated shack, or simply does not fit the site you have already chosen. Then, most likely, it is worth demolishing it and rebuilding the house of your dreams. Otherwise, an unsightly building will start to spoil your life with its existence.
The second answer: I don't like buildings, but there are economic reasons.
So often, economic issues prevent us from living ... The reason for the desire to change the buildings on our site may be that you do not really like the old house and outbuildings, the house is cramped for your family and has an inconvenient layout. However, you objectively believe that you do not have enough funds to build a new one.
A detailed analysis of this case and advice - to demolish or redo - read below.
The third answer: I want to update, since this is the father's house
You grew up in this house and do not want to break it at all, but it is dilapidated and requires capital. In this case, perhaps you should give up the thought of demolishing the old house: it is part of your family, your history, your memory. And memory is what is worth the investment.
And if you even think a little about the fact that the old house should be preserved and remodeled in order to prolong its life, it may well be that, if you decide to demolish it, you will later regret it.
Fourth answer: I want to update, because I like the house
If you "fell in love" with this house at first sight, although the not very good technical condition of the building did not hide from you during the purchase, then you have only one way out - to redo it. After all, you made a purchase for this house.
The fifth answer: I want to rebuild, but there are circumstances
For example, if your old house is gasified, then when dismantling it and building a new one, you will need to make a new one, which can significantly increase construction costs.Much of the above is for subjective reasons. Now let's try to look at things objectively. Each structure, no matter how strong and well-built, has a service life, since building structures lose their bearing capacity over time. To answer the question, demolish or remodel summer cottages, you need to determine how much they have exhausted this resource.
The year of construction, of course, is important in assessing the condition of the house and other outbuildings, but not always an ancient structure is more dilapidated. Here the quality factor of materials, construction technologies and the skill of builders come to the fore.
The less capital a building is, the more it suffers from unforgiving time. Most likely, you will find various auxiliary buildings (assorted and sheds) in a more deplorable state than the house itself.
What you should pay attention to
Determining is remodel buildings in the country or better than them demolish, first of all, you need to pay attention not to how old-fashioned the wallpaper is in the house or the shabby linoleum, but to the strength of the structural elements. To obtain the most reliable information, you need to open the structures by removing the outer trim and cladding.
- Foundation - the basis of the structure. Its strength is also important if you plan to simply renovate an old building. And if they are planning to build on one more floor, even more so. It is possible to decide whether the old foundation is still strong enough for the construction of new additional structures after examining it with the help of special devices used by specialists in construction expertise. But to understand whether it is even worth talking about the presence of a foundation in your house or only its remains are in front of you, you can also visually. If the windows and doorways in the house are skewed, cracks run along the walls or the foundation itself, this means that the foundation of the house has ceased to fulfill its functions.
- Walls - from the point of view of the strength of the structure, the condition is important carriers walls. Internal non-load-bearing partitions can be completely removed. The strength and safety of the walls depends on the materials and technology. For example, in an old log house, the lower crowns and parts of the walls around the window openings often require replacement. The strength of the frame structure depends on the integrity of the frame.
- Its alteration is not the most important item in the cost of remodeling a house. Covering the roof and even completely replacing its structure is the easiest overhaul stage to carry out. But whole, undamaged rafters will help save money.
By identifying wear and tear, you can decide what to do with your home. Builders distinguish between several types of work.
Repair
Repair is the restoration of the performance of the house. During the repair, the coatings are updated, communications are partially replaced, that is, it is restored and slightly increased custom, but not structural building resource.During the repair, the structural elements of the building are not affected, only partial replacement of some units is possible. This is the most benign (and from the point of view of finance, too) way of remodeling a house, relevant only if the structural elements of the building have not suffered from time and unfavorable operating conditions.
Repair - renovation of coatings
When starting repairs, it is worth understanding that a building with intact structural elements may have deteriorated performance: for example, walls or ceilings have become unsatisfactory. Only superficial changes made may not be sufficient.
Overhaul
During a major overhaul, not only decorative coatings are subject to alteration. Building structures are being replaced or restored, engineering communications are being changed.At the same time, with the use of modern materials and technologies, not only are the technical parameters of the building restored, but also improved, and the moral (functional) obsolescence of the structure is eliminated.
Reconstruction
During the reconstruction, the parameters of buildings or structures change: the number of storeys, area and architecture of the building increases.
During the reconstruction, the old layout is changed, which has ceased to meet the modern requirements of comfort or the changed composition of the family. Construction of outbuildings, construction of an attic residential floor, changing the purpose of premises - all these are methods of reconstruction. Along with changes in architectural and planning solutions, dilapidated structures are also replaced, as in a major overhaul.
Restoration
If a house has a valuable appearance from the point of view of architecture or history, even if this value is not generally accepted, but takes place only in your perception (for example, this is your home), they do not talk about repair or reconstruction, but about restoration- that is, the restoration of the original appearance with the strengthening of the structure. Restoration is the most difficult and expensive option, because the use of authentic materials and technologies is assumed during the restoration work.
Restoration is the most difficult and expensive option for restoring an old house
Regardless of which option you choose to remodel old summer cottages, draw up an action plan: in what sequence the work will be carried out, what methods of restoring the foundation or other structures you are going to use, what materials will be required. Try to take into account all your requirements for the renovated house, so as not to start the construction of the next extension after you have carried out the reconstruction of the old building.
Demolish, cannot be rebuilt
When the assessment of wear and tear and the calculation of the estimated cost for the restoration and repair of old buildings is not inspiring, then you have to dismantle old buildings and build a new house that fully meets your needs and desires.
If you appreciate
Why demolish an old house and build a new one
Making a decision to demolish buildings and replace them with new ones is difficult. The choice depends on many reasons, and an important question that stops many is financial. It seems, why break the finished house, it is cheaper to repair and rebuild it.Indeed, in many cases this is the case. But when the process of destruction has gone too far, then the savings will not work. They say that if the percentage of structural wear does not exceed 50%, then it makes sense to repair and redo. But if more than 50%, then the economic benefit begins to tend to zero. Or it may happen that the cost of refurbishment and alteration will exceed the most luxurious budget for new construction.
Even in the case of the undeniable significance of the old, during the restoration of objects that have value from the point of view of art or history, if the loss is more than 70%, a decision is made on conservation and historical reconstruction. It is a recreation of the structures and appearance of the object of restoration, based on the historical description of the object, the surviving fragments, the conclusions of historians and archaeologists about the methods of construction, and so on. That is, the remaining 30% of the whole is preserved (strengthened in order to stop further destruction), and the lost is replaced with a remake that repeats the old one as much as possible.
If your old house and outbuildings in the country are not burdened with memories or architectural value, and the wear and tear of old structures is too great, it is most likely worth rebuilding, and here is why:
- the costs of restoring and strengthening worn-out structures can be compared and even exceed the cost of building new ones;
- in the process of overhaul, previously unnoticed pitfalls may appear or "skeletons in the closet" may appear. It may turn out that this or that structure is far from as strong as it seemed in the initial assessment of the condition of the house. This will either make the repair more expensive, or make it impossible to carry it out according to the planned plan, which, in the end, will raise the cost of restoration work;
- it may not be possible to apply modern building technologies to an old building. For example, insulating an old log house using expanded polystyrene and building steam-wind-hydro-protective membranes, laminate flooring and new plastic windows with double-glazed windows can completely “kill” the old house: the wood under the cladding will begin to sag and collapse, dampness will appear in the renovated house ;
- the structures of the old house may not be suitable for redevelopment or floor add-ons. For example, in a five-walled log house, you cannot remove a log partition (cut) - this is part of the structure.
Make the right choice of punctuation in the phrase "Demolish cannot be rebuilt" and enjoy the renovated old house or the new one built on the site of the old one.
Cozy suburban interior for a penny!
Background
My sister and I got fired up with the idea of buying a small summer cottage when we were 22 and 25 years old, respectively. We are both fond of decorating and we wanted to bring various interesting ideas to life, as well as have a place where you can just take a break from the bustle of the city and enjoy being close to nature.
The place was not chosen by chance - overlooking the ancient pine forest, on the other side of which our grandparents once lived long ago and with which our happy childhood is associated.
View of the pine forest from the attic
Buying a house
The plots in this SNT are small - only 3 acres, but we were primarily interested not in the garden, but in the house. Therefore, proposals with plots turned into one continuous bed, we immediately swept aside.
… And, finally, luck smiled upon us - an elderly man responded to an advertisement written by hand - his old acquaintance was selling a plot with a house. When we saw him (a house, not a man) - it was love at first sight! A board house with an attic and an overgrown garden! We asked for the hostess's phone number and immediately agreed to purchase without bargaining for the price (and it turned out to be much lower than we expected!). So we became its happy mistresses.
Transformation. Start
The house was made with love, but already very "neglected". We wanted to breathe new life into it, making repairs and at the same time not spending large sums. We initially decided that it would be a "budget" renovation, and wanted to prove that nice and cozy does not mean expensive.
This is how the house looked at the time of purchase and the start of cleaning: old wallpaper, yellowed from time and smudges of the roof, an old bed and gray chairs:
Spring bed USSR
The wall opposite the bed (let's call this place so that later it will be convenient to compare 😉)
This is how the house looked from the outside
I will not show even more terrible places on the ceiling - so as not to frighten you))
Paragraph 1
So, my sister and I began the renovation with cleaning.
They raked out and sorted the rubbish stored in the shelves and "cabinets" - it was old clothes, jars, bottles, etc. Sweep everywhere garbage, dirt, dust and of course - mouse poop (tying the respiratory organs just in case with handkerchiefs and wearing masks). The trash was partially taken to the landfill, something was put on rags, something was sent to the wash, something was left for use or decoration.
We immediately named this place "tea room" - because here, as you can see, there is a small table with a couple of chairs for tea drinking and a gorgeous view from the window (the topmost photo of the post)
Point 2
We washed everything with water and bleach!
Literally EVERYTHING: floors, walls, ceilings and even furniture.
Point 3
We started painting the old furniture in more "cheerful" colors. For example, it was decided to make the bed white.
Acrylic paint was used. And for painting the window frames, they used cheap alkyd enamel.
Painting the bed
Chairs - in "lavender"!
The paint highlighted the structure of the wood
Gradually, a kind of "concept" of this mini-room was formed - and we called it "lavender tea house".
I decided to color one of the doors here in this way:
I write in english lavender tea room
By the way, we called the main room in the attic the "blue bedroom". It was decided to use in it a warm, joyful shade of sky blue and, of course, white for combination (association with white clouds in a blue sky).
Point 4
Plywood on the ceiling in places of leaks was replaced with a new one
Clause 5
They tore off old wallpaper from the walls and some paper from the ceiling. Once again they washed the walls with chlorine, dried them and proceeded to wallpapering.
Wallpaper for the main wall of the bedroom chose white in a blue flower
"Feodosia" - 200 rubles / roll
Blue wallpaper (for combination) - 80 rubles / roll
Wallpaper on the ceiling - free (they found the old ones in the barn and pasted them on the wrong side)
View from the bedroom to the tea room
We roll up the new wallpaper ..
Let's continue ...
It is not easy to paste over the ceiling - hands get numb, but then the hand gets full)
Meanwhile, the walls in the tea room are covered with the remnants of wallpaper stored at home (pink), and the lilac ones were bought for 70 rubles / roll in the store. The door of the "closet" is painted pink.
I'm in the tea room
Well, and you are probably tired of looking at the phone photos of our "flops" and you want to see what came out of all this?
We specially arranged a "photo session" for the resulting interior with a camera:
Lavender tea
Tea room
And now the blue bedroom.
The photos are arranged as if we are turning to the right:
Blue bedroom
Sleeping
Table by the window
Shelves and a suitcase for storing linen (hand-decorated)
Sofa opposite the bed
View from the bedroom to the tea room
blue bedroom
And from the outside, the house now looks like this (we painted it in mint and pink - we tinted it ourselves).
They painted with rollers, using a folding ladder, and leaned out of the windows to paint where the ladder did not reach:
House in the fall:
And here we are with my sister Lyalya in the garden by the house. The bush of peonies has not bloomed yet, but has already grown out - we made a "holder" for it from an old chair with a leaky seat (which was simply torn off), found in the attic in the village at my grandmother's.
My story ends, but the story of the house's transformation is not. The plans are to "cushion" the first floor. We will definitely share the result with you!
We are gradually equipping the garden: we dream of a lawn, flowers, a fence and garden furniture.
Thank you all for your attention! We hope that we have inspired at least someone else to be creative and creative))
